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Local Broadcast TV Institutions..People that were around seemingly Forever
- Thread starter Tim L
- Start date
Chris Marrou at first did the weather at WOAI during the late 1960's and then around 1980 or so and this was highly publicized, he moved to KSAT very briefly to do the news there as it was the last place station for news at that time and money was involved too in his decision, but his stay there was brief and then he went back to KENS and has stayed there ever since.
Also Captain Gus was an institution on KENS as well from 1956 to 1979.
And Kelly Chapman, Fred Lozano's ex-wife, did the news along with Fred from the late 1970's to early 1990's before she was married to Fred and after that, until she contracted MS and I have never heard anything out of her all except that Fred and her divorced.
Also Captain Gus was an institution on KENS as well from 1956 to 1979.
And Kelly Chapman, Fred Lozano's ex-wife, did the news along with Fred from the late 1970's to early 1990's before she was married to Fred and after that, until she contracted MS and I have never heard anything out of her all except that Fred and her divorced.
In Knoxville, Carl Williams was mainstay at WBIR from at least the sixties until the mid to late '90's when he retired. He was the co-anchor of the Channel 10 Evening News at 6 with Doc Johnston and the anchor for the 11 PM broadcast for as long as I can remember, (I'm 47) until the late '70's, when he became the anchor for the Morning newscast and the Mid-day newscasts until he retired in the mid to late '90's. His replacement on the Evening and late news, Bill Williams was there from the mid '70's until he retired in 2001 or so. And he recently came back to Channel 10 as the Anchor Emituris a year or so ago.
Even though I live in the Cleveland area, in the Washington, D.C. area, Mac McGarry is now in his 48th season of hosting the high-school quiz It's Academic. (My grandparents on my father's side lived in the Washington area for a lot of years, and I got to see some It's Academic shows on trips to their house. I eventually got to meet Mac when I attended a taping session in Washington on November 11, 2000.) Mac has also been heard introducing some NBC News Updates during the 1970s, and he has also announced sponsors at the end of some George Michael Sports Machine shows.
Another from Greensboro: Lee Kinard, host of
WFMY's "Good Morning Show" from 1957 until
his retirement in (somebody correct me) 1997.
George Perry was "The Old Rebel," a kids' show on
WFMY from 1951 to 1977.
And from Atlanta: John Pruitt has anchored news
on both WSB and WXIA since at least 1972.
And how can I forget Troy Dungan, weathercaster
on WFAA Dallas from 1976 until his retirement last year?
Another weathercaster in the Metroplex, David Finfrock
of KXAS, did radio weather reports on WBAP in the late
'70s.
WFMY's "Good Morning Show" from 1957 until
his retirement in (somebody correct me) 1997.
George Perry was "The Old Rebel," a kids' show on
WFMY from 1951 to 1977.
And from Atlanta: John Pruitt has anchored news
on both WSB and WXIA since at least 1972.
And how can I forget Troy Dungan, weathercaster
on WFAA Dallas from 1976 until his retirement last year?
Another weathercaster in the Metroplex, David Finfrock
of KXAS, did radio weather reports on WBAP in the late
'70s.
B
Bob1370
Guest
In Rochester, NY, Don Alhart has been principal 6 and 11 PM anchor at ABC affiliate WHAM-TV for over 35 years, and has worked as anchor and reporter continuously there since he graduated from Ithaca College in 1966. He's dominated the ratings most of that time.
Across town at WHEC-TV, which usually runs a strong second in the Nielsen race in the market, Janet Lomax has been co-anchor at 5, 6 and 7 PM since about 1976, and her partner on the anchor desk at 6 and 7 (and principal anchor at 11) Rich Funke has been with the station since about 1975 as well, although for some of that time he was sports director. Former morning and noon anchor Maggie Brooks also put in almost 20 years, but she became a politician and is now Monroe County Executive.
In Syracuse, Rod Wood has been principal anchor at market-dominant ABC affiliate WSYR-TV since at least the late 1970s after a long prior career as radio news director and weekend TV anchor at the former WHEN AM-TV.
