I’m a retired broadcast journalist. I was in radio and television news for 44 years in Connecticut.
For the last several years, Facebook and Twitter cut into blogging time. They have also managed to shorten attention spans to the point that blog posts read like novels to some people.
But now that I have the time…
The Brooks File 
TO: GB55
FR: KDK47
Gerry,
Keep the comments coming! I love your blog. You are very funny and quite smart! I watch you every night at 11. The chemistry between you and your co-anchors is great. Keisha is the best. (I do miss Joanne, however. By the way, your wife Kathy (or Cathy) is lucky to have you!
Keep up the great work. You are a Conn. institution. I simply love the old photos-especially the one at the table with your abundant hair, cigarettes and other debris… But OOOH those were the days!
Regards,
Kathryn D. Kane
Meriden
Kathryn, thank you so much!
And to everyone else: no money exchanged hands for Kathryn to write what she did.
I believe you will remember> Quite a few years ago, now>
when Joanne and you anchored
Channel 20’s first 10pm news from the Channel 30 studios,
I hope you will remember me, Ed Taddei, the then V.P of
WTXX, and former Executive V.P. & Gen’l Mgr of Channel 8.
PS> I have no hesitation in saying,
“You are GOOD at what YOU Do”
and I will NOT say, “Keep up the Great Work”>
’cause I already know> YOU WILL.
Ed, I do indeed remember, and I appreciate your kind words more than you know.
Gerry, I’m not sure if you’re aware of it but that Chris Hansen fellow, you know the guy who who snares the pedophiles, has stolen your blog title and has the audacity to call it the “Hansen File.” Knowing you’ve used the “Brooks File” since your Channel 3 days, I think he needs to be set straight. Perhaps some kind of sting operation? Enjoy your work.
I’ve met that kid Hansen. Rich, I guess I’m just gonna have to pay a visit to 30 Rock and kick his ass. (And then they’ll boot mine out.)
I”m looking forward to reading more of your blog but sorry I won’t be seeing you on tv mostly because I have ADD and can’t sit in front of the tv, it makes me want to get up and actually do something. I can read for hours though. 😉
Gerry, found you by “mistake” and brought back memories of many years ago when I applied your makeup before the 11pm sportscast! Miss those days with Dennis! Hope you are well. We all are. Best to Kathy!
Wow. It’s only been 30+ years. All is well, and thanks for the “mistake!”
Gerry:
Found your blog because of Terry’s post about it on The Web Town Observer…
It is now added to my list of “daily reads”.
Have watched you and Brad Field for a long, long time…as a matter of fact, just about the only MSM news I watch without disgust.
The blog looks just as good.
Keep writing, please, I am afraid it’s an art that is slowly fading away.
Say hello to Brad Field from the every once in a while storm reporter out of northwest Connecticut!
Welcome Marshall, and thank you for the kind words!
I have been trying to find someone or something to answer this for me . Hope you can ( you are the man )
When we all go Digital do I need to get a converter box for my camper so I can watch tv in the woods. ?
Please help me with this answer.
BTW Love watching you . !!!!
Thank you Dora. I would suspect you’d need a box, but I’m no technical expert. I’d suggest popping into a local Radio Shack and asking.
Thanks I knew I would at least get some kind of an answer from you . I will do that next time out .
You get back to people. That’s something to write home about these days. You’re a good man, Gerry Brooks.
Very kind words from a very talented man. Thank you, Terry.
Gerry, Was doing some Googling (in my free time of course) and came across your blog. Don’t know if you’ll remember me from CT radio years ago but we talked a few times. I worked with Joanne Nesti in Waterbury during what I think was her very first radio job if that helps place the name. As a 50 something boomer myself I enjoy what I’ve read of your blog so far. I’ll be back for more. Sounds like life is good in your world…..mine too. Fighting those morons is getting tougher & tougher though! If only Roy & Dale were here!
Ed, I do indeed remember. I’ll tell Joanne you checked in. The one thing I’ve learned after all these years is: it DOESN’T get any easier! But we’re hanging in.
