What’s Up With Frank Somerville?

Courtesy of KTVU Fox News

Frank Somerville has had a pretty shitty year. Even by pandemic standards, fate hasn’t been kind to Frank Somerville. 

So, what exactly is up with Frank Somerville? Let’s start from the beginning. 

Back in May of 2021, Frank was temporarily suspended after appearing drunk on air. He had a dazed look in his eyes and slurred his way through the entire broadcast. Frank didn’t return until 9 weeks later. It is suspected that Frank checked himself into rehab. There hasn’t been an official statement by Frank or KTVU confirming these claims. However, considering the length of his absence, it is within the realm of possibility. 

Here’s the video: 

Frank requested that at the end of their scheduled Gabby Petito coverage, KTVU add a blurb about how the mainstream news media disproportionately covers missing persons cases involving white victims, overlooking similar cases involving people of color. KTVU refused.

In September of 2021, he was suspended indefinitely (corporate double speak for fucking fired) from KTVU after a dispute regarding comments he made to KTVU behind the scenes about racial equity while covering the murder of Gabby Petito. Frank requested that at the end of their scheduled Gabby Petito coverage, KTVU add a blurb about how the mainstream news media disproportionately covers missing persons cases involving white victims, overlooking similar cases involving people of color. KTVU refused. According to reports from a number of reputable news agencies, this dispute cost Frank his job. 

Their murders are compiled and presented to the viewer as a statistic, dehumanizing the victim in the process. 

Whether or not Frank Somerville has a drinking problem, he’s right about the Gabby Petito thing. There have been countless stories of black and brown homicide victims that never make it to national media. If they do, they’re a number. Their murders are compiled and presented to the viewer as a statistic, dehumanizing the victim in the process. 

But that’s an entirely different article, back to Frank… 

Frank Somerville was one of the most popular Bay Area news anchors since Dennis Richmond. Frank often covered real life issues and spoke candidly about his perspectives on life and the news in a segment called “Let’s Be Frank.”

I’m going to be honest, after watching a few of the “Let’s Be Frank” videos that are up on Youtube, I’ve come to the conclusion that he’s a likable fucking guy. He comes off like a true believer in racial equality. In his videos, he appears to genuinely be trying his best to be a good dad and a good person.

Alcoholism and addiction of any kind is a disease. It’s not a moral failing. It’s not a spiritual failing. It’s a fucking disease.

Alcoholism and addiction of any kind is a disease. It’s not a moral failing. It’s not a spiritual failing. It’s a fucking disease. Can you do immoral things while under the influence? Of course you can! But, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a kind heart. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person and it certainly doesn’t mean you’re beyond redemption. 

And before we get into the most recent happenings with Frank Somerville, I want to say this: Frank Somerville is not beyond redemption, and I hope he gets help.

If you’re reading this, you probably already know what happened. Frank Somerville was drunk and crashed into someone while driving around downtown Oakland. Unlike the time when he slurred his words on air, there is no ambiguity, Frank was drunk as fuck. So drunk that he had to be carried away from the crash by two bystanders. Frank was later arrested by the Oakland Police Department for a DUI. 

What’s next for Frank? Who knows? But I know one thing for certain, the Bay Area and a lot of people outside of the Bay love Frank Somerville. 

So, let’s be frank for a moment: get some help, Frank.

Also, KTVU, give him his fucking job back…

He was right about the Gabby Petito case. No matter how many luxury sports cars his drunk ass ruins, he wasn’t fired for being a drunkard. He was fired for being right. Frank’s heart was in the right place.

Even if the blood his heart is pumping is way above the legal limit. But we can work on that!

Here’s a heartwarming video with Frank Somerville:

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