Sentimental send-off for Fred Griffith who wraps up 50-year career surrounded by co-workers

CLEVELAND - Fred Griffith has been a staple of morning television in Cleveland, logging a record 13,700 hours on the air in his 50-year career. On Wednesday, current and former co-workers shared fond, funny memories in a champagne send-off for this local legend.

In July of 1987, I began my new job as co-host of WEWS-TV's The Morning Exchange. To say that I felt a little intimidated would be a vast understatement. But from my first moments on the air with fabled talk show host Fred Griffith, I knew everything would be okay. Always thoughtful, generous and kind, Fred gave me -- a relative novice -- the chance to begin a television career in Cleveland as a beneficiary of viewers' goodwill toward him.

I already knew the two-hour Morning Exchange had a national reputation. It served as the template for Good Morning America, with an endlessly fascinating mix of topics, personalities and intelligent conversation about important issues. What I didn't know, was the easy, down to earth style of Fred Griffith endeared him not just to viewers, but to all who had the privilege to work with him.

A true Renaissance man, Fred Griffith brought a lot to the morning table. An avid reader, passionate traveler, mountain climber and writer, Fred could talk about anything with anyone. And it was through watching him, and working next to him, that I learned most everything I know about being on television. 

Fred never talked down to his viewers. When The Morning Exchange began, there was a dearth of morning programming that gave women credit for having a brain, and being interested in a wide variety of topics. The Morning Exchange with Fred Griffith set the bar pretty high for countless imitators who followed.

Television changed through the years in many ways. I moved into news, Fred continued on The Morning Exchange where he ultimately spent 26 years. He'd served many roles in building the success of WEWS: reporter, news producer, news and public affairs director. And in that time, he accumulated Emmy awards, the Distinguished Service Award from the Society for Professional Journalists and was inducted into the Cleveland Press Club Hall of Fame, plus the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

In May of 2000, Fred joined WKYC-TV as a host for "Good Company". Today, his co-hosts Andrea Vecchio, Michael Cardamone and Joe Cronauer raised the champagne glasses to toast the ultimate host. Joining me there for the send-off was WEWS Chief Meteorologist Mark Johnson, longtime photojournalist Bob Seeley, former Morning Exchange producer Jane Temple and many others who've known and worked with Fred in front of, and behind, the cameras. We were all feeling the same thing: mornings just won't be the same without him.

Congratulations Fred, and all my gratitude for letting me share your spotlight. You deserve so much happiness for all that you've brought to us in the last 50 years!