In our family, we’ve always had great loyalty to Channel 4 News. No matter how long I’m away from New Orleans, I’m happy to see my old friends behind the news desk and in front of the weather map, when I return. My brothers once had a chant for Hoda Kotb, a 10:00 anchor, whenever she appeared on the screen, and the whole family cried with her when she announced her departure for Dateline NBC.
Another anchor with a special place in our hearts was Bill Elder, a 5:00 anchor. His special line, at the end of his newscast, was “Now, we take you live and direct to the CBS Evening News.” He was part of my life growing up – on the TV in the kitchen, as dinner was being prepared. In 1998, he announced, via a taped message, that he had brain cancer and was going to have surgery. We saddened at the prospect of him being gone – not just from our evening television, but from this world. When he returned to the news, I remember the smile he had on his face as he said, “we take you live and direct to the CBS Evening News.” It was an, “I’m back!” smile. I had a similar one on my face, along with tears of happiness that he’d recovered.
He eventually had to leave the air again. My father just told that he passed away yesterday. I’ll miss you, Bill Elder, a part of our family though we never met.
Posted by Shokufeh at September 18, 2003 10:27 AMSHOKUFEH. EMAIL ME!!!
- CHAD
Posted by: Chad at September 18, 2003 06:26 PMwe felt a similar way about one of our newscasters. he left the air suddenly and my mother was very stressed over his whereabouts. we never knew, until years later when i was flipping through the newspaper and found a very random blurb about him. we are all at peace now, knowing that he is safe and sound in the world of radio broadcasting.
oh and the pride i felt when renee poussant left our local news for the big time Dateline or 20/20. you go girl!
Shokufeh!!!! Just wanted to send you a big HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the dirtiest of dirty daves
Posted by: Dirty Dave at September 20, 2003 03:31 PMMaybe it's perverse but I like the fact that we share similar feelings about people who have been a remote presence in our lives. Reading of Bill Elder's death made me know what it means to miss New Orleans.
Now, if only you'd felt the same way about Mr. Rogers after you grew up.
BTW I like your colors, too. However, the text is a bit difficult to read. Perhaps there isn't enough contrast OR maybe it's just my old eyes.
Posted by: Terimom at September 21, 2003 04:33 AMIn our family, our Bill Elder is weatherman Steve Pool. He made weather fun when we were kids!
Posted by: +mojan. at September 21, 2003 07:16 AMI -did- feel that way about Mr. Rogers after I grew up. It was just in my lame teen years that I thought he was so uncool.
Posted by: shokufeh at September 22, 2003 09:21 AMHey, Dirty Dave!
Posted by: shokufeh at September 22, 2003 10:35 AM