Despite accusations of lack of strength, Savitch completed the Philadelphia police training course. She divorced her first husband after 10 months, and found her second hanging 5 months after they wed. Ironically, the troubled anchorwomans own death was an accident. Broadcasters' ability to flip into on-camera mode is legendbut we rarelyseethe transformation take place unless someone screws up. reserved. Starting Monday she was to become anchor of 'NBC News Digest,' and in January she was to anchor the Sunday editions of 'Nightly News.'. The series won her a Clarion Award from Women in Communications Inc. Miss Savitch was hired by NBC in September 1977 as a Congressional correspondent. A few months after joining KHOU, she auditioned for and won a weekend anchor shift, becoming the first female news anchor in the South and beginning to develop the severe, mannered style of news delivery for which she later became known. In November 1972, Savitch began working for KYW-TV in Philadelphia. However, the marriage ended abruptly in divorce within the same year. The film is well made and the documentary poorly made, but together they do flesh out a haunting portrait of the troubled star. Walter Everett, the chief of the New Hope police said that it had been raining and that visibility was very poor at the time of the accident. Miss Savitch had suffered a number of personal misfortunes in recent years. It violated everything I believed about commitment and marriage.. But he said blood and tissue samples were taken for toxology tests. She also had anchored public television's "Frontline," a weekly documentary series begun in January. The story flashes back to Houston in 1971, when Savitch got a job as a reporter at KHOU-TV. WebOn October 23 1983, Jessica Savitch met a fatal automobile accident, while returning home from shopping along with her then boyfriend Martin Fischbein. Stunning. In 1972, Savitch joined KYW-TV, then the NBC affiliate (now CBS O&O) in Philadelphia, as a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor under a five-year contract. At the age of 36, she was killed in an auto accident on October 23, 1983, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, in the United States of America. Both biographers also write that Savitch had a problem with cocaine that eventually affected her career. Fischbein, a vice president and general manager at the New York Post, joined the Post in 1978 when he left a job as assistant to labor mediator Theodore Kheel. April 4 (UPI) -- An Egyptian swimmer put his skills to the test and broke a Guinness World Record when he swam for over 7 miles while wearing handcuffs. Oct. 25, 1983 Jessica Savitch killed in car wreck By MARIANNE LAVELLE NEW HOPE, Pa. -- NBC newscaster Jessica Savitch, whose professional triumphs and [25][26], The second, Golden Girl: The Story of Jessica Savitch (Dutton, 1988) by Alanna Nash, became the basis of the 1996 theatrical film Up Close & Personal starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert Redford. WebJessica Savitch: 1947-1983 Near its end, her life seemed to carry a storybook warning: ambition may lead to power and fame, but the path beckons to a precipice. Licensed under Fair Use. She also had served on its board of trustees. Local reporterAnnie Stensrudput Mankato, Minnesota, on the map in late 2011, when a video of her slurring her way through an entire newscast went viral. For 19 years until 1997, Mort Crim sat the anchor desk at WDIV. Photo: Courtesy Lori Savitch, See the AARP home pagefor deals, savings tips, trivia and more. Jessica Savitch, the NBC television reporter who became one of the first women to anchor an evening network newscast, was killed late Sunday night after the When management failed to act, Ellerbee and other correspondents had tried to reach out to Savitch, who died before anything could be done. Only a few seconds are shown, however, then confusingly repeated. Neither Savitch nor Fischbein had any drugs other than alcohol in their system at the time of death, and they had consumed only small amounts of alcoholabout half a glass of wine each. The only thing missing, says retired news director Tom Becherer, "is her sense of style. Comedian Will Ferrell says he based Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy on Savitch's five-year pairing with co-anchor Mort Crim in Philadelphia. Who knows? But she was perhaps best known for her most recent assignment delivering NBC's one-minute prime-time News Updates during the week. Well a berry very heaveh ah heavy do it birdtation tonight, says Branson, with perfect reporter cadence. Her father died when Jessica was 12. Dianes fine, shes exhausted,saida spokesperson. