CBS News Veteran Bob Simon Dies at 73

Bob Simon has died. More in this special report from CBS News' Scott Pelley:

The Address Is 1987. Welcome Home.

In a famous 1996 episode of "The X-Files," Special Agent Dana Scully tells the character Clyde Bruckman (played by the late Peter Boyle) "Mr. Bruckman, there are hits ... and there are misses. And ... then ... there are misses."

Scully could well have been describing the debacle that was the last five years of misery as the venerable Tiffany network tried to recover from decades of declining ratings with a 'hail mary' pass in the hiring of Katie "The Perky One" Couric.

By her own admission, Couric was miscast as the anchor of a major network newscast. Part of the misery came from within the core of CBS ~ Couric was an outsider having spent the past 15 years at NBC's Today show. Couple that with a $15 million dollar annual salary, staff cutbacks within CBS News, and a wealth of other "inside" talent being overlooked for the job once helmed by Walter Cronkite, and you've got a powder keg just waiting to explode.

Couric's early broadcasts were simply unwatchable. And, while the quality of the newscasts improved under the stewardship of former ABC/NBC/CNN/MSNBC Executive Producer Rick Kaplan ~ it was clear Couric was in over her head.

Even the entrenched, loyal CBS News viewer (such as myself) opted to tune out the Couric era. For five years, I practically abandoned a broadcast I made appointment viewing under Rather and Schieffer.

Tonight, another page was turned in the history of the 60+ year broadcast. Scott Pelley reclaimed the CBS NEWS brand.

Some viewers might not have noticed ~ but ~ I heard the familiar drum beat of the CBS NEWS music package which was first rolled out in 1987 for the headline bed as the broadcast began. Within two seconds I exclaimed with excitement and did a fist pump in the air. (I'm sure my wife was rolling her eyes.) "They brought back the old music!" I shouted.

Pelley, in what was his first anchor job EVER, delivered an old-school, in-depth broadcast. Surprisingly, Pelley revealed in an interview the other week he has never even 'filled in' for a network anchor or local anchor. Tonight, Pelley was like an old shoe. Comfortable, Confident.

It may be unfair to say the weight of CBS NEWS may now rest solely on Pelley as the face of the News Division. He certainly didn't want it to be. Pelley had gone as far to lobby Executives -not- to use his name in the broadcast.

With that knowledge, it should come as no surprise Pelley made no mention of his first night on the job. Unlike Couric, who in her first broadcast five years ago ended with us trying to determine what she should use as her sign off ... Pelley gave us a simple "That's the CBS Evening News. I'm Scott Pelley. For all of us at CBS NEWS, here and around the world, Goodnight."

The tight exit allowed for only about three or four seconds of the 1987 theme music to play out. We didn't even get those few seconds to focus on a pull out shot of Pelley. Instead, the broadcast played those out with a shot of a bridge which had significant meaning on D-Day 67 years ago today.

In the end, the broadcast became everything the last five years were not. It was the Anti-Couric. The music selection alone (Couric's theme was an expensive composition by Titanic Score Composer James Horner) was a slap in the face to Couric and the 'outsiders' which had held the broadcast hostage since 2006.

No total set makeover. No expensive new graphic productions. Aside from the return to the 1987 theme, the only other subtle hint that this broadcast was about substance ~ and the cherished history of CBS NEWS ~ came in a new backdrop behind the newsdesk. A similar world map ~ one used during the days of Cronkite ~ was one final touch that made the broadcast feel stronger than it had it years.

For me, a sad chapter in the history of CBS NEWS has come to an end. The future now looks bright. Pelley, in a humble, yet confident way, gave CBS NEWS something it has long needed ~ confident stewardship.

More importantly, Pelley has given me ~ and many more ~ a renewed reason to watch.

Randy Gupton
fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

Car of the Future? Maybe.

Toyota has long been hailed for its Hybrid technology. Could GM's foray into the electric car market be successful? Only time will tell.

EXTRA EFFORT: 1989

In October 1989, Tom Suiter was the stately age of 40. Changes had been in the air much of the last year. Fan favorite Adele Arakawa had departed for Chicago's WBBM. Long-time WRAL Weatherman Bob DeBardelaben had retired, replaced by Meterologist Greg Fishel.

