Will the real Bill Kurtis please stand up?
If there were a Mount Rushmore of Chicago television news anchors, the first face I’d put up there is Bill Kurtis. OK, maybe he’d be the second – after Floyd “The Big Tuna” Kalber. (Who else? You’re welcome to suggest others in the comments section below.)
But the point I’m making is that as an anchorman in this town, Bill Kurtis will always be among the all-time greatest in my book. What he accomplished at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 – most notably during his legendary run with Walter Jacobson from 1973 to 1982 – can never be discounted or diminished.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Bill & Walter and their Channel 2 colleagues revolutionized television news with a style and approach that emphasized enterprise reporting, gritty straight-from-the-newsroom immediacy and hard-hitting local commentary.
Thirty years ago, when Channel 2’s 10 p.m. newscast hit No. 1 in the Nielsens for the first time, the Tribune proclaimed it “the beginning of a news dynasty” and “a genuine watershed in Chicago TV history.” Although the station’s ratings dominance would last only six years, the legacy established by Bill & Walter was enduring.
In Jacobson’s memoir (tentatively titled Walter’s Perspective and due to be published next year by Southern Illinois University Press), Kurtis is quoted as saying in 1979: “We’ve made broadcast history at this station. Think about it. In the midst of happy-talk and all that nonsense, we went to work and actually covered the news in a responsible fashion. And now we’ve become No. 1. . . . If we establish a success in Chicago, we’ll set a new trend which says that a station can make it by building a reputation for presenting news rather than a reputation for presenting entertainment.”
All of which makes Kurtis’ latest comeback to Channel 2 so utterly baffling to me.
I get that times are different. I get that Channel 2 is losing money, its ratings are in the toilet, and it has nothing to lose by trying anything to attract an audience. And I get that Kurtis, now 69, has moved way, way beyond the local news arena.
It’s fascinating to see how his career and public image have evolved from news icon to documentary host and producer to star of the A&E Network to brilliantly deadpan commercial pitchman.
I’ll admit it took me a while to realize that his role as narrator of Will Ferrell’s “Anchorman” actually turned out to be a shrewd pivot from perceived pomposity to self-mocking celebrity. But I get that too. And I don’t begrudge a penny of what he’s making from his AT&T commercials, his Tall Grass Beef or his other entrepreneurial ventures.
As part of its deal to pick up syndicated reruns of his old A&E “Cold Case Files” series (which moved this week to an earlier time – at 12:35 a.m. weekdays), Channel 2 also got Kurtis to appear at no extra charge in promos for the station’s news and its CBS prime time lineup.
But here’s the rub: He’s also turning up once a week on Channel 2’s 10 p.m. newscast in a dual role – first as a hard-news reporter delivering vignettes of unsolved crimes (called “The Cold Case Minutes”) and then as an avuncular show-business schmoozer with anchor Rob Johnson.
After recounting the details of some horrific murder or notorious bank robbery at the top of the show, Kurtis returns later to shoot the breeze with Johnson about everything from cherry-lime rickeys and hard-boiled eggs to their favorite movies shot in Chicago. Earlier this week, they laughed over outtakes from Kurtis’ commercials with David Caruso promoting CBS’ “CSI: Miami.”
For years now, Kurtis has been appearing in a variety of comedic cameo bits on Tribune Co.-owned WGN-Channel 9’s morning news show. He sang “I Will Survive” with Tom Skilling. He delivered a dramatic reading from the children’s book Walter the Farting Dog. He judged a spelling bee that pitted anchors from competing stations against each other. He even performed a parody of “The Night Before Christmas” as a sendup of “Cold Case Files.”
So which Bill Kurtis are we getting on Channel 2 now? The no-nonsense newsman who fronted the show in its glory days and wants to be taken seriously — or the ironic, postmodern mercenary who’s playing it all for laughs?
Some have likened Kurtis’ persona to that of William Shatner. “We know he knows that we’re all in on the act,” one astute colleague observed. “But when he’s there on the set, it’s like he’s wearing a funny hat and it just doesn’t fit right.”
Not so, insists Bruno Cohen, president and general manager of Channel 2 and a veteran of CNBC and local broadcast news operations from New York to San Francisco.
“We think Bill Kurtis and our association with him makes our newscast better, and we have enormous confidence in Bill’s ability as a working journalist and in his integrity,” Cohen said.
