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Ernie Anastos ready to mark four years at Fox 5
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A New York City fixture closes in on fourth anniversary as Fox 5 anchorman/WNYW
Next month, Ernie Anastos celebrates his fourth anniversary with Fox 5. Overall, the legendary figure in New York television news has amassed more than 30 years in the market. Through good or bad, viewers know they could always count on Anastos being there.
But the veteran anchor is humbled by his success.
“You almost feel, me personally, a little guilty, if you will, to say things are really good. I’m always grateful for good things that have come our [family’s] way.”
He said the best times at WNYW came from the pairing with Rosanna Scotto. Anastos worked with his initial co-anchor for nearly three years until she was switched to Good Day New York. Anastos, though, doesn’t dwell on the negative.
“When Rosanna was asked to take over the morning role, we kind of, you know, had a little bit of awwww, you know we’ve had such a great time together. But the fact that we’re still in the same company and she had a new assignment -- that was exciting and challenging for her. Then I also had the challenge, if you will, to start with another partner.”
Anastos said he remains close with the person who he used to share the anchor desk with. They talk often and despite not having the collective air time any longer, Anastos and Scotto share an office.
As for Anastos’ latest co-anchor, he said there’s no worry about finding chemistry. With Dari Alexander previously anchoring the 6 o’clock newscasts, “she was also substituting many times for Rosanna when she was on vacation. So we worked together quite a bit. And there’s a comfort level that develops there quickly.
But Dari’s a terrific gal. She really is. She’s a wonderful person. We share a lot because she’s a family person as well.”
Whether with Alexander or Scotto, Anastos said his time at Fox 5 continues to be an exhilarating experience. Aside from covering breaking news, he enjoys “having that personal contact with [the audience] on a day-to-day basis. … I like that. I like having that role in television and also New York City.”
However, one thing the soon-to-be 66-year-old anchor doesn’t like is how the state of the economy is affecting his beloved business. Although Anastos isn’t happy to see his friends out of work or moved into different roles/positions, he is ever the realist about what’s going on.
“It’s not limited to our station or any one station. It is a whole business. It’s a whole industry. …There are things that we don’t know yet that are going to happen that could become exciting, that could become revolutionary, in terms of bringing the news to the people in different forms or different ways,” Anastos said.
Another change on the horizon is coming in September when Jay Leno moves to weeknights at 10 p.m. on NBC. That means the former “Tonight Show” host doesn’t just go against the other networks’ competition, he also will have Ernie and Dari in his crosshairs.
Anastos said optimistically, “If you asked me deep down, I think we’re still going to be number 1 [among 10 p.m. newscasts]. I think we’re still going to have a great audience. Maybe Leno will have his group. They’ll follow him as well. There’s room for everybody as far as I’m concerned. But as long as we’re doing the job that we want to do, as long as we’re committed to making that the best newscast in New York at 10 o’clock. I like being a part of that.”
He admitted that some slight adjustments or improvements are possible.
With all of today’s modifications, thanks to the recession, people looking to start a broadcasting career need to know everything. Anastos cautioned, “You have to be a self-starter. …They really have to be prepared with everything can could possibly learn and know.”
A positive attitude, Anastos said, can be just as important to getting someone in the door.
Of course, the unflappable Anastos is a champion of having a positive attitude. He said that translates well through the screen.
“I think the thing that viewers appreciate the most is having you report the horrible stories to them that you have to report. But at the same time, giving it a feel, giving it a sense of perspective and a sort of a reassurance over all these years, that somehow things will work out.”
Coming soon in part two of my interview with Ernie Anastos, he’ll discuss his longevity in New York, where he’s eclipsed by only one other. He’ll talk about some of the big names in the business that he’s worked with and had associations with.
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