If you count his internship, Mike's been 40 years at KOIN. Yow. Very few stations anywhere in the country can claim that kind of institutional memory, certainly no other station in town. Use this as an open thread.
Weekend Open Thread, Mike Donahue Edition 6/14/08-6/15/08
It had just been remarked upon elsewhere that Mike was celebrating 40 years at KOIN. To my knowledge, he's still being underutilized as a street reporter.
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Lynn Siprelle * Fairy Blogmother
Mike's anchored the morning and noon news for quite some time now. As good as you think he is, you must not watch him much.
I was watching Wednesday morning when Mike's morning co-anchor (Jenny) announced that it was his last morning anchoring. Further, she said that he was moving back to the evening shift.
A new co-anchor for KOIN's morning and noon news will be introduced soon.
I was watching Wednesday morning when Mike's morning co-anchor (Jenny) announced that it was his last morning anchoring. Further, she said that he was moving back to the evening shift.
A new co-anchor for KOIN's morning and noon news will be introduced soon.
What about Gianola? Is he doing early evenings and Gianola doing late evnings? Someone fill me in! Or this could be too good to be true.
My sources say he's back on the street, nightside. He'll be fill-in anchor only.
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Lynn Siprelle * Fairy Blogmother
Did KOIN steal someone from another station or is it an out of town hire. I hear Lyn Huston is available.
I have always liked Mike Donahue's reporting and anchoring style -- he and Shirley Hancock were the reason I watched KOIN years ago. If I'm flipping through the channels and see him, I still stop and listen to what he says.
Congrats on 40 years!
I totally agree that Mike Donahue is a Portland journalistic icon. Mike Donahue IS KOIN news. I used to spend my summers in Lincoln City and always looked forward to watching Mike and Shirley on KOIN 6. It's a shame that Mike Donahue is having to anchor the morning and noon newscasts when he should be senior anchor doing all the evening newscasts. I say ditch Gianola and put Mike where he belongs on the 5, 530, 6 and 11pm.
Did Shirley win her lawsuit against KOIN?
Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there!
Nothing to me says credibility in Portland news like Mike Donahue. With all due respect, I don't know what misguided, "shoebox and duct tape" research suggested KOIN sit Jeff G in the evening anchor chair. Jeff's a fine reporter, and good as a fill-in anchor, but you need real credibility and gravitas in that chair. IMO, Mike trumps Jeff G in that dept.
I remember watching Mike report breaking news on Mt St Helens way back in the early 80s. He's Portland's version of Walter Cronkite.
I wouldn't be surprised at your arithmetic. I worked with Mike for half that period. Even handed, decent and hard working from day one. Mike was the face of professional stability when KOIN was a great shop, and he offers continuity now. A privilege to work with.
-Mark Sanchez
I think Mike Donahue is the most credible man in Portland news. Not only because he has been with KOIN for four decades, but because of the integrity that he has held during these generations. It's good to have you in this market.
Congratulations Mike.
I had the opportunity to spend a day following Mike Donahue as he put together a piece for their 5pm newscast in the late 1980's. What struck me about him was his genuinely down to earth bearing. Even as he was greeted by school children who recognized in downtown Portland, he was just a kind and friendly as one can be. Not that I had spent much time with many media personalities, but it certainly left an indelible impression. When we returned to the station, he wrote his story, edited it for broadcast, ate a brown bag lunch brought from home, then got ready for the 5pm show.
In addition to his awesome career in front of the camera, Mike also deserves big props for his courageous blog (even though he stopped writing it a few years ago). It was the most brutally honest and detailed dissection of the TV news biz I've ever seen. This site, while much appreciated, is bland by comparison.
I thought a more-or-less universal consensus had developed within the industry that Mike was PMI (which may be why he ended it). True, he didn't put his name on it, but as far as I know he has never explicitly disavowed it either, at least not publicly. An awful lot of the content pointed squarely in his direction. Who do you think it was?
Like I'd say.
