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A report here: http://detnews.com/article/20100514/...al--Erik-Smith doesn't confirm whether he's leaving on his own terms or not, but implies that the Detroit icon [[ he's been on the air since 1962 ) is leaving. I for one will miss seeing him every morning if this is true.
I couldn't agree more. I have always enjoyed watching and listening to him every morning. I hope he ends up staying.Quote:
Originally Posted by DetroitDerek
He's still alive?
WOW first Brad Edwards of FOX 2 and now this? Detroit news is never going to be the same. Whos next? Rob Wolchek? Huel Perkins?
I heard on the radio this morning that he's been at Channel 7 since 1962. Now that is some longevity.
Probably making too much money for them so he gets "retired".
A lot of others on local media have been getting the bum's rush lately.
That would really be a loss....I start my morning each weekday with Eric and the rest. I would certainly miss his freindly and easy nature to start my day with. He has a relaxed and casual, yet always very professional in his delivery of the news. I can't imagine anyone I would like sto see in his place. :[[
Channel 7 laid off Dennis Neubacher, and the helicopter pilot.
Plus Steve Wilson
Really?! [[about the Captain)Quote:
Originally Posted by pgn421
Yes,I ran into Dennis out in Brighton
I believe Erik Smith should be making mini-documentaries, a la Charlie LeDuff, about the personalities and the characters that he has come across via his career in Detroit news broadcasting. People whose character gives Detroit it's flavor. He has the background to provide the continuity for a university position as a local historian if his career in broadcasting is over.
You must know who he is, I wouldn't recognize him.Quote:
Originally Posted by pgn421
Quote:
Originally Posted by eno
I love this idea Eno, probably because I want to continue seeing him one way or another. He comes across as someone youve known personally for years, he would make a great interviewer documenting our locals. Mr. Smith was the speaker at my high school graduation in 87, my parents next door neighbor for a few years, and his daughter was a friend of mine in high school but Ive never met him. Hes so personable it seems. I heard he got the ear pierced on a dare from his kids.
Whatever he does I hope hes happy but I also hope he will continue to be on the tube, he kinda feels like family. I always try and catch him on tv before I go to bed.
Channel 7 might be making him retire,
They wanted to move him off mornings--he didn't like it and gave his notice.
A nice man. It is hoped that he can pursue short stories or documentaries, as suggested. I often saw him at local live music events, in the eighties and nineties. Maybe there will more time for him to enjoy this again.
This viewer will miss you, Eric!
In my pre internet days He shared stories of Detroit and elseware that I would not have heard anywere else. As Fox 2 is normally on in my house at that time . I still do miss Eric doing the news in the morning.
He's a fixture on the Detroit airwaves.
Yes, I grew up watching him. Didn't he co-anchor with Doris Biscoe? I still get a chuckle when I occasionally turn to 7 and see him and he looks just as young as he ever did.Quote:
Originally Posted by checkraisej
That is really very sad - I have always liked Erik. Very easy going, and never one to sensationalize or be phony. Was so happy to see him come back after his heart surgery, have been watching him my entire life actually now that I think about it.
I think if they are going to make a permanent replacement for him it should be Vic Faust. He and Joanne are a good fit together in the morning, and he does a great job. [[Although I personally think Donny Shane should retire and Vic just take over Sports entirely.) ;-)
Wow WXYZ is really messing up on this one. It was bad enough they got rid of Steve Wilson, now they are going to let Erik Smith go. This is a major mistake.
Here's Erik's version of his departure from 7... [[his last day was Friday, btw), it's not about money - he said he'd work for 25 cents on the dollar. He's pissed off at being yanked off the show he has hosted for the past 34 straight years. He's mad as hell and his feelings are hurt and he's not going to do 7 any favors by doing part time story or documentary work. Come December 1st when his no-compete expires, he'll be back somewhere, he says, but not at 7.
Well that just stinks. What is it with these stations? Don't they have a clue as to what their viewers actually want? Apparently they just don't care. Sad.Quote:
Originally Posted by smittyspice
Well, with the Weather Channel showing movies, what do you think?Quote:
Originally Posted by lizaanne
they did move him out and offered him the opportuinity to do mini-stories-documentaries. He refused. I wish they would get rid of Stephen Clark and Diana Lewis if they need to get rid of someone. Not impressed with Glenda either. Their reporting is not what I would consider that great.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lostlegumes
Just in case someone from WXYZ reads this thread... you've lost me. I've found someone else to watch in the morning.
Yes, Ch 7 seems to be cutting to the bone. Erik is a class act. A contrast with Billy Bonds, never a bad thing about Erik or Hodak. What about WWJ being a real news station? Maybe a Tampa like Bay News 9 that Brighthouse runs would be good for Erik.
I wish he would've had a chance to say goodbye. His last day was supposed to be the 26th but they took him off the air 2 days before that.
Just to clear the air about Erik Smith's "last Day" - they [[WXYZ) had planned a good bye day on May 26th, but he didn't want any hard to deal with farewells. "No on the air obituaries", he said. His contract was due to expire on the 31st. They did offer to let him videotape a farewell to the morning audience, but he declined, indicating it would be too difficult for him emotionally.:cool:
Hey oldnewsdood - is that you Erik behind those shades? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by oldnewzdood
I believe that he OFFERED to tape a farewell to the audience, but would allow no editing of what he what he was going to say to his audience.Quote:
Originally Posted by oldnewzdood
The thing is he is NOT retiring. Just let go from 7. You will definitely see him around when his non compete expires. ;)
Here's a Facebook page for him if you're interested:
http://www.facebook.com/search/?post...605?ref=search
Who's Brad Edwards, he's certainly not a Eric Smith or Huel Perkins.
Sam Rubin on the KTLA Morning News out here....before the Internet became so prevalent he had a deal where whenever a radio or TV station fired their on-air people they'd never get a formal "goodbye" to their audience, so he'd bring them on & let them do it during his Entertainment ReportQuote:
Originally Posted by oldnewzdood
And here's Erik's and Capt. Dennis doing freelance work at the Woodward Dream Cruise
http://vimeo.com/14289650
What a wonderful man Erik Smith is. I thought he was on vacation, then I thought he had taken the summer off. Well now I find out it's neither. I miss waking up to him in the morning and listening to him while my husband and I are both getting ready for work. I am 51 years old and that man has been on TV as long as I can remember. That is why I watch channel 7 news, I grew up with him. I sure hope I get to see him on the news soon.
I am telling you that I am switching to another station. I want them to bring back Erik and Dennise and put Dave back on mornings....maybe then I will return.
Robbie Timmons announced she's leaving soon, too. Guess that means Diana is probably next.
Stromberg2
and in 2 weeks from now . lol Jerry Hodak retired as well so something smells rotten about all this lol Well I'm sure Jim Brandstatter would mind having his wife around the house more often . I remember her doing a story from Au Gres years ago , they have a cabin along US-23 near there along Lake Huron , I still see the Brandstatter mailbox on my way to Tawas so they must still own it . Apparently Robbie's father wanted a boy and never got one so he taught carpentry to Robbie
and now she is very good at gutting places and rebuilding them , it relaxes her she says lol Who woulda thought lol
I just heard about Robbie's retirement :[[Quote:
Originally Posted by stromberg2
I think you're right about Diana. She'll be the next to announce her retirement. Mary and Cheryl had better get their speeches ready too.
WXYZ's getting rid of their brightest&best. I'm through with the station!
Wish the best to Robbie. Class act.