KNBC Redeems Itself
KNBC Los Angeles arguably redeemed itself today, more than two decades after the infamous desk-diving incident involving the station’s newscasters Kent Shockneck and Christopher Nance.
Upon feeling the effects of a quake here in 1987, Shockneck instructed Nance, who was reporting a different story, the camera crew and seemingly the world to take cover, saying, “Under the desk, under the desk.”
Shockneck pointed his finger in the air and said, “Pardon us,” leaving the televised shot one of an empty anchor desk.
Tuesday morning, Chris Schauble and Jennifer Bjorklund were giving KNBC’s 11 a.m. newscast when a 5.4 quake struck. This time Bjorkland was the one reading a story; Schauble piped in about the quake. They stayed put and began reporting the story out, though clearly affected by their rattling set. (Watch the video here.)
We at B&C’s office in Los Angeles understand newscasters’ reactions to the ground moving beneath them. Today’s temblor certainly got our attention too. That’s why we turned to the local newscasts and the Internet for info on what was happening, what to expect further and what it all meant.
It’s the dead of summer and not much going on, so surely a news director or two had to feel tempted to blow out occasions of spilled milk.
But flipping through the local news, we were glad to see mostly measured reports on the gravity of the situation, info from the experts and every single anchor remaining in their seats.
Don Keedic commented:
I was watching Kent when the aftershock hit. His actions prompted me to take cover also. In my book, he was a brave man for keeping his composure, doing the intelligent thing by seeking cover and instructing the viewers to do the same. To anyone who disagrees with me - YOU WERENT THERE !!!!
shala k commented:
Seriously, it was a 5.4. How ridiculous would it have been if they had dove under the desk ?? Even Kate Hutton said, in her news conference at Caltech, that she was just beginning to think about taking cover when the shaking stopped.
L.A, Resident commented:
Does anyone remember that Kent Shocknek was getting under the desk during an aftershock? Not the initial quake that October 1987 morning.
To compare what he did to the reactions of Chris Schauble and Jennifer Bjorklund last tuesday doesn't make sense. They were reacting as anybody would during an initial quake. If there had been a sizable aftershock, I imagine they might have done what Shocknek did 21 years ago. Who knows?
As strong as Tuesday's quake was, it was nothing compared to Northridge in 1994 and Whittier in 1987. But this recent quake came after a considerable lull in seismic activity here.
Ontario Emperor commented:
I subsequently read the Ron Fineman interview with Shocknek, in which he said he'd do it again, should such an unfortunate situation recur. I suspect that Schauble's, Bjorklund's, and Garcia's behavior, as well as Harvey Levin's behavior which I cited earlier and the behavior of people on the Weather Channel who run into hurricances, is the result of the drive to get the story at all costs. In Levin's case, I believe that the fire department called the station and told them to tell the fool to get out of the water. At some point this drive to get the story is going to have traumatic results.
Steve Adams commented:
Ms. Grego’s comments on Ken Shocknek’s actions imply Ken was a coward on-air. Ken did what every intelligent and trained person SHOULD DO: seek shelter against a force of nature. To suggest that Ken stand up and face the earthquake” like a man,” is naïve and sophomoric. The criticism should fall on Chris Schauble and Jennifer Bjorklund, for remaining under a shaking light grid and next to flimsy backdrops. Chris and Jennifer taught the audience to remain where they are and let the ceiling come to them.
Ontario Emperor commented:
I realize that I'm in the minority (Mike of Franklin Avenue agrees with you, as does Letterman), but I personally believe that KNBC's 1987 performance was much more professional than its 2008 performance. If you consult any earthquake preparedness manual, you will see which of the following behaviors is recommended during an earthquake: Which of these is proper behavior during an earthquake? (a) Get under a desk and protect yourself. (b) Stay sitting at your desk, gazing at the ceiling. (c) Run around barefoot. I'll grant that even Ana Garcia's barefoot escapade isn't as bad as the time that Harvey Levin stood in a rushing stream during a flood, but it's close. Also see my Blogspot blog mrontemp for more detail.
DW commented:
I remember that one. The building was full of managers and, ahem, replacement, ahem, workers due to a strike by the NABET union.
What a disaster!