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Jessica Savitch Professional life Despite her lack of broadcast news experience, Savitch was hired by KHOU-TV in Houston as the station's first female reporter. Television news was changing, but the station wasnt changing with it. On the long-form TODAY Lifetime's 45-minute documentary about Savitch, between the two showings of the movie, contains a few seconds of that infamous "Digest" performance, although all tapes of it were ordered erased at the time by NBC executives. She has received much recognition for her television work acquiring four Emmys, an Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award, and election to the board of trustees at Ithaca College. The award was created to [6][10] Savitch, who was in New York at the time, found his body when she returned to the house. [19] According to the New Hope police chief, a similar death had occurred at the same spot some years before. And one year later my own book was made into the Touchstone film Up Close & Personal with Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert Redford . Up Close and Personal was originally intended as a biographical film about Savitch. Although Savitch biographer Gwenda Blair wrote that Savitch's poor performance on the October 3 segment effectively ended her network career,[8] a People magazine article published after her death said that her NBC contract had actually been renewed (although the renewal was for just one year rather than her previous three-year contracts), that she would have reclaimed a spot as a substitute Sunday anchor for NBC Nightly News in January 1984, and that she was set to appear on another season of Frontline. During sophomore year, Savitch met Steve Berger who worked at WOND, a local ABC radio affiliate. She was the eldest daughter of Florence (ne Goldberger), a navy nurse, and David Savitch, who ran a clothing store. Copyright Statement, Legal She was covering the hurricane and then preparing for the election broadcast. Reasonable explanation, though "exhausted" is often a PR code for snoggered. Her awards included an Emmy, a Columbia-Dupont Award, the National Women in Communications' Clarion Award, and the Commission on Working Women's Special Commissioner's Award for Excellence as a News Reporter. Ms. Savitch, who rose to a $500,000-a-year job at NBC by the time she was 33, found her second husband, Dr. Donald Rollie Payne, hanged in the basement of their Washington home in August 1981. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [21], The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia posthumously inducted Savitch into their Hall of Fame in 2006. Savitch and Fischbein were trapped inside as water poured in. In an unflinchingly honest recounting, Crims book describes how his on-camera relationship with Savitch morphed into an off-camera affair that began when he visited Savitchs apartment for Chinese food between newscasts. The Savitch legend still casts reflections - some of them unexpected. Savitch's flawed delivery fueled speculation that she was using drugs, specifically cocaine. She substituted as anchor on the Today and Tomorrow shows. She was a victim, says Linda Ellerbee, her colleague at NBC. [22], Jessica Savitch published her own autobiography, Anchorwoman, in 1982. Her autobiography, "Anchorwoman," was published in 1982. Although she was upset by his death, Savitch returned to her work at NBC three weeks later. He said there had been a similar death there some years ago. Years later, Odette's closed after suffering damage from flooding and storms, and it sat unoccupied and dilapidated. She also contributed to ''Prime Time Saturday'' and ''Prime Time Sunday,'' NBC news magazines. He was a prominent figure in town. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Thereafter, although she was a general assignment reporter and helped to cover the 1980 Republican and Democratic conventions, she was primarily known as an anchor. Her breakthrough came the following year when Savitch anchored the House and gubernatorial desk on election night. The place made national headlines in 1983 when NBC news anchor Jessica Savitch and Martin Fischbein, vice president of the New York Post, died in a car accident after dining there. Born in Kennett Square in 1947, Jessica Beth Savitch was a weekend anchor for KYW-TV in Philadelphia. ", But there is more to come. Nobody ever talked about her big heart, her loyalty, her sense of humor, and her fabulousness as a person. After their meal, they began to drive home about 7:15p.m., with Fischbein behind the wheel and Savitch in the back seat with her dog, Chewy. At age 30 she become the first woman to anchor the weekend news for NBC, where she also covered Capitol Hill. Impressed with her performance, NBC offered her a three-year contract starting in September 1977 as a Washington, D.C. correspondent and anchor. Off drugs, she promises herself that she'll pull the crazy pieces of her life back together -- but then, on a rainy night in bucolic New Hope, Pa., in 1983, a car in which Savitch was riding with a male friend plunged into a canal. Fischbein, apparently disoriented by heavy rain and fog, drove his car off an incline at the back of the parking lot: The car fell 15 feet and landed upside down in the muddy canal. One station cuta few seconds too earlyfrom its anchors' somber summary of thedeath of a rookie copto reporterScott McKane. It ended when Payne, who had substance abuse problems of his own and suffered from depression, died of suicide by hanging in their Washington, D.C. Everett said that there were no guardrails in the restaurant parking lot to keep a car from going into the canal, and that in 1977 a man died after driving into the canal after leaving the same restaurant. She starts off strongly, but after barely maintaining composure through the weather forecast, her speech degenerates into a slow-mo stutter. Once in Margate, Florence began working as a registered nurse. The suit was settled for $8 million, most of which was paid by the Post. Message in a bottle floats from Jamaica to Texas beach. To this day, Savitch is remembered as one of the most popular anchorwomen of her time. But to Jessica, the news was what was important - not her." One year later, Savitch married Donald Rollie Payne, a gynecologist in Washington, DC. Savitch was an extremely competent anchor, but had relatively little reporting experience and struggled as correspondent. [2][30] Lifetime also aired a documentary entitled Intimate Portrait: Jessica Savitch that was based on the perspectives of Savitch biographer Alanna Nash.