Back to you, Bill & Walter? Say it ain’t so!
Bill Kurtis & Walter Jacobson
I know I should be jumping for joy now that WBBM-Channel 2 has announced the reunion of Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson, the iconic duo who redefined television news in Chicago nearly four decades ago. Like many who watched Bill & Walter in their heyday, I’ve long respected and admired them as the gold standard of local anchor teams.
So how come the whole getting-back-together thing makes me feel . . . I don’t know . . . kind of sad?
Starting Sept. 1, Kurtis and Jacobson will be fronting the CBS-owned station’s 6 p.m. newscast Monday through Friday. On Sept. 13, newcomer Kate Sullivan, who currently anchors mornings at WCBS-TV in New York, will join Rob Johnson as Channel 2’s 5 and 10 p.m. co-anchor. Both moves were more or less telegraphed here last week.
It’s not just the idea that Kurtis and Jacobson are only doing it for the money that troubles me. After all, they’re entitled to cash in if someone’s willing to pay them six figures to read a few headlines and banter with each other for 30 minutes each night. So what if it happens to be for the same company that once had no use for two white male anchors — these two white male anchors, specifically — appearing on a newscast together? Truth be told, that was the reason CBS separated them in the first place.
It’s not just that the return of two white-haired fellows in their 70s (who’ve been out of the 25-to-54 demo since the last century) strikes me as an act of desperation by Channel 2. Let’s face it: It’s a station that’s been mired in last place for so long and has subjected its audience to so much upheaval that the only gimmick left is to turn the clock back and hope enough viewers will think it’s 1980 instead of 2010. But how in the world does a move like this position Channel 2 for the future? I don’t get it.
It’s not just that Kurtis has done such a masterful job of mocking the stereotype of the pompous, self-important anchorman that he embodied in his earlier incarnation at Channel 2. He did it as narrator of the movie “Anchorman,” a silly satire on the shallowness of local television news, and he did it as paid pitchman for AT&T in ads that turned his trademark gravitas on its head, depicting him as a clueless buffoon (“I’m Bill Kurtis — and I just discovered the Internet!”). Yes, of course, we all understood that he was in on the joke. That was the fun of it. But how are we supposed to take the guy seriously as an anchorman now that he’s let us in on the truth, and we know he knows it’s all bullshit?
And it’s not just that Jacobson, our forever fabulous Skippy, has often spoken out about the decline of local news. During the year I was on hiatus and Walter was busy writing his soon-to-be-published memoirs, we must have talked a dozen times about how journalistically bankrupt the business has become. No one lamented it more than he did. If he thinks his comeback with Kurtis will somehow put everything back the way it was, I’m afraid he’s in for a terrible disappointment.
What I think bothers me the most is the nagging sense that this is all just a cynical stunt that’s doomed to fail. Reuniting Bill & Walter for one golden evening of nostalgia last November was one thing. But putting them out there night after night on a newscast of no consequence with scant resources? On a station that has so diminished its commitment to news that it didn’t even bother to extend coverage of the last primary election by five minutes? (Hello, Mike Flannery?) On a station that considers it innovative to air “Monsters and Money in the Morning”? Sorry, nothing to see here. Move along.
Of course, there’s always the possibility of a miracle (say, if WLS-Channel 7 suddenly goes off the air forever). But barring that, it seems highly unlikely that the presence of Kurtis and Jacobson alone will be enough to set Channel 2’s ratings on fire again. If they fail, I fear it won’t just be another embarrassment for CBS. It will also forever tarnish the legacy of two of Chicago’s greatest broadcast legends whom we’ve known and loved, as Kurtis himself might say, lo these many years.
blogs.vocalo.org
Sort of like when Michael Jordan un-retired to play with the Washington Wizards?
I guess the internet that Bill Kurtis discovered is a little different than a newspaper: I had to go back and make sure that I saw the word bullshit printed here; I felt like Robert & I are just talking media over a beer (Schlitz Dark) at the Billy Goat.