Tom, now eight years as the lead anchor of WRAL's sportscasts, was well entrinched on the Triangle's airwaves.

I was the ripe age of 15. And enamored with an affection for WRAL-TV 5 News. I knew journalism was becoming my life's passion. As a staff writer for Vance Senior High School's student newspaper "The Viking," I was learning early on about the basics.

It was at this time a star player on the Viking Football team was about to be honored with WRAL's Extra Effort award. The entire journalism class went out to the football field for the event. Amazingly, I never could imagine what was in store.

Out of knowwhere, SKY 5 came. With it, pilot Steve Wiley, and the creator of the Extra Effort award himself, Tom Suiter.

I made sure to position myself in a way to meet Tom. I could never have imagined this larger-than-life figure as being down to earth. He was the nicest person I could have ever imagined.

I promised him I'd send him a copy of "The Viking." And he promised he'd read it.

I'm sure the ink wasn't even dry when I popped copies of the next edition of the paper into the mail. This was the beginning of a friendship that has endured nearly 20 years.

I've never forgotten several days after sending "The Viking" to Tom, driving up to my mailbox one afternoon and pulling out that envelope with the WRAL-TV 5 logo on it. Like a kid getting a personal letter from Santa Claus, I was beyond excited.

And in that letter, a stunning invitation: "Anytime you want, you're welcome to come to the station." I don't know if he realized at the time he was opening Pandora's box. Yet, I seized the opportunity.

My first visit to the station in 1990 was like a kid in a Candy store. It was everything I had ever imagined and then some. Tom was a gracious host. I got to watch the 5:30 First News with Donna Gregory. Then, the 6 o'clock news was up. More exciting, I got to watch that from the 5:30 First News Set.

I'll never forget during a break, Tom says to Charlie, Donna and Greg "Have you all Met Randy Gupton the third? Randy's from Vance Senior High in Henderson."

I just couldn't believe he was acknowledging me to these people. After the newscast, Tom posed for pictures, and took mine on the Newsdesk. I was touching part of my dream. And, more importantly, the seeds of my enthusiasm for this industry were being watered and fed.

Over the years, Tom was the inspiration and proved to be an invaluable mentor. In the fall of 1990, I was asked to announce the starting lineups for the Northern Vance Vikings basketball team. Tom coached me on how I was going to do it. Imagine my nervousness when he said "Let me hear what you're going to say."

I was now auditioning for my hero. Tom gave me more pointers and helped me in ways others could only dream about.

But that's Tom. And it's not just me. He does this for everyone. You see, it's not his on air delivery or style or anything else that people see on camera which has been his mark. It's what people don't see behind the scenes that is the true mark of this great man.

Tom has helped hundreds of kids interested in broadcasting through the years. Whether it was the Extra Effort award, giving a kid some face time scoring a touchdown on Friday night, or getting to know an intern, Tom treated each person as if they had what it takes to make it.

NEXT UP: The 90s and Beyond...

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

BASES LOADED! THREE RUN HOMER! HE IS OUTTA HERE.

Broadcasting is a fickle business. You can have a job one day and be out of one the next. Oddly enough, that's probably the case with any position during these economically troubling times. Even in good times, however, there is a constant revolving door in the industry.

Enter the enigma: Tom Suiter. In a sea of uncertainty, he has been the constant Triangle viewers could count on night after night for 37 years. That's right. 37 years.

Many don't last 37 months at the same station. 37 years? I can name you of no on-air personality that made it happen on the local level. I'm sure there has been one or two. But in a market the size of Raleigh-Durham? It's an unbelievable run. Add to that it was the first and only station that Tom ever worked. He may well be the only one in the country to ever make it happen.

What about Charlie Gaddy? Nope. Even the gray-haired news anchor giant only lasted 23 years at WRAL. Plus: he began his career in radio at WPTF-AM.

When I read Tom was taking a seat on the bench last week, a sense of sadness came over. While I realized this day was coming, it still is a passing you just don't want to see happen. Is the time right? Only Tom knows for sure. For those of us which love to live with a retrospective spirit ... no time is right.

