Local Media Notes: El Mandril Disappears, and Carlos Amezcua Exits

Where's El Mandril? Ricardo 'El Mandril' Sanchez, the morning host on KLAX-FM ("97.9 La Raza"), hasn't been on the air since last month, and the Los Angeles Times investigates why:

Sanchez's manager, Fernando Schiantarelli, said Monday that Sanchez was pulled from the air during negotiations over his employment contract, which ends next month.

But Schiantarelli also confirmed, as did other industry sources, that Sanchez's show has been the subject of an investigation by research giant Nielsen, which acquired radio ratings firm Arbitron in late September, into allegations of ratings tampering.

"There was an investigation raised by some other competitors who were very concerned that Mandril was being so successful," Schiantarelli said, adding that such investigations — and complaints from rivals — are not uncommon in the industry. He said the investigation didn't turn up anything.

Allegations have been raised that members of Arbitron's audience panel had been contacted by people connected to Sanchez's show and encouraged to listen to his program, a violation of Arbitron's and Nielsen's practices.

A Nielsen representative said the company had no comment on its investigation, adding, "Nielsen Audio is committed to the highest standards of integrity in our data and our panels."

A KLAX programming executive also confirmed that Sanchez's program was taken off the air because of an investigation. The executive referred The Times to top company executives who did not return repeated calls for comment Monday.

Schiantarelli said a top SBS executive told the janitor-turned-radio star to show up to work every day but sit around "doing nothing."

Carlos Amezcua is out at KTTV/Fox 11 after five years as the station's 10 p.m. co-anchor (with Christine Devine). TV Spy has the details:

Kevin Hale, vice president and general manager of KTTV told staffers this evening about Amezcua’s departure. “After more than five years on KTTV’s Fox 11 10 p.m. News, Carlos Amezcua has decided to step down from the news desk to expand his own media and technology company, “Carlos Media Corp.” here in Los Angeles, said Hale. “Having won over 10 Emmy’s throughout his career, Amezcua has made many contributions to this community, as well our newsroom. We wish him continued success in building his own media and technology firm.”

PREVIOUSLY ON FRANKLIN AVENUE:

BREAKING NEWS: Carlos Amezcua In, John Beard Out at Fox 11 (September 4, 2007)

KTTV Viewers Not So Keen on John Beard's Departure

The chatboards on Fox 11's website are running mostly against the station's decision to bring in KTLA's Carlos Amezcua to replace John Beard.

Actually, if you can read the graphic above, it's getting downright nasty. (I'm actually surprised KTTV has kept those comments up there, at least as of late yesterday.) Here's an example of the rough response:

KTLA did not want Carlos. I don't want Carlos. His face on ch 11 is as good a reason as any reason not to watch ch 11 news. Bizarre choice to be the face of a newsteam. Makes me wonder whose neck is going to get severed after this hiring decision!

***
Carlos Amezcua...is a fat faced talking head. In fact his neck fat folds over his shirt collar which is disgusting.
Looks like hes going to have a stroke with that tight neck collar and tie...maybe.

***
Carlos Amezcua?..Wow thats the best they could come up with as John Beards replacement?..I for one can't stand Carlos Amezcua, he's the sole reason I stopped watching ktla's morning show, and now the sole reason I will not watch Fox 11 news at 10!!
Good move Fox 11, whats next Carlos Amezcua on Good Day L.A....Geez, I sure hope that NEVER happens!

Ouch. Meanwhile, it's looking more and more like KTLA will promote from within for its 10 p.m. anchor (to replace the late Hal Fishman). More to come...

BREAKING NEWS: Carlos Amezcua In, John Beard Out at Fox 11

Carlos Amezcua, new Fox 11 anchor (left) and soon-to-be-ex-Fox 11 anchor John Beard (right)

I just posted the news over at Variety: KTTV/Fox 11 has stolen longtime KTLA anchor Carlos Amezcua, who will take over the station's 10 p.m. newscast (alongside Christine Devine) on Oct. 1. John Beard's contract was not renewed.

The story:

Longtime "KTLA Morning Show" host Carlos Amezcua has hopped to rival KTTV, where he'll co-anchor the Fox-owned station's 10 p.m. newscast beginning Oct. 1.

Out in the anchor shuffle is longtime KTTV anchor John Beard, whose contract was set to expire. The 14-year KTTV vet – who before that had a long run at KNBC – will appear on Fox 11 for the last time on Sept. 28.

Amezcua's move was a surprise, given that he was until recently considered the heir apparent to the KTLA 10 p.m. slot left empty by the recent passing of lengendary anchor Hal Fishman.

In the days following Fishman's death, Amezcua was seen anchoring KTLA's 10 p.m. broadcast, and some thought the move would be made permanent. But Amezcua hasn't been seen in the chair for the last few days – and now it's apparent why.

According to KTTV, Amezcua had been operating without a contract at KTLA for some time, and the channel saw an opportunity to steal him away.

"Carlos is someone that we've had our eye on," said KTTV general manager/VP Kevin Hale. "We think he's an exceptional talent. Oddly enough we found out that his contract had expired, so we saw a window of opportunity. We thought he'd be a great addition to our staff. We had some conversations with him, and very quickly got a long-term contract out of him."

Amezcua will join Christine Devine at the KTTV desk. Asked why the station would make a change when its program is already rated No. 1 at 10 p.m., Hale said he "wanted to continue to try to grow this newscast."

"We want to look at ways to increase ratings, and sometimes that involves change," he said. "We felt the timing was right to make a change."

It's unclear where Beard will wind up next, or if he'll continue in the local TV news market.

"He's been here 14 years and done a great job," Hale said. "He was instrumental in building the 10 p.m. news into an award winning-powerhouse."

Amezcua, a seven-time Emmy winner, helped launch the "KTLA Morning Show" – then called "KTLA Morning News" – in 1991, and has been with the ayem broadcast ever since. Before KTLA, Amezcua worked as a CBS News correspondent and an "NBC Nightly News" reporter. He has also worked for CNN and HBO's "America Undercover," as well as stations in New York, San Diego and Denver.

"This is a tremendous opportunity," Amezcua said. "I look forward to contributing to one of the most well-respected television newscasts and stations in Los Angeles."

With Amezcua out of the running for the KTLA anchor slot alongside Leila Feinstein, candidates to replace Fishman include weekend anchor Frank Buckley.

Readers in the rest of the country may best remember John Beard for his frequent appearances as a news anchor on "Arrested Development."


John Beard in the late 1970s -- "Stay sexy, Los Angeles!"