If a "more-or-less universal consensus" exists, I'm in a different universe. (Which those of you who know me can attest is probable, but not for this reason; Mamie Van Doren once said "I'm so way out, I'm on another planet," and I seem to be following right along, though with considerably less peroxide and considerably more adipose tissue.) I can't say with 100% certainty that Mike wasn't PMI, but I can say it with 99.9% certainty.
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Lynn Siprelle * Fairy Blogmother
It's not that hard to figure out. TMI's author is clearly (a) male, (b) above-the-line, (c) a longtime KOIN veteran and (d) seriously intellectual (i.e., a deep philosophical thinker, not just professionally competent). Those four criteria eliminate everyone but Donahue and (arguably) Ken Boddie, and the writing seemed to match the former's personality much more closely. Even if I'm wrong I hope he takes this as a compliment.
I'm with Lynn on this one. PMI was all about gossip. And anyone who knows Mike Donahue knows that he was/is never into the rumor mill. He's a true journalist -- his focus is on quality & fact-based journalism... and he puts his name on his work. Mike is the type who might've never even read PMI (or this site, for that matter).
That said, I do have a PMI "suspect" in mind -- he worked at KPTV 1st, then KATU... and he had a "close connection" with someone at KOIN. And PMI went dark about the same time my suspect's employment ended at KATU a couple years ago. I'm not going to out this person, as I don't really know if it was him. But some of you have probably figured out who I'm talking about...
Did anyone else bother to ask Mike Donahue about this spurious claim? I asked Mike directly and he absolutely denied it. This canard appeared as a "humorous" item on Jack Bogdanski's blog although I failed to see the humor. As I recall, Mike was in the midst of touchy contract negotiation; Under those circumstances attaching his name to PMI was unfunny and potentially damaging to Mike.
-Mark Sanchez
Jack Capell. Last I saw on KGW, he retired to the Seattle area. His son John Capell was a reporter at KATU for awhile.
I am like Laurie's comment.
I was a die hard Mike & Shirley watcher, until those dummies fired both Mike & Shirley.
That was a Great Newsroom, now who do we have Mr. Fake & Miss Teen Idol.
I have Not watch koinless 6 since they fired all those good people.
That was a Great Newsroom, now who do we have Mr. Fake & Miss Teen Idol.
I have Not watch koinless 6 since they fired all those good people.
Why on earth to they keep airhead Kelly Day ??? I almost expect her to ask the viewing audience.... " Am I pretty ??? " with the vacant Fembot look she has....
Jack Capell signed on with his first KGW Newscast in 1956. He was the weather forecaster along with Richard Ross and Ivan Smith as anchors and Doug Lamnear with sportal
Jack finally retired in 2000, giving him 44 years on the air.
For many years he suffered from a form of ALS and was confined to a wheelchair. But it never hindered his ability to forecast the weather accuratly or to be a friendly and outgoing man personally.
Having worked with Jack for 25 years I can truthfully say he was one of the best people I ever met or worked with.
Jack was also one of the first soldiers to storm Omaha Beach on D-Day and though he would seldom talk about it, he believed at the time he would never live through that day of combat.
As a kid, if Jack Capell was forecasting snow, you knew he'd be right on the money. Ah, those snow days of old.
Congratulations to Mike Donahue. It is too bad that KOIN does not seem to realize what an asset they have with Mr. Donahue.
I keep wondering how long it will be until KOIN wises up and gives "Dye-pot" Gianola (that's a loverly shade of brown Jeff!!)and "Little Miss Bubblehead" Day (more shellac for that terrif Posh Spice hairdo please!) the proverbial boot.
Mike Donahue should be returned to head anchor on the evening news immediately.
My bet is that if Lynn Heider put Mike Donahue back on the evening newscasts with a new suitable co-anchor, with heavy promotion KOIN's ratings fortunes would rise. I don' think the recent 11pm win will carry over to the July or November books. I'd love to see Donahue & Hancock make a return to the air, yes I know it's not ever going to happen. Elaine Murphy was a great anchor, or maybe Donahue and Stephanie Stricklen as primary anchor team? Jeff Gianola and Kelley Day could anchor the morning and noon or better yet weekends.
