Former KARK Reporter Pens Autobiography
An Anchor in the Prairie, the autobiography of former KARK-TV reporter Bill Forbes, has been published by PublishAmerica of Frederick, MD. Forbes worked at Channel 4 from January 1979 until April 1988. He was the first full time helicopter TV reporter in Arkansas when KARK regularly flew Sky 4. That was back in the day when Carolyn Long and Roy Mitchell anchored the 6 and 10 news; Tom Bonner was the weatherman and Dave Woodman did sports. Those were the earlier days for Tracy Douglass and Steve Sullivan at Channel 4. The book devotes much of one chapter to Forbes' days at Channel 4, with references to a number of KARK employees of the day. Forbes left TV in 1988 to go to work for the Navy in Washington, D.C. He's now retired and lives near San Diego.
posted by ATN @ 10:55 AM
19 comments
19 Comments:
They had helicopters back then? And they had electricity back then ????
This guy went from KARK to the Navy? Pretty smart... leaving a sinking ship and boarding one that floats!!!!
Yes, they also had journalistic integrity back then. They also understood that sales and news do not mix. By the way, i'm not retired. I'm relatively young and still in the business.
The New York Press coined the term "Yellow Journalism" back in 1897. Hate to introduce fact into this page, but, oh well....
I was at 4 when Bill first started there. Very nice guy.
"IT'S ANCHORMAN, NOT ANCHOR WOMAN!!!!"
I'll miss his musk
How about anchor babe ?
Channel 4 Eyewitness News brings about a smile. Thanks for posting this article about Bill Forbes. The anchor team you mentioned has never been surpasses as far as likeability or credibility by any other in the central Arkansas market. Bill Forbes was a big component of 4's success. Some of you will remember Bill Forbes and Sky 4 delivering Santa at Christmas to an old Park Plaza :)and covering every grass fire from Jacksonville to Jonesboro.
FYI, this publisher was reported to be a scam by the Washington Post.
Bill is a wonderful friend and a solid journalist. KARK was a great station until Morris media got a hold of it.
I like his jacket !
Hey Bill E ... remember Forbes' M*A*S*H collection? He had like every episode on VHS tape back in the very early 80's and it was all completely cataloged. It was unbelievable. He's a great guy ... great sense of humor. I had a memorable time working as a photog for many years with him, covering tornadoes, military stories ... man, I could go on forever. He told me the first time I ever flew in the helicopter (yes we had them back then) that I had nothing to worry about ... unless of course I heard the pilot say, "Oh S...!" Ah, the days of TK 76's and 50lb batteries. He was the first reporter who taught me the adage "it's easier to apologize - than to ask for permission." Thanks for posting the article ... I can't wait to read the book. - DW
Hey Capernaum12
I am a longtime KARK viewer and fan of the people who were on the air in the 70's, 80's, and 90's.
Please share your memories of this place, time and people.
I remember that Melinda Mayo used to be on KARK... she was Melinda Dunston back then... thin with very dark hair
Yeah.. take a look at this.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=O2_79FxtnSo
It just goes to show you how some bad hairstyles never go away because some people are too scared to change them, even after 14 years Melinda
I hear this guy Forbes is going to be in town for a possible book signing. Some of the KARK veterans are planning a mini-reunion when he's here on March 24. But how does one sign up?
A lot of helpful data for myself!
Thank you for this article, quite effective data.
Post a Comment
<< Home