If WRAL fans had their way, Gaddy would still be anchoring news with Bobbie Battista, Bob DeBardelaben would still be doing the weather, Tom would round out the news team ... and it would be called "Action News 5." WRAL NEWS? A joke. "Action News 5" -- that's purity.

I have been the recipient of much fortune in my career as a Human Resources Manager -- and as a recovering broadcast journalist. There is no question, Tom Suiter was a huge influence, and, more importantly, the best mentor I ever had.

As we count down the final days of the Tom Suiter era at WRAL, I will have several entries speaking on this true LEGEND of broadcasting.

Tomorrow: EXTRA EFFORT 1989: THE INTRODUCTION.

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME

I've been around this retail block once or twice now. With the economy squeezed by a tight credit market, and the average "Joe" consumer cutting way back on their spending, it's just a matter of time before the retail landscape is altered significantly.

The transformation is already happening. Just today, Stock Builders announced plans to shutter 86 stores and layoff as many as 3,000 people. This comes on top of restructuring that company had already implemented over the last two years.

Another Home Improvement stalwart, Home Depot, announced in May it was closing 15 under performing locations, and shelving plans to open 50 stores this year.

It's not just the Home Improvement industry that is feeling the effects of the constraints. Other retailers are finding it very difficult to survive.

In the last 14 months, several companies have either Liquidated, or are in the process of liquidating their assets. CompUSA was the first, calling it quits last year. Mervyn's, a former Target subsidiary, announced this week it was closing all of the company's remaining stores. Linen's N Things also threw in the towel this week. Their remaining stores should be closed within 60 days. Sharper Image liquidated all of its brick-and-mortar stores. Their new strategy is to reinvent themselves as an online retailer.

What about the future? With this Christmas shopping season expected to be one of the worst in at least 17 years -- if not decades -- there will most likely be many other retailers who either have to downsize, file for Chapter 11 Reorginization, or close all together.

Here's my list of the most likely retailers to be effected:

CIRCUIT CITY

This once powerful electronics retailer was the go-to place for all things electronic. Their dominance in the 1980s was without dispute. Today, however, Circuit City has not only become the second-run to Best Buy, it has lost ground to retailers who have stepped up their electronics offerings. Wal-Mart and Target have increased their electronics footprint. While neither of those discounters can provide the knowledge of Circuit City, Average "Joe" customer who just wants a 22" Flat Panel for his shop or study isn't likely to make it into The City.

Horrible mismanagement from the top has also led to Circuit's downfall. The firing of higher-paid more knowledgeable staff in 2007 may have exacerbated the situation for the company. Instead of customers being able to tap into a 20-year veteran's knowledge, they instead are tapping into $7.25/hour High School Senior Jimmie, who is more concerned about his date tonight than selling the customer an entire package.

Stock price as of today: .26 cents. An article Monday in the Wall Street Journal cited the company is looking at shuttering upwards of 150 of its stores to avoid bankruptcy.

My assessment? Circuit City is done. Shuttering 150 of its stores will not keep it out of bankruptcy. With a tightening credit market, it is becoming less likely the company will be able to secure financing for a Chapter 11 filing. If that financing isn't found, Circuit is likely to liquidate in early 2009.

BLOCKBUSTER

The irony of Circuit City's demise is Blockbuster. This company actually tried to force a merger with the electronics retailer in March of this year. And the courtship got ugly. Circuit attempted sternly to avoid any merger.

Ultimately, with threat of a board ouster from shareholder activist Carl Ichan, Circuit was forced to open their books to Blockbuster. If there was ever a question of just how bad Circuit City was in financially .... it could probably be determined from Blockbuster's decision to pull out of the merger request in July.

Blockbuster needed Circuit City. They needed something. The idea, I believe was a good concept: Merge the two and transform Blockbuster into a 21st century download and portable entertainment device mecca.

