Here's some memorable TV News Events I remember. I wasn't around when JFK, MLK, RFK, Elvis, and Lennon died. But I remember those too.
April 19, 1995: The day Oklahoma City Bombings tooked place. I was coming home from school, and watched ABC News coverage of that tragedy on my B&W Portable TV (pre-Digital) via WJBF-TV from Augusta, GA. Eventhough I'm in the GSP Market.
Summer 1996: The Atlanta Summer Olympic Bombing, I remember watching the ABC News coverage of that tragedy when Aaron Brown (who was on ABC at the time) broke the news, pre-empted Saturday Morning Cartoons.
September 1996: When rapper Tupac Shankur got shot and killed in Vegas. I've first heard about it on MTV. Ironically a year later, Nortorious BIG was gunned down too.
August 1997: I was watching MSNBC when I've heard the news that Princess Diana was in a car accident in Paris. But later died. I've also watched NBC's coverage of Diana's Funneral anchored by Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric (now at ABC), CBS' coverage with Dan Ratherr I think, and ABC's coverage with the late Peter Jennings. Also ABC replayed the funeral for West Coast Viewers which I remember when Jennings mentioned on that broadcast.
December 1997: I've heard the news of Chris Farley's overdose death on MSNBC.
Late 1997/1998: Michael Kennedy killed in a ski accident. Weeks later, Senator Sonny Bono (R-California) was also killed in a ski accident, and I've watched the funeral on TV. That was Chaz Bono was Chasity, and I remember when Cher (Sonny's ex) was crying. Later, Mary Bono ran for his seat and won in a Special Election. I've first heard the news of Sonny Bono's death from my stepfather that morning after I stayed up late watching ABC's World News Now.
Late-Spring/Summer 1998: I remember the day that ex-SNL castmember Phil Hartman was murdered by his wife and then tooked her own life. I've first heard about it when watching WJBF 6 OTA from Augusta, GA and they had the stories for 5pm newscast and saids "Phil Hartman Murdered". I was stunned. That same year, I remember the day of the Capitol shooting in DC. I've watched the funeral coverage for the two slain officials.
July 16, 1999: The day John John (aka JFK Jr.), his wife and sister-in-law killed in a crash near Martha's Vineyard. I've first heard the news of the plane was missing. Then they all got killed. Unfortuately, the memorial service was private and no recording of the eulogy exists. I think that JFK Jr. and his wife and sister in law was the first Kennedys to be cremated (like Yolanda King was the first memeber of MLK's family was in 2007). I thought that John John was buried at sea. After the news of his death, I was depressed for months. I was thinking I was having a nervous breakdown.
December 31, 1999/January 1, 2000: I remember the Millennium coverage on ABC anchored by the late Peter Jennings and correspondents around the world. Jennings was changing suits a few hours I remember. Then later at Midnight turned over to Dick Clark for the coverage (his usual New Year's Rocking Eve thingy). I was at my aunt's house when it happen. They were shooting fireworks and I was wearing a Hardy Aimes checked suit, yellow shirt, and 2000 novelty necktie when it happen. I remember the Y2K scare as well.
November/December 2000: Yes, I remember the Florida recount!
September 11, 2001: I remember this awful day, I was in the 10th grade at high school and watched CNN's coverage. Our vice-principal told us not to watch it I think so it won't upset others. Later that day, I've watched NBC's coverage with Brokaw.
November 2001: A month after my uncle and aunt's son died. My aunt died that same month. I've first heard the news of George Harrison's death when I was looking at the news on Yahoo! that early Friday Morning before school. When I was at school that same day, the history teacher who was next door to one of my class told me that our local weatherman from our CBS station got fired. He said he wouldn't watch channel 7 again. I was talking about Jack Roper of course. He got reinstated. Nowadays, Roper co-host a local TV show on our CBS station. He's been there since July 1986.
