Howie and TV News Anchor Legend Tom Ellis

" And 469432218774694322. Joining us now on the line is say as a guy used to work where offend he's he's one of the the legends of up Boston. The golden age of Boston television news I think you could say. In that is Tom Ellis and they work for all the all the major station's skin though lately he -- he'd been working for a New England cable news. And just before Christmas he was he was let go. The end it's it's it's Xiamen and that they -- glad to have him with us here tonight. And the if you want to talk to Tom Allison though tellem -- what you want what you think of -- and you know what then you know how much -- toward him over the years you can give us a call 18774694322. Tom Tom Ellis thanks for being -- weather here about how we car show."

" How are you -- thank you so much -- and just -- handy tool for inviting me I would simply all of these years. And I I feel so fortunate to have worked with Q four or burden -- Unfortunately. We partnered company pretty pretty swiftly. You're laid off before our --"

" think you're taught common values to have discussions in the men's room will not always have to look under the oh I don't -- your regiment of channel seven."

" I always enjoy that what I had you know who -- my show up I could introduce you. I think you're a little too close to the bone -- them I'll play it if you've got a little rough. -- our ministers doubling and I was starting to see him go but. Like always thank you for inviting me on your -- I've listened to you all these years on not. Not a five point one here on the cape and when I'm traveling up that -- are RKO six Canadian. Today I thought you -- pressure buy out. Just as side what do you want I was I was approaching -- well up on -- very yeah. You started talking about you're trying to get hold of domino effect. I can't believe Powell publicly -- super and that's -- thank you so much."

" while I was at the I was at Mass. General to -- my hip X rated. The EG we were the first guys in the office Chet Curtis."

" What jets had a couple already high I think -- going pretty well -- yes."

" Well I'll probably are going out of management change you've been through few of those."

" The regular explodes into the news room."

" Felt all they hired me in 1994. And he left about a year ago and that's when they reduce -- from two days to wonder weekend. And thus far -- that it all my time which going to be pretty limited. I was. I would support it because our weekends have the most consistent ratings of and I think also of the station. Apparently several ratings record there on Saturday. I think it was a 22 or January of or five. Between 530 and six we have 86 point nine with a twelve share that's not too shabby for cable operation. What is its but I the only -- ratings. What where we had a management change and and things just didn't go my way after that so that's what happened I had a great Roger people who work where part. My my main disappointment and leaving. Was still got to go in every region and be with these. Twenty somethings who were so much brighter than about it all got to ratio -- you know I percentage -- you you are sharp cheers yeah. So."

" Not like this old timers."

" I've been so I've been seeing those those guys. They were terrific they were absolutely terrific they kept me on the -- and you know our ratings. On the weekends were were pretty consistent -- I always kept track of of I would never have continued to work your. I thought folks were watching but what the of the life goes on and I'm look at are looking up -- operative."

" So what do you what do you what's gonna happen to -- to you not now common what -- you -- got a -- in any options on the table. Yeah --"

" I've gotten phone calls you'd be surprised. I'm surprised people are calling me and they have all kinds of propositions. That -- put it on the table for me about. I'm just gonna take a deep breath and relax rule that's been spent some time when Carolina like capture and it it's. Since language and try to get through this war better what has slowed global warming com."

" world lookin' for a tour are. Al Gore could not be reached for comment today I see he's been missing in action all -- along Tom."

" So why don't you studied history I have and but the more I read about ancient history tomorrow realized. You'll only dig through the job through although the stones and and they and they keep coming up with series. And pro. Climate has changed color -- the billions of years from earth has been here and four I think."

" Will Russian doctors say in the Russians are saying we're gonna -- ice age right now are there were all true. I gotta like -- are warming myself -- again I give you food but other right now --"

" All over Russia -- right because we're we're sort of feeling Markham ice -- parabolic shape right but we're gonna get some more in the next couple qualities."

" You sound like you're still logged on the nose -- a -- weatherman daughter it's great exclusive club what was your favorite of the of the three major stations in Boston which you what was your -- favorite station power."