Has one of the other PDX stations ever made a run at Mike Donahue? Maybe you know Lynn or someone out there would know? Mike is a Portland television news legend and he deserves better than what KOIN has given him the last 5 plus years.
As much as I might get lambasted by it on here, would Kelly Day be that bad of an option to sit next to Donahue?
I've watched KOIN a few times recently (after totally avoiding KOIN news for a long time), and she seems to have improved in my eyes. Comes across more credible and less 'cutesy' as she used to.
I am a huge fan of Steph Stricklen, but I don't think she'd be the best fit next to Mike.
Wow, it's surprising to me how unbelievably shallow some people are. "Bubblehead"? "Dye-job"? How about you watch the news to purely watch the news, instead of using that time to pick on the anchors' looks? It's sad when people are using the evening news to make themselves feel better rather than to get information about what's going on in the world. I'm not saying that KOIN has the most amazing newscast ever, but really, get a hobby already.
mike's a nice guy, by all reports, and competent on air. but I never got the idea he knew more than he reported, or had a rich background on the major issues of the met area and oregon. those are qualities I would look for in a truly great newsperson (god, I hate that word).
KOIN needs to keep:
Ken Boddie
Alexis Del Cid
Mike Donahue
Tim Gordon
Alana Kujala
Tim Becker
and fire the rest.
Geesh, "myhousemf".....a little harsh don't you think? Your little list left out a lot of good, hard working people. It appears you have turned into one of the mean-spirited bloggers on here. Too bad.
By the way, I notice on your youtube account, you claim to be a "producer." Maybe you should get a job at KOIN, and then make a decision on who you would "fire."
Do you all remember when KOIN 6 Newroom led the pack in ratings.
ya know, not to take away from what Mike has accomplished, but think about it. In a medium where journalism and advertising "enjoy" an uneasy relationship, you'd think a good hard news, hard nosed journalist would cross the line at some point and p*ss of management. Portland is, after all, kind of a small time market, and there are just a few, identifiable, folks who control the strings of this town. Cross their line and they exact a price. It's the same syndrome as in the White House...don't report what they like and they take away your access. How does someone keep access in Portland...don't rock the boat. How does someone not get fired for 40 years. You fill in the blank. Others have worked at KOIN, done as good a job as Mike and they're not around anymore. ok...let the fireworks begin. This board is very much a love fest. I'm sure lot's of folks will defend Mike, but that's not what this is about. and yes, I worked at KOIN.
I'm sure glad to get the scoop from an KOIN insider who appears to have been at every meeting Donahue had with management regarding how the news should be covered. As for the others, it sounds like they perhaps didn't choose thier battles quite as well. You?
BTW - I do agree with your assessment of the White House press corps, same could be said of sports coverage, but then again, that's the toy store...
SCJ
Being a genial fellow who works well with others doesn’t mean he’s a mediocre journalist. He’s a credible figure who connects well with the audience – and I would guess management as well. And that says a great deal, given that KOIN has had several owners in the past few years. I’m sure he could have found a professional home elsewhere in Portland, but KOIN has been a comfortable fit for him.
Compare Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Even tempered Woodward has made the Washington Post Company home for nearly as long as Mike Donahue has worked at KOIN. Whereas hotheaded Carl Bernstein left the Washington Post in the mid 70’s and has been on a professional rollar coaster ever since. Then you have Tim Russert. He had been with NBC News since the mid 1980’s before he tragically passed away. Nobody has questioned his ability to do his job well.
Donahue doesn't bring in the ratings that Russert did, so the comparison doesn't work for me. Russert could get away with ruffling feathers at NBC but he really didn't have to.. he ran the place in DC and made the network tens of millions. Mike sticks around here because he takes the contract management offers and he allows KOIN to move him to every shift imaginable without protest. I like the guy a lot and think his longevity is legendary in this day and age but when you're too genial you tend to get stepped on.
When KOIN was Number One:
Ted Bryant was News Director; Craig Kuhlman was EP, Denny Schleifer was 5p producer, Mike Donahue and Jim Rauh were anchoring; Dr John Walls was doing weather, Brian Drees was on sports, Harold Englet was chief photog, Microwave was brand new and so was eng. and the Femcasters Ruled.