Thanks for insightful commentary. Hard to do when they have been your friends for so many years. But, I know and share your feelings about “Say it ain’t so” and expect it will fizzle also. How long is their deal?
My brain has been set on automatic for many years now. For news, my brain has my fingers press “0-7″ on my remote, unless it’s 9:00 at night when my brain sends the signal, “0-9″.
I suppose, like many others will most likely do, come September 1st, if I can remember, I’ll change the channel over to “0-2″ and see what happens. I can’t see Bill Curtis or Walter Jacobson doing anything other than a completely professional newscast. Whether I’ll remember to tune in again on September 2nd is another matter.
As for BC and WJ signing on? If it puts some more money in their pockets, good for them. I’m sure they both covered all the bases in thinking it through.
I too was a huge fan of Bill and Walter during their heyday. But sadly, just looking at them makes me think, my goodness, isn’t there a geriatric network out there somewhere?
But almost as old as Bill and Skippy, is your increasingly reliable practice of injecting race into a story. What’s next, religion?
MONSTERS AND MONEY is the worst example of local television this market has seen in a long time. It is hard to watch. I for one don;t care about the rantings of Mike North. If he were not on the show maybe I might watch, but he is awful…I wonder what the ratings are, and how long they can keep this up.
I think the addition of Bill and Walter at 6 pm will be just as successful as WLS adding Floyd Kalber at 6 pm. I will be watching fo sho! Mary Kay Kleist on weather and Bruce Wolf on sports would make it a success for the ages.
You’re something else, Robert. How come you never said any of this before, when it was just “highly speculative” (more or less telegraphed, huh?). You should have stopped at your first sentence. Start jumping for joy.
I can get passed all the points you reached for just to reach for just to be surly, and I think most everyone else can. Kudos to Kiernan & Cohen for making this happen. And btw, kudos to you for searching high-and-low for the one unflattering (and huge) picture of Kate Sullivan you used the other day. I found the page you snagged it from and there were literally hundreds of other pictures showing her in her true lovely light. A simple google search would have turned up anything better. Way to dig.
You’re not the Robert Feder I grew up excited about reading everyday, you haven’t been for a long time. And I can’t believe you said bullshit! No more curse words, Robert. I’m no prude, it’s just not becoming of you. Whatever you’ve become.
Rob, I usually agree with you, but this one you’re wrong. I think its great that both Bill and Walter are coming back. As a faithful Channel 2 news watcher since late 70′s (yes even through the Carol Marin experiment), I have no problem with this change. When I saw them in November, they didnt seem to miss a beat. If I didnt watch Channel 2, I would be watching Channel 5. No offense ABC7, dont enjoy the casts….way too produced.
I welcome this try at “change.” When the station sunk to the low of using
Mike North in the morning and firing Mike Flannery – I thought it was the end.
Welcome Walter and Bill ! Make it fun and gritty . . . even campy is okay with me.
Sadly, the result of too much time on Facebook, I’ve recently had to re-learn the truism that you can never really ever go back!
Maybe Johnny Morris and Harry Volkman have some free time. Hey, if your going to put the band back together. . .
I see CBS’ attempt to revive their local news with Bill & Walter as a last gasp effort. If it fails, I say go in a completely different direction by hiring very young and hungry talent (from News Director on down) and set them loose on the Chicago metro news beat. Give some lean and admittedly green people a shot at the big time.
Cleo James is absolutely right. ABC7 did the same thing when they asked Floyd Kalber back to anchor the 6pm news around 1984, and they never lost a week after that. Mr. Feder, were you as skeptical then about that “bold” move than you are with Bill and Walter? I think CBS2 has a chance, and I think this is a good start, but they have a long, long way to go.
Great article, Rob. I couldnt agree more. What I dont get is how CBS O+O honchos are not seeing this for what it is: an extended publicity stunt. Arent they looking at Bruno and saying “really?…this is the best you can do with our resources?…some kind of nostalgia tour?”. But I guess as long as it gives them 30 minutes of ratings lift…like a crack cocaine high….they’ll get what they can take. Kinda sad.