The facts are just piling up as to why Blockbuster will have to significantly downsize in 2009: (1) Netflix is killing them. Blockbuster still can't seem to get the online/home movie delivery service numbers anywhere close to what Netflix is able to do; (2) Wal-Mart can sell me the DVD for $10.00. Why would I want to pay $5 to rent it?; (3) RedBox. This $1 rental service is convenient and continuing to show up in convenience stores, grocery stores, and other obscure locations; (4) The digital age. Netflix is already allowing customers to download movies to their home computers. Services such as Tivo are doing the same. Does anyone really think we're going to be keeping bulky DVDs for our home when a device like the IPOD revolutionalized the way we store music?

Stock Price: $1.30. My assessment: 2009 will be the year Blockbuster ultimately shrinks by 1/3 of its current size. That will be the beginning of furhter downsizing because of loss of market share and visability. ***UNLESS*** There is one scenerio which could turn Blockbuster's fortunes around: If the company is able to implement the merger strategy they were contemplating with Circuit City on a stand-alone basis.

The theory here: Blockbuster could reinvent their stores to provide services such as IPODs and digital media. By refocussing on the customer of the 21st century with a dramatic decrease in the number of DVD titles it carries ... Blockbuster could become the next Best Buy. Regardless of the company's transformation into this arena ... I still look for significant store closings in the new year.

SEARS HOLDINGS

Hedge-fund investment guru Eddie Lampert's biggest gamble is turning out to be his biggest gaffe. Both Sears and Kmart continue to see their earnings tumble. While this company is still making money, it has become less relevant to the consumer. Scratch that -- Sears has become less relevant. Kmart has become totally irrelevant.

Eddie continues to allow minimal investments in the Sears stores. While Sears gets a bread crumb or two to enhance its Lands End offerings, Kmart gets nothing. Like a dying, abandoned orphan in a third-world country, Kmart's nose is running, flies are swarming, its body is decaying (literally) before our very eyes.

Between them both, Sears and Kmart share a vast amount of real estate. Encompassing more that 3,400 stores in the US, there's just too much saturation to keep them all open.

Here's the kicker: I've never believed Eddie Lampert wanted to run these two companies as true retailers. I have always believed Lampert wanted to divest this vast real estate empire to capitalize on their value. The problem? The real estate market crashed.

Eddie's problem now: hold 'em or fold 'em? While I do believe he will sell off his real estate properties ... it's going to take some time. Still ... non-performing stores will become a drain on Eddie's balance sheet. The biggest drain will become Kmart.

Stock Price: $49.98. My assessment: Kmart will be cut in half in 2009. Sears will also loose about 50-100 stores. Look for a minimum of 400 of Kmart's remaining 1,400 stores to shut their doors -- probably no later than June. Others will follow. Whole markets (like the Triangle) will be abandoned. 52 weeks ago, Sears Holding's stock sat at $139.50. The stock has fallen from its peak of $191 in April 2007. Trust me: there' s no room for Eddie & Company to continue to take the hit.

Ultimately, Kmart will probably disappear from the retail landscape all together by 2011 or 2012. Sears may not be far behind.

HOME DEPOT

Depot remains the 2nd largest retailer in the world. With 2,400 stores in North America, the retailer is still in a position of power. That power is, however, shrinking. While the Orange box shuttered 15 stores this year, rival Lowe's companies (full disclosure: I work for Lowe's), continued to expand its footprint with the opening of 120 new stores.

Depot's problems run deep. Many of their stores are older, more cluttered, and uninviting. Their associates appear to be unenthused about their jobs. They've been beaten down so much and tasked so heavily, there is little time for customer service.

As Lowe's continues to capitalize on its strength of customer service, while increasing their footprint, Home Depot will be further squeezed during the difficult economic environment.

Stock Price: $19.06. My assessment: While some would disagree, I believe Depot will close 25-35 underperforming units in 2009. CEO Frank Blake has said he does not forsee further store closures beyond the 15 shuttered in May. Still, don't be surprised if throughout the year a few stores here and a few stores there quietly get removed from the landscape. While they are still much larger than smaller rival Lowe's .... their problems far outweigh their qualities right now. Righting this big ship will be tough in a small channel.

TOMORROW: THE RETAIL WINNERS.

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

X-FILES COUNTDOWN

The Xcitement Is Building!!!!