Full Focus getting cancelled shows what happens to publically funded media who dig too deeply into how our crooked little county operates. Wonder which rock they turned over had a snake under it that bit them? Those of us who think that Full Focus provides useful information on local issues need to call and write KPBS asking them to keep it on the air. Hopefully the Voice of San Diego will do the same, and continue to shine a light on the ugly underbelly of this town and keep everyone honest.

Posted by Watcher | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 12:51 am

BUMMER...

Posted by Basic Civics | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 12:58 am

Watcher, not everything has to do with corruption. Producing a television show is expensive. If you can't get sponsors for it, can't underwrite it, it doesn't stay on the air. KPBS's annual beg-athon doesn't bring in enough money to fully fund a TV show.

Posted by Point Loman | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 1:31 am

Will they continue broadcasting the show on the radio? It's hard for a sober discussion group to compete with everything that's on television, but it's a treat to listen to Gloria Penner and her guests on the radio.

Posted by Maura Larkins | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 1:38 am

OMG, Scott Lewis this double whammy made me DOUBLE GASP at my desk. This is some of the worst news I've heard THIS YEAR! I love Gloria, something has to be done :(

Posted by jjinsd | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 2:29 am

Did not KPBS get a large donation from someone like Joan Kroc not too many years ago? I have lost interest in that station as the programming has gone downhill. And the radio station is even worse. Full Focus was about the only show I watched on occasion. I'm sure they will still run Lawrence Welk repeats though. Woo hoo!

Posted by Andy | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 2:30 am

If the show can't draw viewers, no point in keeping it around. Penner should have retired years ago.

Posted by Ray | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 2:44 am

The NPR and PBS programming-cut decisions are rarely because of a lack of support from the public. These moves are usually from the gross destruction of public-funding support and imposition of oversight regimes that are aimed at killing truth in broadcasting. The CPB (corporation for public broadcasting) likely had a huge hand in squashing the "not carrying Republican water" programming. So sad, so sad. Well, better that gloria retire and hang out with sister Sheba than be forced to carry the stupefied hogwash we'll likely see in the foreseeable, propaganda-heavy, pseudo-syndicated replacement tripe the little fascist tools foist on us.

Posted by Frank In SD | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 3:37 am

What a bad move. San Diego must have one of the worst public TV stations in the country. KPBS runs repeats of Lawrence Welk and unfunny British comedy skits in prime time, yet they push contemporary shows like Charlie Rose and Tavis Smiley to the 12:30am and 1:30am slots, when no one can watch. At least Full Focus was a current news show that I could watch before bedtime.

Posted by Diana | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 3:52 am

Didn't KBPS recently receive a huge donation from the Joan Kroc Foundation, or did I dream that.Wasn't the donation the largest ever received by KBPS? Can someone shed some light on this fact.I also agree with Diane, that KPBS has the worst programing.All the informative programs are scheduled for insomniacs.

Posted by r brick | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 6:32 am

Full Focus was and is an important source of information on local issues. Sometimes the guests were not asked sufficient probing questions and it tended to have an an establishment bias. Sometimes Gloria Penner was not well-prepared by staff and I didn't like the shift to multiple segments (often three) in 30 minutes. Too frequently, fast moving stories were either ignored or aired too late to be of value. Nevertheless, to can the program rather than revamp it is a tragedy for San Diego.

Posted by Ian Trowbridge | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 7:08 am

Hey score one for the market! Yay! Now there's a new niche for the voiceofsandiego.org to fill -- video clips of interviews and even live media that's relevant to the news organization's mission. Let's see, how about a few voiceofsandiego.org staff and board members in a round table with guests? Loads of hosting opportunities amongst staff, board, and guest community members, plus, there's the entire agenda of The Lounge and Full Focus to now fill. Voiceofsandiego.org is uniquely positioned to pick up this huge local market, plus you should immediately sign the 'A Way With Words' folks before someone else does -- what a great show! So much business expansion for the voice, so little to lose... Jump in head first and pick up the jewels that were just dumped onto the floor at your feet, voiceofsandiego.org!

Posted by Christopher Hall | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 7:11 am

KPBS-TV had a dismal record with local programming, especially news. Their little local news breaks are a joke. Wonder how much they are paying Kathy "Shirley Temple" Diamant whose job seems to be.....? $250,000 to produce A Way With Words!!!!!!!! That's a sign that something is seriously wrong with station management. I suppose that KPBS's mismanagers will take emergency action and air a Suze Orman special.

