Sara Sidner going, going gone from KTVU
By Susan Young
Monday, November 12th, 2007 at 10:55 am in KTVU-Channel 2.
Word has slipped out that KTVU’s Sara Sidner is the next anchor out the door at the beleaguered East Bay station.
Sidner joined the KTVU news team as co-anchor of the weekend edition of “KTVU Channel 2 News at 6″ and “The Ten O’Clock News” and weekday reporter in January of 2004.
Sara Sidner
Sidner, it should be noted, is one of the few locals who looks like she could have a brilliant future as a network prospect. She’s bright, presents herself well and is young. Which is why it is rumored that KTVU wanted to lock her into a five-year contract with the station.
Sidner would be foolish to spend that long at a local station, given her potential. But we’d like to have seen KTVU work with her a bit to keep her on as long as possible.
This comes on the heels of viewers already irate at morning anchor Mark Curtis’ ouster. While the station has said that he will “transition into a reporting position,” we’ve heard no contract has been offered. His current contract expires in January.
Mark Curtis
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November 12th, 2007 at 11:36 am
It is sad that both anchors will be leaving! I love their particular styles, whats up with KTVU, isn’t time to retire Dennis?????
November 13th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
What ever happened to Leslie Griffith?
November 14th, 2007 at 7:07 am
We miss Mark Curtis! We like his regular guy style. I will particularly miss his yearly turkey segment on Thanksgiving that he did years ago when he was a reporter. We will also miss Sara Sidner, she was a very good anchor and was very professional. She came to the elementary school where I work and taught the kids about Junior Achievement and they all loved her.
Perhaps both of them will end up on another station’s news program, I hope!
November 14th, 2007 at 9:03 am
It’s sad she’s leaving too. Is KTVU new getting like NewsCentre 4, losing a lot of good people?
November 14th, 2007 at 11:34 am
I agree with Tamara…it is time for Dennis to go!
November 14th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I have been a dedicated morning news hound for many years, and I have to say I am disappointed with the recent decisions KTVU has made. I tried to keep an open mind on changes, and I have waited long enough to know I am upset with the disruption of a very good news team, Mark Curtis and Pam Cook. The decision to “transition” (most people call it a demotion) Mark back to a reporter status makes no sense at all. Mark was a well establish morning anchor who connected well with a morning audience. He had developed great credibility with the Bay Area community from his reporting and eventual promotion to Anchor. He knows how to deliver news thoroughly and accurately. He abilities had to have been well recognized by the KTVU management, because he was the “go to guy” whenever Ross was not at work. He easily filled that role, and honestly, in my opinion, he actually is a better live interviewer than Ross. He has energy and showed real interest in every guest he interviewd. Dave Clark has only demonstrated that he is purely a “performer”, with his “created voice and lack of ramping up his knowledge of the Bay Area. I can only hope that KTVU comes to its senses and brings Mark back as a morning anchor. In the meantime, I sadly will only get my morning news from 6-7 on another channel.
November 15th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
I am sorry that you had made the decision to let Mark Curtis go. The team of Mark & Pam was the reason that I got up at 5:00. I will now be watching another local channel during this time. Unfortunally the public is not aware of this, when are you going to tell them.
November 19th, 2007 at 8:30 am
I am soo sorry to see Sara go. she is our favorite and I’ll now be viewing annother channel. Your losing a great ga. also when will Denis Richman be retiring? He just mumbles and nerver smiles. Hes over the hill.
November 19th, 2007 at 9:00 am
I read your column in Sunday’s Tri-Valley Herald and in total agreement with you. I haved watched Mark Curtis and Pam Cook report the Early news for many years. His down home style is just what is needed first thing in the morning. When it was revealed that Mark was leaving, I thought ok let’s give the new guy a chance. Well, it’s been 2 weeks now, and I miss Mark. I have tried to get use to Dave Clark, but he seems to be “performing” and his heart isn’t relly in it, as was Mark’s. I hope KTVU comes to it’s senses and brings back Mark. I agree with Dave, I will now be getting my early morning news from another station.
November 19th, 2007 at 11:52 am
I miss MARK, waking up in the morning isn’t the same. Mark Curtis shows an interest in
what he was reporting and who he was reporting to, (me). His voice was easy to listen to
first thing in the morning. MARK you are missed and I wish you well!
November 19th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
>he actually is a better live interviewer than Ross.
You actually think Ross can give good interviews?
And as far as Dennis…. first Elaine, then Leslie, now Mark…
November 19th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
How can a station who is trying to increase ratings remove such a community involved individual like Mark Curtis. I have enjoyed the morning shows so much that I watch every weekday at 5am. If Mark isn’t on I go back to sleep. Mark has given back to many of the communites in which he reports on. I had the unique opportuinity to volunteer in Marks shadows at a senior center and he is such a wonderful and humble man.