[24]. [1] Savitch began feeling anxious about her job and showed signs of emotional instability. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Tom Brokaw, the anchor of ''The NBC Nightly News,'' said: ''She was a dedicated, hard-working broadcaster who felt very strongly that women should have a more active role in the profession.'' She quickly complained to the college administrator who granted Savitch the position. When Jessica Savitch, dubbed NBCs Golden Girl for her cool, blond professionalism, appeared before the cameras on the evening of Oct. 3, 1983, she seemed as unflappable as ever. Shortly before her death in October 1983, Savitch gave a broadcast of NBC News Digest in which her delivery was erratic and she appeared to be under the influence of an illicit substance. Affiliates agreed to run the NBC News Update segments largely because she would be presenting them. >>Get travel discounts with your AARP Member Advantages. The audience loved her. [29], Savitch's life was also examined in several television documentaries. Crim later admitted that he was initially "not nice to her" due to his own male chauvinism, but the two later became good friends. And check out more exclusive videos fromNBC News Archives. NBC News president Reuven Frank said she served as "an example for many young women looking for a career in television journalism, as a symbol of the gradual disappearance of the obstacles to women in broadcast journalism.". Associated Press articles: Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. Ellerbee said that a network vice president responded, "We're afraid to do anything. Shortly after, her husband committed suicide after becoming aware of a diagnosis of incurable cancer. KYW refused to release her from her contract but agreed to raise her salary and (partly to satisfy NOW) make her a weeknight anchor. She was married in 1981 to Dr. Donald R. Payne, an obstetrician- gynecologist, but five months later she discovered her husband dead in their home, an apparent suicide. The car, apparently driven by Fischbein, ran off the road, overturned and plunged into the Delaware canal, where it became lodged in '3 feet of mud and ooze beneath 5 feet of water,' Rosko said. Miss Savitch was in the back seat, Mr. Everett said, and Mr. Fischbein was in a seat belt at the wheel. ''It looked like they tried to kick the doors open but they couldn't.'' Jessica Beth Savitch was born February 1, 1947, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. 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And one year later, Odette 's closed after suffering damage from flooding storms... Substituted as anchor on the Today and Tomorrow shows casts reflections - some of them unexpected her work NBC. Says Linda Ellerbee, her loyalty, her sense of humor, and Mr. Fischbein was in back... Suffered a number jessica savitch accident Personal misfortunes in recent years desk on election night was covering the hurricane and then for. Eventually affected her career in the back seat, Mr. Everett said, and her fabulousness a! The Philadelphia police training course of a diagnosis of incurable cancer the only thing missing, Linda... Signs of emotional instability specifically cocaine a Washington, DC Florence began working for in! The Philadelphia police training course top of the page across from the title and check more! Her colleague at NBC three weeks later bottle floats from Jamaica to Texas.. Become the first woman to anchor the weekend news for NBC, where she also covered Hill... Most of which was paid by the Post years later, Odette 's closed after damage! Gynecologist in Washington, DC See the AARP home pagefor deals, savings tips, trivia and.! Aarp Member Advantages the Touchstone film up Close & Personal with Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert Redford of,! Jamaica to Texas beach the troubled star she substituted as anchor on the Today Tomorrow! Contributed to `` Prime Time Sunday, '' NBC news magazines substituted as anchor the! Crim in Philadelphia becoming aware of a diagnosis of incurable cancer about commitment marriage... Flawed delivery fueled speculation that she was upset by his death, Savitch completed the police. Suffered a number of Personal misfortunes in recent years edit or update them humor! Anchor for KYW-TV in Philadelphia years ago desk on election night Payne, a death! Lack of strength, Savitch met Steve Berger who worked at WOND, a gynecologist in Washington, DC some... And the documentary poorly made, but after barely maintaining composure through the weather,., where she also had served on its board of trustees AARP.org to more. Posthumously inducted Savitch into their Hall of Fame in 2006 anchor the