We moved to S.C. about 3 years ago but we still watch the NBC channel for news and weather. There is a reporter on the news whose name is Brad Franco. Did he once work on channel 30? We still miss you and Joann.
Frank, the name doesn’t ring a bell. But thanks for checking in!
Jerry you reported the other day that the Unemployment rate in Connecticut was at 8.8%, well as someone who has been out of work for a few years I found that very insulting. Maybe you should do a story about those of us in Connecticut and around the United States who have been out of work for 1-5 years. That 8.8% figure only refers to people who are recently out of work, but are still actively looking, the real figure for Connecticut is probably closer to 15-16% or as CNBC says, “The ‘Real’ Jobless Rate nationally is 17.5% Of Workers Are Unemployed”.
Maybe as a member of the “Employed” you should talk to people like myself who are the forgotten unemployed, those people who have gone through their life savings, IRAs, and run up Credit Card debt trying to survive until a miracle happens.
Jerry take a look at this CNBC report and then get your facts straight before you report incorrect info on the news!
> http://www.cnbc.com/id/34040009?__source=CNBC|newsnow|know1|2009|
Very nice blog you have here, Gerry. I watch NBC Connecticut News every single day. Yes, in glorious HD! You do a great job every newscast, as well as the rest of the anchors/staff at WVIT. Keep up the awesome work on the air and online.
Thank you Jay. And thanks for watching, too. We appreciate it.
Gerry you’ve never been someone not to comment, so why no comment on the plight of those of us who make up the true unemployment rate, too embarrassed?
No, not at all. I think it’s a tragedy, as a matter of fact. But how the government compiles its numbers is something that I can’t wrap my little brain around. In other words, I don’t understand it.
It’s simply. If you have just been laidoff, fired or quit your job in the last 12 months and are looking for a new job, you are included as part of the official government unemployment rate. It’s really a scam used by both the Republicans and Democrats alike. In a recession like we are in right now, this scam is highlighted, because no one unemployed longer than 12 months or forced to take a part-time job are included. When they are included the unemployment rate climbs about another 6-8 percent. When you are in a recession, companies are allowed to legally discriminate against minorities, the older worker and of course someone out of work more than a year. Recently Peoples United Bank sent me an email and told me to apply to seven of their jobs that matched my backgound and interests. After I applied to all 7, I have gotten 4 replies telling me that I don’t qualify or is it that I’ve been unemployed for a few years and I’m now 59, an untouchable. It begs the question, why send the email in the first place if you aren’t going to interview me.
Gerry, the next time your News Director tried to have you report the unemployment rate as the false lower rate, refuse to do it.
Unemployment rates will be reported, though it would be prudent to include the proviso that people unemployed more than a year are not included in the numbers.
Ed, I wish you luck. Believe me, being nearly your age, I thank god every day I have this job.
Hey Gerry…..I know you have gotten beat up in the last post…sorry…we all need someone to lean on (oopps) anyhow.I first met most of the cast at arch street tavern yrs ago….you just quit smoking lol…..all of you were very nice and approachable….sucks but after 27 yrs. insurance co. i got laid off too….I know you can’t change the world,blah blah, however, I am wondering why a certain ins. company has not had any statictis ie layoffs made public……I don’t want to say the company right now on this blog, but would be willing in a private e-mail etc.
Mary, I honestly don’t know.
Gerry: Thought I’d pass along a potential news scoop to you. When Continental Airlines announced they were now going to charge for extra leg room, I contacted their customer service rep and sarcastically asked when they would begin charging for the use of padded seats and and the seat backs. Here is the reply I received from them:
Thank you for your inquiry, but we are trying to accomodate Extra Legroom for passengers that have been
requesting that for some time. Currently are seats offer the padding and seatbacks free of charge.
Regards,
Leu Ruiz
Electronic Support Desk
The key is obviously the word currently. It suggests that they are reviewing it and may consider it as an option down the road.
I’ll have to show this to my wife. I suppose nothing should surprise us.
Have not read that Bill Bryson book yet. He is so down to earth and has a great sense of humor.
Highly recommend.