September 11, 2003 (two years after the tragedy): Before I went to school, I looked at Yahoo! News that Johnny Cash died. When I arrived at school (I was a senior at the time), I've first heard from one of the teachers that John Ritter died. I was shocked. I've looked at Yahoo! News on the Library computer and it was true. Ritter died from heart condition on the set of his final series on ABC 8 Simple Rules (ran from 2002-2005). I've broked the news to mostly everybody.
February 2004: The infamous Super Bowl XXXVIII controversey where Janet Jackson performing with Justin Timberlake and had wardrobe malfunction. Fortuantely, my friend has that Super Bowl recorded on tape since the NFL has disclaimer that "This NFL telecast is copyrighted..." thingy.
June 2004: A month after I graduated (and future Late Night host Jimmy Fallon exit SNL, and Tony Randall died in May), I've heard the news that Ronald Regan died from Alzheimers. I've watched the NBC News coverage of Regan's funeral, and I remember when actor Tom Selleck was on the phone with Brokaw I think.
October 23, 2004: I've saw the live episode of SNL where Jude Law was the host that week and Ashlee Simpson was the musical guest. They played the same song over again with her recorded voice. She got caught lip-syncing. That was when Tina Fey co-anchored with future Parks and Recreation star Amy Poehler doing Weekend Update sketches. Two years later, Fey went to create and star in the hit Emmy-winning NBC sitcom 30 Rock with fellow ex-SNL castmember Tracy Morgan and Alec Baldwin. A year later, I saw Ashlee's other SNL appearance singing her song on her last expericence on that show a year earlier.
I've watched every Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve's since 1996 (except the New Year's Rocking Eve 2005 where Regis filled in while Clark was recovering from a stroke). Nowadays with the help with Seacreast. Dick Clark is a legend to me. I've seen him guest star on a old episode of the short lived B&W series with Anne Francis Honey West from 1966.
Spring/Summer 2005: I remember John Paul II died and Pope Benedick XVI tooked over. That time, ABC Newsman Peter Jennings appears on TV for the final time to announced to viewers he had lung cancer and went into chemo. Sadly, we lost Jennings on August 7th at aged 67. After his death, a street near Columbus Circle in NYC named after him for his memory. Weeks later, Katrina hit New Orleans (my friend was in NOLA a year earlier after graduation). Very tragic situation. But I agree with Kanye West about what he said about Bush 43.
Spring 2006: I've seen Mike Wallace's final 60 Minutes appearance. In an archive clip, he used the Lords name in Vein uncensored. Months later, we loss Ed Bradley.
September 2006: I remember the day the Crocodile Hunter got killed in stingray accident at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. I saw the memorial service where Bindi delivered a eulogy.
I remember in 2007 when Anna Nichole died.
On June 13, 2008 (Unfortunately Friday the 13th) I was watching my soaps on ABC (when AMC and OLTL were still on at the time before GH) and ABC News interupted with a Special Report anchored by now-retired Charlie Gibson (Sawyer's predecessor). He mentioned that NBC's Meet The Press Moderator Tim Russert has died from a heart attack at 58. Also that same year when Bernie Mac died unexpectedly when the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing tooked place. I've seen Michael Phelps break records despite they said he cheated. And Tina Fey's impersonation of Sarah Palin on SNL that year. Also, Tim's son Luke joined NBC that same year as well.
Summer/Fall 2009: I remember that day on June 25, 2009 (days after TV personality Ed McMahon died from bone cancer) when my friend Sally broked the news that Farrah Fawcett died from cancer. I felt sorry for Ryan O'Neal. When I was looking at news of Michael Jackson was taken to the hospital and some say he died. That dire situation came true when I watched that nights broadcast of NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams which they were the first network to announced the death of MJ. I went on FB and Twitter as well to post my thoughts. My sister in law text my stepfather when he was getting me food from KFC that MJ died. I also remember the day Ted Kennedy died from brain tumor (same cause of death fromDark Shadows creator Dan Curtis three years back). I've tweeted about it. I also watch some of the coverage on NBC where they had his funeral, and Tom Brokaw was covering the story from the Kennedy Library in Boston. Weeks before, TV salesman Billy Mays died unexpectedly. On September 14, 2009 during the finale of AGT (also David Haselhoff's final show as Judge), I've heard the news from my stepfather that Patrick Swayze had succumbed from cancer. Weeks back, I remember when Cronkite died.