I do not understand the concern about the future of a news program? Does anyone really fret about this? I would think that you enjoy something for the moment and it’s over, it’s over. Planning for retirement is worthy of concern and not the future of Channel 2 after Bill and Walter. If liked Bill and Walter in the past, embrace the moment and it if fails, so be it. #12 makes sense to me.
I never heard you so passionate. I love it.
You can probably find Johnny Morris anywhere where horses race for money.
Two words: “Kup’s World”
Great take, Robert.
It’s purely selfish but I hope the new show is a big success.
I rarely watch TV news shows because I can learn what’s going on in 1/3 the time by reading the papers and reputable sites on the internet. I’ll watch Bill and Walter though because it will bring back memories of the best TV news show I’ve ever seen and also the best cast. Don’t know why today’s 30-ish types would watch with regularity but I hope they do. Like I said, purely selfish.
Yep…I smell desperation, too.
Funny thing is, though–it will probably work!
Robt. Feder’s most salient observation is that this move is anything but the future of local news, but beyond that is seems it’s all plus. Bill and Walter remain very capable guys and the reunion buzz is great. I will surely seek out the 6 o’clock news on Ch 2. What could be worse? More outsiders and barely proven talent.
This explains the many rounds of lay offs the past few years! When you’re paying people NOT to be on the air and then hire top-price talent, you’ve got to get the money somewhere…. So, lay off people in all departments so that when you get the best of the best in, there’s very little (if any) support for them. It’d be like hiring Mario Andretti to drive a race car — and having only two members for your pit crew (typical is 5-6 over the wall with as many on the other side). Think that team has any chance of a “win”?
This is absolutely one of the best pieces you have ever written.
You’ve completely nailed the bottom line. The chances of Channel 2 getting a significant ratings bump are next to zero unless WLS and maybe WMAQ suddenly go off the air or stop doing news. This is the ultimate “Hail Mary” pass and its destined to fail in a big way.
Your experience and perspective are invaluable to seeing the desperation and lack of real thought behind this move. Thank you for what you do!
This is an extended PR stunt. They have nothing to lose and I’m sure Bill and Walter will take the money and run. For those interested in the ratings for Monsters and Money….somedays they get a 0 rating in households and many days a 0 rating in A25-54. Kind of tough to charge advertisers for a zero rating. But hey….at least they are trying something different.
Feder – This is one of the only times I couldn’t disagree with you more. Let them get back in the game and see if they can ruffle some feathers. I’d love to think that they would make everyone else in town step it up a notch. Some people could say the same about you coming back to report TV and Radio, no one else in town was/is doing it better. I wish them the best but lets hope they don’t just “read the news” but report it!
@Bosco #12 has the right idea.
Look forward, people! You have the resources of Northwestern’s Medill and some lesser J-schools in the area to draw from, you have small market stations all over Illinois fielding decent talent(with Chicago roots), you have Susan Carlson in your own newsroom who could be groomed for more than you’re giving her to do…when will you folks absorb the idea that programming requires more than letting your consultants play Pin the Tail on the Donkey?
This is very nearly as awful as it would have been to bring Uncle Walter back to front the CBS Evening News at the time Katie took over.
Bill and Skippy were hot in their heyday but so were Starsky and Hutch. They played to a different demographic. They were, it seemed, passionate about the news and their audience was just as passionate about watching. Nowadays, the market leader is ABC-7 for many of the same reasons Bill and Skippy trounced the town in their heyday. Leadership. Talent in the reporting ranks. A superb team of producers, photographers, and editors. An assignment desk staff that knew the city and offered up creative ideas.
This will be a train wreck.
Its hard to say how this will go over…could give CH2 an initial spike in viewers…I know I’ll watch for awhile. Does anyone know if this kind of thing has been tried in any other market?
The folks at Max Factor just added a third shift.
Best be careful, CBS.
Put too many white folks in those anchor chairs and you risk upsetting your real programming boss, the esteemed and beloved Rev JJ.
