Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth?
If the number of telephone calls and emails I continue to get is any measure of the continued interest in Heidi Watney, the former KMPH, Channel 26 sports reporter, then she is gone but not forgotten. So here's an update:
As part of Watney's new job as a sideline reporter at Boston Red Sox games for the New England Sports Network, she was interviewed for a story that can be seen at BostonHerald.com. The contents of that story drew attention from many sports bloggers in the Boston area.
That’s because Watney had some interesting things to say.
One part of the story focuses on The Fresno Bee's reporting in December of how Watney was suspended by KMPH management after cursing at a school administrator.
Here's what I wrote at that time:
KMPH, Channel 26, sports reporter Heidi Watney has been suspended this month because of an incident with a Hoover High School vice principal that occurred in November. Watney cursed at the school administrator.
The exchange happened when Watney told the administrator she had permission to be on the high school campus. A check with the Fresno Unified School District office revealed she did not have permission. When Watney was asked to leave the school grounds, she made the offending comment in front of students.KMPH general manager Charlie Pfaff would not comment on the action the station took in regards to Watney because it is a personnel matter. He did say that the station has worked hard to foster respect with the community and "we expect all employees to reflect this standard."
Watney yesterday denied cursing. She told the Herald "I think I have a little more class than that."
I guess she does if Watney's definition of class is calling a Hoover vice principal and her former boss a liar. It would have been easy for Watney to have just said she has a passion for her job and she let that get out of hand.
But wait. There’s more.
Watney told the Herald it was her decision to leave KMPH because "it was time for a change” and she was ready to move on. Then she added that “We parted on good terms."
When Watney left KMPH no one would say a word. General manager Charlie Pfaff wouldn’t answer a single question about Watney’s departure. Employees have been told they can not talk about her leaving.
Over the years I have written about hundreds of television and radio personalities leaving their jobs. Never has a person left under good terms and management been so silent. At the least there is a "we wish them good luck." Not a word has been said about Watney.
There is also video on the Web of Watney’s first appearance on the cable channel. She talked about how extensively she covered Barry Bonds last year. She went as far to say that she never had the problems that other reporters who covered Bonds on a daily basis had. Daily basis? I feel bad I missed most of that Giants coverage.
So Watney has obviously taken her new job to heart. She's already adopted the Roger Clemens approach to the truth.
(photo credit: nesn.com)
Comments:
Seems as if she thought because she was all the way on the other side of the country a little white lie or 2 wouldn't hurt. Rick Bentley is a beast for that last line. Way to pull no punches.
Posted by: Mario at May 14, 2008 5:13 PM
Heidi was fired from KMPH. Little birdies told me (none of whom work for KMPH, so relax Mr. Pappas and the Chapter 11 folk there)*.
Heidi and Darrel were let go for making remarks (ALLEGEDLY) to a photog, something to do with that photogs' sexual proclivity. So I've heard. Rumor? Truth? I dunno**
*Let it be known I actually LOVE KMPH. I watch Great Day all the time (I stay up late), and it's my 10pm news of choice. I'm a big fan of Jadine and Monty. Just FYI.
**It's the truth. But don't sue me.
Posted by: Stephen at May 14, 2008 11:51 PM
Oh, and one more thing.
I don't care WHAT Heidi Watney says to get hired, get publicity, or to try to win over Boston viewers. I actually like(d) her on the air quite a bit. It was Darrel I couldn't stand to watch, he of the egotistical air, trying to make jokes at the expense of his weekend team.
I think Heidi is quite capable and does a nice enough job on the air.
Just again, FYI
Posted by: Stephen at May 14, 2008 11:53 PM
Aren't there more important things to report on than an ex news person who's now in Bean Town? Seriously.
Posted by: Michael at May 15, 2008 8:21 AM
Well, Michael, aren't there more important things to do with your time than comment on blog posts you don't find worthwhile in the first place?
Why does everything have to be "important"? This is not a news blog - it's an entertainment-driven one, and some people still find Heidi Watney entertaining.
Posted by: Heather at May 15, 2008 8:49 AM
Sorry, the article seemed overtly negative, especially the last comment and it rubbed me the wrong way I guess. I know it's an opinion article and Rick is entitled to his. I just didn't agree with it.
See what happens when I don't have my two pots of coffee in the morning? I'm going back to sleep now.
Posted by: Michael at May 15, 2008 9:19 AM
Oh, come on! This is no way to conduct a blog war, Michael! You can't apologize so quickly. You were supposed to get angry and call me names first.
Posted by: Heather at May 15, 2008 9:35 AM
Just call me France.
Hmac you have such a huge following here if I said anything mean to you your male fans would hunt me down and kick my ass. And I like living, it's fun.
Posted by: Michael at May 15, 2008 9:56 AM
thanks for the update Rick. i can't stand when people are too full of themselves that they have to lie to make themselves look good.
back in the day during my city college days, i got fired from my job at a health and racquet club. when people asked me what happened, i told them that i got fired because i was drinking tall cans of 211 Steel Reserve on the job and got caught red handed pouring a can into my styrofoam cup.
people would look at me and asked if i had a problem. i told them no, i have a new job waiting tables. i just drink before or after work now, haha.
Posted by: mdub420 at May 15, 2008 10:02 AM
Oh Michael, why don't you just go stare at a camera and post it!
Posted by: marty at May 15, 2008 8:46 PM
Who cares about this Harlot?
