The New York Times profiled Gabe Pressman in yesterday’s paper. He’s been on Channel 4 since I was four years old!
I remember a few years ago seeing video film of Jackie Robinson as he broke into Major League Baseball. The editor cut to a b-roll shot of the reporter. It was Gabe. He hasn’t missed much.
While looking for a photo to accompany this entry I found him with Malcom X, Elvis Presley and then presidential candidate Senator Eugene McCarthy. That was just on the first page of results!
I’m not sure how much reporting Gabe still does now that he’s in his late eighties, but he did say one thing that’s incredibly good advice for all reporters. Maybe it’s common knowledge and I’ve just missed it.
I’ve always made sure to try to get politicians’ cellphone numbers during campaigns when they want to talk to you, so I could have them later when they might not want to talk and were otherwise unreachable.
And they say experience doesn’t count? Please.
With TV and news in general changing it’s safe to say there will never be another Gabe Pressman. Shame.