I think CBS is just trying to be #2 rather than last. With these two guys they have some attention on the station while they launch their latest 10pm news iteration. Chicago only knows who it knows. New faces don’t do well here and this retro news pair will at least put a “Chicago feel” back on Channel 2.
I wish them well — I’ll watch. But I’m afraid you’ll be right, that it won’t work and when CBS cans them, it won’t just be CBS with egg on its face, it’ll be two guys who once represented how good local TV news can be. And it’s a measure of how good they were that your reaction is so passionate and thoughtful. Thanks.
Will Gary Deeb be coming back too??? Seriously, what happened to him???
I agree with Bosco #12 above.
There may not be many younger people who watch the 6PM newscast, but what a way to turn us off. Shoot, I imagine there aren’t many baby boomers who want to watch a couple of geriatric guys reading the news. It’s been so long since Kurtis and Jacobson have been on the air that viewers have moved on with their lives. Their fans most likely have found new favorites or acceptable substitutes. People will watch this broadcast for nostalgia, not for its quality (assuming it’s any good). It won’t have any staying power. Just like Michael Jordan and Brett Favre, Kurtis and Jacobson will tarnish their reputation by making an ill-fated comeback.
I certainly hope CBS2 brings in some fresh young talent. I mean, it can’t be any worse than having a couple of old codgers. If the youngsters aren’t any good at reporting or reading, at least they will be easier on the eyes.
Bruce, it was tried in Chicago with Floyd Kalber and John Drury and both did quite well. This is not accurate: For those interested in the ratings for Monsters and Money….somedays they get a 0 rating in households and many days a 0 rating in A25-54.
It baffles me to no end that the CBS2 execs have decided that it is somehow wise to chase my 55+ demographic.
Yes, younger people who keep up with local news might hear about this and check out the novelty of two highly regarded former Chicago news anchors, just to see what the big deal is all about.
But in this age of fast-paced instant, it’s going to be a tough sell to get those people to set aside their computers, iPads, and Blackberries for a half hour every evening to watch a couple of silver-haired talking heads try to re-create the chemistry they had back in the day.
This is pathetic. Kurtis got a pass on his commercial work because he was out of news. Sorry, Bill, you are banned. Skippy has become an embittered crank somewhat removed from reality.
The oddest thing about this is we are no longer used to seeing two dudes anchoring the news.
I was at a conference recently where a panelist commented that the average age of local news viewers is dead. This renewed pairing certainly taps that demographic.
I was privileged to work in the McClurg Court newsroom in the late ’90s, far down the road from the days of Bill n’ Walter (although I was there for the tail end of Bill’s 6 pm anchor gig), and even then there was a great sense of loss that things just weren’t the same and why did it all go away? Well…times do change. Networks rethink their commitments to news on their O&Os and spend less money — WAY less money. News directors & executive producers rotate in and out, determined to put their own stamp on the product (i.e., fix what isn’t broken). And if you examine a show lineup from, say, 1975 compared with 2010, you’d see a lot more hard news back then than you would now. Do we REALLY all care that much about one old lady down the street who got ripped off by a plumber? Shouldn’t we be asking bigger questions, like how much do we expect from government if we’re not willing to pay for it? The drive to personalize TV news has ended up trivializing it. That’s why the new incarnation of Bill ‘n Walter has you feeling sad, Rob — the content just won’t be there.
I loved them when I was a kid; they were the first people I ever wrote a fan letter to! But this makes me feel a bit sad, too.
I have no problem with them trying something/anything; the greater the risk/the greater the reward, right?!
“Act of Desperation” is an understatement! Is this all ya got, Channel 2? One would think that the Chicago broadcast news media could present better on-air journalism talent than has been seen in recent years. Fawning over Bill and Walter is cute and nostalgic, in a black-and-white TV sorta way. But it truly says that the Channel2 news braintrust is out of ideas. The disconnect with their “target demographic” is obvious by installing septugenarian anchors. But, what about all of those high quality anchor/reporters who’ve already paid their dues in other lesser markets with top notch broadcast journalism? That available talent inventory should be tapped. Chicago news outlets and those who consume their daily products deserve more than warm-fuzzies. Hard-hitting, accurate, relevant, and creative broadcast journalism is the name of the game. The News with Uncles Bill and Walter just isn’t going to cut it. Besides, they’ll need a nap before the Sports segments airs.
