Bill Beutel died on Saturday. Back when local news was more than giggling morons on parade, Bill and Roger Grimsly hosted NYC's newscast on Channel 7 WABC. No W-KPZQ, no alphabet soup, but ABC. All of the New York stations are like that. WCBS, WNBC, etc. The sun source from whence the major networks began.
Bill and Roger were a fixture for 15 years or so, with Bill joining the team in 1970 to offset Roger's stern demeanor. Not that Bill was Mr. Gladhand, but compared to Roger he came off rather well.
They reported the local news. Lots of local news in the Apple. UN goings on, major corporations coming and going, Wall Street, you name it. Fluff included. But Bill and Roger could make fluff sound as important as a moon landing. National and International reports as they were merited as well, of course. Class, style, and journalism. Bill outlived Roger, and stayed on long after the news became the farce it is today. He worked into his early 70's, and it was with surprise that I learned of his passing.
He could have taken over for any of the majordomos at any station, but stayed local, and I am glad that he did. Pay no attention of the reference to his idolizing that old commie Murrow. There was a time when EVERYONE idolized the pioneers.
Safe us a seat, Bill.
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