How dare you! KTVU is not the place to be…Morning, afternoon or nights. I am boycotting KTVU!!!!!!
November 20th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
OK so I’ll date myself here, I’ve been watching since the “There’s only one two” days. How can the same station that gives us Dennis Richmond and Rita Williams give us Dave Clark and Heather Holmes? Does management figure they need to offset Dennis and Rita’s stellar qualities and reputations as journalists with two people who put on a show and think it’s about themselves, not the story? Give me a break. I can’t stand Dave Clark and I change the channel when Heather Holmes comes on. Tell us the story honey. It ain’t all about you.
November 20th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Heather Holmes is a piece of hot ass…Put her on more
November 21st, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Every morning I would turn on the TV at 6am to watch Mark and Pam anchor the news. Channel 2 news was the best. I’ve now noticed this new guy there, Dave Clark. I thought he was just “filling in”. I’m not impressed. He doesn’t seem as personable as Mark. Even Pam is not as engaging. Why bring someone up from LA? I think I’ll now go try out the other stations and their morning news. Channel 7 looks interesting. Some other station should pick up Mark when his contract is up.
November 24th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Heather Holmes is a nice piece of hot ass, we need to see her more.
November 27th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I will be sad to see Sara go because I thought she was great from day one on the station. I don’t care for Gasia Mikelian on the weekend either. Sara was much better with Ken Wayne. I was suprised that Mark Curtis was demoted. I thought they would get rid of Pam Cook who is not that great of a journalist. I used to live in Southern California and I didn’t like any of the news people down there. I used to look forward to visiting the Bay Area to see my favorite anchors. Chaneel 2 will never be the same. Hopefully they will let Dennis Richmond retire in May because he is past due. My vote will be for Frank to replace him next year. He deserves it!
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:17 am
I appreciated having regular looking folks do the news. I’ll miss Mark Curtis. However, I am glad to see the news diversifying it’s staff in the anchor position. What would really make me happy is to replace Steve Paulson. He comes across as dumb as a box of rocks, and tries too hard to engage with the other staffers.
January 10th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I have been watching since Dialing For Dollars Days. I REALLY miss Mark Curtis in the morning and kept thinking Sara was on vacation. (A bad cold distracted me over the holidays.) How can Channel Two do this to us?? Heather Holmes needs to comb or cut her hair and look more professional. Dennis Richmond has been around too long now and needs to retire. Bring back Mark!!
January 17th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
That Dave Clark, reminds of Ted from the Mary Tyler Moore Show, how bout that………PLEASE…PLEASE…PLEASE… Bring back Mark Curtis. Congratulations to Dennis, enjoy your retirement…it’s time to live.
January 18th, 2008 at 1:38 am
If u dnt understand ma writtin u betta deal wit it! who care if dennis richmond dnt smile so wat christine dnt bee talking about dave clark like that u hella mean and 4 u lisa i care about gasia mikaelian and u bitch u spell her last name wrong u ass hole!!!
January 24th, 2008 at 7:53 am
I am so sorry to hear that Sara Sidner is gone. She really brought flavor and taste to ktvu news. It’s a shame because this station didn’t have enough Afro American news anchors as it is, so I guess the only black you have now is Renee Kemp. Renee if I were you I would leave ASAP! I guess I will be switching to a another new station. Soon you will see your ratings drop and you did it to yourself Mr. General Manager!
January 25th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Leave pam Cook alone.She is great! Been watching her for years.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
What is the current status of Mark Curtis’s contract? I know there was talk about him becoming a reporter rather that a news anchor.
April 21st, 2008 at 6:20 am
Where is Leslie Griffith? Now Mark Curtis is out, and Sara next? How self destructive can this station get ?
I no longer watch any news on this station.
May 11th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I am quite displeased that Mark Curtis was let go as a news anchor. He was about the only reason I still watched channel 2 in the morning. So many new people have been brought in. I felt Mark delivered the news well and was funny. The other news anchors are a bore.
I wish Mark well and hope another station picks him up.
I will have to get my morning news from another station.
May 18th, 2008 at 11:08 am
hi
May 18th, 2008 at 11:10 am
So sorry to see Dennis leave. He is the best. Highly professional, calm, great voice, good looking and a great reporter. Dennis, you are the best. Astrid
May 29th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
If all these people who rant really were not going to watch Ch. 2, then the recent ratings would have reflected it, but apparently everyone is full of hot air, because Ch.2 still won the mornings. What about the quality of the newscasts! Doesn’t anyone care about the mistakes in all parts of the news broadcasts. On a daily basis, I see and hear( and don’t hear) so many mistakes, but I don’t hear one word about how the newscasts on all the stations in the Bay Area has dropped to mid market levels.