Down the road in Buffalo Don Postles (who's been in the market for close to 35 years) and Jacquie Walker have been principal anchors on CBS affiliate WIVB since the early 1980s, and have led the market for a decade, ever since Irv Weinstein retired as principal anchor of crosstown WKBW-TV in 1998.
Across town at WHEC-TV, which usually runs a strong second in the Nielsen race in the market, Janet Lomax has been co-anchor at 5, 6 and 7 PM since about 1976, and her partner on the anchor desk at 6 and 7 (and principal anchor at 11) Rich Funke has been with the station since about 1975 as well, although for some of that time he was sports director. Former morning and noon anchor Maggie Brooks also put in almost 20 years, but she became a politician and is now Monroe County Executive.
In Syracuse, Rod Wood has been principal anchor at market-dominant ABC affiliate WSYR-TV since at least the late 1970s after a long prior career as radio news director and weekend TV anchor at the former WHEN AM-TV.
Down the road in Buffalo Don Postles (who's been in the market for close to 35 years) and Jacquie Walker have been principal anchors on CBS affiliate WIVB since the early 1980s, and have led the market for a decade, ever since Irv Weinstein retired as principal anchor of crosstown WKBW-TV in 1998.
C
cdsull502
Guest
Two names stand out in New England:
1. John Quill, weatherman for WWLP channel 22, in Springfield, Mass. 47 years.
2. Jacks Hynes, news anchor in Boston from 1958 to 2006. He was associated with the first WHDH-TV, then WCVB both Channel 5. Then WLVI-TV from 1984 until that station closed its news dept in 2006.
1. John Quill, weatherman for WWLP channel 22, in Springfield, Mass. 47 years.
2. Jacks Hynes, news anchor in Boston from 1958 to 2006. He was associated with the first WHDH-TV, then WCVB both Channel 5. Then WLVI-TV from 1984 until that station closed its news dept in 2006.
Bob1370 said:In Rochester, NY, Don Alhart has been principal 6 and 11 PM anchor at ABC affiliate WHAM-TV for over 35 years, and has worked as anchor and reporter continuously there since he graduated from Ithaca College in 1966. He's dominated the ratings most of that time.
Across town at WHEC-TV, which usually runs a strong second in the Nielsen race in the market, Janet Lomax has been co-anchor at 5, 6 and 7 PM since about 1976, and her partner on the anchor desk at 6 and 7 (and principal anchor at 11) Rich Funke has been with the station since about 1975 as well, although for some of that time he was sports director. Former morning and noon anchor Maggie Brooks also put in almost 20 years, but she became a politician and is now Monroe County Executive.
In Syracuse, Rod Wood has been principal anchor at market-dominant ABC affiliate WSYR-TV since at least the late 1970s after a long prior career as radio news director and weekend TV anchor at the former WHEN AM-TV.
Down the road in Buffalo Don Postles (who's been in the market for close to 35 years) and Jacquie Walker have been principal anchors on CBS affiliate WIVB since the early 1980s, and have led the market for a decade, ever since Irv Weinstein retired as principal anchor of crosstown WKBW-TV in 1998.
Aaaahhhhh.....a trip back to childhood.......
As a Rochester native, I remember Don Alhart doing sports from then WOKR (now WHAM...nice set of heritage calls) when another long-termer, the late Dick Burt (who I had the privilege of meeting a couple of times- a truly nice guy and class act) was anchor.........I also remember Rick Funke when he was news director for WAXC (now WHIC I think) radio in the early 70s- and before as a sports columnist in the Gannett newspapers before that (another local legend, George Beahon did the same thing, except he went to WOKR directly IIRC). Also, didn't Rick Funke escape to Florida for a couple of years, and under what seems to be by reason of temporary insanity, return to Rochester?
FWIW, IIRC, Jacquie Walker also did a couple of years at WROC-TV before emigrating 70 miles west to the "Queen City".