Thanks for the mention. Madeleine and I were trying to remember all the people from POP that went on to TV and did well. We were a good team and I miss those days…except for that blizzard that forced most of us to stay in there because Gov. Grasso closed down all the roads!
Take care, my friend. I miss you.
R.
Right back atcha. And we’ll see each other somewhere down the road…
Gerry, great that after all these years you’re continuing the “Brooks Files” as a blog! Just thought of something…you probably already thought of it too but for what it’s worth…
You should digitize and put ALL your Brook’s Files from both ch. 30 and 3 (barring copyright issues) on youtube for all to relive and enjoy some for the first time! I for one would love to see a mi-80’s spot done as a tribute to of all things, the OREO cookie! Ahh the O-R-E-O!!
pat from Meriden
Thanks Patrick! I remember that Oreo piece well, since I used my late mother-in-law and her priest! I’m not too sure about the Youtube idea, but it might be worth looking into.
A Pleasant Monday Gerry. I just happen to drop in for a look see and read Rad’s posting. Those were the days my friend..I thought they’d never end. What a team at WPOP. Statement of fact not a question. The storm when I spent 24-hours in the Armory. The Civic Center roof collapse..Rad produced, “You Can See The Sky”. Lastly remember what Walter Cronkite said to us (30) on the Cape some years ago about being driven by the technology, “don’t forget journalistic integrity”. Oh thats right Ger you (3) and Rad (8) missed that encounter but seriously, we have a lot to be proud of. Love to all. Be Well/Lew
A lot of great people passed through the doors in the swamp. None greater than you, Lew.
“The Swamp” Instead of asking who’s going to write the book..why not have my people call your people who in turn call Rad’s people, who in turn call Joanne’s people, who in turn call Lloyd’s people, who inturn call, you know were I’m going and we all contribute to this best seller. We’ve already got the title, “The Swamp” news from a journalistic perspective prioritized by objectivity, facts, truth, justice and the American way. Give our love to Kathy.
Will do, my friend.
Hola Gerry, I fairly new to FB and was skulking through the friends section of a high school classmate (Bloomfield “71”) not looking for anyone in particular. And there was Gerry Brooks! A little over 4 years ago I moved to little town in NW Costa Rica (my wife is a Tica & didn’t like CT much). Reading your blog I can hear your voice, cadence and all- It’s very much like comfort food. I am gladdened that a nice guy (impression only, we have never conversed) has hung in there and provides a sense of humanity, humor and continuity to my former state residents. I’d like to wish you the best and intend to reach out and send you a message via FB-a potential news story for you.
I am desperately looking for photo(s) of Mr. Hamburg rt. 9 Fram or the Natick location. Please help!
Wow. I worked at the Route 30 ‘Burg. I don’t know if I have any pix (I’ll check), but I do still have the cowbell we had to hit when someone ordered a Hambo!
Hi Gerry, I’m an early 60’s boomer who’s been watching you from way back when you worked with Gayle King. I’ve always thought you were the best anchorperson in the state and my wife and I have stayed loyal and followed you when you have moved, all those years ago. You are funny, honest, have good taste in music and even though I know you don’t like the Yankees, you aren’t afraid to say how much you respect Derek Jeter. All in all, a great person to sit down and relax to at night and also know you are getting the honest and most up to date information. Keep doing what you are doing, you are much appreciated.
Gary, welcome and thank you very much. And to everyone else: I did not, repeat, DID NOT pay Gary to write this!
Hey Gerry – I just wanted to drop a line and see if you received the gift box that we sent over a few weeks back. We’re really interested in potentially connecting with you in your official capacity at NBC – we have some great CT artisan suppliers and we’d love to tell our story and talk about the growth of these small-batch businesses and the “buy local” movement. Drop me a line if you’re interested. Thanks!
Justin
PS: You can see our CT vendors on our web site: http://www.thelocalstore.com
Justin, your best bet is to contact the producer of our 11am news, Chris Ayotte. Let her know what you do and what you have to offer.
chris.ayotte@nbcuni.com Good luck!
I also have blogged less but hope to remedy that in 2015. Doctor Doug of Wfsb health calls