" I thought I see I got a blockbuster. This how did you guess. Our cars longer. That was an experience sort of emotional by the way I gotta tell you are you've -- your column several years ago after Will Ferrell movie they anchor landing yeah -- that I I knew the real -- there and you have my picture along with Barbara good."

" And I have -- to do Mario refrigerator. To one side in my refrigerator. Before. But for several years and every time I come up with a few good feeling a little low -- show like -- little world number one ever I'd look at the out of I'd say. Some -- on how it made me feel good that today and I always thought I should write you and tell you how much I appreciated that column but that I thought maybe. Maybe that would be too cool but I'm telling you right now on the air so everybody can hear and I appreciated that that I know that you're trying to get all -- yeah I called and -- them popular you. Big guy that I couldn't get -- he has 2 o'clock and then I thought well you're -- something that's important provided more whenever a portrait."

" Where this you know this is important -- mean you're part of your part of Boston TV history Yotam and then you know whatever we're going to take some calls suffer people here just a moment but I mean who you really those seriously and you tried to just sort of stuff."

" For child or what but that I came in sixty days from San Antonio my home state and I don't know why I sort of caught -- a bottle Larry travel for real world and and 68 I was."

" I was out in western mass I was a senior in high school in western mass at the --"

" Probably don't remember rouge years but boy things just took off forest all of a sudden I our on air in July of our party's 68. Which -- with a great group of people are. -- you know I had Clark Booth and Peter repeatedly and thus aren't sure -- and Charles Ross stood on all I could go on and on and off. Dick Stockton dozen good lord I had I had -- move all. Boston television people -- it would -- that we want for a mob. Where we word to love fifties. Just 54% of the audience body under the -- we had -- thought we had 54% and it's 6 o'clock we had 51% of the audience."

" The only time they get numbers like Demi Moore is the Super Bowl when the patriots are and it."

" That was the record. It was you know during the golden era of television rights. And I don't think those numbers however -- I'll ever be match."

" No but they'll no they'll never come back -- that's shrubs and you know the thing is. Tom -- you know everybody in the city new you'll wind when you would switch from station to station. And I mean did they would be front page numbers not for one day you would be front page news for a week."

" Well they had people writing about television. Google on the front pages and on those days. They don't pay too much attention to us what it's okay with me because. I've always thought that my. My people were the viewer -- rocket -- about whether viewers what that was good -- and our current vertical markets that."

" But it was in it -- the other thing toros are within agent about this the other might be you know the the TV people are make in the same kind of money that they are making a barrel there's no there isn't due to its model is everything I mean it's not just added that you know others for your people watching there's this short there's not as much money at stake. There's just it's just totally different."

" Howard both view and I had you know it or lucky some other guns right yes we are you're you're working -- a get a golden era of talk radio. I came up through television news. When when things were just going crazy. We got to be sort of well like rocks stars there for awhile yeah. And I would describe this. That's -- it was just you have that they. I'm I was so lucky that I was able to walk -- keep my wits about me because. I'd go a lot of people would be following -- around and taking my picture asking for autograph should. And so forth so I thought I thought of how these. These athletes these you all these super athletes that. Get mobbed by the paparazzi -- I don't know how they keep themselves under control like just a few of them don't but. But I thought I met Arlene and 1970. What is they have my life absolutely go lucky -- they -- life was -- was July 5 1970. But they have that are Leonid she got may -- kind of better -- and grow a -- and focused than. And from the at all I was able to -- they'll concentrate on my job."

" Was let's take some calls taught my a lot of people want to talk to your hair and you know -- we haven't seen the last of you when I don't that we have -- he'll be you'll we turn up somewhere."

" I'm still very much -- hours. Of believe it or done us --"

" My believe -- you know it's just talking about on TV I I know you know you you would you loved being on TV I mean all you know I I like -- for the newspaper and Alex hidden behind a might but I did I was never really that comfortable with the camera -- on -- you know I and then."

" They -- mentioned this story in the Cape Cod times so some day this past Sunday AM. George Brennan came and spent almost three hours with me. Oh my -- I card gave and so large property and the somehow or other border probably essence of my career and if anyone's interest to them. Finding out where I came from and how I did that you can. I I think sandy."