On the 2010 Tonight Show Controversey, I've seen Conan O'Brien's first episode as host in his short-lived Tonight Show on June 1, 2009 after Jay Leno stepped down that past Friday for his ill-fated prime time show that Fall. I've seen the news reports of the feud between Leno/O'Brien over time slot. Ten days after the tragic Haiti Earthquake (that same night Hope for Haiti pledge was on that night and The Jay Leno Show was pre-empted for Dateline NBC that night) Conan O'Brien saids goodbye to his short seven-month stint as the Emcee of the program that the late Johnny Carson made famous, a day before the fifth anniversary of Carson's death. After Conan's final appearnce on his Tonight Show, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon made a tribute to Conan while taking a tour to Conan's former studio 6A (now The Dr. Oz Show videotapes there) with The Roots singing It's So Hard to Say Goodbye From Yesterday from the 1975 classic Cooley High. After Questlove poured the beverage on the stage, they got caughted by Dr. Oz himself and they ran. It was episode #187, the guests were Brendan Frasier and Tracey Ullman, I don't remember the musican guest.
Spring/Fall 2010: When I had the scared phase of that 2012 Scare. When The Deepwater Horizon oil spill claimed 11 lives, and damaged the Gulf. Also the Earthquake in Quebec that June after I came back from my Charleston, SC vacation (on the day one of my brother's dogs died). I've prayed for the Oil Spill to stopped everytime until it stopped. And the Tornado Outbreaks of October 2010 in most of the USA, where they killed a person from Norte Dame. I remember when I was watching season 11 of Dancing with The Stars the result show that night, it was interupted by a special weather report from our local ABC station. I missed who got saved and in jeopardy. But Kyle Massey was in jeopardy that night, but saved. Also, me and my mother was shocked that Brandy was eliminated that night instead of Bristol Palin for the finals. I've also heard the news that a man shot his TV over this and got nuts. A year later, I was looking at reaction videos on YouTube, some said that this was a rig, or a conspiracy, and even called Sarah Palin a racist I think. One preacher told all three DWTS judges (Len, Carrie Ann, and Bruno) to go to the Devil after Brandy was eliminated. Similar story in 2007 when Sabrina Bryan was eliminated despite good scores and they had a petition. They said the voting machines has an error. If Sabrina wasn't eliminated, she would won instead of Helio.
On 2011: I remember the March 11, 2011 9.0 Earthquake/Tsumani from Japan and the Pacific Ocean (and a meltdown too), I was scared, and I had my 2012 scare phase again. A month later, The Super Outbreak II begin and that night on the 27th we went to my aunt's house for safety (we were under a Tornado Watch and Severe T-Storm Warnings). We lived in a Mobile Home unforuntatly, and my aunt's house isn't moblie. When we got home, Tornado Watch has been cancelled. Couple days later, I've watched William and Kate's Royal Wedding on NBC at 4am until sunrise when they got married. I felt like it was like July 29, 1981 again (even I wasn't born until 1985). I remember the day that coward Bin Laden got shot to death, and President Obama announced it (when I was watching NBC I think, it interupted that night's Apprentice episode). Also, months earlier, I remember the unrest in Egypt as well. Also that April, I was shocked at Brian Frons' decision to axed AMC and OLTL on ABC (for The Chew and The Revolution). Lots of soap protesters and Hoover Cleaners boycotted ABC over this as well.
On this current years news: I remember when I first heard the news that Whitney Houston died, I watch it on my local FOX station. Weeks before, I've first heard the news of the suicide of the ex-Emcee of Soul Train Don Cornelius a day before Groundhog Day (on Feb. 2 my brother went to the hospital because he had a cold chill and I was worried). On the news of Davy Jones' passing, I've first heard it on the internet. I've broked the news to Drew on FB and he told my mother as well.
