For anyone who has lived in Philadelphia for more than 30 years, there will be a lot of familiarity with the events and stories covered in The Big Story: The Oral History of Philadelphia TV News by former WPHL 17 television news reporter David Grzybowski.
The book, published this fall by Temple University Press, delivers an unexpected analysis of all Philadelphians, especially our idiosyncrasies into how we treat local news heroes as well as newcomers. A line that successfully gets these messages across comes from the chapter titled, “Philadelphia’s Relationship with Its TV Broadcasters.” Matt O’Donnell, an anchor and reporter from 6ABC, is quoted in the book. “I don’t know if we are celebrities or not, but the one thing about Philadelphia—there’s a trial period, and they watch you. They want to see what kind of person you are, and they want to see if you are one of those people who slack off or give maximum effort each time. Once they see you are one of those people who give maximum effort, you are good.”
Keshler Thibert sat down with Grzybowski to learn both the process on compiling an oral history of local newscasters and his personal takeaways from this project.
Keshler Thibert: Let’s go back to 2019, when you and the editor at Temple University Press, Ryan Mulligan, were discussing book ideas. You mention in the acknowledgments that a light went off in your mind when the idea was tossed around.
David Grzybowski: I think everyone and their mother in the city just loves local television and primarily Philly TV personalities. I think nostalgia plays a huge role in people’s household watching habits. We treat our TV news reporters, and anchors like they are movie stars. In my opinion, no other city in this country is like this to the extent that we are.
KT: What was it about this topic that attracted your interest?
DG: I caught the itch to write another book, and, obviously, you want to write about something that is near and dear to your heart. So, I put my head down, got it together, and did my research.
KT: Being a former reporter with Channel 17 WPHL, you are already familiar with a number of behind-the-scenes stories covered in The Big Story. Which one of these stories and behind-the-scene comments made you change your perception of the event itself?
DG: All of them. I was born in 1991. Anything predating that was definitely interesting to learn about, especially the MOVE bombing (1985), Three Mile Island (1979), and Pope John Paul II’s visit (1979).
What opened my eyes is how the industry adapted in the late 1970s to today with technology and how people did their jobs as journalists. When people read this book, they will see how the industry has been changed by the stories, learn intricate details that they probably did not know about before, and see names that they may not have seen in a while, but may make them remember.
KT: You know how personal Philadelphians think about their news anchors. Was there any point in the writing process when you began to reconsider the topic or felt that it may not come together the way you wanted it to?
DG: There are a lot more chapters to the book. We had to cut them out for spacing. It could have easily been a 550-page book. If there is anything I would like to reinsert, I kind of ask about it in the chapter titled “Building Trust with Viewers,” which is about this new age over the last four to eight years of misinformation on social media and how that plays a big part in delivering the news.
KT: You cover some very dark and sad periods in local history. The Budd Dwyer suicide in 1987 in front of the press and Gary Papa’s death of prostate cancer in 2009. Were you worried about bringing up such sensitive events?
DG: Not really. That is the beauty of this book. It covers everything from a sports championship parade to tragic events, such as losing anchors Jim O’Brien and Gary Papa. There really was not a story that made me think “I should not touch this” and that is the beauty of journalism and celebrating Philadelphia television. I did not want this book to be a cookie cutter. I wanted it to be the good, the bad, and the ugly.
KT: You were able to reach a wide array of anchors, reporters, camera personal, and staff. Was there any one you were surprised allowed you to interview them? Anyone who you were not able to interview?
DG: Getting Jim Gardner involved was definitely critical and took a long time. Not only just Jim, it took a long time to get a lot of the current on-air staff at Channel 6, NBC 10, CBS 3, and FOX 29. It probably should have come out a year or two ago, but COVID-19 hindered doing that.
KT: When did you officially start writing and putting together this book? You started around the onset of the pandemic. Didn’t your life change during this period with the addition to your family?
DG: I think it was February 2019. Research took a while, but the biggest thing is getting everyone together for an interview. I would say that I have 200–300 hours of interviews that I transcribed and put together.
KT: There are multiple comments about how Philadelphians feel toward their news anchors and the community they have developed. Is this still valid in regards to anchors Gary Papa, Larry Kane, Vernon Odom, Pat Ciarrocchi, and Dave Roberts? Even Mike Jerrick and the Good Day cast. Those names roll off my tongue. Can the same be said about the newer anchors?
DG: I honestly think that this book is coming out at an interesting time. There is a new wave of Philadelphia TV news anchors. Jim Gardner is no longer at WPVI, and there are other changes to the city. You see a lot of younger talent. I think the biggest thing is that Channel 6 is most successful when personalities come together, whether they are new or old, as they have a connection to Philadelphia. If they are here for 7 or 17 years, it goes a long way. We are at an interesting point because younger people are coming over and the older anchors are retiring.
KT: You did not include any of your own comments, especially in the sections referring to the 2015 visit by Pope Francis and the Mummers Parade. You were a reporter for WPHL 17 for both. Why did you make the choice to keep your own voice out?
DG: I did not want to be involved in the oral history. Not my words, but their words repurposed to tell a story. The only time you hear my opinion is in the acknowledgments.
KT: You appear to write about the topics you are intimately familiar with. Thus far, sports and the news. You’ve worked for the Mummers Parade for a number of years now, haven’t you?
DG: I have been an executive producer for three years and I have been working with the Mummers for eight years, with the string bands and the fancy brigade at the Convention Center.
KT: I went into The Big Story thinking that it would be mostly a linear narrative of the people, places, and things of the local broadcasters. After the overview of the TV news stations, you get into events such as the MOVE Bombing, Three Mile Island, Blizzard of 96, Pier 34 Collapse, as well as the controversial “Storm of the Century” to even the change of the Channel 6’s theme. As I read, I remembered where I was during those times and watching it live on air. I started to lament a bit. The book started to feel more like a time capsule.
DG: I think you’re going to read this book and see names you have not heard in a long time, but you remember their faces. Like a George Mallet from FOX 29 who did Good Day Philadelphia or a veteran reporter from Channel 6. Even Charles Barkley is in a few chapters. That is the beauty of this book. You are going to recognize Ed Rendall, Ray Didinger, Michael Barkann, Larry Mendte, Mike Strug, and all the other iconic people.
