Oregon Media Insiders

Peter Jennings. Walter Cronkite.
Steph is in good company.

She is way over the top in the drama catagory.

...a few more genuine people on the local (and network) news staffs.

and humane. I agree that Steph's sincerity shines through -- no crocodile tears here, just heartfelt emotion shared by her audience.

This business is tough on anyone with a heart. It's understandable to have an emotional reaction sometimes.

I don't object to her show of emotion here. I do find it maddening, however, that she injects herself into every story she reads! Her thoughts, her opinions, how she personally typed in the search term. It's all so insignificant, but she doesn't fail to tell you about it. None of it matters. So very unprofessional.

I was in the NWCN control room getting ready with Nick for his live weather hit (seen at the end of the video clip), and it took us a moment to figure out what was going on. Part of us was saying wondering what was going to happen next, but afterward, we were also in agreement with everyone here-- you've got to be human.

Thanks Steph, for reminding us to be sincere and human!

I wasn't sure what to expect before seeing the clip. This is completely understandable, she just had to take a moment to compose herself. There have certainly been worse breakdowns in TV history. As she said, every so often something just gets to you. It's not like she was trying to emote on behalf of the viewer, like certain cable news personalities do ... .

She's a true talent. KGW is VERY lucky to have her.

I mean, I watched the clip and it just looked like a normal reaction to a pretty intense, and sad, situation. Props to her, too, for apparently not minding that KGW posted it. When I read the comment here that it was a "meltdown," I expected something far worse. This was actually kind of nice display of humanity in a robotic field.

Watch her take that new vacant weekend night spot....?

We should never forget that the news is really about us [journalists] and our reaction to it. It's one thing to show some emotion; but blogging about, posting the video and sermonizing over it goes way beyond objectivity. Move on Steph...

For those who have never talked to her, she's a great person both on and off camera. I've never met Steph in person, but we often exchange emails about health stories, ideas, and occasionally other things. It's always interesting and often funny to find out what she thinks of what I have to say (especially when it comes to my experiences as a health care provider and a patient).

As I told Steph when I saw the video clip, she showed on Friday morning that she doesn't just report the news, she also cares about what's happening too.

I didn't see it and when I watched the video I didn't see anything wrong with her reaction. It is good to know that she is a human being. As far as I concerned she has nothing to apologize for.

I think it is refreshing to see people in our industry touched by the stories we report. I am a producer, and after more than ten years in the business I sometimes still feel that lump in my throat when I read wires about "microwave baby", "missing boy found dead"... the list goes on and repopulates everyday. I don't know Steph, but her reaction shows she is a caring human.

The thing that bothers me is this: "Steph reacts to death". It is the title of the video link to that story.

So...is the story now about Steph and her reaction. Are we supposed to be more moved by that, than by the firefighter whose wife died in his arms? Whomever decided to link her reaction with that title is making the story about the anchor.

Also curious, re: producing? I was wondering what I would do. I suppose I'd go straight to the weather hit....it must have been pretty intense in the booth for you.

I've already told Steph this, but I think it bears repeating here. There is never a need to apologize for being human and letting your emotions show when you present the news. During my 37 years in broadcasting there have been countless times something has hit me particularly hard and my emotions were right there on public display. For me it was always the stories involving violent crimes against kids - especially if they died - that got me. The fact that you let your human side show is a good thing. I think I would have had to pause after this story as well. Frankly, I get a little worried about reporters and anchors who never show any emotion or don't seem to have any feeling at all about the stories they cover. Stephanie is one of the best reporters and anchors in Portland. This business is lucky to have her.

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"Those who dance are often thought insane by those who cannot hear the music" -- George Carlin

Interesting that the story following the flood story was about a woman who was killed violently and freakishly in full view of her family. Not exactly the kind of story you want to recover with.

People in the media deal with tragic situations every day. Could you imagine if anchors broke down every time they read a horriific story ? The entire newscast would turn into "Terms of Endearment". Steph might be a great gal, and her reaction might have been "very human", but crying on the job shouldn't turn her into Mother Teresa. Also, doesn't she ready her copy before a newscast ? Wasn't she aware something horrible was coming ? Just wondering.

I have always enjoyed Steph. I missed the incident discussed here, but it does not change my opinion of her. I am glad she is in the Portland market. I like her humanity. And, as opposed to someone above, she is professional enough for me, especially compared to the stiffs in toupees or sporting face lifts in LA.