What other TV News Coverages do you remember over the years?
April 19, 1995: The day Oklahoma City Bombings tooked place. I was coming home from school, and watched ABC News coverage of that tragedy on my B&W Portable TV (pre-Digital) via WJBF-TV from Augusta, GA. Eventhough I'm in the GSP Market.
Summer 1996: The Atlanta Summer Olympic Bombing, I remember watching the ABC News coverage of that tragedy when Aaron Brown (who was on ABC at the time) broke the news, pre-empted Saturday Morning Cartoons.
September 1996: When rapper Tupac Shankur got shot and killed in Vegas. I've first heard about it on MTV. Ironically a year later, Nortorious BIG was gunned down too.
August 1997: I was watching MSNBC when I've heard the news that Princess Diana was in a car accident in Paris. But later died. I've also watched NBC's coverage of Diana's Funneral anchored by Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric (now at ABC), CBS' coverage with Dan Ratherr I think, and ABC's coverage with the late Peter Jennings. Also ABC replayed the funeral for West Coast Viewers which I remember when Jennings mentioned on that broadcast.
December 1997: I've heard the news of Chris Farley's overdose death on MSNBC.
Late 1997/1998: Michael Kennedy killed in a ski accident. Weeks later, Senator Sonny Bono (R-California) was also killed in a ski accident, and I've watched the funeral on TV. That was Chaz Bono was Chasity, and I remember when Cher (Sonny's ex) was crying. Later, Mary Bono ran for his seat and won in a Special Election. I've first heard the news of Sonny Bono's death from my stepfather that morning after I stayed up late watching ABC's World News Now.
Late-Spring/Summer 1998: I remember the day that ex-SNL castmember Phil Hartman was murdered by his wife and then tooked her own life. I've first heard about it when watching WJBF 6 OTA from Augusta, GA and they had the stories for 5pm newscast and saids "Phil Hartman Murdered". I was stunned. That same year, I remember the day of the Capitol shooting in DC. I've watched the funeral coverage for the two slain officials.
July 16, 1999: The day John John (aka JFK Jr.), his wife and sister-in-law killed in a crash near Martha's Vineyard. I've first heard the news of the plane was missing. Then they all got killed. Unfortuately, the memorial service was private and no recording of the eulogy exists. I think that JFK Jr. and his wife and sister in law was the first Kennedys to be cremated (like Yolanda King was the first memeber of MLK's family was in 2007). I thought that John John was buried at sea. After the news of his death, I was depressed for months. I was thinking I was having a nervous breakdown.
December 31, 1999/January 1, 2000: I remember the Millennium coverage on ABC anchored by the late Peter Jennings and correspondents around the world. Jennings was changing suits a few hours I remember. Then later at Midnight turned over to Dick Clark for the coverage (his usual New Year's Rocking Eve thingy). I was at my aunt's house when it happen. They were shooting fireworks and I was wearing a Hardy Aimes checked suit, yellow shirt, and 2000 novelty necktie when it happen. I remember the Y2K scare as well.
November/December 2000: Yes, I remember the Florida recount!
September 11, 2001: I remember this awful day, I was in the 10th grade at high school and watched CNN's coverage. Our vice-principal told us not to watch it I think so it won't upset others. Later that day, I've watched NBC's coverage with Brokaw.
November 2001: A month after my uncle and aunt's son died. My aunt died that same month. I've first heard the news of George Harrison's death when I was looking at the news on Yahoo! that early Friday Morning before school. When I was at school that same day, the history teacher who was next door to one of my class told me that our local weatherman from our CBS station got fired. He said he wouldn't watch channel 7 again. I was talking about Jack Roper of course. He got reinstated. Nowadays, Roper co-host a local TV show on our CBS station. He's been there since July 1986.
September 11, 2003 (two years after the tragedy): Before I went to school, I looked at Yahoo! News that Johnny Cash died. When I arrived at school (I was a senior at the time), I've first heard from one of the teachers that John Ritter died. I was shocked. I've looked at Yahoo! News on the Library computer and it was true. Ritter died from heart condition on the set of his final series on ABC 8 Simple Rules (ran from 2002-2005). I've broked the news to mostly everybody.