" Yeah we got only I don't know got a link on the web site to the storage our tree but also we got a sword just out how we cart dot com and you could not link right to the Cape Cod times -- read the story."

" Yeah I've had other had a fabulous career and it's been very very exciting and it's amazing how it happened what if this happens you know you worked you work your work in. What are they saying about successive. If you if your prepared and you work your butt off then maybe sometimes success happens."

" reliever -- five. Now now Helio is good news that was a year career record to channel seven. Joe seven was the graveyard for a lot of us in the TV --"

" I do that and all I've made sure that I had a guaranteed contract. For five years when I went there."

" Yes so yes you yes you did very yet you did very well you another Robin Young the dream team --"

" all you have to mention that six. Robin I I love about lady she's very bright and beautiful and just didn't work for personal reasons."

" You know the you know the announcer was on lock used to throat our newscast at 6 o'clock right to you know that is it. This is that a Boston no immediate trivia question. Phil ray doll oh art yeah I didn't know that either don't -- yeah."

" Oh my goodness well there were some there are some big people who came through channel seven Bill O'Reilly was there -- worked with him for a while Paula -- was there Matt lauer was their way I worked well at all of these."

" Miles O'Brien will live up. -- the -- some others like Gary Graham who ended up in the in the -- and Paul Paul -- well I would probably recording got there so -- so was ital might know him how well you do that the Texas connection to a -- calls for Tom -- Dave your next with Howie -- and Tom Ellis legendary Boston TV -- go ahead Dave."

" They and it paid off aria I'm great where you call -- I'm call from Melrose. You -- you -- well there were no problems you have my actually my name receive."

" sorry Steve."

" So called bye bye gave -- the wrong name because there's I would I would return to supplement jet plane. Although I find -- the -- I I want I just want to say it's called that. You know serve out. From my entire life. My mother his entire life usually guided you view of the guys that chief all the around the news you always say you know brave I have to turn on. Turn on Tom. All of that no matter what station urology. -- folder rather lose. Both standard. And I want to say that I I think maybe you know you you should think of radio victim. The morning spot. From the thoughts. Cocktail. No I'm not look at the -- over anyone's job but let you -- Always got a kick out of people what they say you know I've watched you all my life and it's true I've -- in this business this is what 58 the year but."

" Fifty how how I know how old yard tall but maybe some people didn't see this story how how old -- yeah are there. 76. You'll look great shot was -- and you know he said value look like you know that you said Tom looks great he still looks like he's 56. Leave them myself. Q I'm 56 and you'll junger that may well I don't know maybe I look like I'm 76."

" No way I go to the German -- Five problem iPod but I've got all of my cup all right robot run and all that stuff so I picked pretty good care of myself on a very careful about what I eat but --"

" Talk about should thanks for the call -- X with how we guard Ed Tom Ellis go ahead belt."

" Takes a lot Tom I don't know and Tom. I want to bash yet I gotta attract reliving that -- someone around -- all of a sudden out on the blow. This thing trucker television showed up -- it disappeared has tacitly Kidman are remembers seeing you want it."

" But I -- I anchored -- I record trucker TV four. I think as long as --"

" This is news to me I learned something here tonight."

" Trucker at the American transportation television network proper TV. And we were pipe -- do all those big truck stops across the country. And if bluster of art box but about a year and I was -- glancing -- and in New York at the time. And I got -- opportunity state court here remember him when he was news director approach also yes you yeah she took over as the general manager of -- America transportation television network. And the first person they called was made to see if I would I would echo forum because in my. In my teen years for awhile like I drove all our lumber truck. Texas. The you do that and and so he hired beta at her truck -- keeping he's sold. Five flight from New York to Walsh. Newt from yacht goes to Washington DC and an anchor three days a week its property beer and it just finally -- read out -- Jews."