This morning, I chuckled watching her and Amy Troy standing next to each other. The height difference was wonderful to behold.

I have to wonder, as I was watching the clip - there was a long pause as the second story started. Why didn't the Director pull her off and have someone else (like the anchor) read the rest of her section?

Stephanie is a human - if she were this emotional every day, I'd say it's very unprofessional. Once in a blue moon, it'll happen to the best. But it seemed to just drag on, and on...it was time to give her a break and let someone else get the job done. No offense to her, but she was clearly overcome with her emotion.

She is way to Sally Rallyish... And interjects to many personal comments...

Steph is a professional possibly the best at KGW. I have worked in much bigger news markets than Portland and I will tell you she can and does run with the best. She could pick anywhere she wanted to work in this business and be very sucessfull. Since when is it not OK to be a human and not have emotions. If you work in this business long enough something is going to bother you sooner or later it has nothing to do with being a professional. Steph is very good at what she does and all of us that work with her everyday know it. Watch out NBC here she comes!!

She has a passion for her job... and occasionally if that transcends into a show of emotion I completely understand. Quite Frankly why would you want it the other way... there are a lot of robotic anchors out there -- you can have 'em.
I work with Stricklo every morning... she's the real deal.

You know, thanks for posting that. I was thinking along the same lines and didn't feel like getting flamed today. I know it irritates the hell out of conventionalists, but Stephanie definitely has an "it" factor. She punches through the television screen and yet the content, and the process of television journalism, remain the star. There might be some edges to sand down, but I agree. Stephanie can go where she wants to go.

I was ok with it right up until she started waiving that kleenez around like a prop. to show people she truely was crying and that "whoa is me" I need to take an "oprah" moment.

Where the hell did that kleenez come from so quick anyway? Prop?

Why didn't the producer just go to the wx guy during that eternal silence? Way too slow of a reaction.

Yeah, I hate it when newscasters do that whole sincerity stuff. That's so unprofessional.

I wanted to see an interview with the firefighter where the genius reporter asks him:

"So, you wife died. How does that make you feel?"

Many years ago, alone on a Saturday afternoon in the production room at KWJJ, back when we were still in the Wilcox mansion, I was trying to produce a promo for the Oregon Food Bank that talked of hungry children. Couldn't do it. Kept getting choked up every time I got to that line. I didn't have to worry about anybody judging me, though, or putting it on the Internet or making fun of me for caring, and I got as many takes as I needed to get it done.

Always kinda wondered if it wouldn't have sounded more sincere to leave the feelings in...

Sometimes things hit right where you feel.

Steph, you're top-shelf talent. Lovin' ya!

Margie Boulé has an article on it.

Does anyone else think Steph Stricklen needs to work on her appearance? I understand she is in a different country, but I don't understand why she is consistantly only half put together. The other "KGW reporters" Joe and Laurel throw to seem to have found time to put on a pressed shirt, make-up, and brush their hair. It just looks unprofessional. I wonder what kind of impression it gives off to her peers in China. I think it makes Portland look like a second tier news market.

Stephanie's casual appearance doesn't seem off to me. It's the Olympics not a political convention or news conference.
It's also terribly hot and humid there. She probably feels like melting!
I really enjoy her reports. She's so friendly and down to earth. Someone who could easily be your friend.

"I choose to think everybody is "human" unless they show another side."

The above is a quote from an anonymous commenter to this ongoing melodrama re: Stricklen.

We all think she is human until she demonstrates otherwise.

I just watched Steph's wrap up report on KGW's evening news show and it and she were great.
Getting a hug from Kobe.....WOOT!
Loved your reports Steph, headband and all. :)

Are you kidding me? Great to see her get a hug from Kobe? A reporter's job is to be objective. Her final piece was self promoting and embarrassing. Did you see Bob Costas hugging Marion Jones in 04? He didn't. That allowed him more credibility when he had to report on the steroids she used.
Steph is a jounalist, she is not the story. If she wants to befriend the subjects of her stories--great, but keep it off TV. Personally I think Kobe is a rapist. I am not impressed with her friendship or closeness with him or any of the athletes she hugged. It shows poor judgment of her to shoot that piece and even worse judgment of KGW to show it.