Posted by Bob Hudson | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 8:40 am

What happen to the Kroc Grant to help our local station? Secondly, why was there not more public advance notice during the show about the possibility of the shows cancellation unless greater funing efforts could have been made. Thank you Gloria and team for your efforts. I do think it is time for her to take on less stressful jobs around the station. She has a wealth of knowledge and no doubt will continue to contribute to her presumed first love, the radio show. I sense one of the difficulties is the lack of variety in the number and type of guests and subjects may have been a possible fault. Is there any chance that a special funding raising effort can be made? I watched this show often. It is a tragedy that our local PBS Station cannot carry local public interest shows.

Posted by John | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 8:46 pm

And anyone notice that the non-commercial public radio is showing longer and longer spots from their sponsors, similar to ads? What's wrong with going commercial and just having ads? Apparently it works for other stations. Why should I send in money to a station that barely has anything on it I watch? Or perhaps a nightly Full Focus show was too much. I really only watched it on Friday when they had the roundup of the weeks news with various media personnel (and all the Voice guys with weird haircuts). Where will I be able to see my favorite voice of reason, Tony Perry?

Posted by Andy | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 8:55 pm

I listen to KPBS less all the time. Their many commercials (yes, that's what they are) and all their self promotion is offensive and mind numbing. I suspect that the guys who run KPBS are pulling down big salaries and that's where the money is going. When I travel and listen to other NPR stations, the difference is suprising. Over the years, KPBS has cut many radio programs. For example: Commonwealth Club, Selected Shorts, Democracy Now. I love listening to the BBC during the night, but it's long gone from KPBS. I listen to XM radio these days and don't miss KPBS.

Posted by Sandy in Hilcrest | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 8:56 pm

Another voice is silenced. "Full Focus" being cancelled is nothing short of mind-numbing and an indication that big business just may not give a hoot about the people. As a devotee of "Full Focus" I just cannot believe that KPBS would not have looked for sponsors of the show, that particular show, and keep it alive. What a shame. We, the people, have lost again. We still have radio talk shows and you, our "Voice of San Diego".

Posted by San Marcos says... | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 10:14 pm

Unbelieveable. Having just had the excellent experiences to have our Palomar Station project on both the KPBS radio program, one of them, where the mayor of San Marcos and a concerned citizen "discuss" Palomar Station and the other, Full Focus, where a planning commissioner and another concerned citizen "discuss" Palomar Station, we are all deeply saddened with the loss of Full Focus. We, the people, are circulating petitions to qualify 3 referendums to be placed on the ballot to give the people the right to choose - if the people of San Marcos wish, they will overturn the City Council's approval of the Palomar Station project. "Significant and Unmitigable Health Risks" required a "Statement of Overriding Considerations" be utilized. How can anything be more important that a persons health ? Anything ? Why would any city council stoop to such depths ?

Posted by San Marcos says II, | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 10:21 pm

A change is needed at KPBS. That's for sure. But the changes should be in the program managers, not getting rid of "Full Focus" and "A Way with Words." Full Focus may be a bit light weight, but it covers a wide range of topics. It is truly educational. As for A Way with Words, from the callers it seems the program is going national. A lot of people want English to be the official language, but they can't speak it correctly. This program at least attempts to improve how we speak English. KPBS has too many old British comedy reruns. If I want to hear classical music at night I go to XLNC radio, not KPBS.

Posted by Bob in Linda Vista | reply to this comment
August 1, 2007 10:22 pm

I just spoke to a friend who spoke with Gloria Penner and sent me an email - I will insert it here Gloria Penner is leaving the program and they are in search of another host. She wants to do political reporting stories. Thought you'd like to know.

Posted by San Marcos says | reply to this comment
August 2, 2007 2:41 am

Is the loss of Full Focus that severe? How relevant is KPBS anyway? For an organization that bills itself as a business yet needs the support of the CPB and NPR for content and funding, they're a little schizophrenic to say the least. My suggestion to them is: If you're going to be a business, form a corporation within the station, peddle ads from a business office and use the revenue to do truly indie, investigative news. Let CPB and NPR do the fluffy shows we've come to expect; but if you're going to engage in the business of news gathering, do it in a newsie's way----or shut up.