My maturity (or lack of it) must be showing...I remember when WROC was not only NBC, but also on Channel 5...and Rochester had no ABC affiliate (WOKR- now WHAM signed on in late 1962)....
The dinosaur shuts up at this point...
In Indianapolis, Mike Ahern started at WISH-TV 8 as a reporter in 1967, and became the franchise of the station as lead anchor until his retirement in December 2004. Debby Knox joined the station in 1980 and they were the city's longest-tenured anchor team until Ahern's retirement. Debby is still at WISH's anchor desk to this day.
And while I have no numbers, this discussion of Indy TV wouldn't be complete without mentioning WISH's longtime weatherman Stan Wood (1965-1991, I want to say), WTHR's weatherman Bob Gregory, and WRTV's Bob McClain.
And while I have no numbers, this discussion of Indy TV wouldn't be complete without mentioning WISH's longtime weatherman Stan Wood (1965-1991, I want to say), WTHR's weatherman Bob Gregory, and WRTV's Bob McClain.
Dayton, OH...The late Don Wayne was the anchor on channel 7 (WHIO) from the beginning of TV through his retirement in the 80s. He styled himself after Walter Cronkite. Current anchor Jim Baldridge has been with the station since the early 70s and took over as main anchor after Wayne's retirement. Over on perennial 2nd place WDTN, Channel 2, Carl Nichols has done weather since the mid 70s and was here for the blizzard of '77. Carl Day has been on channel 2 (usually early mornings or 5pm) for years, and was at WKEF before, as well as WHIO radio. Carl Day has been battling cancer for several years.
F
FreddyE1977
Guest
Pittsburgh, a place that seemingly likes to hold on to the past, has had a ton of such people.
Bill Burns (1953-89) and his daughter Patti (1974-97) on KDKA TV
Bob Kudzma (1968-2002), weatherman on KDKA TV
Sam Nover (1971-2001) sports, WPXI TV
Joe DeNardo (1969-2004) weatherman on WTAE TV
Myron Cope (1970-95) sports on WTAE TV
Don Cannon (1969-95) WTAE TV and (1997-2007) KDKA TV, anchorman
I could go on and on....
Bill Burns (1953-89) and his daughter Patti (1974-97) on KDKA TV
Bob Kudzma (1968-2002), weatherman on KDKA TV
Sam Nover (1971-2001) sports, WPXI TV
Joe DeNardo (1969-2004) weatherman on WTAE TV
Myron Cope (1970-95) sports on WTAE TV
Don Cannon (1969-95) WTAE TV and (1997-2007) KDKA TV, anchorman
I could go on and on....
Philadelphia has its more than its share of longtime legends.
WCAU had John Facenda, Herb Clarke, Bill Baldini and still has Terry Ruggles.
KYW had Vince Leonard, Bill Kuster, Tom Lamaine, Robin Mackintosh, Dick Standish, and still has Carol Erickson.
WPVI has Jim Gardner, Lisa Thomas Laury, Dave Roberts, Gary Papa, Cathy Gandolfo, etc, and had Jim O'Brien.
Larry Kane worked at all three. So has Al Meltzer. I think Steve Levy did too.
This is just a starter list. Feel free to add to this.
WCAU had John Facenda, Herb Clarke, Bill Baldini and still has Terry Ruggles.
KYW had Vince Leonard, Bill Kuster, Tom Lamaine, Robin Mackintosh, Dick Standish, and still has Carol Erickson.
WPVI has Jim Gardner, Lisa Thomas Laury, Dave Roberts, Gary Papa, Cathy Gandolfo, etc, and had Jim O'Brien.
Larry Kane worked at all three. So has Al Meltzer. I think Steve Levy did too.
This is just a starter list. Feel free to add to this.
David N. said:In Indianapolis, Mike Ahern started at WISH-TV 8 as a reporter in 1967, and became the franchise of the station as lead anchor until his retirement in December 2004. Debby Knox joined the station in 1980 and they were the city's longest-tenured anchor team until Ahern's retirement. Debby is still at WISH's anchor desk to this day.
