Across the Nation, Ex-S.D. Newscasters Making News

From ex-KFMB-TV (Channel 8) anchorwoman Paula Zahn’s meteoric rise up the CBS News ladder of success to ex-KGTV (Channel 10) sportscaster “Fast Eddie” Alexander’s criminal record, San Diego television news stars tend to make news when they leave San Diego.

Some recent examples:

Stan Miller: Once Channel 8’s “Stud Puppet,” Miller was recently dubbed a “California raisin” by Cheryl Johnson of the Twin Cities’ Star Tribune. Johnson reported that Miller is being groomed for the top anchor spot at KSTP-TV after being “lured” from Channel 8 in 1991 for “200,000 to 300,000 mackerels.”

Well, she apparently wasn’t familiar with Miller’s last unhappy days at Channel 8, and “mackerels” must be some sort of Minnesota slang, but Johnson did reveal some details of Miller’s work habits that will bring back fond memories to Channel 8 staffers.

“Staffers have dubbed the conference room with the TV ‘Stan’s Private Space,’ ” she wrote.

Miller told Johnson: “I don’t come up here and act like I’m Mr. Super Worker. I’ve never taken (the news biz) too seriously, and I think that gets on people’s nerves.”

Bob Donley: After years off the air following his sudden and splashy departure in 1987 from Channel 10--which included thrown office equipment and a lawsuit he filed against the station--intrepid reporter Donley has landed with KLAS-TV in Las Vegas.

“Here’s a tip for Channel 8’s Bob Donley,” the Las Vegas Review Journal wrote recently. “If you’re going to report a story that everybody else in town has already reported, don’t act as if you have a scoop that no one knew about previously.”

Susan Roesgen and Greg Hurst: Pushed out at Channel 8 (Roesgen in 1991 and Hurst in 1990), the scrub-faced pair moved on to the bright lights of New York’s WABC-TV, which Newsday has taken to referring to as “Wonder Bread Central.”

Dawn Fratangelo: Channel 8 alum who has found fame and fortune in New York. When she took over as the main anchor at WNBC, Newsday dubbed her, “the warm, fuzzy and cuddly superstar . . . from San Diego,” even though she left here in 1986 after the “This Day” debacle, a short-lived attempt at an alternative-style 11 p.m. newscast.

Larry Mendte: The Chicago papers have been having a field day with Mendte, ever since they learned he was a weatherman and stand-up comic in San Diego until 1991. At WBBM-TV, the CBS owned-and-operated station, he is the lead news reporter. The Chicago Tribune has taken to running a semi-regular segment called “The Larry Mendte Watch, or chronicles of a San Diego weatherman-turned-WBBM star reporter.”

The Chicago Sun-Times has also found Mendte to be an easy target. “Larry Mendte delivered the ultimate sweeps cliche with an absurd report on claims by ‘millions’ that they have been abducted by UFO aliens,” the Sun-Times recently reported. And a story on the frenzy surrounding the Chicago Bulls: “If the hype keeps up at this rate, Larry Mendte will be knocking on your door to deliver personal updates before its all over.”

Starting today, KNSD-TV (Channel 39) has picked up “Cristina,” a new talk show, to fill the 4 to 5 p.m. time slot vacated by the deceased “Ross/Hedgecock Report.” Hosted by Cristina Saralegui, often described as the “Oprah of Spanish-language TV,” the show is an English-language version of her successful Spanish-language show. It is being tested for 11 weeks in markets with large Latino populations. . . .

KKLQ’s new program director is Tracy Johnson, who had been working with consultant Alan Burns. . . .

A dream come true for local filmmakers Jude Pauline Eberhard and Isaac Artenstein (“Break of Dawn”): They’ve opened a downtown coffeehouse, Cinema Cafe, at 1602 Front St., the corner of Front and Cedar. Complete with a 100-seat screening room, they hope to make it a haven for filmmakers and cinema fans. Hours are currently 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For information call 236-9575. . . .

Tom Marshall, most recently of WKLQ in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the new KIOZ-FM (102.1) program director. . . .

Former Channel 10 sports guy Larry Sacknoff is reportedly auditioning for soap operas and game show host jobs. . . .

In recent weeks, Channel 8’s Ted Leitner has labeled Chicago Cubs fans as “scum,” Portland Trailblazer fans as “pinheads,” and San Francisco Giants fans as “the scummiest, sleaziest” fans. . . .

General Manager John Willkie of low power station Channel 63, “Bay 63,” isn’t sure where his transmitting tower will be located, and he can’t be more definitive than to report that the station expects to be on the air “in six to seven weeks,” but he did say that the station has signed an agreement to carry the “Home Shopping Club.” . . .

Channel 10 has promoted Lee Swanson, producer of the 5 p.m. newscast, to executive news producer, replacing the long departed Wayne Brown. . . .

Professional television journalist Susan Peters’ wedding is the highlight of “The Wedding Show,” an exceptionally cheesy infomercial airing on local cable systems hosted by former Channel 10 reporter Larry Roberts. Peters provides a ringing endorsement for a wedding video company. . . .

KGMG-AM (1320) has hired former KSPA-AM morning personality and program director Chris Vaccaro (a.k.a. Rich Allen) to fill the afternoon slot vacated by John Regan, who reportedly left to pursue his commercial work. . . .

Charlie and Harrigan start at KCBQ on June 29. . . .

The best episodes of “Geraldo” (weekdays and weeknights on Channel 51, “San Diego’s Home for Geraldo”) are those when the guests wear disguises. Sporting funky mustaches and lopsided wigs, they give the show the extra serious tone befitting discussions about such topics as trailer-home wives who beat their pets.

CRITIC’S CHOICE

ACCLAIMED ‘WATERDANCE’ SCREENS AT HILLCREST

Wesley Snipes can’t jump in “The Waterdance.” The sculptured star of such action flicks as “New Jack City” and the disappointingly brain dead “White Men Can’t Jump” (yeah, let’s take $2,000 down to Watts and see if we can find a pickup game), Snipes is wheelchair-bound in “Waterdance,” the critically acclaimed story of a young man (Eric Stoltz) forced to deal with the paralysis of his legs. Currently screening at the Hillcrest Cinemas, it has won raves as an engaging film of the uplifting kind, with a surprising sense of humor.