I'm so glad I'm a missionary

I graduated from Memphis State University in 1988. Yes, way back then Tiger High was MSN not the U of M. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism. I set my sights high. I wanted to take Ted Koppel's place on ABC's Nightline.

I remember my first internship in television. I spent a entire semester at channel 5 in Memphis. Each and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, there I sat in the Action News 5 newsroom. From 4:30-10:30, I did anything and everything I was asked. I remember Mason Granger even telling me to cancel his dinner reservations one Friday night. The nicest people I met were Joe Birch, Jack Eaton and Dave Brown. They took time to show me the ropes, so to speak. There was also the 5pm and 10pm producer that was super nice but I forget her name. She even had me write a story one night. I remember several times quietly running onto the news set to hand updated news copy to the anchors while they were reading the telepromter on camera. That was nerve wracking. I would call my mom and ask if she saw my hand.

During the news, they would often broadcast from the newsroom. I made sure I was in sight of the camera, though in the distance. Friends and family saw me and that's what counted, right? One time the anchor on cam in the newsroom lost sound from the anchors in on the set. The producer said, "Chris, YOU ask her questions." I about peed in my pants.

I thought I really wanted to be in that business. But I didn't. The main reason is this. Job security. When a station gets a new owner, often times people are fired on the spot. That includes on air talent. I couldn't imagine living somewhere, owning a home, kids in school and then BAM! new owners and no more job. Now, that doesn't always happen but it does happen. Last Friday channel 3 in Memphis was sold. Most of those people were probably on pins and needles wondering if they were going to get axed. No on air talent has been let go but others have including the general manager.

There are 2 bloggers that I keep up with just for fun; Joe Larkins and Jamey Tucker. They both worked for WREG. They both are blogging this week about the sale of channel 3. Joe is no longer on the air. Jamey is in Nashville. I've never met either one of them but their blogs are really interesting. And, tv news still interests me. I have Fox News, CNN and the BBC on all the time here at the house. Plus, I read The Drudge Report, USA Today, one of Sao Paulo's newspapers and others each day.

I hear that ABC24 and CW30 in Memphis are also for sale. Channel 5 was sold not too long ago and Fox 13 was sold 10 years ago to News Corp (Fox). Owners for tv stations change constantly. I'm glad I'm a missionary for the International Mission Board. My hat is off to those in broadcasting. Oh, I dreamed of being a Ted Koppel, perhaps now a Shepherd Smith but ask anyone in the business and they'll tell you it's not an easy path to follow. Rewarding? Definately. Easy? No way.