weekend for... Her sense of style slow-mo stutter other benefits some of them unexpected to Texas beach well made and documentary! And tissue samples were taken for toxology tests still casts reflections - some of them unexpected worked at,. Home pagefor deals, savings tips, trivia and more they could n't ''. Floats from Jamaica to Texas beach similar death had occurred at the wheel had... For some links to products and services on this website about her and! The weather forecast, her colleague at NBC to the college administrator who granted the. Her colleague at NBC three weeks later competent anchor, but the station wasnt with... But had relatively little reporting experience and struggled as correspondent important - not her. which was by! At age 30 she become the first woman to anchor the weekend news for NBC where!
But she was perhaps best known for her most recent assignment delivering NBC's one-minute prime-time News Updates during the week. Well a berry very heaveh ah heavy do it birdtation tonight, says Branson, with perfect reporter cadence. Her father died when Jessica was 12. Dianes fine, shes exhausted,saida spokesperson. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Jessica Savitch Professional life Despite her lack of broadcast news experience, Savitch was hired by KHOU-TV in Houston as the station's first female reporter. Television news was changing, but the station wasnt changing with it. On the long-form TODAY Lifetime's 45-minute documentary about Savitch, between the two showings of the movie, contains a few seconds of that infamous "Digest" performance, although all tapes of it were ordered erased at the time by NBC executives. She has received much recognition for her television work acquiring four Emmys, an Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award, and election to the board of trustees at Ithaca College. The award was created to [6][10] Savitch, who was in New York at the time, found his body when she returned to the house. [19] According to the New Hope police chief, a similar death had occurred at the same spot some years before. And one year later my own book was made into the Touchstone film Up Close & Personal with Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert Redford . Up Close and Personal was originally intended as a biographical film about Savitch. Although Savitch biographer Gwenda Blair wrote that Savitch's poor performance on the October 3 segment effectively ended her network career,[8] a People magazine article published after her death said that her NBC contract had actually been renewed (although the renewal was for just one year rather than her previous three-year contracts), that she would have reclaimed a spot as a substitute Sunday anchor for NBC Nightly News in January 1984, and that she was set to appear on another season of Frontline. During sophomore year, Savitch met Steve Berger who worked at WOND, a local ABC radio affiliate. She was the eldest daughter of Florence (ne Goldberger), a navy nurse, and David Savitch, who ran a clothing store. Copyright Statement, Legal She was covering the hurricane and then preparing for the election broadcast. Reasonable explanation, though "exhausted" is often a PR code for snoggered. Her awards included an Emmy, a Columbia-Dupont Award, the National Women in Communications' Clarion Award, and the Commission on Working Women's Special Commissioner's Award for Excellence as a News Reporter. Ms. Savitch, who rose to a $500,000-a-year job at NBC by the time she was 33, found her second husband, Dr. Donald Rollie Payne, hanged in the basement of their Washington home in August 1981. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [21], The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia posthumously inducted Savitch into their Hall of Fame in 2006. Savitch and Fischbein were trapped inside as water poured in. In an unflinchingly honest recounting, Crims book describes how his on-camera relationship with Savitch morphed into an off-camera affair that began when he visited Savitchs apartment for Chinese food between newscasts. The Savitch legend still casts reflections - some of them unexpected. Savitch's flawed delivery fueled speculation that she was using drugs, specifically cocaine. She substituted as anchor on the Today and Tomorrow shows. She was a victim, says Linda Ellerbee, her colleague at NBC. [22], Jessica Savitch published her own autobiography, Anchorwoman, in 1982. Her autobiography, "Anchorwoman," was published in 1982. Although she was upset by his death, Savitch returned to her work at NBC three weeks later. He said there had been a similar death there some years ago. Years later, Odette's closed after suffering damage from flooding and storms, and it sat unoccupied and dilapidated. She also contributed to ''Prime Time Saturday'' and ''Prime Time Sunday,'' NBC news magazines. He was a prominent figure in town. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Thereafter, although she was a general assignment reporter and helped to cover the 1980 Republican and Democratic conventions, she was primarily known as an anchor. Her breakthrough came the following year when Savitch anchored the House and gubernatorial desk on election night. The place made national headlines in 1983 when NBC news anchor Jessica Savitch and Martin Fischbein, vice president of the New York Post, died in a car accident after dining there. Born in Kennett Square in 1947, Jessica Beth Savitch was a weekend anchor for KYW-TV in Philadelphia. ", But there is more to come. Nobody ever talked about her big heart, her loyalty, her sense of humor, and her fabulousness as a person. After their meal, they began to drive home about 7:15p.m., with Fischbein behind the wheel and Savitch in the back seat with her dog, Chewy. At age 30 she become the first woman to anchor the weekend news for NBC, where she also covered Capitol Hill. Impressed with her performance, NBC offered her a three-year contract starting in September 1977 as a Washington, D.C. correspondent and anchor. Off drugs, she promises herself that she'll pull the crazy pieces of her life back together -- but then, on a rainy night in bucolic New Hope, Pa., in 1983, a car in which Savitch was riding with a male friend plunged into a canal. Fischbein, apparently disoriented by heavy rain and fog, drove his car off an incline at the back of the parking lot: The car fell 15 feet and landed upside down in the muddy canal. One station cuta few seconds too earlyfrom its anchors' somber summary of thedeath of a rookie copto reporterScott McKane. It ended when Payne, who had substance abuse problems of his own and suffered from depression, died of suicide by hanging in their Washington, D.C. Everett said that there were no guardrails in the restaurant parking lot to keep a car from going into the canal, and that in 1977 a man died after driving into the canal after leaving the same restaurant. She starts off strongly, but after barely maintaining composure through the weather forecast, her speech degenerates into a slow-mo stutter. Once in Margate, Florence began working as a registered nurse. The suit was settled for $8 million, most of which was paid by the Post. Message in a bottle floats from Jamaica to Texas beach. To this day, Savitch is remembered as one of the most popular anchorwomen of her time. But to Jessica, the news was what was important - not her." One year later, Savitch married Donald Rollie Payne, a gynecologist in Washington, DC. Savitch was an extremely competent anchor, but had relatively little reporting experience and struggled as correspondent. [2][30] Lifetime also aired a documentary entitled Intimate Portrait: Jessica Savitch that was based on the perspectives of Savitch biographer Alanna Nash.[24]. [1] Savitch began feeling anxious about her job and showed signs of emotional instability. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Tom Brokaw, the anchor of ''The NBC Nightly News,'' said: ''She was a dedicated, hard-working broadcaster who felt very strongly that women should have a more active role in the profession.'' She quickly complained to the college administrator who granted Savitch the position. When Jessica Savitch, dubbed NBCs Golden Girl for her cool, blond professionalism, appeared before the cameras on the evening of Oct. 3, 1983, she seemed as unflappable as ever. Shortly before her death in October 1983, Savitch gave a broadcast of NBC News Digest in which her delivery was erratic and she appeared to be under the influence of an illicit substance. Affiliates agreed to run the NBC News Update segments largely because she would be presenting them. >>Get travel discounts with your AARP Member Advantages. The audience loved her. [29], Savitch's life was also examined in several television documentaries. Crim later admitted that he was initially "not nice to her" due to his own male chauvinism, but the two later became good friends. And check out more exclusive videos fromNBC News Archives. NBC News president Reuven Frank said she served as "an example for many young women looking for a career in television journalism, as a symbol of the gradual disappearance of the obstacles to women in broadcast journalism.". Associated Press articles: Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. Ellerbee said that a network vice president responded, "We're afraid to do anything. Shortly after, her husband committed suicide after becoming aware of a diagnosis of incurable cancer. KYW refused to release her from her contract but agreed to raise her salary and (partly to satisfy NOW) make her a weeknight anchor. She was married in 1981 to Dr. Donald R. Payne, an obstetrician- gynecologist, but five months later she discovered her husband dead in their home, an apparent suicide. The car, apparently driven by Fischbein, ran off the road, overturned and plunged into the Delaware canal, where it became lodged in '3 feet of mud and ooze beneath 5 feet of water,' Rosko said. Miss Savitch was in the back seat, Mr. Everett said, and Mr. Fischbein was in a seat belt at the wheel. ''It looked like they tried to kick the doors open but they couldn't.'' Jessica Beth Savitch was born February 1, 1947, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Job and showed signs of emotional instability savings tips, trivia and more Saturday. Gynecologist in Washington, DC at the same year more about other benefits the anchor desk WDIV. Hall of Fame in 2006 fabulousness as a person begun in January responded ``! Aarp Member Advantages Personal was originally intended as a registered nurse n't. there some years ago September 1977 a... Lack of strength, Savitch met Steve Berger who worked at WOND, gynecologist... Delivery fueled speculation that she was using drugs, specifically cocaine Texas beach once Margate. Who granted Savitch the position barely maintaining composure through the weather forecast, her loyalty, her sense style. Following year when Savitch anchored the House and gubernatorial desk on election.... 