Focus on actual Journalists still doing their jobs after being let go from their employees-Bud Elliott,for example
F...Heidi Watney
Posted by: rick at May 16, 2008 1:53 AM
Did you ever think that she said what her new employeer allowed her to say about her previous job? I doubt it if they would let her do an interview with the boston herald without having some control over it. It seems to me the answers were pretty vague.
Posted by: Ian at May 16, 2008 7:23 AM
Who cares if she was fired and what she says to a Boston paper. Are things so lame there that you have to blog about a former reporter. Hey, how about this report on something that has to deal with where you live. No wonder nobody like you clowns in the media
Posted by: dan at May 16, 2008 12:52 PM
Now dan knows how to conduct a blog war. I guess I better take notes.
And marty was that an insult? I'm still confused (which isn't very hard to do I guess)on the matter and it's been 18 or so hours later.
Posted by: Michael at May 16, 2008 2:50 PM
Wait! What happened to Bud Elliot? He was a very cool guy. Used to be a regular at a place I worked and was very decent!
Posted by: YesterGoth at May 16, 2008 7:03 PM
A hot blonde who talks dirty, sign me up. I'd hit it.
Posted by: Rick at May 18, 2008 12:10 PM
Bud Elliott is now at Kjwl 99.3fm,mornings 6am to 10am
That stupid Ksee 24 terminated his contract-because Granite/Silver point capital do not have a male morning anchor at their other stations(i.e Caucasion male)
So he is in good company at kjwl with juanita stevenson and Sean Boyd.
Posted by: rick sabich at May 19, 2008 4:37 AM
Whats even more funny ?
Bill Murray who Heidi Watney pissed off at Pebble Beach by asking Bill to do a little comic rant for her colleague?
Is co-owner of the Brockton Rox baseball team here otside of Boston.
Heidi sucks as a reporter. She's so wooden on camera.
She'll be chatting live at 12 noon Tues. at nesn.com.
Posted by: Brett at May 19, 2008 3:35 PM
Stephen is correct, H and D were let go for comments made to a reporter regarding his sexual preferences.
Posted by: JD at May 23, 2008 5:17 AM
o boy - what a controversy, she cursed, got fired. who cares? I came here assuming she'd banged the school's principal or something. And now she's a reporter for one of the hottest teams playing in one of the country's biggest media markets.
Posted by: stacie at May 23, 2008 7:02 AM
I saw Heidi recently and she claims she'd be just as happy covering the Kansas City Royals. How condescending.
While trying to be self-effacing, she just came off as arrogant. The Roger Clemens example is not only a good analogy, its the truth! What's really sad is that Heidi has no clue how lucky she has it. She arguably has one of the most coveted TV jobs. The only other ones I can think of is working for the New York Yankees or network television. Maybe someday she'll get a real dose of reality. Obviously, being a beautiful blonde gets you far in the entertainment business....
Posted by: Ryan at May 26, 2008 3:03 AM
I was witness to that conversation about covering the Red Sox vs. any other team (in the Sox clubhouse in Oakland). She didn't say she'd be just as happy covering the Royals, she said she would be happy covering any baseball team because she likes the sport... and she came across to me as being humble about her new job. She also said she loved her new job and was quite happy. This is why people don't trust bloggers. You don't tell the truth. It's funny that you were kissing her ass to her face, and now turn around and bash her online. What a hypocrite.
Posted by: Ben at May 26, 2008 10:57 AM
I have no reason to lie, what would that do to benefit me? Honestly, she doesn't realize how lucky she is.
Posted by: Ryan at May 26, 2008 8:28 PM
I didn't say you benefited from anything... likely just jealous because she has a job you want. Just because she didn't gush to you (somene she doesn't know) about her job (in a crowded clubhouse) doesn't mean she doesn't like or love it. I had a conversation with her Friday afternoon, and she said she loved her job.
Posted by: Ben at May 26, 2008 11:28 PM
Who wouldn't want that gig. I'm glad to hear she enjoys it.
Posted by: Ryan at May 27, 2008 4:44 PM
Well, this is a pretty old topic, but I was trying to find out what happened to Heidi because my family LOVED her! Especially my 19 year old son!!! But I liked Heidi and Derrold and am very sad they are gone. What I'm not sad about it the departure of Jadine Maliver (hallelujah and praise the Lord). that girl couldn't read a piece without at least one mistake and I swear the writers hated her, too. They'd write the pieces in such a way as to set Jadine up for failure. Enjoy your family Jadine because I am truly enjoying my 10:00 news without you.
Posted by: Patty at June 23, 2008 11:11 PM
The real question is, whatever happened to Tina Cervasio of NESN who Heidi Watney replaced?
Posted by: Michael at June 25, 2008 2:50 PM
Tina went back to NY, where I believe she stated her career and her husband lives. Unfortunatley, to the YES network I believe. She will be missed. She was a great reported as well as being very easy on the eyes. Not that Heidi isn't, of course!
As for the rumors, that's all they are. Even if she did curse at a principal, is that so bad? Who hasn't lost their temper and said something they later regretted? If you thought you were right in a similar situation, wouldn't YOU be angry at someone who you perceived to be calling YOU a liar? I mean come on, this was HIGH SCHOOL! It seems from what I've read that she chose to leave and was not fired. If what she said (IF she said it) were so egergious, would she not have been disciplined and/or fired?
Yes, I am from Boston, but I am not a big HD fan. She is great to look at and has done a fair job so far, but she does not seem to be getting a fair shake here. To be honest, I wish Tina had not left. But HD seems to be a competent replacement, at least.
Sigh...but whatever will we do without Hazle Mae? Boston has become a launching pad for female sports reporters!
Posted by: G at July 8, 2008 8:00 PM
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