I'm really tired of Reporters who don't get out of the "mobile newsroom" to get valuable information... And VNR's being aired as news. Have you noticed that lately? No disclaimer... Just propoganda.
I agree, obviously when they are 'live' they are simply in the KPTV parking lot. It's creative and OK once in a while, but on the other hand I think they should venture out and do the live shots where their story happened.
Love,
12 Viewer
Isn't always in the parking lot people. There are a number of times reporters are live three times from 10-11:30, and there is not enough time to go from place to place. Do you really think the reporters always ask for the Mobile Newsroom? Remember, there are those people called executive producers and the show's producers who are requiring a live shot for them. And what supposedly VNR was run? You are just throwing accusations with out backing it up.
I could care less about the mobile newsroom. Whatever. My point is maybe some of these inexperienced so-called reporters should try getting out of it from time to time. I know you don't i-view PIO's, but they can still give you details. It's pretty sad when you get your butt kicked because you THOUGHT you knew it all... And never bother to talk to anyone but idiot neighbors.
As for the VNR's, I'm sorry I didn't take note but one that stands out is the summer camp story and, oh ya, some green trash story this week. Definately paid programming.
Just because we don't put PIOs on air doesn't mean that we don't get the information from them genius. Do you honestly think that we get a few neighbor soundbites and then sit around the parking lot? Do you have any idea of how a TV newsroom actually works? And which "inexperienced" reporters are you talking about- David Wilson, Jim Hyde, Debra Gil, Kerry Tomlinson? People that have decades of combined reporting experience?
1. Portland television has changed and KPTV is leading in numbers.
2. It's okay to be 27 years old working in a market 23.
3. When people say crime stopping KPTV isn't journalism too bad, because
journalism is changing everyday.
4. The young faces attract the young crowd who may not normally watch
(yawn) KGW.
5. KPTV utilizes their funds by having a young talented staff that is
giving them awesome ratings.
Last time I looked KPTV was #1 at 10PM and nowhere else.
"Awesome ratings" would make them #1 in more than one newscast but they're not.
Let's face it.. FOX12 has a crime-driven, fast-paced newscast that draws a chunk of viewers - a big chunk. They're not the #1 station in Portland though.
KPTV beat KATU in the 4pm race in the May book. KPTV wins mornings, yes, it's a horse race between 12 and 8, but KPTV wins mornings more often than not. It's not just at ten people. And really? Is that going to be your new excuse for losing? "Oh, KPTV only wins at 10." Remember when KPTV wasn't a factor at all? And now they're tripling your 11 o'clock numbers!
And about the PIO thing, you have to be an idiot to think 12's reporters don't interview PIO's. They just choose to air real emotional sound from real people, not cop-speak. Talk about lazy, the reporters who run sound bite after sound bite from the cops and can't track down the people who are truly affected are the lazy ones.
I'm not in PDX, so I find this term hilarious. Does that mean the anchors broadcast out of the Immobile Newsroom?
It's just a stupid live shot, people. Viewers don't care about your fancy marketing terms when they can now do virtually the same thing with their cellphones and laptops.
40 Years!!!!!! Yikes.........
Makes an old man like me feel young (I was 12 when he started).
I'd like to see & hear more from Mike about NW history since he's been on air for a huge part of it.
On June 19th, Donahue and Day, unlike their competitors at KATU and KGW, lead with the story about the loss of federal timber payments (http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=1213825074534...) and the impact on rural county governments. I think I might have seen a brief sensationalistic promo that mentioned handgun permits were going up in response, but in spite of that angle (which seems hard to prove), leading with a timber payment story seems to be counter to the normal crime and depravity stories most local news is driven to.
Is it stretching things to suggest that Donohue's influence might have played a role in leading with that story?
It's not like people at the other stations didn't try to do that story. I find it iteresting A:) that no prodcuers bitn and B:) that it took KOIN almost 2 weeks to do the story. Slow news day?
I'm surprised nobody pointed this out. Mike Donahue's replacement is on koin.com Some guy from Detroit named Art Edwards.
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