" Talk to all these names you're thrown out there there -- bring him back a lot of memories you know -- committee are you were bill Applegate they have the new director -- seventies we have hired us. -- we did they used to do these Christmas these -- these Christmas things they yes they -- to commend him. Adams -- come he's -- and they'd -- so that we were all right around on this Christmas -- doing this Christmas hey right now everybody you know -- to be really homely and everything Applegate gets up there are reporting was where and pomp. No he was wearing a San Francisco's forty niners jacket. All the world what kind of like get on the patriots were -- good then but it seemed kind of weird to be you know Boston TV station guy with a forty niners jacket on that if god what are aware they look like got somebody's if -- recognize this guy's voice."

" Tom Tom Ellis Mike Adams. They're tired let's dual cross over like we -- in the good old days Malek -- prayer okay. I you don't is the other parent you're out of every bit yeah I had dinner as far as I know -- slowly go the other hand was more united -- Tom -- story."

" Are and where we'll watch always so much wildlife because nobody ever knew but I know you were."

" We are you -- little park and let him come back talk -- little -- got a hey here's a great there's a great Tom Ellis story one of the people work unit to at an NEC and walks in on Tom Ellis. He's put -- his roller blades beam between newscasts getting ready to go around wells avenue a few times. And they -- price drop more or you're out well that's he says elbow pads are for -- must cease -- Correct your brother or father or you are you OT CU guys. Norton protect children go to Texas all of whom I knew that I was just trying to get you you -- Joe worked up period -- you you don't look at all he's glad his quarterback is he's old and he's a longhorn not a horned frogs."

" where they know what -- a lot while I was at first I got holes what I graduated from high school I was sixteen that I got a little. Little tiny football scholarship at Arlington state college. Between dollar support words it's not part of the University of Texas and the big school Albert Bennett was just. But to your college advised we have -- for them and we were run on the information went for blacks -- days all the information. Got the ball a lot. And we've played the teaching your freshman one game and I made it touched down."

" But while top I had to go on here you are all you are the man you always will be -- smart -- maybe take care. Oh 1877. Thanks Mike 1877469432. --"

" He's a crazy guy he is comes -- with all these stories. These just so funny you never know what's cover -- like Adam's bout but he's a very bloody noses sports I think."

" He -- he put on a great show YE IE he was he was as good it is only in his own way and it in MI comparing him in his personal life but he was as good as good mere. You know are just being able to add lab dead during AS sportscast."

" And go mayor just picked -- an open both to themselves."

" Yeah I guess you won't you don't want I had none of us want to pop up the way -- has been popping up in the news lately about talking."

" On the blog -- have a lot of talent he was just loaded with come out Pete cover him with most stuff written on little map -- yeah."

" I remember I don't I've told a story on the air so yeah exactly I remembered cocktail napkins."

" I'll write and you don't -- not gonna just not off the problem reserved manner he would why did why what with a great story about that that's come up for it yeah it is. I hope he's doing all right all right I I always liked them."

" I day I did to -- they -- a checkered past but he was -- he was always a funny guy to have around the station that's for sure. Arafat has budgeted want to follow when he left between the newscast that's all but those that are wrong about this product. That's the political muted they cut talk -- we Q can you stick around we got fault lines are people want to talk to you we gonna take a break okay you stick around her."

" Auto portable politics don't -- you'll you'll probably back -- look look you give us give the number two want to my -- to know since he's got the number and we'll call you back -- five and I aren't."

" 1877469432. To wear this for another segment is -- malice. Legendary. Boston TV anchorman. You -- your New York for awhile to -- carved."

" And there are several times tell me I was there I'd left shuttle foreign 1975. And went to ABC news New York. And spent three years doing good news anchoring on channel seven. In New York couldn't believe it or not. -- run of the people quite often. Here on the -- who who who remember base. They -- that you're you're would guess it was larger group begin and don't tell yeah I was and that love. Just nobody have well been -- Diana went back. After -- also. I went back to New York a freelance for kids years. And I worked with -- your brother chuck Scarborough. And some semblance were above a year I was doing now live shots for them on -- 5 and 6 o'clock news and all."

" Chuck Scarborough is a survivor all boy has he ever he's still weren't strong."

