Q&A with CBS5’s Frank Mallicoat

Which anchors have influenced your career throughout your life?

             I was a sportscaster for my first 16 years so I was influenced by 2 men in particular.  I loved Bob Costas!  He had a cerebral look at sports and could ad-lib with anyone.  He is to this day one of the smoothest guys on air.  I also liked Jim Nance for the same reasons.  Good energy, but not in your face like so many sportscaster are now a days.  He like Costas is always prepared and can talk to any sports or news maker and make it appear so easy.  News wise I was a huge Peter Jennings fan.  I thought his delivery was always personal and heartfelt.  He was terrific during live broadcasts too.  I had the chance to meet him during the 1988 Presidential primary in NH.  I worked for the ABC station in Manchester, NH and Peter anchored his "World News Tonight" program there before the Primary.  I got to speak to him and watch him at his craft in person.  A total gentleman and professional!  I now enjoy Brian Williams for the same reasons.

 Boston vs. SF markets, pros and cons?

             I think the best thing about both markets is our audience.  They are smart, highly educated, and not afraid to speak their mind.  I learned that first hand in Boston covering sports and news.  Make a mistake on the air or in the field and you will get some feedback!   I learned rather quickly you had better know your stuff.   Trip up on a Red Sox score or name your phone will be ringing!  I did my homework believe me.  San Francisco is the same way.  I must admit after 25 years away from the Bay Area I was a little rusty out of the shoot.  I have a few viewer emails to back that up.  Emails that I appreciate….and every one of them I responded to in kind.  I think the Boston Market tends to way heavy on crime and politics in their news coverage, and story count is important.  I have noticed at least here at CBS-5 that we are not afraid to do more stories on "news you can use."  These are stories that might help a consumer, or someone in a tough economic bind.  The SF market also devotes more time on individual stories which I find refreshing.  Truth is the 2 cities are similar in many ways.  Both are on the coast with rich histories and an audience that expects the best.  I couldn't think of working in 2 better places. 

 What is the most rewarding part of your job?

             The thing I love about are job is that every day is different.  If you get bored covering news and sports there is something wrong   I always compare our job to a contractor who is building a home.  It may take him 2-3 months to complete the work, but we do it in one day.  We build a house every day.  Sometimes it's good…sometimes not so good, but the good news is you get to tear it down and build another one the next day.  I love that part of our job!  We also get to meet so many unbelievable people.  I have shook hands with 2 Presidents, gone live at Ground Zero, and talked with newsmakers that shape our society.  I have also been to 3 World Series, 2 Super Bowls, a Ryder Cup, drank out of the Stanley Cup twice…..there are not many jobs that give you that opportunity.   You just never know where you are going to go each day and that keeps it fresh, fun and interesting.

How did you become an anchor with FOX25 NEWS?

            I was hired at Fox-25 in Boston in May of 2007.  The News Director and GM at Fox-25 were old friends of mine from WLVI-TV where I had worked for nearly 15 years.    While at WLVI I was approached by our News Director about leaving sports and jumping to news to anchor their Morning Show.  I was a little hesitant at first, but thought it would be a good idea to diversify my talents.  Sports … sadly has become a shrinking violet in the industry.  It proved to be a very good move.  So, after one year on their Morning Show I became their Weekend Anchor and 6 months later was the lead anchor for the Ten O'clock News in Boston.  I did that for 4 years.   In 2006 WLVI was bought out by the NBC station in Boston and the entire staff was let go.  Fortunately I was able to find a new home as the Weekend Anchor at Fox-25.  I reported 3 days a week, anchored their weekends shows, and I was also their weekend sports guy as well. 

What is a common misconception about the news broadcasting?