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11 2009
blogs.vocalo.org
Fahey Flynn, definitely!
This is what we’ve missed the last year-insightful reporting. So glad you’re back. Keep it up.
A friend of mine claims that this is a true story and I believe him since he used to work at Kurtis Productions.
Bill has a lot of interesting items in his office. One of the most interesting is a long stick-like object that sits on his desk. I guess it is so odd that many first time visitors can’t keep their hands off of it and on many occasions, Bill has walked in to his office to find them examining it.
When they ask what it is, Bill has the delight of telling them it is a petrified elephant penis. Imagine the look on their faces.
Who knew he could be a joker and The KING.
At 69, with more money than he’ll ever need and a bucolic manse in Mettawa, Mr. Kurtis doesn’t need to prove a damn thing. If Channel 2 or 9 or whatever wants to use his name & visage to bolster ratings & Bill agrees without taking the self-deprecation act so far as to look silly, I ain’t gonna argue.
His rise at Channel 2 did coincide roughly with Watergate, Woodward/Bernstein & the perceived glamour of investigative reporting, so to a certain extent he was in the right place at the right time, and Jacobson was the perfect ‘bad cop’ partner, but you could tell he was a tireless worker for the truth & correct analysis of a story. Bill’s face was/is the most trusted in Chicago, second only to…yes, Rob…Walter Cronkite.
You can never count anyone else’s money.
John Drury is the first one I would have on such a monument.
Len O’Conner deserves to be on Mt. Rushmore with Bill and Floyd. So does Walter Jacobson.
Fahey Flynn with a snappy bowtie!
It’s great to have you back, Rob!
I would concur that John Drury would be my vote for best anchor to date in Chicago as well. For that matter unless the industry changes we will never have anyone better. Its hard to be a serious newsperson currently when you given 13 minutes at best to present news, sports and weather. Floyd was the best reader
off the teleprompter BUT John gave us emotion, feeling
and trust each and every night.
Pam Zekman needs a spot on Rushmore.
Bill Kurtis, John Drury, Ron Magers, Carol Marin
That’s the list!
Channel 2 did not hire him to be a hard cutting newsman. They hired him to be the semi-serious pitchman that he has become. I don’t begrudge him for it as he is able to roll with the punches and still be relevant. I truly believe that most people don’t appreciate the cutting edge newsperson any longer. The hard nosed, riveting news deliverer is a thing of the past that the current generation doesn’t connect with. With the availability of news at your fingertips 24/7, people want entertainment more than hardcore journalism if they invest their time in watching television news.
“a new trend which says that a station can make it by building a reputation for presenting news rather than a reputation for presenting entertainment.”
Boy, how times have changed. Is there a single station in Chicago today that comes even close to attempting this? Not that I have seen lately. All I get is a steady diet of Rhianna, Jon and Kate. news about upcoming television shows, Twitter updates. funny web videos, and other celebutard antics, while the city goes to hell in a handbasket. CBS and NBC are nearly unwatchable, especially in the mornings.
I love it! In my book Bill can’t do anything wrong. What he does it better than most Chicago newscasts.
I haven’t seen Bill on WBBM because I don’t live in Chicago anymore, but could it be that this is just his extension of the joke–that WBBM is so rudderless that he can get away with mocking the conventions of news while ON the news? I would like to think that’s it.
I can see Kurtis in that motorcycle sidecar a million times but it still makes me laugh. But what Chicagoans probably don’t realize is that Bill’s parody of a newscaster is funniest in Chicago, where he experienced his biggest legit success. Chicago views Bill Kurtis wholly different than the rest of the nation. He truly must be laughing all the way to the bank. I hope so.
God bless him. And you. It’s terrific that both of you came back into the Chicago spotlight at about the same time.
Bill Kurtis is to News what
Leslie Nielsen is to Drama.