I rarely watch the news on TV any more, but I’ll check this out. It would be cool if Skippy does some more of his own unique brand of investigative reports, like when he dressed up as the homeless guy. I wonder if those two might have been at least part of the inspiration for SCTV’s Floyd and Earl.
Great article, Rob. Not sure if I agree with you or not. There are some good arguments here. A lot of it depends on the execution of the idea – whether there’s any “meat” there. Time will tell.
All the local stations try to present themselves as the most “Chicago-ey”, whatever that means.
Reuniting Bill and Walter is CBS’s futile effort to reclaim that title and mine some ratings.
Instead of offering real news, following the story no matter where it leads and keeping the powerful in check, CBS, like all the other stations, offers gimmicks.
This latest effort is transparent and embarrassing.
Tuning in to the local news to get news almost seems like a laughable concept.
I worked for Bill’s Focus Unit back in the glory days. I’m reapplying immediately.
I think it was at the 50th anniversary of the local Emmy awards that Bill and Walter were co-presenters, and one would have sworn that Abbott and Costello had been reborn. If they do THAT on their 6 pm newscast, it might draw some ratings…
They’ve always reminded me of Ernie & Bert from Sesame Street. They even LOOK like Ernie & Bert. (Bill = Bert, Walter = Ernie)
I like Star Trek, too, but Bill Kurtis like William (“risk is our business”) Shatner reads lines.
This is nothing more than a desperation move by Bruno and Kierkan to drive up ratings and to save whatever credibility might be left at Channel 2. From airing that awful Monsters in the Morning show to their messed up newscasts on the evenings and weekends, nostalgia can only work for so long before that fades into the sunset too.
As for Kate Sullivan, I just don’t think she’ll be a good fit here, being another outsider who really doesn’t know that much about the city, despite what she is saying in the press. I give her and these moves less than 3-6 months before another house-cleaning takes place and that starts with Bruno on down. No wonder they’re mired in 4th place.
I find it very hard to believe that none of this negative criticism was at the forefront of their decision processes when CBS2 reached out to Bill and the Bat Boy. All things considered, I believe the consensus between the two, is something akin to what Liberace said in the 1950s, to critics who thought he was nothing but a flash in the pan – “I cried all the way to the bank!”
And to @Marie Z #5 criticizing the mention of race – well, that’s history. He’s just reporting it. It is what it is.
Robert, it good to hear an opinion on this, instead of just reprinting the press release. Nice Job.
Here’s something to think about. Did you ever break up and lose a girl and pine away over her? You only remembered the good times, none of the bad. As the tears went by, you longed for just one more chance to get back with her again. Then, that chance happens. You anticipate the meeting, you get all psyched out….only to find that time had passed, and it no longer feels like it originally did. Too much life in between. Too many changes to you, her, and the world.
That perhaps it should have been left a pleasant memory.
Bill and Walter, as much as I enjoyed you the first time around, and that snippet of the past on the nostalgia reunion..could the above scenario happen with you, too?
It’s a gimmick all right, but — as you ask, Robert — to what end? To make viewers like 60-year-old me feel young? Won’t work. Plus, Jacobson, especially, is not anyone I have ever revered or “loved” over the years anyway. He’s always seemed like a pompous little bully, all ego and bluster. Was there ever a resolution to his June 2008 DUI? I can’t find a record of it anywhere. His 2004 charge was eventually dropped. Not saying a DUI disqualifies him from reading the news, but that kind of public legal baggage always gets rehashed for other public figures — from elected officials to college and pro athletes — so why not with Jacobson now? Just asking.
It’s like the song….”and everything old is new again.”
