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Hal Fishman 1931-2007

Posted: Tuesday, August 07, 2007 12:28 PM by Countdown

The man Keith called a "colleague and mentor" after it was announced he was sent to the hospitalized on Friday night, has passed away.

If you know anything about Hal Fishman, you'll want to take a look at KTLA's tribute to the newsman on their website.

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Truly a loss for the thousands of Angelenos (including myself) who tuned into KTLA news for a broadcaster with quiet integrity and unquestiond intelligence and professionalism. We will miss you, Mr Fishman.

Regan Lay, Long Beach, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:21 PM)

Too many losses of great newscasters lately (Snyder, Jennings, Ivans, etc.).  Unfortunately they're being replaced by "news models" who read the news (propaganda) to us rather than the true reporting we had in the past.

This is the reason we have President Stupid and his band of cronies running our country into the ground.

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:00 PM)

I'm not aware of his work, but he obviously meant a lot to Keith, so my thoughts are with Keith and with Mr. Fishman's family.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:36 PM)

Gone too fast, too soon.  He will be greatly missed by KTLA's faithful viewers.  A man of great achievements.  I will miss his, always interesting, commentaries.  Prime time news will never be the same without Hal.  RIP Mr. Fishman.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:47 PM)

Hal was such a professional in giving us the nightly news in LA, and he'll truly be missed. 10 o'clock truly won't be the same in our households without him.

Anthony, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:56 PM)

Quiet integrity is in short supply on the air waves at this time.  We should all mourn the passing of a journalist who possessed such sterling qualities.  

We should all hope that the world would miss us in the same way after we are gone.  

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 3:01 PM)

Growing up in Southern California, I recall Hal Fishman as a poised, articulate newscaster.  Huge loss; sorry to hear of his passing.

Michael Rocha, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 3:28 PM)

A real loss.  I grew up watching Hal and Keith.  They both struck me as pictures of integrity in journalism compared to a lot of the other junk on TV.  Hal Fishman was an amazing guy.  We've all lost something. I hope Keith will pay tribute to Hal tonight on Countdown.

m. smith, nyc, ny (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 4:19 PM)

Hal will be greatly missed by all in Southern Ca....
He was indeed a professional journalist and his delivery of the news was "special". KTLA T.V will not be the same.

Elizabeth, Riverside, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 4:26 PM)

I lived in Southern California for over 20 years and watched Hal Fishman nearly every day. He consistently set a very high professional standard, one that the new generation of news presenters should do their best to emulate. He had kindness and compassion that comes from within, and well, that has to come from within, so it can't exactly be emulated.  He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Chris, Charlotte NC (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 4:48 PM)

Bob Novak .... yeah, him .... the guy that not only printed the name of Valerie Plame but her whole brass plate company too .... is now in a snit with BushCo.  He now says he doesn't support the administration - likely because he didn't get an hourlong sit down with President Stupid.  Read more here:

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/06/novak-cut-off/

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 4:51 PM)

Hal called it like he saw it - no flash, no games - just integrity with open critical analysis.  Lots of us in LA grew up with Hal Fishman and learned from him a fair bit about current events around world.  His commentaries were always honest expressions of a reasonable, thoughtful man.  There was something understated but so strong about him.  He will be missed by so many of us.  My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.  Keith - He was recognized within his community but not outside his community.  I hope you do a segment on Hal tonight to rectify that.  

Matt, New Haven, CT (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 4:58 PM)

My condolences to Mr Fishman's,family friends, and your friend Keith,and to you who our friend.
Bobby C.

B.A. Buddusky (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 5:43 PM)

That is sad.  Another part of my childhood gone.  Jerry Dunphy died a while ago-that was heartbreaking.  Anybody that grew up in the Los Angeles area knew these gentlemen:  Definitely class acts!

Jamie, CV (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 6:42 PM)

I remember when Keith did sports at KTLA and Hal would get down on Keith for his antics.  Yet you could tell that Hal was pushing Keith to do more.  Stan Chambers, Larry McCormack... It was a wonderful time to watch the news.  Do well tonight Keith, we're out here and proud of the legacy!

George Schnarre, Richmond, KY (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 6:56 PM)

Keith, it was nice the way you paid tribute to Hal tonight at the end of the forum. Obviously he influenced you deeply and meant a great deal to the people of Los Angeles. We hold so many of these local newspeople close to our hearts...that's the way we felt about Dorothy Fuldheim in Cleveland before we lost her. An amazing gem, and probably responsible for introducing me to the whole concept of news combined with commentary, so Keith, you'd better thank her (she spoke at my high school graduation too!). RIP Hal, you'll be missed by many.

Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 10:49 PM)

Mike Hash (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 3:30 AM)

I learned about both Hal's illness and passing thanks to Keith's announcements. I even wasn't aware the two had worked together. KTLA gave Hal a heartbreaking tribute on the 10:00 PM newscast that Hal had anchored since 1975. Current and former Angelenos everywhere are mourning his passing. People here grew up with Hal and felt for him the same loyalty and respect Keith's viewers experience when watching Countdown. Keith, I am very sorry for your loss. It is truly the end of an era for Los Angeles.

Joseph Tages (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 3:32 AM)

Hal will be sorely missed.  He was a quiet, unassuming man, with the ability to actually report the news.
Unlike some in the industry - er, um... like the 'noise' channel - Hal was serious about delivering the news with integrity.

Thanks Hal, for all the splendid years you have given us, your faithful viewers.

Ro, So. Ca. (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 4:44 AM)

Hal was always the professional. It was such a pleasure to hear the news from someone who was not just reading it, someone who was serious about the business of honestly informing his viewers about current events and who knew what he was talking about. What a loss.

Jean, Los Angeles (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 4:17 PM)

Hal Fishman set the bar for news broadcasting excellence.  As a native Angelino, I have had the pleasure of listening to him since 1973.  My condolenses to his wife and son.

Mario, San Pedro, CA (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 5:30 PM)

I thank Keith for paying tribute to Hal Fishman, calling in during Monday's KTLA Morning Show.  Hal meant alot to Keith, to us Angelenos, and Keith means alot to me.  Have watched and enjoyed you forever.  My heartfelt sympathy to Keith for his loss, and to Mr. Fishman's family and KTLA family and friends as well.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Wednesday, August 08, 2007 5:36 PM)

Hal was our own local Uncle Walter; his even-handed style was L.A.'s secret treasure. He was a part of the family, recounting the stories of our lives every night at 10 since I was in Junior High. Every night. Forever. Honest, fair, real journalism. How rare. Rarer still, he was a true gentleman. We'll miss you, Hal. 10 o'clock won't ever be the same.

Steve, Santa Monica CA (Sent Thursday, August 09, 2007 3:58 AM)



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