And while I have no numbers, this discussion of Indy TV wouldn't be complete without mentioning WISH's longtime weatherman Stan Wood (1965-1991, I want to say), WTHR's weatherman Bob Gregory, and WRTV's Bob McClain.
IIRC, Wood worked at WTTV prior to joining WISH. This would have been in the '50s, possibly when the main operation was still in Bloomington.
Another one from Indy is Howard Caldwell, who was at WFBM-TV/WRTV Ch. 6 for at least 25 years. Tom Carnegie was their chief sportscaster for at least that long.
Others...
Phoenix
Ray Thompson, news anchor at KTVK Ch. 3 and KTAR/KPNX Ch.12 - '50s thru early '80s.
Bill Close, news anchor at KOOL-TV/KTSP-TV Ch. 10 (now KSAZ-TV) - 1964 thru 1984 or thereabouts.
Chicago
Jack Brickhouse, sports anchor/Cubs & White Sox play-by-play on WGN-TV Ch. 9, 1948-1981.
Joel Daly, news anchor at WBKB/WLS-TV Ch. 7, 1967-2005.
Fahey Flynn, news anchor at WBBM-TV CH. 2 & WBKB/WLS-TV Ch. 7, 1953-1983.
John Drury, news anchor at WLS-TV Ch. 7 & WGN-TV Ch. 9, 1970-2002.
Chicago
Jack Brickhouse, sports anchor/Cubs & White Sox play-by-play on WGN-TV Ch. 9, 1948-1981.
Joel Daly, news anchor at WBKB/WLS-TV Ch. 7, 1967-2005.
Fahey Flynn, news anchor at WBBM-TV CH. 2 & WBKB/WLS-TV Ch. 7, 1953-1983.
John Drury, news anchor at WLS-TV Ch. 7 & WGN-TV Ch. 9, 1970-2002.
How long has Tom Skilling done weather on WGN? 30 years at least, I bet...
Jack Brickhouse, sports anchor/Cubs & White Sox play-by-play on WGN-TV Ch. 9, 1948-1981.
Joel Daly, news anchor at WBKB/WLS-TV Ch. 7, 1967-2005.
Fahey Flynn, news anchor at WBBM-TV CH. 2 & WBKB/WLS-TV Ch. 7, 1953-1983.
John Drury, news anchor at WLS-TV Ch. 7 & WGN-TV Ch. 9, 1970-2002.
How long has Tom Skilling done weather on WGN? 30 years at least, I bet...
B
BobSacamano
Guest
Baltimore
Jerry Turner WJZ-TV news anchor from the late 60's to the mid 80's
Bob Turk WJZ-TV weatherman mid 70's - present
Rod Daniels WBAL-TV news anchor mid 80's - present
Jerry Turner WJZ-TV news anchor from the late 60's to the mid 80's
Bob Turk WJZ-TV weatherman mid 70's - present
Rod Daniels WBAL-TV news anchor mid 80's - present
In Charlotte, Bill Walker retired a year or two ago.
He'd co-anchored WSOC's "Eyewitness News" since
the late '60s. Over at WBTV, Clyde "Cloudy" McLean
did the weather from opening day in 1949 into the '80s
(he signed the station on the air July 15, 1949), and
Jim Thacker did sports from at least the '60s to the '80s.
I may have mentioned Thacker's contemporary in
Greensboro, Charlie Harville. He did sports on WFMY
from 1949 to 1963, moved to WGHP (where he also
did wrestling) in 1963, then back to WFMY in 1978.
He retired, I believe, sometime in the late '80s or
early '90s and, like Thacker, has passed on (as has
McLean).
In Raleigh, Paul Montgomery was the dean of kids' shows.
In the late '50s/early '60s he played the organ on WRAL's
"Captain Five Show." Around 1962 or '63 he played Bozo
the Clown for about a year, then started "Time For Uncle
Paul," which lasted until 1981; he gave it up under pressure
to make it more educational. An accomplished musician,
Montgomery played with a jazz combo in Chapel Hill until
he passed away in 2002.
