“News flash: people are changing channels at 10 rather than watch KC Live,” wrote Kate Berry on KSHB’s Facebook page today. “Not everyone bothers to switch back, since there’s plenty of news on other channels and soaps can be recorded.
“So YOU ARE LOSING VIEWERS ALL DAY DUE TO KC LIVE. Put KLG & Hoda back where they belong, at 10 am.”
Berry’s strong views seemed to be echoed by several viewers regarding KSHB’s locally produced morning show called “Kansas City Live” that began airing two weeks ago on KSHB 41 Action News from 10-11 a.m.
KSHB took the unusual step of bringing in a pair of local newcomers—Michelle Davidson and Michael Mackie—as hosts to resurrect a show similar to one the NBC affiliate launched in September 2005 with the same name that was cancelled in early 2008.
In fairness, the show is still trying to find its footing. It got off to a rocky start with viewers upset that the final hour of the Today Show was moved to 1 p.m. Then it was pre-empted for two weeks by the London Olympics.
“How long did it take you to change the channel? Where did they find the hosts? Never heard of either of them,” was a post on a local blog site.
“Love your station so much but the 10:00 am team has to go……they are trying too hard to interact with one another and their enthusiasm is annoying because it is so fake!” was a typical response.
Davidson was an anchor/reporter at KOMU in Columbia for nearly two years after graduation from the University of Missouri. She also was at KY3 in Springfield, MO, as a weekend anchor and consumer reporter from 2001-2006.
Mackie, who most recently worked as a senior writer/director at KC-based PlattForm Advertising, has worked for local television affiliates in Des Moines, Orlando and KC and has won five local Emmy awards. He received a degree in broadcasting from the University of Iowa. The Pitch recently profiled the flamboyant host.
“We’re really excited about bringing this new show to our viewers,” station VP and GM Mike Vrbac told Bottom Line last month. “41 Action News is continuing to develop local programming that is relevant to our community, and we’re thrilled that we were able to recruit the talents of Michelle and Michael.”
A short while later Vrabac announced his retirement.
KCTV will be countering with its own local show this fall. Former morning co-anchor Kelly Jones has been announced as the new on-air personality for the CBS affiliate’s “Better KC” show.
OMG!
I never have complained about a tv show but OMG what were you thinking when you dropped the fourth hour of Today to add these rookies?
At least the Today show was professional. these two are definitely lacking experience and skill. I definitely will not be watching its pathetic!
LISTENING ISSUE…
It really is bad. There were 2 ladies from the Ethnic Enrichment Festival on this past Monday and Mackie was interviewing them. One lady says, “There will be plenty of great food and wonderful entertainment…” Mackie then interrupts, “Will there be food”? The woman, a little shocked, says “Yes”, and continues on to describe it. Mackie again interrupts, “Will there be entertainment?”
Looking a little annoyed, the woman almost repeats how she described the entertainment the first time. Before she is done, Mackie interrupts them AGAIN to say they are out of time and thank you. Was obvious that he was not listening to them and really didn’t care. The worst kind of host/interviewer.
WEAK TEAM
Without a doubt, the weakest team on the tv….Michael complains that he is back from a long vacation in India….he was off the air because of the Olympics….who cares where he went…..
Looks like he is always thinking of what to tweet or post on facebook rather than thinking of the question and/or guest.
LOSING ITS AUDIENCE
Do you know what’s even worse? The fact that they’re not even rookies. This Davidson lady has been in the business now for YEARS! Nearly a decade, and THIS is how she acts? Oh. My. GOD! How did she ever pass University?
Yesterday their show apparently only pulled in a .7 rating. Compare that to the fourth hour of the Today Show? Well it was apparently pulling low to mid THREE’S.
So that means that KSHB has lost nearly ALL of its audience at 10am in only about a month (three weeks to be even more exact, but still)! A month! Wow.
“Better KC” HAS to be better than this! KCTV’s probably sitting their laughing in their studio office space or whatever and thinking to themselves “Ok, this is what we DON’T do: everything that Kansas City Live IS doing!”
I’m sure now that KSHB regrets renovating that corner of the studio for it (the show).