Posted by Walter Winchell | reply to this comment
August 3, 2007 12:10 am

The donor list to KPBS, operated through the auspices of San Diego State -- a public institution -- is held as top-secret information? How is this possible? Does the influence of those secret KPBS donors (including those less-shy-people whose names are displayed on KPBS buildings and studios) have anything to do with the superficial or politically-cautious programming we get from the station? Why did KPBS recently buy another station out in the desert rather than improve program offerings here in town? Was Joan Kroc money spent on that acquisition and, if so, how much? As usual in San Diego, many questions and few answers. Maybe the voice will do some digging, even if it means their editors, who have been cut from "Full Focus," won't get invited back to "The Editors' Roundtable."

Posted by Fed Up | reply to this comment
August 3, 2007 3:11 am

One problem with FULL FOCUS is that it provided alternative in-depth reporting and discussion by others besides the COPLEY COMPENDIUM. --CAN'T HAVE THAT!!! The U-T speaks for all. So, now there's that much less diversity of reporting and news discussion accessible in San Diego--already a journalistic desert. It's COPLY AND KITTLE, OR NOTHING. I'll take nothing. San Diego, the land of ONE voice. Did Joan Kroc's generous bequest get used up already by KPBS?

Posted by Greg Duch | reply to this comment
August 3, 2007 4:53 am

There's an aversion to news discussion programs at KPBS that don't include Bob Kittle, Tim MacLane, and John --(The Three Wise Men). That trio still pontificates via KPBS' "Editor's Roundtable". Don't their own publications provide their opinions enough exposure, locally. None of the three is either a news reporter nor a newsmaker. They are paid propagandists. Surely San Diego has other voices for KPBS to turn to, including their in-house staff. "Talk of the Nation" was axed months ago, no explanation.

Posted by Greg Duch | reply to this comment
August 3, 2007 5:10 am

Thanks to voice correspondents who have mentioned the late lamented NPR "Talk of the Nation" that was axed from KPBS local programming: first it was cut from two hours to one, and then that single news hour of excellent national and international news and interviews was disappeared. And now that I'm remembering, what happened to NPR's excellent "Science Friday?" And the short story readings on Sunday night? These are only some of the worst losses at KPBS: "Full Focus" and "A Way with Words" pale in comparison with these quality programs, and now they too are gone. This isn't about KPBS on-air personalities who have stayed afloat for years: this is about lousy management of a self-styled public station that is derelict in its duty to the community. A friend has facetously suggested we revert to tribal drums to communicate ideas and news henceforth.

Posted by Fed Up | reply to this comment
August 3, 2007 10:46 am

KPBS management is the area most in need of replacement. San Diego- a city of three million.--a very affluent city, with a well-educated "demographic profile". ---KPBS is affiliated with the largest California State University Campus,(SDSU). If there were an ideal place for public broadcasting to thrive, San Diego should be right at the top. Merlin exhibits a fatal lack of creativity, innovation, insight, business sense, and leadership in shrinking KPBS to mere PAP-broadcasting. His action is similar to the U-T's dropping the Book Review section, the public be damned. BTW, KPBS local news consists mostly of reading exerpts from that day's U-T.

Posted by Greg Duch | reply to this comment
August 4, 2007 5:48 am

Yup, I figured it was only a matter of time before the crooks killed it.

Posted by Figures | reply to this comment
August 5, 2007 5:09 am

I remember over the year end holidays that KPBS ran some non-locally produced programs in place of These Days and some other morning offerings. I was surprised at how good the substitute stuff was. I think KPBS needs a clean sweep of old deadwood and an infusion of new brain power, creativity, talent and imagination. Penner needs to retire; Fudge needs some passive/agressive anger management counseling, and the whole showplace needs some serious shakeout. SD has 3 million people in it; surely they can find some more talent than what they've got.

Posted by Roscoe | reply to this comment
August 5, 2007 10:16 am

KPBS is circling the drain, and Merlin isn't helping. I heard him interviewed on KPBS earlier this week, and he came across as a bit arrogant and unapologetic. Surprising for a leader of an organization that lives by donations... Now we get (even more) hours of low-budget crap on TV, and severely reduced radio content (the last time I checked, they cut some of their web-based streaming too). It seems that KPBS took a severe hit after the previous downturn, and they've never recovered.

Posted by Former KPBS Member | reply to this comment
August 5, 2007 1:16 pm

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