" He is the he's still on the he's still top of the game that that the story almost -- by him -- got channel seven the number one. Yup and then late the night there -- the big party he EI he announced he was going to New York and -- everybody were shocked. One of my friends from channel seven -- the science achievement how can you believe how. How could you leave and we just got to be number one. And there was Charlie Sullivan that's we tell a story do and where every inch and it's we told try Lisa Charlie. In this business you've got a -- them. Quarterly PO."

" Often don't let those -- those words to live by like --"

" Well I know that you're you're almost. While I don't wanna go that your personal business well -- out of you know had a hard time here about six months ago or so that your."

" I'd come I had a great world three year period you have to fill up north spend about 1985 or so all that Bruno out. These are absolutely. I have I have a -- there -- commercial war whether fell off -- right there on the waterfront. The very -- we walked in. I was you know normally trying to pick up girl but you are going to everything else. Site and Carmel launch a review of greater New York he used could -- literally anybody else. What would like -- going. Oh god yeah you have the I don't like to restore that you don't grow with you on television. And with a match I was W world. Shouldn't use such as far --"

" One thing about you -- diverted you know who I am story about your whole."

" Polls also I don't know. I'd love to people people. People are you know while you run into the -- now and then I can be real pains are mostly people are pretty would -- Faith that people. Generally are really advice."

" Capsule only in in the having to talk ms. I mean -- good people want to introduce themselves to -- they obviously life Q I know what how how can you complain about does someone who wants to meet you because they see they like you went and if they -- they watch or listen to -- read your stuff they're helping to support you."

" Exactly. And by the way before I forget it almost like congratulations to Jim Bryce I -- I thought -- about -- book I don't think I'll look at this picture here in front of me and he's just. Gonna -- all a favor and he deserves it but."

" You don't -- he had a problem with with the beavers you know -- the leg hold trap when -- past that referendum question aren't you could use like cold traps -- go after beavers anymore he was and one of those areas where the beavers just ran -- that started flooding -- whole parts of in over North -- over worry lived a wonderfully now that he's in the Hall of -- does -- get to go after those -- amounts. -- so."

" If I worry I would go after -- period. Thought a lot of animal person bought -- I have five -- by the way I'm all. About if you if something's. Building of them the plug your house but I --"

" I had a great idea I -- that's why -- voted against the a biblical trapped kids so widely used so you'll river you've if you watch pharmacies move from station to station in the -- are right here."

" I was -- I was -- you know and they -- you know -- seventy. Not be so far more on general general. So we're -- charm I'll look very war. Have you applied context but I need to protect the try to -- lot of -- Condo that he. --"

" Wasn't thanks for the call chief -- your next with how we guard Tom -- go ahead --"

" I try am radio you -- yeah thanks thanks Jim what do you have a little -- account. Are you at all I had a place in no messed -- you know what's right across the Charles River from Watertown. For yeah I hacked. I have a little world come out there what I was working that shuttle or. And momentum. Used to go to water tell all the time that places grow like crazy doesn't it -- to churn out. What you do now we have -- When I was a little kid I lived in the north bend and I remember meeting you you're doing a report read on the waterfront. Yeah I got your autograph and everything good about. We twelve years old welcome contact. I don't think you can get less money for it but. I thought it."

" Put on eBay and see Jim. Her rail -- talk real proud of feel like twenty bucks."

" Well I'm I'm flattered you know what I'm always flattered when someone asks me for an autograph or -- people who -- Who who -- stars shouldn't feel elderly that brush people off from won't sign autographs. I can't -- voice. Thought that was just a little. Beyond our I was really flattered when anybody asks me for an autograph awarded to pick their picture with me your. Or one ever part of the game but all thank you for reminding me about that."

" You know -- I think it truly is truly something now -- and no knock on the current crop of bankers. But but a lot of the anchors on the local news stations I don't think most people could pick a model -- You know our our -- just because it's just mean that the the the audience is so fragmented now compared to the old day."

" Still there's been -- can lower the proliferation. Of all of of news sources now that. And I don't know -- change and they come and go and they don't get the stick around long enough for people who really gets going you know attached."

" I don't assume when you started channel four and it took off I mean probably within a month or so you were probably being mobbed out on the street right."