Down East, Slim Short (not his real name) hosted WNCT's
"Carolina Today" from the '50s until Media General dropped
the "Today Show"-like format and went to a straight
early-morning newscast in the '90s. He was also
"Railroad Slim" on a '60s-era kids' show, "Cartoon Junction."
And how about Bungles the Clown on WVEC Norfolk? He
was on from 1959 until about 1973.
He'd co-anchored WSOC's "Eyewitness News" since
the late '60s. Over at WBTV, Clyde "Cloudy" McLean
did the weather from opening day in 1949 into the '80s
(he signed the station on the air July 15, 1949), and
Jim Thacker did sports from at least the '60s to the '80s.
I may have mentioned Thacker's contemporary in
Greensboro, Charlie Harville. He did sports on WFMY
from 1949 to 1963, moved to WGHP (where he also
did wrestling) in 1963, then back to WFMY in 1978.
He retired, I believe, sometime in the late '80s or
early '90s and, like Thacker, has passed on (as has
McLean).
In Raleigh, Paul Montgomery was the dean of kids' shows.
In the late '50s/early '60s he played the organ on WRAL's
"Captain Five Show." Around 1962 or '63 he played Bozo
the Clown for about a year, then started "Time For Uncle
Paul," which lasted until 1981; he gave it up under pressure
to make it more educational. An accomplished musician,
Montgomery played with a jazz combo in Chapel Hill until
he passed away in 2002.
Down East, Slim Short (not his real name) hosted WNCT's
"Carolina Today" from the '50s until Media General dropped
the "Today Show"-like format and went to a straight
early-morning newscast in the '90s. He was also
"Railroad Slim" on a '60s-era kids' show, "Cartoon Junction."
And how about Bungles the Clown on WVEC Norfolk? He
was on from 1959 until about 1973.
Two more from KYW Philadelphia...Pat Ciarrocchi & Ukee Washington
In Wilmington, North Carolina, a few people come to mind...
AT WECT, Channel 6...
Jim Burns(1958-1986) was a host of a local talk show for 28 years until he
was fired as a result of new owners wanting to head Channel 6 into a new
direction, among other issues, he moved over to then WJKA-TV(now WSFX)
for a short time before retiring, he passed away several years ago.
Ken Murphy(1965-2004)was a reporter and served as the longest reigning
anchor, mainly with Frances Weller, who has been anchoring for almost 28
years, Mr. Murphy passed away in 2007.
Wayne Jackson was a part of "Carolina In The Morning", before coming to
Wilmington, he did radio in Rocky Mount, and for a brief time did color
for the UNCW Seahawk Men's Basketball Team, today he is retired.
Shirley Gilbert worked for WWAY & WECT, doing weather and their morning
show, cancer took her life several years ago.
At WWAY, Channel 3...
Gene Motley(1978-2006)served as their sports anchor longer than anyone
here, when new owners took over three years ago, they eliminated their
sports operation, except during high school sports seasons, but recently
has tried to bring back sports during their 11pm news.
Meanwhile in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, the list is quite a few...
At WRAL Channel 5, their has been little turnover when it comes to their News
Department, Charlie Gaddy anchored the evening newscasts for two decades
before "semi-retiring", he continues to occasionally host their "WRAL Listens"
series.
Meanwhile, Tom Suiter has been their since 1971, and has to be one of the
longest serving sports anchors in the nation.
As for weather, Greg Fishel is approaching 28 years here, he started doing
weekend forecasts, and did some fill-in at other times, until 1989 when he
took over from Bob Debardaladen after his retirement.
And at WTVD, Channel 11, Larry Stogner has been anchoring for the ABC
(once CBS)outlet for over 30 years plus, making him the "dean of anchors"
in North Carolina's Triangle.
AT WECT, Channel 6...