A stunt, plain and simple. The novelty will wear off quickly and it will be just another epic failure for the folks at Ch. 2.
I hope Katie reads #51.
They were Big…back before electricity. You gots to know when not to resurect the Dead.
Just what is it about movie stars, singers, and broadcasters that drives them to keep on performing when they are long past their best. We all know how pathetic some of the these people are when they appear in public, on TV and radio. They are past their best and should retire gracefully. Move over for the younger generations. Just imagine–they will be mourned over and over by those of us reading and commenting on these blogs.
I think this is a great idea. What’s the worst that can happen — Channel 2 will lose *more* viewers? I think not. So they don’t have anything to lose here. Plus, maybe Bill & Walter can have a (positive) influence on how news is gathered and presented there. I think many of you are overthinking this. Bill and Jake’s legacies are secure, whether they succeed or fail here. And yes, Feder does indeed inject race into a lot of his commentary. But, he’s also injected religion into his discussions as well (did Rob really once write about Mai Martinez’s questionable decision to wear a cross while anchoring? Why, yes he did!)…..
Finally, yes, Walter has had his problems with the law, although in fairness, his 2004 DUI arrest was thrown by virtue of a 0.078% blood-alcohol level! (He pleaded guilty to something else, but got no DUI on his record) Skippy won’t get that lucky when the 2008 case is finally adjudicated….
Oh, come on, people. Such nattering nabobs of negativity! Finally, an anchor team that is older than I am. That’s change I can believe in!
Maybe a Focus Unit redux – on the healthful benefits of grass-fed beef!
I would love to watch, however I can’t get Ch. 2 on my converter box (I’ve done the erase, unplug and reset thing). Can’t afford cable.
I hope they don’t do “Special Segments” or “Health Updates” that are fluff pieces or bad science.
I hear they’re bringing P. J. Hoff back to do the weather forecasts. (That reference doesn’t age me, does it?)
Seriously, I agree with James Dvorak–they should give Susan Carlson more to do. She’s certainly up to the challenge.
It doesn’t matter. I haven’t watched more than ten cumulative minutes of a local newscast from my own home in the last year. Heck, I probably only watch ten minutes a month of cable news from my own home.
Why exactly do I need a half hour of newstainmentmercials from a local TV station? This is not 1977 or even 1986. I am solidly in the 25-54 bracket. When I’m in town, I listen to WBBM for 10-15 minutes at the half hour on one direction of my commute or another, I’ll try to get WGN’s news on the top of the hour in the other direction. I read Google News, skim the Sun-Times and Trib sites, get an email feed from Crain’s, and read this blog in my RSS reader (and then have to come here to read all the comments!). I have The Weather Channel with radar on my telephone, and I follow enough sports anyway.
Local broadcasters generally do not get it. At least these guys are willing to shamelessly admit that they’re aiming for the Internet-clueless A54-80 audience at 6pm before they go to bed. Good for them. But I won’t watch, not out of spite or thinking that Skippy will fall down like Willie Mays on the Mets, but because it’s like watching the WNBA or anything involving Byron Allen: mindlessly pointless.
A spot on article by Mr Feder. This has to be a money grab and perhaps a publicity tour for Mr Kurtis’s business ventures & Mr Jacobson’s book. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Do these two really have the passion to rebuild the news operation they fronted to even a shadow of its former glory? Does Mr Kurtis want to do investigative reporting in 2010? Are there producers and support people to support a quality news shop? Is there a behind the scenes visionary who want to make the new newscast excellent, or who truly wants to use the legendary anchors to mentor young talent? Do the anchors want to be mentors?
I hope I’m wrong, but I doubt it.
Skippy pretending (not much of a stretch…check the publicity shot) to be an old person (oh sorry, “person of oldness”) in a nursing home investigative piece. I can see it…shivering under the covers, waiting for his Geritol while the aides pass him by, staring into the camera hidden in a faux bunny belly across the room, “It’s cold here, really cold. And I can hear other patients moaning and crying out down the hall…”
Every guy has had to have that conversatioin with himself after a lifetime careeri It appears that Bill and Skippy have yet to know when it is time to go. And for Channel 2, today, not to understand where all of the news viewers have gone, is really interesting. There may be no more lost industry than the Major News Outlets. NBC, ABC, CBS. The news is so dynamic, why would anyone wait to hear what the view of these old 60′s liberals fossels have to add .