" Well I wouldn't call it mob device certainly was aware that people we knew our laws and you know you'd walk by and even if they were embarrassed to look come up and escaped her autograph they. You could access -- you can tell what they were talking about true and good good. You just knew that they were franken you know here comes this guy here comes old nurse from analysts well. So. Yeah yeah I was aware that this happens so fast and so furious. I don't know how was able to accommodate that -- I was only in my thirties in the old days so I was. Just very very rocket to be able to get through that we all my feet."

" You know -- do you do you feel like though that you know the true you've sort of been a victim here of age discrimination and are in are going to file suit or anything like that but I mean do you think that maybe they just kinda like said gee he's too he's. Com is is is is above the age that though we want -- for our anchors."

" Here's what I pick LA I was very very fortunate to have. Lasted this long and in a career that's so young man's game. -- Don't get may have trouble."

" I'm just know I'm I'm just I feel like a lot of people think in this thing to this side that's why wanted to ask you the question why."

" All I believe are still -- capable very very capable are lower lock myself before -- I'm aware of the ratings and I know the people we're still watching and they're still aware and -- I remember people all the time it's not like I'm invisible man. -- people every cargo hold and they say they watch me and they can. They could prove it but tell me what I've talked about the last time I was on televisions sold. Yeah I think. It's just there are. This woman I think people who are still. Able to do their jobs. You know and I get an intelligent way. And can maintain whatever it is they're doing. With the efficiency et cetera et cetera you view layer everything on me on television I'm gonna be able to handle about guarantee you and what can certainly be true I don't know -- I have a pursuit that."

" I just DC I remember back in the eighties and are working for channel seven I would work with -- worked with guys in night I knew just talkin' you know after workers something if you would you guys would say. You know I never I don't want anyone to know that I used to work with film. Because if you worked if you if you know how to handle film that means you worry that you're working in TV in the seventies and you're already starting to age out."

" that happened to you."

" No I didn't happen to me because I didn't I didn't have that much background I and I talked to guys who were worried about everybody who would never say that you really didn't even use phrases like B roll. Because it is such a film a film playing as opposed -- video."

" Well I I never worried about that because I always thought I did a good job and I got the ratings and -- You know although I would appreciate it and sold. Most most of the places where our work this. It fast fast."

" On Sunday it -- well except for one that you and I worked out together where. Things were just a little on the strange --"

" I must tell you -- an April brought April and may be in love 1985. In the spring related in the spring broke an 85. We were number one. Channel suburbs brought of course the news director at that time this Friday at. That he had to change everything that he changed the -- and he -- who was. All kinds of different it or afford newly hired for a new people to command and so. All of a sudden people were seeing these different places on there and we were from number one above are very very quickly."

" Google Jeff Rosser. Always -- didn't. I don't think -- mind I -- Matalin your next with how -- car and Tom Ellis go ahead Matalin."

" Hello I'm Madeline I it's a pleasure to attract deal I'm really generally are reporting live -- bad. Where do you live congress and mavs who you know what unknown handsome wood at that time what's known as Bob Blake. Rule out any reality idea yeah."

" About another. Did -- tell agree -- Matalin RI norm yeah everybody who sat."

" Yeah as the he had big shot yeah -- are you forum part idea come from say a quote historic battle you're up there in Concord. Shops."

" Now why don't -- in 1953. I don't know how bad it is a way of my age about I don't care -- 84 analysts feel lady on TV says not all about just lived along attacks."

" Well but the question they can -- for more birthdays you have the older you're gonna get me an approach look at what I want to tell your old."

" I'm not really jog your memory I'm."

" Middle frankly don't want to yell on go to fashion doll I met Juliet he -- and so now all my goodness and I will -- Armenians. Panamanians. That the Armenian church. They walked out."

" Metal and they should thank you Matalin the talk we gotta go here worry well won't keep her around cause -- just about out of time but we really appreciate you spend the time whether send what you on the show again sometime if we have we can add."

" Are always okay we love it we love you wouldn't you know we're we hope you get back on the -- very soon and thank you weren't thank you sandy okay -- let's talk -- Boston --"