Jim Burns(1958-1986) was a host of a local talk show for 28 years until he
was fired as a result of new owners wanting to head Channel 6 into a new
direction, among other issues, he moved over to then WJKA-TV(now WSFX)
for a short time before retiring, he passed away several years ago.
Ken Murphy(1965-2004)was a reporter and served as the longest reigning
anchor, mainly with Frances Weller, who has been anchoring for almost 28
years, Mr. Murphy passed away in 2007.
Wayne Jackson was a part of "Carolina In The Morning", before coming to
Wilmington, he did radio in Rocky Mount, and for a brief time did color
for the UNCW Seahawk Men's Basketball Team, today he is retired.
Shirley Gilbert worked for WWAY & WECT, doing weather and their morning
show, cancer took her life several years ago.
At WWAY, Channel 3...
Gene Motley(1978-2006)served as their sports anchor longer than anyone
here, when new owners took over three years ago, they eliminated their
sports operation, except during high school sports seasons, but recently
has tried to bring back sports during their 11pm news.
Meanwhile in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, the list is quite a few...
At WRAL Channel 5, their has been little turnover when it comes to their News
Department, Charlie Gaddy anchored the evening newscasts for two decades
before "semi-retiring", he continues to occasionally host their "WRAL Listens"
series.
Meanwhile, Tom Suiter has been their since 1971, and has to be one of the
longest serving sports anchors in the nation.
As for weather, Greg Fishel is approaching 28 years here, he started doing
weekend forecasts, and did some fill-in at other times, until 1989 when he
took over from Bob Debardaladen after his retirement.
And at WTVD, Channel 11, Larry Stogner has been anchoring for the ABC
(once CBS)outlet for over 30 years plus, making him the "dean of anchors"
in North Carolina's Triangle.
Just a few from the Harrisburg/Lebanon/York PA market:
WGAL NBC 8 - Dick Hoxworth, morning news co-anchor, is slated to retire at the end of the year. He has been there since 1970.
WHTM ABC 27 - Gregg Mace, sportscaster, has been with the station since 1979. Chuck Rhodes, at-large correspondent, was weather anchor dating back to 1973. He is semi-retired as of about June of this year and is doing weekly "out and about" segments.
WHP CBS 21 - Is a constant revolving door. Senior correspondent is a field reporter, Donna Kirker Morgan, who has been at the station only since 1994.
WPMT FOX 43 - Newsanchor Evan Forrester has been in that position since the station launched its newscast in 1994.
WGAL NBC 8 - Dick Hoxworth, morning news co-anchor, is slated to retire at the end of the year. He has been there since 1970.
WHTM ABC 27 - Gregg Mace, sportscaster, has been with the station since 1979. Chuck Rhodes, at-large correspondent, was weather anchor dating back to 1973. He is semi-retired as of about June of this year and is doing weekly "out and about" segments.
WHP CBS 21 - Is a constant revolving door. Senior correspondent is a field reporter, Donna Kirker Morgan, who has been at the station only since 1994.
WPMT FOX 43 - Newsanchor Evan Forrester has been in that position since the station launched its newscast in 1994.
Andy Coleman said:On WTVY in Dothan, Alabama there is a woman name Ann Varnum that has done a talk show for about 30 years. The morning show use to be on during the 1970's and 1980's at 8 am . Then in the late 1990's the station owners ran the morning show and dropped it to 30 minutes. starting at 5 in the morning. then with wtvy morning news . Now she is still own she is considered a Dothan icon with her show now on Sunday Morning only. an hour a week. which is better because now she is on when people are at church.
Similarly at WTVA-Tupelo, you have local icon Kay Bain who hosted "Mornin' with Kay and Buddy" from the 70s until Mr. Bain died in the early 90s (I believe) the program was a morning variety show of sorts and featured "The Morning Show Band." The show was retitled "Mornin'" with more news elements added, after Mr. Bain's death, then in 2006 retitled again as "The Morning Show." Around this time last yar, the show was shipped off to the weekend as "Kay Bain's Saturday Morning Show." WTVA now airs a traditional newscast, "AM Live" in the 5-7am slot.
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