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Murphy Martin Commentary
August 11, 2005
"Now All Three Are Gone"
Tom Brokaw retired, Dan Rather
resigned and Peter Jennings died! The powerful news product these
men showed the world for more than two decades is no more. It
probably will never be the same.
Jennings succumbing to lung cancer closed the book on brilliance
personified by the
tireless work of these three men. Of the three, it was Peter
Jennings, the highly sophisticated, elegant, worldly journalist who
waited nearly 40-years to add American citizenship to his Canadian
Passport. It was the ever-confident Jennings who never let up
while reaching for the brass ring that denoted success, tops in
ratings.
Peter Jennings came to ABC-TV in 1964, one year after I had gone
there to anchor the late-night news in the time slot now used by
Nightline and Ted Koppel, who arrived at the networks a radio
reporter in 1963, the same year I arrived on the television side.
Jennings was brash, handsome and realistic. After moving into the
network anchor chair for the dinner-hour news, Peter realized some
months later that at age twenty-six he was not yet quite ready for
that anchor job. He asked to be moved and was made a roving
correspondent for the network.
Jennings career has been relived numerous times this week by those
closest to him.
Brokaw and Rather both shared stories of respect for Jennings's
tenacity in getting the world news covered and in his unyielding
dedication to be a hands-on leader for everyone connected with
World News Tonight, the news program that catapulted Jennings to
power in 1983 after he had spent a decade in Europe and particularly
the Middle East.
The fact that Jennings never finished high school in Canada perhaps
made him a student for life as Ted Koppel and other co-workers
recalled this week when they pointed out that Jennings most always
had an extra piece of luggage wherever he traveled, one for books
and background reading material for stories he was doing.
Jennings is the last member of the trio that ruled television news
for a generation. His driven-desire to report on foreign cultures
and make his audiences familiar with world leaders who ruled those
cultures was a Jennings dynamic that was perhaps never equaled by
any other anchorman in television.
Jennings was unflappable on the air
and no one seemed to ad-lib on a breaking news story better than
Jennings. The tragic events of 9/11 called on Jennings to ad-lib
more than usual. He was on for more than 20-hours during that
mind-boggling time when America bashed to its knees for awhile
before digging deep into their resolve to pick up the pieces and
move forward. It was during Jennings' reporting of 9/11 early
developments when his ad-libbing brought on more of his personal
feelings than his audience wanted to hear. In particular, Peter
questioned why President Bush was not back in Washington after
having been in Florida when the attacks occurred, but was moving
from one military base to another.
Without the benefit of whatever information the Secret Service might
have had, Peter seemed to "lecture" the president on what actions to
take. He concluded his thoughts by saying something to the effect of
"some presidents handle these crises better than others," the
implication being that he believed President Bush was one of the
"others."
I was surprised and somewhat dismayed when I heard Peter that day. I
had known Peter for almost forty-years and had watched with pride
over those years as he worked hard, becoming, in my opinion, one of
the best and most consistent anchors on the air. His statement made
that dreadful day was surprisingly out of character for him.
In post 9/11 conversations, I learned that Peter had also been
taking heat not only from that unfortunate statement made about
President Bush, but also because he had retained his Canadian
citizenship rather than become an American citizen despite being at
ABC-TV since 1964. In July 2003, Jennings announced he had finally
become an American citizen, while retaining his Canadian
citizenship. At that time Jennings was quoted as saying, "When
passions are very high there are a variety of interpretations around
the country of what patriotism is." Jennings said," I am Canadian.
And if anybody asks me about it, it's a personal matter, it has a
lot to do with my family and my family's history and my kids. But
I'm very curious to know why any of our backgrounds are an issue for
people." Peter put most of that questioning about becoming an
American to rest in 2003.
I recall somewhat lighter moments in Peter's life. Once Peter,
Howard Cosell and I were walking the picket line in New York City in
support of local television news writers wanting an increase in
their pay. Cosell was always throwing caustic remarks toward those
around him. Well during the picket line days, Peter and I had fun
questioning what management might think about him walking the line.
He was one of their top paid employees, wearing a $900.00 Vicuna
coat and $400.00 alligator shoes---we planted something in his mind
to think about. Sure enough, a couple of days later, Howard said I
can't "afford" to walk that picket line any more.
In 1984, My wife and I were walking in the convention site in Dallas
with another couple when Jennings approached walking toward us. I
had not seen Peter in a few years and when he spotted me he
bellowed: "You old son of a bitch!" His bear hug led to a nice
reunion.
Peter enjoyed lighter moments, but not too often. He spent his life
making the world a better-informed place. The consummate gentleman,
dedicated to being the best ... and he was!
A few years ago, Peter was the guest on a Larry King Show. I called
in with a question and Larry said. "Peter, do you know this
man?" Peter said: "I would know that voice anywhere. It
belongs to Murphy Martin, a co-worker from my early days at ABC." He
went on to say more nice things about me.
One of my favorite photographs was sent to me by Peter some 15-years
ago. He had said at one time I was one of his mentors in the early
days at ABC-TV. The inscription on the Jennings picture reads:
"Murphy, From whom I learned so much so long ago! All the best!
Peter."
Jennings is gone but he leaves behind a daringly indelible map of
what one man can do in 41-years of unparalleled excellence in
journalism! He will be greatly missed!
Murphy Martin
Your thoughts and comments forwarded to my website will be
appreciated.
e-mail
murphy@murphymartin.com
Previous commentaries:
August 4 - "Trust in the Media"
July 28 - "Television Then and Now"
July 21 - "The Mick"
July 14 - "Forty Years and Counting"
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