I LOVED the awe-inspiring works of Rita Williams and the late, Faith Fancher, both KTVU women journalistic luminaries at a time when KTVU ruled the world.
I can't believe it's been nearly ten 13years since Faith passed. Bummer.
And Rita retired.
I MISS Rita never backing down to a politician's BS and Faith being able to tell a compelling story in the field when it involved something not really interesting and forever mundane.
But that was good old Faith. We took her for granted. I didn't. I loved her drive and mental fortitude. I was aghast at her ability to pull all of it off, whether anchoring or doing a live shot from a fire in Marin, say. She was always great, great at making you want to watch no matter what the story.
Faith Fancher was appointment TV News. You would watch because even if you weren't a news junkie, Faith made everything interesting. You just got hooked, as I/we all were, every time she'd appear on the screen. And it was just as competitive back then as it is today. Faith made the most difficult live package as routine as ever. What a pro. What a lady. What a kind-hearted woman. I heard from several crews at Channel 2 that Faith was just as nice off the air as on.
Again, what a pro.
As was Rita.
Rita never had to resort to mugging the camera. She let her work tell the story. Like Faith, she would make the most antiseptic subject matter so darn interesting and informative. She was a real STAR but never acted like one. She never made it a priority to make people uncomfortable, even the most petty, corrupt politicians but if hey tried to mess with her, (US, really) then she full-on Rita Williams in your face. As she should have been but sometimes that's more difficult than you think.
I know this may sound silly. Damn, I miss Rita. She's enjoying retirement in the Peninsula and looks and sounds just as great as ever.
Faith, I miss you dearly. You are no doubt looking down on all of us and saying you're OK in heaven and that you're in no pain. You left us way too soon, faith and by doing so, we're all wishing so hard you were still on Earth making us care. I know you're good mow, but I wanted you to know you have people that will never, ever forget you.
what's your early take on the new faces at KTVY - Emma Goss and Candese Charles ?
ReplyDeleteUnbelievably bad, but as Rich would be the first to say, they're hiring cosmetics clerks from Gilroy now.
DeleteCandese Charles in particular is an Affirmative Action hire, nothing more, nothing less. I worked with more talented and polished people in high school after-school "audio-video club." Back in the 1980s.
But this is the price for kissing up to the Social Justice Warriors.
I worked for a competing station back in the 80's--and therefore never actually knew Rita. I just saw her (excellent) work on TV. But one day I was at one of those all-day, waiting-for-forever gang-bang stories in Oakland (I think it was a fire). In-between the 6 and the 11 shows there was a lot of "down-time"...so the crews (at least us photogs) got to chatting with each other. We congregated around the KTVU truck, Rita was sitting inside. I thought, "OK...Ice Queen--we're probably all gonna have to shut up...or move to another station's van." But then she came out...and started chatting with us (we were waiting for the latest "say-nothing" statement from OPD). I found her to be really friendly and "normal." We were all talking about best places to eat in the East Bay...wine/beer...just a bunch of "stuff." I had a new perception of her from that night on.
ReplyDeleteLoved Rita and Faith's groundbreaking reporting. Never met Faith; Rita is a VERY nice and classy lady.
ReplyDeleteLove Me Some Rita! Forever a treasure on our airwaves! Great at reporting, sweet person, beautiful presence.
ReplyDeleteWe miss Faith Fancher terribly. Incredible journalist! #----cancer
There used to be a marathon to raise money for Cancer Research, it was named for Faith. Whatever happened to that fundraiser?
ReplyDeleteFriends of Faith, still around, their HQ is in Oakland. Why didn't you just google?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org86398.jsp
Both very fine women and reporters. Yes like the poster above, I caught Candese Charles this morning. She needs to be on someone's morning anchor chair ( a little chripy for the evening but perfect in the morning. I'd like to see her fill-in on the mornings to see how she does. And kudos for wearing your NATURAL hair. It was refreshing to see a black woman as she is.
ReplyDeleteTV news sucks these days but at the same time, you can't resurrect Faith from the grave and Rita Williams is retired. FACTS
ReplyDeleteOK, boomer.
ReplyDeleteA boomer wouldn't make that comment.
DeleteDefinitely a Boomer wouldn't make that comment. If this person was a Boomer, he definitely would've known Faith & Rita and would've had a little more respect than saying comments like that. And a Boomer would definitely not use "FACTS" whether it be in Conversation, Blog Replies and/or Social Media. Definitely, Facts. He probably had to backspace and get rid of the Hashtag, because you know he had #FACTS, but didn't want to give away his true age of 22.
DeleteI saw a picture of a young Rita once....very easy on the eyes. She had credibility on camera and therefore became obsolete.
ReplyDeleteFaith was my Aunt . she brought me out to the bay in 1992 . me and her and some of her ktvu friends were there . a cameraman and a weatherman , not sure their names but we had the best time. Faith was a beacon of hope for so many people not just African American but especially us . Did you know we used to listen to her on NPR at dinner time . and then on to CNN in NYC she was one of the first African american woman there ..changing the face of journalism there forever .. before moving to the bay and working with the awesome folks at KTVU it was like family to her she loved her TV crew dearly and the entire Bay area . she used to send us the Oakland raiders gear all the time Thank you Faith I think about you everyday <3
ReplyDelete