In regard to how I feel about Jim Gardner's last news broadcast and retirement this coming Wednesday, is completely different than the last time something that was not directly in my family, touched me this way.
Baseball fans would remember this.
In the winter of 2002, after winning 11 straight division titles, five NL Pennants, and a World Series during the time from 1991 to 2002, the Braves underwent a major change that winter, when starting pitchers Tom Glavine and Kevin Millwood, left the Braves. Glavine went from the Braves to the NY Mets, and Millwood went to the Philadelphia Phillies.
I remember being pretty upset at the time. I thought that the Braves would go from being division champions in 2002, into a bad team. As it turned out, they won three more division titles from 2003 to 2005, before taking a step back
Yet, that time, myself and other fans, had the whole winter to get used to Glavine and Millwood not being with the Braves anymore. It was not like "Well, Glavine was pitching for the Braves one night, and for the Mets the next night"
This, will be different, Jim Gardner will sign off at 630 Wednesday night, and then be retired, unless he is on for some special report
In January, when he left the 11 pm news, he made an elaborate closing speech about his departure, and thanked the viewers for supporting him for 45 years. Yet, the next night, he was on the 6pm news.
Now, on Wednesday, I am sure that knowing the class act that Gardner is from having watched him and his newscast for almost 20 years, Gardner will make an eloquent closing speech, sign off, and then the next night, when one turns on the 6 pm news, another anchor will be there doing the show. Brian Taff, Gardner's replacement for the 6pm news, is not Gardner.
I know and respect that this was fully Gardner's decision, that he is 74 years old, well past the age that some people retire. (Even though my father still works part time at age 82, part because he says of money, and part because he says he is thoroughly bored being completely retired. That is another subject entirely, and does not belong in this post, so I will drop it.
If someone wants to talk about a "Major change" this is it.
I think, while I liked Gardner when my mom was alive, I became even more into watching him after my mom's passing in 2012. I remember that when I first got to NY in June 2012, after Jeff found me the link to WPVI, Gardner was not on the next night when I moved into my apartment. As it turned out, he had taken what was likely a two week vacation. Yet, two weeks later, he came back on air, and has been there except for his usual vacations, Jewish holidays as he is Jewish, and sick days ever since.
Thursday night at 6 pm when Gardner will not be on , is going to be very , very different for me.
My favorite TV series was the original Dallas, on CBS, which I watched from around the time of Who Shot JR in 1980, until its final episode in 1991. I was disappointed, but its not like this. By then the show was very different.
Gardner is, was, and always will be, Gardner. He consistently delivers excellent newscasts, and this fan will greatly miss him.
I am sure I will make another elaborate post on Wednesday night or Thursday after his actual final newscast, but its in my blog, so it does not disturb anyone on the main forum.
If it seems like I am making a big deal about this, maybe I am. I just hope that anyone who takes the time to read this will understand, and that any replies will be civil if any are posted.
Three more nights, and then it will be very, very, different for me.
It will take time, but I know that myself, like Gardner's millions of other viewers, will just have to get used to it, and wish him well in his retirement, and whatever he decides to do after he leaves the news desk at 630 Wednesday night.
Baseball fans would remember this.
In the winter of 2002, after winning 11 straight division titles, five NL Pennants, and a World Series during the time from 1991 to 2002, the Braves underwent a major change that winter, when starting pitchers Tom Glavine and Kevin Millwood, left the Braves. Glavine went from the Braves to the NY Mets, and Millwood went to the Philadelphia Phillies.
I remember being pretty upset at the time. I thought that the Braves would go from being division champions in 2002, into a bad team. As it turned out, they won three more division titles from 2003 to 2005, before taking a step back
Yet, that time, myself and other fans, had the whole winter to get used to Glavine and Millwood not being with the Braves anymore. It was not like "Well, Glavine was pitching for the Braves one night, and for the Mets the next night"
This, will be different, Jim Gardner will sign off at 630 Wednesday night, and then be retired, unless he is on for some special report
In January, when he left the 11 pm news, he made an elaborate closing speech about his departure, and thanked the viewers for supporting him for 45 years. Yet, the next night, he was on the 6pm news.
Now, on Wednesday, I am sure that knowing the class act that Gardner is from having watched him and his newscast for almost 20 years, Gardner will make an eloquent closing speech, sign off, and then the next night, when one turns on the 6 pm news, another anchor will be there doing the show. Brian Taff, Gardner's replacement for the 6pm news, is not Gardner.
I know and respect that this was fully Gardner's decision, that he is 74 years old, well past the age that some people retire. (Even though my father still works part time at age 82, part because he says of money, and part because he says he is thoroughly bored being completely retired. That is another subject entirely, and does not belong in this post, so I will drop it.
If someone wants to talk about a "Major change" this is it.
I think, while I liked Gardner when my mom was alive, I became even more into watching him after my mom's passing in 2012. I remember that when I first got to NY in June 2012, after Jeff found me the link to WPVI, Gardner was not on the next night when I moved into my apartment. As it turned out, he had taken what was likely a two week vacation. Yet, two weeks later, he came back on air, and has been there except for his usual vacations, Jewish holidays as he is Jewish, and sick days ever since.
Thursday night at 6 pm when Gardner will not be on , is going to be very , very different for me.
My favorite TV series was the original Dallas, on CBS, which I watched from around the time of Who Shot JR in 1980, until its final episode in 1991. I was disappointed, but its not like this. By then the show was very different.
Gardner is, was, and always will be, Gardner. He consistently delivers excellent newscasts, and this fan will greatly miss him.
I am sure I will make another elaborate post on Wednesday night or Thursday after his actual final newscast, but its in my blog, so it does not disturb anyone on the main forum.
If it seems like I am making a big deal about this, maybe I am. I just hope that anyone who takes the time to read this will understand, and that any replies will be civil if any are posted.
Three more nights, and then it will be very, very, different for me.
It will take time, but I know that myself, like Gardner's millions of other viewers, will just have to get used to it, and wish him well in his retirement, and whatever he decides to do after he leaves the news desk at 630 Wednesday night.