The only refreshing aspect to all of this…these news outlets pretty much get what they deserve. This stunt is a joke…gimme a break.Bring on the “bubble-headed” bleach blonde!
Bill and Walter as Abbott and Costello reborn? Now there’s a concept worth following up on: KURTIS AND JACOBSON GO TO CITY HALL, KURTIS AND JACOBSON LOST IN SPRINGFIELD, KURTIS AND JACOBSON MEET ROD BLAGOJEVICH…the possibilities are endless.
Hey, don’t kid yourselves. This is a real blockbuster move for CBS2. These guys are true professionals all the way, with their Chicago roots which go along way. They speak our midwest language and know the ropes. The other morning, they were on WGN720 after 7:00 a.m. with Greg Jarrett talking about their new gig. What a class act. By the way, would somebody please tell Greg how to pronounce Chi caw go!
Best of luck to CBS2 and Bill and Walter, knock ‘em dead!
I think Bill and Walter will succeed just like Floyd Kalber did for Channel 7 at 6 pm. They will awaken that broad young group of unwashed who play mindless games on their monitors or text to each other on twitter about what they are feeling at the moment. Maybe Channel 2 will add the semi-lovely Melissa Forman to do restaurant reviews for the before 4pm dinner crowd and to be this decade’s Bob Sirott for the socially uninformed. Dave Savini can do his blue light specials on CTA bus and train seats. Pam Zekman can investigate Mayor Daley and his nephew and his family and try to find all of our tax dollars from the last 20 years. And all will be well in the world once again! Rock on, Bill and Walter. I will be there with you.
Makes me miss Fahey Flynn, P.J. Hoff and Bruce Roberts. Brought to you by Standard Oil.
Memories….
I say turn the hands of time all the way back to the early days of the Kurtis-Jacobson pairing and revive the Channel 2 News theme song, with the original lyrics:
This is my city, Chicago’s my town
Looking for trouble, trouble’s around
It takes 2 to track it down
It takes 2 to track it down
So they’re “old.” So what? The US population in general is aging! And “seniors” are a prime demographic for TV news. And there is a certain gravitas that comes with age and experience. Mike Wallace was still doing a pretty good job on “60 Minutes” well into his 80′s. The late Dan Schorr was a welcome voice to this Boomer on NPR as late as two weeks ago. And if Helen Thomas hadn’t made that boneheaded faux pas she’d still be the doyenne of the White House press corps, and rightly so.
Let’s hear it for the “active seniors!”
As long-time CBS2 News viewers, my husband and I are thrilled to have the “dream team” back, but why did it take so long?? We have been fans of Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson since they anchored their first newscast on CBS2 in 1973. We feel they should return to anchor the 10:00pm news, as well as the 6:00pm news. As usual, what is CBS2 thinking???
CBS2 News has been in the toilet ever since Bill and Walter left, and none of the younger news people they have replaced them with to date, can compare to their brilliant “old school” style of journalism. They are consummate professionals, and at the end of the day, you can look forward to getting up-to-date, accurate news. Their professional and easy-going style will surely win over new and former viewers alike. They are very comfortable-like a soft shoe.
We believe CBS2 News will be back in the No. 1 spot in the very near future.
Welcome home, Bill and Walter!
In regards to them shooting for 2nd, that’s not totally impractical. NBC5′s viewership has been down due to lacking chemistry between Rob and Allison. Bill and Skippy surely can’t top Mt. Olympus ch. 7 at six, but don’t count them out until they’re down.
Much as we might want to at times we can’t go back in time. I wish I wasn’t getting older, but that’s life.
I don’t see how these two will make it. They were great years ago, but this does not seem to be the answer for a last place local news station.