Marta Waller Exits KTLA

[RicoGregg]

http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/10/marta_waller_latest_ktla.php

I'm certain that more to this story is bound to surface soon. It always does.

 

[Carmine5]

Marta, God bless her. A 24 year reporting career at one station in a job-dysfunctional market like L.A. is truly amazing.

Obviously, Tribune is thinning the older herd while saving some money. Consider the KTLA economy of scale; for the price of one Marta Waller, they can buy four Loni Coombs.

In spite of her longevity, the one thing Marta never achieved, which Stan Chambers did, was sainthood. Firing Stan (who I believe is semi-retired anyway) is like a deathwish to Gehenna.

Although, from the looks of things, Sam Zell's Tribune is neither superstitious nor sentimental, so anything is possible.

C5

 

[RicoGregg]

In spite of her longevity, the one thing Marta never achieved, which Stan Chambers did, was sainthood. Firing Stan (who I believe is semi-retired anyway) is like a deathwish to Gehenna.

Although, from the looks of things, Sam Zell's Tribune is neither superstitious nor sentimental, so anything is possible.

With the impending move of KTLA to downtown, what becomes of the Stan Chambers News Building on the present Sunset Blvd. location? Will it stay the Stan Chambers Building? Will it even stay up?

On what used to be the MGM lot in Culver City, now known as Sony Pictures, the old Irving Thalberg Building no longer has that name. Sony re-named it, after who or what I don't know.

 

[Carmine5]

In spite of her longevity, the one thing Marta never achieved, which Stan Chambers did, was sainthood. Firing Stan (who I believe is semi-retired anyway) is like a deathwish to Gehenna.

Although, from the looks of things, Sam Zell's Tribune is neither superstitious nor sentimental, so anything is possible.

With the impending move of KTLA to downtown, what becomes of the Stan Chambers News Building on the present Sunset Blvd. location? Will it stay the Stan Chambers Building? Will it even stay up?

On what used to be the MGM lot in Culver City, now known as Sony Pictures, the old Irving Thalberg Building no longer has that name. Sony re-named it, after who or what I don't know.

Hard to say.

But Stan Chamber's name is inextricably tied to KTLA's identity and history. Remove the station from the building and the name on the plaque becomes meaningless (unless the building becomes listed on the California Historical Registry in which case there would be a more elaborate commemorative plaque with, perhaps, Stan's name somewhere in the description).

I would pry off the name plaque and re-dedicate it to whatever building KTLA is housed...right next to the Hal Fishman memorial wing-back chair (or whatever it is. I think Hal had something dedicated to him as well. Hopefully it's movable.)

C5

 

[calguy]

Stan Chamber's name is inextricably tied to KTLA's identity and history. Remove the station from the building and the name on the plaque becomes meaningless (unless the building becomes listed on the California Historical Registry in which case there would be a more elaborate commemorative plaque with, perhaps, Stan's name somewhere in the description).

I would pry off the name plaque and re-dedicate it to whatever building KTLA is housed...right next to the Hal Fishman memorial wing-back chair (or whatever it is. I think Hal had something dedicated to him as well. Hopefully it's movable.)

C5

I believe that the news room was named for Hal. If Zell's people have any decency they'll do whatever it takes to keep Stan around. He should go when he wants on his own terms. With Zell's money he can afford to keep an institution like Stan in the building, whatever building they're in...

 

[radiofreqk1]

Two points: ( 1 ) Where is the "Chuck Niles Memorial Studio" ?? Is it on "CSU-LB" or is it now located at Saul Levines studios / offices. Memorial studios can be moved any where. ( 2 ) Marta lasted 24 years, at KTLA -- because she sued KTLA years ago when they first fired her, made them re-hire her and pay for the face and neck lift operation. That might not happen again -- but the rule is still in place for anyone else working in LA. You have to be pushy to get the job and you have to push back, when they push you.

 

[Carmine5]

Stan Chamber's name is inextricably tied to KTLA's identity and history. Remove the station from the building and the name on the plaque becomes meaningless (unless the building becomes listed on the California Historical Registry in which case there would be a more elaborate commemorative plaque with, perhaps, Stan's name somewhere in the description).