I love the Mt. Rushmore concept. Years ago, Steve Rosenbloom wrote a column about the Mt. Rushmore of Chicago pro athletes. The only critieria being to have won a championship. His picks were Mike Ditka, Walter Payton, Bobby Hull, and of course Michael Jordan. Can’t argue with that. My sports columnists HOF is Barry Rozner, Steve Rosenbloom, John Schulian, and Rick Talley. My radio/tv play by play HOF is Harry Caray, Jack Brickhouse, Jim Durham, and the late, great Lloyd Pettit. Bruce Wolf is the uh, uh…sears tower of uh bloggers/predawn hosts/steve dahl partners/substitute sports broadcasters/substitute score co-hosts/a parody of 2 self parodies, but I digress……My HOF news anchors are Floyd Kalber, Bill Kurtis, Carol Marin, and Ron Magers
Bill Kurtis = A Pro’s Pro.
Have worked with Mr. Kurtis on a project for a local sports team. Bill could not have been any funnier, more engaging and more accomadating during a lenghty VO session at his production facility. Tremendous command over his voice and the ability to change narrative with the imagery. Bill’s last laugh is on all of us. Serious. He can be. Humorous. For sure. Only our neophyte Chicago programming buffoons can keep such a media treasure so under utilized.
“I’ll have a cherry lime ricky and a hard boiled egg”… Too funny.
The AT&T commercials are great especially the one with Floyd “Money” Merriweather there are parralles between his new pitchman persona and Bill Shatner. It’s great to see him back. My chicago News Rushmore would consist of Kurtis, Flyn, Joel Daley, Linda Yu, Kalber, and Drury
Holy crap! It’s Robert Feder!
Good to see and read you again…
Tim Disa
Great to have you back Robert!! Magers is definitely in my Mt. Rushmore. Probably Joel Daly too.
The Bill and Walter era was a long time ago…light years ago in the broadcast universe. I guess old Bill decided to spend the first half of his professional career building up his credibility (and bank account), and now is content to spend the second act not taking himself too seriously and doing whatever the hell he wants. Kind of Forrest Gumpy, actually.
Please consider Alex Dreier, Frank Reynolds, John Palmer, Fahey Flynn, John Drury, Joel, Daly, Floyd Kalber, PJ Hoff, Harry Volkman, John Coughlin, John Coleman, Bill Frink, Bruce Roberts, Johnny Erp, Bruce Wolf, and Chicago’s own “Ted Baxter”: Larry Potash!
Welcome back, Mr. Feder.
Say what you will about Bill Kurtis, he was one of the few anchors at ‘BBM to show a little humanity and welcome me onto the team during my fleeting 3 year stint on McClurg Court in the mid 90s. While nearly everyone else was playing every-man-for-himself, trying to defend “their turf”, Bill was always kind, easygoing and respectful; he never took himself too seriously on the set or off. He had a quiet confidence that inspired everyone around him. Tim Wiegel had that same playful, welcoming attitude, and for that I will always be grateful. They had major-market skills but not overbearing, major market egos. Rob – it’s great having you back, providing a level of perspective and analysis you just can’t find anywhere else. Count me as another devoted, loyal reader.
Bill Kurtis has definitely taken a page from Bill Shatner’s playbook. In both instances…you looked over at your wife on the sofa, pointed to the TV and remarked, “Who ever knew THAT guy could be funny?!” Both of the Bills should give credit to Leslie Nielsen for showing them the way. Neilsen’s really their grandpappy figure. He established the template for what they’re doing.
It’s all good.
When Channel 2 first teamed Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson (they made a great team, no doubt about it), the opening theme music for their news program actually had lyrics! Am I the only nerd who remembers this ditty?:
This is my city
Chicago’s my town
Lookin’ for trouble
Trouble’s around
It takes 2 to track it down
It takes 2 to track it down
Then and now, it sounds like the opening for an imitation Starsky & Hutch detective show. Wisely, the station dropped the vocals, although that theme music continued to be used for years.
No one has mentioned Bob McBride.
I grew up with Bill Kurtis, Walter Jacobson, Harry Volkman, Harry Porterfield, and Johnny Morris and that was a powerful newsteam. Remember Bob Wallace and Bob Sirot’s features?
Okay when Kurtis left for the first time to CBS in New York to host the morning show he was replaced by Don Craig, who was not bad at all, but not Bill Kurtis. Then Bill came back and I can’t remember what happened to Don Craig, does anyone know?
Oh whenever I am in San Diego I catch John Coleman doing the weather, same delivery, has not changed at all and I harken back to the days when I was a kid in Chicago and am AMAZED that he is still around doing it. It’s like time has not moved at all.