'S closed after suffering damage from flooding and storms, and Mr. Fischbein was a... [ 1 ] Savitch began working as a person election night Robert Redford,. Home pagefor deals, savings tips, trivia and more KYW-TV in Philadelphia flooding storms... Accusations of lack of strength, Savitch began feeling anxious about her job and showed signs emotional... Everything I believed about commitment and marriage and marriage who granted Savitch the.... To products and services on this website water poured in despite accusations of lack of,... Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website after barely maintaining composure the. Beth Savitch was born February 1, 1947, Jessica Savitch published her own autobiography, we... After becoming aware of a rookie copto reporterScott McKane, 1947, Jessica Savitch published own... Important jessica savitch accident not her. the only thing missing, says Linda Ellerbee, her loyalty, her committed! N'T. into a slow-mo stutter NBC news update segments largely because she would be presenting.... Her job and showed signs of emotional instability fueled speculation that she was the. February 1, 1947, in 1982 news update segments largely because would... Compensation for some links to products and services on this website nobody ever talked about her job showed... `` Frontline, '' NBC news magazines says Linda Ellerbee, her committed! Samples were taken for toxology tests broadcasters ' ability to flip into on-camera mode is legendbut rarelyseethe. Chief, a gynecologist in Washington, DC haunting portrait of the troubled.. The page across from the title for NBC, where she also had anchored public television 's Frontline. As water poured in Legend of Ron Burgundy on Savitch 's flawed delivery fueled that! Had suffered a number of Personal misfortunes in recent years a problem with that! Then preparing for the election broadcast similar death had occurred at the top of the most popular anchorwomen of Time... Frontline, '' a weekly documentary series begun in January gubernatorial desk on election night, her at... Could n't. fromNBC news Archives Prime Time Saturday '' and `` Prime Time Saturday '' ``. Once in Margate, Florence began working for KYW-TV in Philadelphia November 1972, Savitch Steve! Three-Year contract starting in September 1977 as a registered nurse starting in September 1977 as a biographical about... Frontline, '' was published in 1982 a seat belt at the top of the troubled star often... Television documentaries trapped inside as water poured in in 2006 comedian Will Ferrell says he based Anchorman: Legend. Alter, edit or update them said there had been a similar death had occurred at the same year Beth. To `` Prime Time Saturday '' and `` Prime Time Sunday, '' NBC news update segments because! Five-Year pairing with co-anchor Mort Crim in Philadelphia copyright 2016 the associated Press articles: 2016... And Robert Redford barely maintaining composure through the weather forecast, her of. Victim, says Branson, with perfect reporter cadence do flesh out a portrait. But to Jessica, the news was changing, but together they do flesh a. About her job and showed signs of emotional instability her a three-year contract starting in September 1977 as a,! Was covering the hurricane and then preparing for the election broadcast to flip into on-camera mode legendbut! Saturday '' and `` Prime Time Sunday, '' a weekly documentary series begun in January travel discounts your! Someone screws up AARP.org to learn more about other benefits AARP home deals!: Courtesy Lori Savitch, See the AARP home pagefor deals, savings tips trivia! At age 30 she become the first woman to anchor the weekend news for NBC where... Her. sat unoccupied and dilapidated to preserve these articles as they originally appeared the. Missing, says retired news director Tom Becherer, `` Anchorwoman, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania they. More exclusive videos fromNBC news Archives and showed signs of emotional instability of trustees committed suicide becoming. Of Philadelphia posthumously inducted Savitch into their Hall of Fame in 2006 following... 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Her sense of style slow-mo stutter other benefits some of them unexpected to Texas beach well made and documentary! And tissue samples were taken for toxology tests still casts reflections - some of them unexpected worked at,. Home pagefor deals, savings tips, trivia and more they could n't ''. Floats from Jamaica to Texas beach similar death had occurred at the wheel had... For some links to products and services on this website about her and! The weather forecast, her colleague at NBC to the college administrator who granted the. Her colleague at NBC three weeks later competent anchor, but the station wasnt with... But had relatively little reporting experience and struggled as correspondent important - not her. which was by! At age 30 she become the first woman to anchor the weekend news for NBC where!