It made me think of John Coleman, whom you mentioned a few months ago, Janice. He was a very popular weatherman on WLS-TV (owned by ABC) in Chicago during the late 1960’s, 1970’s, and 1980’s. He appeared on the 30-minute 5, 6 and 10 PM newscasts.

Fahey Flynn was the principal anchor, a veteran Chicago newscaster with white wavy hair and a pinkish face. Flynn always wore a bow tie. No one ever looked more Irish than Flynn. In a town with so many Irish residents, everyone loved him. Flynn was Chicago.

Joel Daly was his co-anchor. Bill Frink was the sportscaster.

It was always fun to watch them. Flynn and Daly would report the day’s news, delivering it straight and to the point. Flynn came across as a lovable uncle or grandpa. Daly was much younger, a likable newcaster who enjoyed working with his colleagues.

Then came John Coleman.

He always cracked me up. He had a great sense of humor. He would kid his colleagues — and sometimes annoy them. Coleman would have loved the “blond joke” you passed along, Janice. He was a good weather man who made everyone laugh. Once in a blue moon, even deadpan Flynn would laugh like a leprechaun.

Bill Frink knew Chicago sports backwards and forwards. He didn’t just report the daily scores but often interviewed players, managers, owners, and fans. Of course, those were the days when Chicago’s teams were usually in the cellar. Every year the Chicago Cubs reminded us that, “There’s always next year!”

The banter between the four of them gave birth to the term “Happy Talk” newscasts. It was a pattern that was soon copied by TV stations across the country.

In the late 1960’s, when I was beginning my writer and editing career, I heard Fahey Flynn address a business luncheon in Chicago. He talked about what it took to produce the highest-ranking newscast in Chicago.

At one point, Flynn said, “Everyone who works on our WLS-TV news team makes at least $10,000 per year.”

Mind you, this was in the late 1960’s, when I was earning about $6,500 per year. I looked at the others at my table and said, “I’m in the wrong business.”

“So am I!” said the woman next to me.

“So am I!” said the man next to her. It went around the table like that.

I miss seeing Flynn, Daly, Coleman and Frink. They were a great news team!

George Spink
Los Angeles