ROMPER ROOM
Seems like everything produced locally in KC ends up looking like some 1960′s Romper Room production out of Little Rock Arkansas. You would think in a pool of two million people KC media could find a small team of people that could actually produce some professional programming. How sad that television has digressed to the point that near all attempts at programming come off looking like something barely a cut above the local government access channel productions.
GAY?
They guy is gay right? I mean why not just admit it and make it a part of the show. How the hell did the pitch not ask him that?
REPLY:
Not sure why that would make a difference one way or another.
NO CHEMISTRY
Well lets see Darren Mark played a Gay guy on TV & was convincing. Not only that he had EXCELLENT comedic timing. They replace him with a gay guy pretending to be a flamboyant gay guy from a Parody of a Comedy of a News show. Sadly he over acts the role & fails. There is no Brett/ Meredeth Chemistry between whazizname & wazername.
THIS IS KC
This is Kansas City, Not Chicago or New York or god forbid Los Angeles. This show and its hosts will NEVER work in KC. It is annoying and the KC in the name is just wrong. This is New York wanna-be LIVE. The hosts are not top 30 market people at all. Just Close up shop and bring back Meredeth, and the old gang that did a good show.
BAD MOVE
News Flash. Meredith was sh-t canned due to her inappropriate behavior in public and inablilty to get along with co-workers. She can’t even get a job in the media other than being a reporter and we all know that is. Write your own story and practically hold your own camera. Not prestegious not top pay. The ratings for it were not stellar and was eventually cancelled.Although this show will remain because it is just a 60 minute string of commercials, it makes you wonder why the F advertisers would want to PAY to be on a show that no one watches. How is that cost effective to them? Bad move KSHB. Really bad.
HOENES AN ANCHOR
Clearly you don’t know as Meredith Hoenes is an ANCHOR at a Columbia News Station. I bet you didn’t even know she’s Married & Pregnant.
RESEARCH
While on the topic of being fired, this co host position to which Ms Jones has been assigned was a result of her losing her anchor job. Seems her and Meredith, who ever that is, have a lot of similarities. Jones is arrogant and always has to be the center of attention and will kiss anyones behind to get her picture taken. Her co host is another unknown but must have been more talented than Michael Mackie and Michelle Bratcher because they both tried for the position. Both denied (bet KCTV is thanking God) and they worked as affiliates for Channel 5. Hmmm maybe KSHB should have done some research?
ORIGINAL KC LIVE BETTER
Um, are all of the comments from the same person too lazy to change their schtick, or do you all just happen to have a habit of writing in all, bold caps to start off your rant?
Back on the topic of this show….. just…. no. KSHB can do far better than this, but they don’t. Sad. The original KC Live was miles ahead of this, even with Meredith Hoenes as the host.
REPLY
Editor: I am the one who writes the little headlines, not the commenters. Just wanted to help readers.
CORRECT
The above poster is correct, Meredith Hoenes was fired from NBC and all employees received a sudden email that stated “do not allow Meredith back in the building, her key card has been taken from her and she has to be escorted”
True story. She didn’t get along with other employees and got caught doing something at Panera by our old manager.
Side note……The old KC live ratings tanked and that’s why the show was canceled.
However it was a lot better than this new show. It pulled a 0.7 this week. Ouch. Time to pull the plug. It’s detrimental to hear all of the negative things being said and it’s hurting the ENTIRE station’s reputation……even those of us not affiliated with the new show.
ARE YOU LISTENING?
Absolutely the worst show on TV in its time slot. Give up already, KSHB. Are you even listening to your viewers?
CORPORATE MANDATE
Hmmmm…Ive heard many times now that Scripps (KSHB’s parent company) has MANDATED that KC Live air! That being said, this show isn’t going ANYWHERE for at least a year I suspect.
DETAILS?
“True story. She didn’t get along with other employees and got caught doing something at Panera by our old manager.”
Details?
KC LIVE
check it out and get the scoop on KC LIVE. The employees tell ALL
HORRIBLE
Please KSHB take KC Live off the air and put Kathy Lee & Hoda back on at 10am. KCLive is horrible. Did you really think people would enjoy a show like this? You really don’t know your audience.
HATE THE SHOW
I Hate this show!!
It is AWFUL!!! Bring back KLG and Hoda.
Why on earth would you put these two on air???
They are so awkward to watch. They are not for TV.
2 1/2 weeks is enough- they need to make their exit.