Jim Tucker taped his last Valley Press show Wednesday afternoon, the 675th over 19 years on Valley Public Television. His weekly interview program showed what local television stations could do in 30 minutes if they really wanted to produce substantive programming. He said it was time to give up the weekly show, and spend more time with his family. He earlier retired as a Fresno State journalism professor, and now he will find out what retirement really is.
The final show, an interview with Fresno Mayor Alan Autry, will air at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Now that we've dealt with the big news at KVPT (Jim's retirement), I'd like to offer my personal observations of this man. I first met him in my junior year at Fresno State. He was the young professor. I was the too-smart-for-his-britches student. He was tall and lean and I thought he could still be a long-distance runner, which he was in college. Those journalism classes began a relationship that has endured already for 39 years.
I was on Jim's first Valley Press show in 1989. It was an informative program, with then-Mayor Karen Humphrey as the first guest. I was one of the interviewers, along with Bee reporter Betsy Clemings, who is now a teacher in Clovis. We were a bit clumsy at the start, not knowing much about being on television. But we pulled it off under Jim's guidance.
I appeared on Valley Press several times over the years, and those apearances helped me when I was on statewide television as a debate panelist in governor and Senate races.
This was what impressed me about Jim: No one prepared like him for a program. You might be able to ask six or seven questions, and a few follow-ups during the 30 minutes, but he had questions that would have taken us into late-night programming if we had the time.
At a reception for Jim at KVPT after the Wednesday taping, politician after politician -- Democrat, Republican, independent -- praised his even-handed, but tough interview style. One of the things that I've always liked about Jim is that he's a gentleman. He did his job and did it with class.
So he was my professor and my journalistic colleague. He's also been my friend, through personal tragedies and tough times in both our lives. The one thing that has been constant since my days at Fresno State is Jim Tucker has been there to help and to mentor. One of the greatest honors I have received is getting the Jim Tucker Journalism Award from Fresno State's Mass Communication and Journalism Department in 2005, recognizing my work in the news business.
In recent years, we both seemed way too busy. But if I ran into him in the grocery store, we'd talk for 30 minutes or more in the produce aisle about big things and small matters.
I appreciate Jim's long run on Valley Press, and I think the region will miss his insightful interview program on KVPT.
Sorry to hear Jim go.
Do we have any young people ready to fill his shoes?
Let's get more young people involved. I know they are willing. Let's give them the opportunity.
Great piece! Jim Tucker is an absolute pro and a class act. He has always been fair and always been committed to the community.
I know that when he hit me with a tough question, after a particularly stupid decision I had made, that I had gone down the wrong path.
That's how he is, he's a pillar. A man that young people looked up to and wanted to please. He has been our Walter Cronkite through his time on Valley Press.
Craig
Jim:
This is a beautifully written, moving tribute. I did not know you were literally on the first show...alright! I want to add one observation as someone who was on the show about 9 or 10 times in the last seven years (with thanks to my friend and mentor, Dr. David Provost, for introducing me to Jim and helping me get on as an analyst back in early 2002). The observation concerns just how comfortable Jim would make you feel as a guest. He often said 'I'll set the table' then we'll go from there. He would always talk with you before the show to get you comfortable with possible topics. When seated before the show he always asked if you were 'ok' or needed anything, and he always gave a ton of positive encouragement. With literally thousands of guests on the show over the years I am sure that others felt as I did -- you were in good hands there on Valley Press and he let you do your thing. Also, I want to say how appreciate I was of Oscar, the fantastic camera crew and support staff who were also consumate pros.
Jim Tucker has always been an inspiration to me. I, too, went through his journalism classes at Fresno State. I enjoyed a 12-year career as a newspaper journalist with his guidance. He also brought me back to the MCJ department at Fresno State to teach in 2002, when I was still a copy editor at The Bee. Now, a few years later still, he is always in touch with great advice now that I've become a journalism instructor, too.
There will not be another public affairs show like Valley Press in this market. Jim's professionalism is unparalleled. I, personally, will miss him. So, too, will so many members of our community, many of whom never fully realized the important and thorough reporting his show brought to the social issues in this valley.
Good luck, Jim!
Jim has been a true treasure for public television and, more, to the Valley for so many years. One aspect of his career has gotten less attention and is his role as professor of jounalism at Fresno State. I know of that because my son, Steve, llearned so much about how to be a true professional in jounalism from Jim. Steve has since gone on to a successful career in the field, most recently with the Fresno Bee.
Other have said most of what i would include here. Jim's aoinmstaking research (he at times seemed to know more about a subject than his guests),
his evenhandedness (anyone care to guess his political affiliation?), his civility, pursuit of a topic when a guest wasn't all that forthcoming. I could go on, but I will say here what I said at the celebration following his last program: Jim made one major mistake; he did such a great job no one can take his place. Valley Press and Jim Tucker will be greatly missed.
Jim is a treasure and adored by all who know him. He's been an amazing mentor to me as well, as a fellow faculty member in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism. We all wish him well in his retirement endeavors!
Having watched some great talent over the 47 years I was in broadcasting, I must put Jim in the upper tier. What stikes me most about Jim is the way he fuses a velvet glove approach to an issue that still has a steel edge that allows for no one to side step the answer. He is a unique talent, respected by most everyone in the broadcast community and our community at large. May he enjoy his coming years.
Al Smith, former SVP for CBS/Infinity Radio and now CEO of the Fresno Chamber.
And there is a sub-plot to every good story. I remember Fresno State College of
those days. How Jim Boren got his Journalism class I don't know. It was more
like having to take Home Economics if one wanted a Criminology class.
And Jim Boren's piece also brought back memories of the Bee reporter Betsy
Clemings. Those cotton stockings made her look like a school girl. It was somehow touching. She covered the Clovis Council meetings those days. And it is safe to say that we all behaved like ladies and gentlemen those days. I really can't pinpoint the time when language and gesticulation descended to the gutter under the umbrella "let it all hang out."
Jim Tucker; professor and journalist; I too wish you well.
I appeared on the show many times. He was so incredibly welcoming and professional, and a real pleasure to be around. I hope he enjoys his retirement years. He has certainly earned all of the accolades!
AMEN. I seldom missed any of his broadcasts, and remember your countenance on several. Good job here. Mr. Tucker will be a hard act to follow.
I am another of Jim's former students, and it was my pleasure to be re-introduced to him years later when I took on the role of marketing director at KVPT.
I am pleased to let you know that while Jim's final show is finished, KVPT will be airing a retrospecitve of his work on Valley Press on Friday, September 5 at 7:30 pm. I hope you have a chance to tune in for this tribute.
I had the honor of having Jim Tucker as both a professor and an newsroom adviser at Fresno State. I also had the opportunity to technical direct an episode of "Valley Press" when Jim interviewed CSU Chancellor Reed in Studio A at Fresno State. Jim is a great teacher, friend, and mentor. I wish him the best in what I'm sure many consider a still early retirement!