WJZ's Richard Sher retires after 33 years
After 33 years on Baltimore's airwaves, WJZ reporter Richard Sher is retiring effective today.
Sher, who enjoyed one of the longest on-air runs of anyone in local TV anywhere in the nation, has done virtually everything at the station from co-hosting with Oprah Winfrey to working with such Baltimore TV legends as Jerry Turner and Al Sanders. He also served as long-time host of the public affairs program Square-Off.
Sher broke the news of his retirement last week to colleagues at WJZ in an email that said in part: "hey guys....im just fine thank you... you know i've been thinking about doing other things.....so i decided to move on, with everybody's blessings...the reason i haven't been around...taking vacation time... thanks for all the calls.... love and miss you all.."
Monday, he made it formal with a press release that included the following statement: "I have enjoyed a long, exciting and highly rewarding career with WJZ and have been proud to have been part of a news team that has integrity at its very core."
"Richard has witnessed over three decades of Baltimore news. His firsthand reporting and interviews have connected WJR readers to the people and events that have shaped our community," Jay Newman, WJZ vice president and general manager said in the statement. "We wish him well in the next chapter of his distinguished career."
Some readers might remember that Sher announced his retirement once before -- in February 2004 when he was 62 years old. But just before the retirement was to take effect in April of that year, he rescinded the decision saying the thought of leaving the business was too painful.
Comments
...Richard Scher is a beloved Baltimore landmark and the least they could do is a television tribute to his MANY wonderful moments in broadcasting. LOVE YA, RICH!!!
Posted by: Victor | November 24, 2008 1:50 PM
Will miss ya Richard, but can you take Marty Bass with you!
Posted by: Dapper Dan | November 24, 2008 3:17 PM
finally
Posted by: Anonymous | November 24, 2008 3:20 PM
Addition by subtraction!
Posted by: Gus Smegma | November 24, 2008 3:33 PM
Seems kinda sudden. Is this a FORCED retirement?
Posted by: purple shoes | November 24, 2008 4:02 PM
I am sorry to see Richard go, but hopefully he will enjoy his retirement. I suggest he do what I did - leave the high pressure life in Maryland for a relaxing lifestyle in Maine. But wait for spring before you do..
Posted by: Alex Ray | November 24, 2008 4:11 PM
I used to enjoy the rantings and musings of Marty Bass. Now, they just come off as a bit juvenile. And I'm 20, so that should be the best type of humor for me (if you let "the big, bad media" tell it LOL)
Sher, on the other hand, was pretty legit...and the "Mad as Hell" quote only made me like the guy more.I don't know about a forced retirement, but it does just seem a bit off.
Posted by: Speed | November 24, 2008 4:30 PM
Fifty years since we graduated from St. Paul's high school. It's about time you retired. We wish you the best. More
time for us to go out to dinner now.
Posted by: Ray and Diana Chism | November 24, 2008 4:54 PM
Hey Richard;
I think I've been seeing you for your entire career, and once or twice at Pimlico with your family. You are a good soul, you will be missed, but retirement will temper any saddness you might experience. Have a great rest of your life, may it be happy and healthy.
Posted by: Bill | November 24, 2008 4:55 PM
I grew up with Richard Sher on my tv!!! Although I live in LA now, he was the reason that I wanted to become a journalist (although I work with children now, lol). I remember seeing him when I was attending UMCP and I was too beside myself. I saw him in the WJZ news van next to Stamp Student Union. I'll miss you Mr. Sher!
Posted by: Terri | November 24, 2008 5:06 PM
Honestly- I am not sad to see Richard go. He did strike me as pretty arrogant. However, I hope he enjoyes retirement. Some people never get to retire so he has made quite an accomplisgment
Posted by: robert | November 24, 2008 5:13 PM
What great partners Richard Sher and Oprah Winfrey made; I loved their show -- I hope she remembers that it was he whom helped her get where she is now. Mr. Sher, hope to hear from you from time to time; enjoy your retirement years, you've certainly earned them.
Posted by: Cynthia Neary | November 24, 2008 5:59 PM
I grew looking at Richard Sher, "People Are Talking". We'll miss you and good luck!
Posted by: Manny Sterrett | November 24, 2008 6:39 PM
Oh my gosh, what will Marty do when you get your next big snow up there??? I stopped watching JZ before I left the area because Marty was becoming a reproduction of Richard...... Enjoy your retirement Richard, we will.
Posted by: Katymacnana | November 24, 2008 7:42 PM
Good luck Richard. Retirement is great. You will wonder why you did not do it sooner.
Posted by: C Reed | November 24, 2008 7:53 PM
Much love from one Crusader to another...best of luck.
Posted by: MarDiego | November 24, 2008 9:41 PM
I always enjoyed you on the air. Never arrogant...always nice as can be. Anybody saying anything negative is just jealous. You made your mark in Baltimore!!! I saw you on Oprah recently. Would love to know more about that.
Posted by: vicki | November 24, 2008 10:10 PM
Who cares! when are they getting rid of ... Denise Koch? ....
Posted by: Chris from Towson | November 24, 2008 10:48 PM
Where is Paul Harvey when you need him. I'd like to know the "rest of the story." How could someone who gives 33 years to an employer as Richard has, go on vacation and suddenly decide with a week's notice that he is retiring. Where is the WJZ tribute? I've seen more tributes given for birth announcements and retiring stagehands. Maybe Jane Miller would investigate the real scoop.
Posted by: craig | November 24, 2008 11:31 PM
Mr. Sher,
On behalf of the entire Carrington family, we will miss seeing you on WJZ-TV after 33 years of remarkable service to the citizens of Maryland. I did not find out about your retirement until this morning. Anyway, Congratulations and the best to you and your family.
Prayera C.
Posted by: Prayera E. Carrington | November 25, 2008 2:46 PM
Now that you mention it, I forgot that Oprah co-hosted "People Are Talking." People look at Chicago as where Oprah got her career, but it started in B-more.
Posted by: Alex | November 26, 2008 8:45 AM
When I was a young cop, Richard and Oprah gave me my Gold 13 Award. The station supported me when my movie came out. He was a good man and I wish him well.
Posted by: Charles Buzz Beeler | November 30, 2008 11:50 AM
He was a breath of fresh air in San Francisco before KNBR made a huge mistake that was Baltimore's lucky day. When he was in SF he always talked longingly of Baltimore, so we were not surprised he returned. We mis him and his lovely wife and rambunctious boys, now all grown up. You probably haven't heard the last of him though.
Posted by: Clark Biggs | December 23, 2008 9:20 PM
Few people may know that Richard Sher spent some time prior to his days in Baltimore as a Washington DC DJ using the name Russ Wheeler on WEAM as part of the WEAM Team back in the mid 60's at the height of Top 40 AM radio.
Posted by: Bill Thompson | February 13, 2009 12:51 PM