The good old days

Yesterday marked the 60th anniversary of WXYZ Channel 7 news in Detroit. To celebrate the event, what is widely regarded as the best newscast team in Detroit history; Bill Bonds (pictured), John Kelly and Marilyn Turner, were invited back to do the 7 o'clock news.

Now, I'm not old enough to remember John Kelly and Marilyn Turner on the news, but rather on their morning show, Kelly & Company. Seeing the two of them gave me one of those pseudo-deja vu moments where you suddenly have vivid memories of something you wouldn't have remembered had you not been reminded. I was reminded of mornings home from school or in the summer watching with my mom. Not because I liked the show, but because I watched whatever my mom watched.

But Bill Bonds, he, I've never forgotten. As a fan of voice actors and distinctive voices, his was one of the first that really struck me. Particularly in news broadcasts there is something very comforting about a familiar voice.

The three showed their age, and it was clear they weren't totally comfortable with everything that has changed since they were last together at broadcast house, but it was a very intriguing newscast.

Local news broadcasts have certainly changed in the last 15-20 years and that point was illustrated when the producers allowed the news to be broadcast just like the good old days, where the anchor could have an opinion and the news was brought to you in depth. It was in stark contrast to the broadcasts of today where unless it's a breaking news crisis, stories only take a minute, sometimes even less.

I heard a few interviews with Bill Bonds and he made it clear he wishes he'd made some different decisions in life and also hopes someone will give him another shot in the big chair. While I don't think that is very likely it sure was nice to be reunited with the "gang" I never even saw broadcast together.