            I always get asked at career days……."What do you guys do when you are not on the air.  Have long dinners!!??"  That always makes me laugh.  This business is not glamorous!  You may see us for that 4 minute sportscast or half hour news show, but it takes time and lots of work to get that on the air especially if you are out in the field reporting.  You may have 2 or 3 elements you have to gather and those interviews are often not right next door.  I remember one story I did on a guy that was severely injured after his parachute didn't open properly.  That happened in Orange, MA.  That's nearly a 2 hour ride from Boston.  We did the story by 1pm and typically you wait for a live truck to cut your piece and go live.  Instead I was told to rush back for another story, but while in route write up the "parachute" story as well.  2 hours later I arrived at the station and was handed 2 tapes of the Governor's speech on Home-Land Security.  I was told to write a piece on that and be ready to travel to Boston from the station to go live by 5pm.  The station was a good 30-40 minutes away Boston and it was already 3pm.  I wrote the piece and hit the road only to get to my Live Shot destination with 5 minutes to spare.  While I was setting up for the hit I got a call to drop everything and head to breaking news in another area of Boston where a man-hole cover blew and had injured 2 woman.  So off I go……got to the scene at 5:20…..interviewed an eyewitness and was on the air 5 minutes later.  Crazy day!!  That's not typical, but you definitely don't sit around in this business.  There is always something to do, or someone to call.  It never stops and that's why it's so exciting. 

How did the University of California, Berkeley prepare you for the industry?

            I have to hand it to Cal!  I was one of their first graduates from their Mass Communication Department.  Back in the late 70's and early 80's the major was very theoretical in nature.  In other words I learned how to write and reason.  I wrote a ton in College.  I use to complain about it, but it has so helped me in my TV career.  I can not stress enough the power of the written word.  There will always be a home for someone that can write.  I always tell students…."If you can stuff a 2 pound rock in a one pound sack and make it interesting and factual you will get a job!"  That fact stands true for all business.   I owe it to Cal for helping me learn how to write, make deadlines, ask questions, grow socially, and become a good solid journalist.   I also believe you aspire to be as good if not better than your peer group, and you can not find a better bunch of students than at Berkeley.   Bright and Inspired!

 What was the most difficult story you have ever covered

            Some of the most difficult stories to cover are "door-knocks."   Many times you have to knock on the door of a victim or a victim's family.  These are people that may have just lost a loved one to violence.  A TV camera is the last thing they want to face, but it is part of our business.  I find that being honest and compassionate is the best way to go.  Just be real, and if they say no…..be polite and say thank you.   I have done 100's of those over my career, but the most difficult story I covered was the 1st anniversary of 9-11.  I had become friendly with a family that lost their daughter on one of the planes that hit the towers.  So much so they invited me to come down on a bus with their extended family and friends to cover their journey to Ground-Zero one year after the attacks.  I felt like an intruder to be honest with you, but the family made me feel so at home.  By the time the bus rolled into NYC the night before I knew I made the right decision.  The next day was amazing.  We shadowed the family the entire morning and shot 2 hours of tape.  I stayed that night and went live from Ground Zero.  At the time I had only been doing news for 1 ½ years.  It was at that point, for the first time I really felt like I had made the right decision leaving sports.  It moved me, and made me very proud to be able to share such a compelling and very personal story.  I am still very close to the family now some 10 years later. 

Can you please share one piece of advice for aspiring news anchors?

            I think the best piece of advice I ever received was just "be your self."  Too many people are caught up in the glitz, graphics, lights, make-up, suits, dresses the works.  What it all comes down to is telling a story.  That's it……that's all we do.  Sure it helps to look sweet and sharp, but viewers see right through all that.  What they really want is a good story presented in a way that might inspire them to act or at least remember what your story was.  And if they are so moved my guess is they will tune in and watch again tomorrow. 

Comments (5)

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written by Chris Launier, December 16, 2011

Keep it up, Frank - nice work in the mornings. Good mix of energy, fun and calm to cover the what-we-need-to-know news.

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written by Richard, January 26, 2012

The CBS sportscaster's surname is Nantz, not Nance.

Frank, we miss you!

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written by Brian from Dracut, MA, January 31, 2012

Miss you here in Boston Frank but totally understand wanting to work in you home area.

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written by Scott McFadin, February 29, 2012

Frank,

Keep up the good work!!!! As a fellow Matador and Golden Bear, it's great to have you back. Boston's loss is our gain.

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written by notafan, March 02, 2012

U still suck!

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