February 2004: The infamous Super Bowl XXXVIII controversey where Janet Jackson performing with Justin Timberlake and had wardrobe malfunction. Fortuantely, my friend has that Super Bowl recorded on tape since the NFL has disclaimer that "This NFL telecast is copyrighted..." thingy.
June 2004: A month after I graduated (and future Late Night host Jimmy Fallon exit SNL, and Tony Randall died in May), I've heard the news that Ronald Regan died from Alzheimers. I've watched the NBC News coverage of Regan's funeral, and I remember when actor Tom Selleck was on the phone with Brokaw I think.
October 23, 2004: I've saw the live episode of SNL where Jude Law was the host that week and Ashlee Simpson was the musical guest. They played the same song over again with her recorded voice. She got caught lip-syncing. That was when Tina Fey co-anchored with future Parks and Recreation star Amy Poehler doing Weekend Update sketches. Two years later, Fey went to create and star in the hit Emmy-winning NBC sitcom 30 Rock with fellow ex-SNL castmember Tracy Morgan and Alec Baldwin. A year later, I saw Ashlee's other SNL appearance singing her song on her last expericence on that show a year earlier.
I've watched every Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve's since 1996 (except the New Year's Rocking Eve 2005 where Regis filled in while Clark was recovering from a stroke). Nowadays with the help with Seacreast. Dick Clark is a legend to me. I've seen him guest star on a old episode of the short lived B&W series with Anne Francis Honey West from 1966.
Spring/Summer 2005: I remember John Paul II died and Pope Benedick XVI tooked over. That time, ABC Newsman Peter Jennings appears on TV for the final time to announced to viewers he had lung cancer and went into chemo. Sadly, we lost Jennings on August 7th at aged 67. After his death, a street near Columbus Circle in NYC named after him for his memory. Weeks later, Katrina hit New Orleans (my friend was in NOLA a year earlier after graduation). Very tragic situation. But I agree with Kanye West about what he said about Bush 43.
Spring 2006: I've seen Mike Wallace's final 60 Minutes appearance. In an archive clip, he used the Lords name in Vein uncensored. Months later, we loss Ed Bradley.
September 2006: I remember the day the Crocodile Hunter got killed in stingray accident at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. I saw the memorial service where Bindi delivered a eulogy.
I remember in 2007 when Anna Nichole died.
On June 13, 2008 (Unfortunately Friday the 13th) I was watching my soaps on ABC (when AMC and OLTL were still on at the time before GH) and ABC News interupted with a Special Report anchored by now-retired Charlie Gibson (Sawyer's predecessor). He mentioned that NBC's Meet The Press Moderator Tim Russert has died from a heart attack at 58. Also that same year when Bernie Mac died unexpectedly when the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing tooked place. I've seen Michael Phelps break records despite they said he cheated. And Tina Fey's impersonation of Sarah Palin on SNL that year. Also, Tim's son Luke joined NBC that same year as well.
Summer/Fall 2009: I remember that day on June 25, 2009 (days after TV personality Ed McMahon died from bone cancer) when my friend Sally broked the news that Farrah Fawcett died from cancer. I felt sorry for Ryan O'Neal. When I was looking at news of Michael Jackson was taken to the hospital and some say he died. That dire situation came true when I watched that nights broadcast of NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams which they were the first network to announced the death of MJ. I went on FB and Twitter as well to post my thoughts. My sister in law text my stepfather when he was getting me food from KFC that MJ died. I also remember the day Ted Kennedy died from brain tumor (same cause of death fromDark Shadows creator Dan Curtis three years back). I've tweeted about it. I also watch some of the coverage on NBC where they had his funeral, and Tom Brokaw was covering the story from the Kennedy Library in Boston. Weeks before, TV salesman Billy Mays died unexpectedly. On September 14, 2009 during the finale of AGT (also David Haselhoff's final show as Judge), I've heard the news from my stepfather that Patrick Swayze had succumbed from cancer. Weeks back, I remember when Cronkite died.
