My show producer, friend and fellow blogger Dave Logan has written a very nice piece about me today. It’s really the nicest thing, and I’m very honored by it. Thank you, Dave. The occasion? The anniversary of the day Pauline and Joe welcomed me onto this mortal coil.
Reading Dave’s kind words reminded me to take a look back to when I was a full-time paid journalist, earning barely enough in East Central Maine to pay the bills. Misery loves company, especially when you’re young, cold, hungry, and hopeful for a career in television. And so a group of us Emerson College emigres from Boston formed a tight nucleus, whose friendship has lasted to this day. Rod Meloni is now a financial reporter at WDIV-TV in Detroit. Dana Wirth has raised a beautiful family while staying in the business. And Joe Amato went on to become a star anchor at The Onion. Which is fittingly foretold, as you will see.
So on this day when I mark a milestone — and trust me, it IS a major milestone — I thought it would be fun to take a look back at where I was lo’ those many years ago. The reel above is a series of bloopers (thanks to Don Seavey, one of the most creatively talented still and video photographers I’ve worked with) from my co-anchoring days with Alan Audet (who later went on to become a producer at CNN) at WABI-TV, in Bangor-By-God-It’s Cold, Maine.
This next video clip is not a spoof from Saturday Night Live, although it could have been. I watch it now and it’s hard to believe this isn’t a skit. It’s comedy gold.
Let me set it up: News director Gordon Manuel is at the anchor desk. When we’re not on camera with him, Rod Meloni and I are in the background. Gordon thought it added a sense of — ummm, immediacy. Gordon’s television news motto was posted for all to see in the newsroom: “THINK RADIO”. Does it get any richer than that?
And finally, the clip below was of my last newscast before I came to WESH-TV in Orlando. You’ll get a sneak peek at my daughter Jennifer (who now has four children of her own) at the very end. The cake was in celebration of my departure. Today, it celebrates my arrival into a new decade. Thanks Pauline and Joe. It’s been an amazing run.
Thanks Dave. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. The best is yet to come.
***
Happy birthday Andrea. You know I love ya!
Yeahhhhhhhh. The VERY best HAS come and is now with us here on the Florida Spacecoast,(thank you God). She hosts an extremely enlightening, thought provoking week-nightly BLOG-cast and has the initials ASK.
Need anyone ASK to whom I might be referring. Big smiles of admiration and appreciation to you SUPERwoman from a fellow Floridian. (Fanmail to follow)
Happy Birthday my friend and thank you for your on-going support for American values and way of life, and the military personnel and their families who stand as Guardians and hold back the evil in the world that would take that from us. And Thank You for the Honor and Tributes you have paid my son and our family.
proud dad SGT Mike Stokely
KIA 16 AUG 05 near Yusufiyah Iraq
USA E 108 CAV 48th BCT GAARNG
Happy Birthday Andrea: These were great. I guess that was your daughter, Jennifer, at the end who ran up and gave you a kiss. You look like her sister, not her mother.
This was a really super idea to have these u-tubes posted. I enjoyed all of them. Have a really wonderful birthday. Marie, NY
A very happy birthday Andrea!!