I would pry off the name plaque and re-dedicate it to whatever building KTLA is housed...right next to the Hal Fishman memorial wing-back chair (or whatever it is. I think Hal had something dedicated to him as well. Hopefully it's movable.)

C5

I believe that the news room was named for Hal.

That's right, it was the newsroom. I remember now. Well, there's another name plaque that will have to be removed.

C5

 

[radiofreqk1]

Get real. Who on this board -- or in this world doesn't understand that in "hollywood-land" no one really cares. Can anyone list a location of a memorial plaque -- for anything to do with broadcasting or motion pictures? The KTLA lots were part of 5 movie company lots and two AM radio stations used the site, but there's not one brick, tile or plaque attached to the location. And no one can reply to "Where's the Chuck Niles Memorial Studio" for KKJZ. Sort of like the "KFI -- eye in the sky Memorial Studios". They only existed on paper. They don't exist and never did.

 

[RicoGregg]

The site of the now-departed Hal Roach Studios in Culver City is now a moving and storage facility. There is a memorial plaque located there, commemorating the studio's location, it's label as "The Lot O' Fun", Mr. Roach himself and his roster of stars such as the Little Rascals, it's use as a military post during WWII, and the lot's body of water which was named Lake Laurel and Hardy.

There have been ongoing efforts for years to get the city of Los Angeles to put a memorial plaque on the steep set of stairs located in Echo Park on Vendome St., which was used in the Laurel and Hardy film, "The Music Box". In that film, the boys try to move a piano up the stairs to a house on top of the hill, only to discover that the house is actually on the next hill over. Of course, chaos ensues.

People have marked the site on their own, and of course it always winds up being erased or painted over. But the L & H fans persevere. Maybe some day, they'll actually get their wish.

 

[Carmine5]

The site of the now-departed Hal Roach Studios in Culver City is now a moving and storage facility. There is a memorial plaque located there, commemorating the studio's location, it's label as "The Lot O' Fun", Mr. Roach himself and his roster of stars such as the Little Rascals, it's use as a military post during WWII, and the lot's body of water which was named Lake Laurel and Hardy.

There have been ongoing efforts for years to get the city of Los Angeles to put a memorial plaque on the steep set of stairs located in Echo Park on Vendome St., which was used in the Laurel and Hardy film, "The Music Box". In that film, the boys try to move a piano up the stairs to a house on top of the hill, only to discover that the house is actually on the next hill over. Of course, chaos ensues.

People have marked the site on their own, and of course it always winds up being erased or painted over. But the L & H fans persevere. Maybe some day, they'll actually get their wish.

Actually, there is a stone plaque on one of the stairs commemorating that famous L&H film. It was dedicated several years ago with the help of the local chapter of the Sons of the Desert. Sadly, it's been defaced by moronic gang-bangers but it's still there.

Which brings up an interesting caveat on memorial name plaques, the possibility of one's name being defaced and peed-on by persons and animals over time. Maybe dying in obscurity isn't so bad after all.

C5

 

[Mad Mac]

There have been ongoing efforts for years to get the city of Los Angeles to put a memorial plaque on the steep set of stairs located in Echo Park on Vendome St., which was used in the Laurel and Hardy film, "The Music Box".

There was something about this on ABC 7 a few months back, it now has an official City street sign "Music Box Steps".

 

[OCradiodude]

Two points: ( 1 ) Where is the "Chuck Niles Memorial Studio" ?? Is it on "CSU-LB" or is it now located at Saul Levines studios / offices. Memorial studios can be moved any where. ( 2 ) Marta lasted 24 years, at KTLA -- because she sued KTLA years ago when they first fired her, made them re-hire her and pay for the face and neck lift operation. That might not happen again -- but the rule is still in place for anyone else working in LA. You have to be pushy to get the job and you have to push back, when they push you.

Are you sure about that studio location? I'm pretty sure they are still broadcasting from CSU Long Beach.

 

[RicoGregg]

KKJZ is indeed still broadcasting from Cal. State Long Beach.

If you're ever on campus there, check out the Pyramid.

 

[Carmine5]

Part of "the deal" that allowed Mt. Wilson to program and manage KKJZ was that they be on campus and initiate an internship program for USCLB students.

C5

 

[radiofreqk1]

But when Saul Levine tok over -- they moved the studios -- from one site to another.