Broadcast Legends & Storytellers recalls earlier times in the biz
April 28, 2014It was a sunny but very windy day in Pittsburgh on Saturday when the Society of Professional Journalists Pittsburgh Chapter brought four of the market’s legendary personalities together for a forum called “Broadcast Legends and Storytellers”. Joe DeNardo (KDKA-AM & TV, WTAE-TV), Bob James ( WSTV-AM, WJAS-AM, KQV-AM, Eleanor Schano (WDTV-TV, KDKA-AM & TV, WIIC-TV, WTAE-TV, WQED-TV, WPGH-TV, KQV-AM), and Adam Lynch (WEDO-AM, WWSW-AM, KDKA-TV, WIIC-TV, WTAE-TV) happily discussed their memories of the broadcast era gone by. They were later joined by surprise panelist By Williams (WIIC-TV/WPXI-TV; KDKA-TV). The panel was moderated by WESA’s Paul Guggenheimer. The station hosted the event in their modern recording facility on the South Side.
Ms. Schano described her many challenges being the only woman working in a newsroom full of men. (Read her book, Riding the Airwaves: The Life and Televised Times of Eleanor Schano.) Mr. DeNardo talked about forecasting the weather before “computer models” were created. Mr. James told many stories of political characters he came across along Grant Street while Mr. Lynch recalled the beloved co-workers (including Schano) behind the anchor desk at WIIC. (Yes, Beverly Byer’s name was mentioned.) As mentioned, By Williams, came in late and he discussed his years as news director at Channel 11 and his hosting “Luncheon at the Ones”. Toward the end, Mr. Lynch was concerned that their discussion was boring the audience. “We could go on talking for three weeks!” he said. Everyone assured him that they’d stay and listen if the panel wanted to go on.
The panel. L to R: By Williams, Joe DeNardo, Bob James, Eleanor Schano, Adam Lynch
Paul Guggenheimer, host of WESA-FM’s (90.5) “Essential Pittsburgh”
Joe DeNardo
Bob James
Eleanor Schano
Adam Lynch
By Williams
I have some great memories of working with Adam Lynch while he was at WWSW and I was an engineer there. Adam always came in to work very cheerful and upbeat. I enjoyed working with Adam, who was a true professional in every way. Sorry I missed attending this event.
Message from Los Angeles: I am SO sorry I missed this event! I worked for By Williams in 1978 and did news remotes with Eleanor Schano in 1977. Superb professionals and wonderful people. I was just a kid, but they always treated me with respect and taught me so very much. I certainly wish I had known about this event, so I could have flown to Pittsburgh to thank them in person. Thanks PBRTV for your coverage. It’s so great to see Ms. Schano and Mr. Williams and all the others here! They all look great. Wonderful memories.