On the 2010 Tonight Show Controversey, I've seen Conan O'Brien's first episode as host in his short-lived Tonight Show on June 1, 2009 after Jay Leno stepped down that past Friday for his ill-fated prime time show that Fall. I've seen the news reports of the feud between Leno/O'Brien over time slot. Ten days after the tragic Haiti Earthquake (that same night Hope for Haiti pledge was on that night and The Jay Leno Show was pre-empted for Dateline NBC that night) Conan O'Brien saids goodbye to his short seven-month stint as the Emcee of the program that the late Johnny Carson made famous, a day before the fifth anniversary of Carson's death. After Conan's final appearnce on his Tonight Show, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon made a tribute to Conan while taking a tour to Conan's former studio 6A (now The Dr. Oz Show videotapes there) with The Roots singing It's So Hard to Say Goodbye From Yesterday from the 1975 classic Cooley High. After Questlove poured the beverage on the stage, they got caughted by Dr. Oz himself and they ran. It was episode #187, the guests were Brendan Frasier and Tracey Ullman, I don't remember the musican guest.
Spring/Fall 2010: When I had the scared phase of that 2012 Scare. When The Deepwater Horizon oil spill claimed 11 lives, and damaged the Gulf. Also the Earthquake in Quebec that June after I came back from my Charleston, SC vacation (on the day one of my brother's dogs died). I've prayed for the Oil Spill to stopped everytime until it stopped. And the Tornado Outbreaks of October 2010 in most of the USA, where they killed a person from Norte Dame. I remember when I was watching season 11 of Dancing with The Stars the result show that night, it was interupted by a special weather report from our local ABC station. I missed who got saved and in jeopardy. But Kyle Massey was in jeopardy that night, but saved. Also, me and my mother was shocked that Brandy was eliminated that night instead of Bristol Palin for the finals. I've also heard the news that a man shot his TV over this and got nuts. A year later, I was looking at reaction videos on YouTube, some said that this was a rig, or a conspiracy, and even called Sarah Palin a racist I think. One preacher told all three DWTS judges (Len, Carrie Ann, and Bruno) to go to the Devil after Brandy was eliminated. Similar story in 2007 when Sabrina Bryan was eliminated despite good scores and they had a petition. They said the voting machines has an error. If Sabrina wasn't eliminated, she would won instead of Helio.
On 2011: I remember the March 11, 2011 9.0 Earthquake/Tsumani from Japan and the Pacific Ocean (and a meltdown too), I was scared, and I had my 2012 scare phase again. A month later, The Super Outbreak II begin and that night on the 27th we went to my aunt's house for safety (we were under a Tornado Watch and Severe T-Storm Warnings). We lived in a Mobile Home unforuntatly, and my aunt's house isn't moblie. When we got home, Tornado Watch has been cancelled. Couple days later, I've watched William and Kate's Royal Wedding on NBC at 4am until sunrise when they got married. I felt like it was like July 29, 1981 again (even I wasn't born until 1985). I remember the day that coward Bin Laden got shot to death, and President Obama announced it (when I was watching NBC I think, it interupted that night's Apprentice episode). Also, months earlier, I remember the unrest in Egypt as well. Also that April, I was shocked at Brian Frons' decision to axed AMC and OLTL on ABC (for The Chew and The Revolution). Lots of soap protesters and Hoover Cleaners boycotted ABC over this as well.
On this current years news: I remember when I first heard the news that Whitney Houston died, I watch it on my local FOX station. Weeks before, I've first heard the news of the suicide of the ex-Emcee of Soul Train Don Cornelius a day before Groundhog Day (on Feb. 2 my brother went to the hospital because he had a cold chill and I was worried). On the news of Davy Jones' passing, I've first heard it on the internet. I've broked the news to Drew on FB and he told my mother as well.
What other TV News Coverages do you remember over the years?
. I misspelled 'Musical'