Friday, April 30, 2004

I'll admit it: I shed a tear or two listening to Bob Edwards' final interview and farewell as host of NPR's Morning Edition earlier today.

The phrase "end of an era" is one that's often overused, but in this case is completely fitting. Bob's twenty four and a half years as ME host is an amazing run, and in broadcasting such a long tenure is a true rarity.

I've been along for the ride with Bob and ME for the last decade, starting right about the time I graduated college. I still remember the day I realized that the show was more than just something I used to pass the time while heading in to work.

It was December 29, 1995. I was listening to the show while walking to the Dunn Loring Metro station. Carl Kassell had just finished the top-of-the-hour news, and Bob introduced a story about the NFL playoffs. But rather than the usual hype and bluster associated with major league sports, Bob simply said:

"The National Football League begins its annual post-season tournament this weekend with four games."

On the surface, it was a simple, declarative sentence. But Bob delivered it in that wonderful rich voice of his, with an inflection that simultaneously acknowledged how many people were excited about the playoffs and made it clear that he was just talking about a few football games. That completely resonated with me, and as a huge grin spread across my face I realized that Bob Edwards, Morning Edition, and NPR meant something special to me.

Thanks for ten great years of listening, Bob, and for the fifteen before that I missed.

Posted @ 8:10 AM

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