Headline: "GREG
WAS A TRIPLE THREAT IN THE ST. LOUIS MEDIA"
Reporter: By Mary Edwards
Publication: ST.
LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Last Printed: Sun., Jan. 5, 2003
Section: SPECIAL SECTION, Page: E5, Edition: FIVE STAR LIFT
One of the joys
of my job at KWMU is the opportunity to meet and work with a number of outstanding
human beings.
Right at the top of that list is Greg Freeman. As producer
of Greg's talk show, "St. Louis on the Air, " I had the privilege
of working with him on an almost daily basis for more than three years.
First, he was
an excellent host. He came into the job with outstanding journalistic skills
and both a great knowledge of and a love for St. Louis and its people. He always
came prepared for each show, but another reason that he was so effective is
that the show was never about him.
He
asked insightful questions, then allowed his guests the chance to tell their
stories. He showed genuine interest in what they had to say, and always made
them feel totally at ease with his gentle manner and bright smile.
Greg
was equally good when dealing with callers. He allowed them the opportunity
to have their say and never showed the annoyance one might expect when the occasional
caller would try to get a point on the air that was not related to the day's
topic or would say something so outrageous that most others would have found
it hard to be civil.
As others have stated in the last few days, Greg was an extremely humble person. He was never one to toot his own horn concerning his many accomplishments or awards. When someone complimented him on the talk show, he was quick to share the credit with me and regularly stated that he loved doing the show but had no idea why the station's management entrusted it to him.
Bill McClellan
related in his column on Wednesday that Greg had recently spoken to the St.
Louis Society about living with disability.
What Greg didn't share with that audience was that
he had turned down the opportunity to fly to New York that day to discuss affirmative
action on the Phil Donahue Show because he had already committed to the speaking
engagement.
Perhaps the thing that I will most remember about Greg is his indomitable spirit and optimism. As his muscular dystrophy and kidneys worsened, it became increasingly difficult for him to get into the radio station to do his show. Being a proud man and not wanting to be a burden, he was reluctant to ask for or accept help. Fearing for his safety, we finally had to insist that he allow someone to help him in and out of the station each day, and he accepted the assistance with true grace.
Although "St.
Louis on the Air" will continue, there will be an unspeakable void at KWMU
and in the hearts of all St. Louisans. KWMU invites Greg's friends and fans
to share their thoughts in an hourlong tribute on Tuesday morning at 11 a.m.
Beyond that, if there is anything we can do to honor
Greg's memory, it would be to remember the causes he championed and to follow
his example in forging ahead in the face of adversity and always to keep smiling.
Headline: "GREG
WAS A TRIPLE THREAT IN THE ST. LOUIS MEDIA"
Reporter: By Anne-Marie Berger
Publication: ST.
LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Last Printed: Sun., Jan. 5, 2003
Section: SPECIAL SECTION, Page: E5, Edition: FIVE STAR LIFT
For a year and
a half, I was fortunate enough to work beside Greg as a producer and director
of "Mosaic." I have to admit, when I joined the Mosaic team I was
extremely intimidated. I was walking into a show that had already been in production
for some time and was hosted by a man who, let's face it, was a lot smarter
than me.
Greg
was a triple threat in the St. Louis media, holding prominent roles in print,
radio, and television. With Greg's credentials and connection to the St. Louis
community, I was afraid I wouldn't fit in.
And then I met him. Greg's kindness immediately put me at ease, and I realized that his knowledge, commitment, and experience was nothing to be intimidated by, but something to aspire to.
In the television
industry, the Emmy Award signifies greatness, and in his four years as host
of "Mosaic, " Greg received two.
Greg addressed issues such as racial polarization, handguns,
cancer, education and transportation. Greg was a great friend of St. Louis,
and used Mosaic as a platform to educate and promote positive change in this
region. Greg has left a legacy for all of us at Channel 9 to continue to use
the gift of television as a positive influence in our community.
Headline: "GREG
WAS A TRIPLE THREAT IN THE ST. LOUIS MEDIA"
Reporter: By Michael Hardgrove
Publication: ST.
LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Last Printed: Sun., Jan. 5, 2003
Section: SPECIAL SECTION, Page: E5, Edition: FIVE STAR LIFT
I had the good
luck to be president of KETC during the time that Greg Freeman's smiling face
appeared regularly on Channel 9.
As a public television station, KETC is always interested in programming
that offers opportunity for exploring rebirth of the city and fruitful dialogue
among the races. These topics were, of course, major themes in Greg Freeman's
life and work.
Greg first appeared on Channel 9 in the mid-1990s when host Martin Duggan invited him to be a guest on Donnybrook. Viewers of this half-hour of polite conversation on local issues know that successful panelists have the ability to express and defend their views with wit, verve, passion and, if necessary, a silence that says everything. Greg was a perfect fit and became a frequent guest on the program.
In 1997 Greg moved
from panelist on one program to host of his own: "Mosaic with Greg Freeman."
Here, through one-on-one interviews or visits with multiple guests, he guided
sparkling conversations on the many ideas and arguments that were of consequence
to him.
In its four years on the air, "Mosaic" received two Mid-America
Emmy Awards. It is interesting to me that these 1998 and 2001 awards for excellence
in interview-discussion programs were given to a program hosted by a person
whose main job was not television.
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2003, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
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