Where Are They Now
Today we put Dave Woodman in the spotlight.Dave Woodman is familiar to many throughout Arkansas as a longtime broadcast journalist. He has covered sports and news for 44 years, 30 of them for Little Rock television stations.
What's he doing now? He is a writer. That's right! He writes about a wide range of topics for The Spirit.
posted by ATN @ 12:02 AM
31 comments
31 Comments:
Dave's really tall. He's also really nice. Anyone has something mean to say about him, has screwed up priorities.
I agree. Dave is a super guy and a true broadcast talent. Growing up I have fond memories of watching Roy Mitchell, Tom Bonner and Dave around the '4' shaped newsdesk. Those were the days...
i hardly remember those days but i grew up watching dave woodman on the morning and midday shows on KARK...the mornings have not been the same without him at KARK. hes on the short list of Arkansas broadcast greats in my book.
As an Arkansas kid, I grew up watching Dave, Roy, Carolyn and Tom. When I started my TV career I wanted to get to LR--that would be a huge milestone for me. When I landed the job at KARK as a reporter and began working with this fantastic foursome--I was on top of the world.
Each of these journalists were quality people and down-to-earth. When I left LR and moved on with my TV career--I have never worked with a better class of people as I did with the folks at KARK during the late 80's.
Watching from small town Arkansas in the 70's and 80's it seemed like Roy, Carolyn, Tom and Dave were on top of the world. They did a great job and to this day are respected by lots of us. In fact, I don't think our television ever turned from Channel 4.
If I were an up and coming broadcaster in Arkansas, I would take my cues from Woodman and company.
Here's an idea...this website ought to feature streaming video/audio of classic newscasts from archived Channel 4 footage. That would be cool!
Of course channel 4 isn't at the same level of success now compared to the 70's and 80's. But they do seem to be heading back in the right direction. I didn't think 4 could change their reputation after those dark days of the 1990's. However, it seems the hard work by a totally new team of employees is paying off now for KARK. It could be an incredible comeback.
Your right, and I agree. It was hard to stop watching them after being so loyal for so long. They are making inroads.
Total agreement with 4 during the 70's and 80's. We always watched 4. Dave has always been a class act.
KARK is good in spots:
-- Jancey and Bob are excellent.
-- reporting staff is a bit weak.
-- the morning show is boring.
-- sports is the weakest in LR.
This is funny, but I seem to remember Dave and a segment, he called, "Dave's Sports Shorts of Sorts"...does any else remember that? I may have just made it up...
Are you kidding? Reporting staff at 4 is the best in Little Rock by far. I agree with you on sports.
KATV has better reporters... in my view.
-- Michelle Rupp is better than Cecelia Pond Mayo.
-- Jessica Morkert is better than Melissa Simas.
-- Leland Vittert is better than that new guy at 4.
-- Pam Smith is better than Brandis Griffith.
Etc, etc.
Yeah.... "Dave's Sports Shorts..." was a good bit.
Much better than "Joe Pequeno's G-string"
I also think 4 has the best reporters, especially Alice Stewart, who in my opinion is by far the best one in this market. At least KARK'S new guy isn't a jerk like Leland seems to be. Rupp isn't better than anybody, and as for Morket, her stories are about as compelling as Rupp's lovelife must be.
I assume Alice wrote the above comment?
A friend just turned me on to your blog, DCG, and I thank you for putting me "in the spotlight". Thanks also to you who have posted complimentary comments. I enjoyed my 30 years in LRTV, all with KARK except for the 2 1/2 I spent at KATV in the '70's. Our success was due to visionary management, notably David Jones and the late Bob Brown, and the team members on and off-camera, but especially the talents of Tom Bonner, Carolyn Long, and the late Roy Mitchell.
Retirement merely meant moving on to other things for me, and in addition to the writing, I work part-time in media at Immanuel Baptist Church, play a little golf, escort interesting tours and cruises with my wife Lydia, handle public address duties for UALR basketball, free-lance on-camera and voice-over commercals, primarily in other markets, work out regularly, and return to KARK for six months each year to produce the Community Service Awards. At 70, I enjoy keeping both mind and body active. Thanks again.
Dave sounds busier now than ever! Making me tired to just read about his schedule !
100% class act. Too bad he couldn't consult Channel 4 on their sports coverage.
There are few like him left in this business, and the younger generation (including yours truly) could learn from this man.
Unfortunately, most people in this business have lost the ability to listen and learn
So true... the younger generation thinks it's all about THEM.
Joe Pequeno wants to be the STAR of the sports show. He doesn't care about reporting the stories... he just wants to act cool doing it.
kark's sports department is about to get a whole lot better...they have something up their sleeve.
KARK needs it... Mark is boring and Joe is... well, I can't say it without being rude.
This Pequeno clown has now destroyed what used to be a good Phoenix sports team. argh.
I was Dave's sport producer for a short time - about 6 months in 1983, I believe. He was a wonderful person. Always upbeat and fun to be around. He was supportive and complimented my work. He enjoyed what he did and always treated other with respect. I feel like I'm writing an obituary, but he is a great guy.
I can say without a doubt that he is the kindest most generous man out there. I know from experience. He is my father.
Updating 5 years later. Thank you to the most recent "anonymous", one of my four great children, and I THINK I know which one, though it could have been any of them. Still busy at 75. Community Service Awards is now a year-round project at KARK4, plus high school football on KARZ 42. 6 state championship games over the next two weekends!
Advice to "retirees": Keep Busy; it's hard to hit a moving target!
My comment should not have been anonymous. It's ME!
Reading all this reminds me of how much channel 4 was a part of our lives growing up in Arkansas. Whenever we sang Happy Birthday it always ended with and many more on channel 4. Great to hear from Dave! Glad you are well.
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