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Norm and Jack RIP


I worked with both Norm Macdonald and Jack Chase during my early years in 
the heyday of TV news, and I want everyone to know that they were true 
professionals, gentlemen and friends.  Lots of things have changed in the TV 
biz since then as the 90’s brought on all sorts of “improvements” that did 
anything but.  As Jack’s obit stated, “it was fun”…and it truly was with 
many fond memories in the minds of fewer and fewer people who are still 
around.



It is hard to believe that my 33 years went by so fast and then faded to 
black.  Norm was even my “roomie” for 1.5 years when he was between 
marriages.  He was a genuine meteorologist and didn’t settle for the 
mediocre science that often blows forth from the tube these days.  And Jack 
was most kind to this novice TV type who cut his teeth at the outset by 
doing weekends and filling in for Don Kent on the weekday AM show with Jack. 
  A very calming influence he was, and he was also instrumental in teaching 
me about the dark side of the TV biz.  I can still remember Jack protesting 
the coffee cup decree at a station meeting as if it were yesterday.  And 
neither of these two greats would get caught up in the hype and hysteria 
that now seems so commonplace.



Back then, there was a genuine commitment to quality and integrity that Jack 
and Norm pursued, and less fractured/jaded audiences responded with rating 
books sporting numbers around 20 and sometimes better for a newscast.  
Today, programs rarely break a 10 and often hover at 5 or less despite huge 
increases in TV households.  I may be naďve, but I also feel that there was 
far more commitment to the community and “doing good”.  We can thank these 
icons for that rich heritage which now seems to be disappearing.



I add my wishes for “fair winds and following seas” to Norm and Jack.  They 
were the best!



Bruce Schwoegler




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