Despite multiple social media campaigns to salvage her post at WNBC, veteran news anchor Sue Simmons is on track to exit the station on Friday, June 15th. Simmons' final newscast will air during the 11pm slot opposite co-anchor Chuck Scarborough, ending the 32 year run of New York's longest running anchor team. The year old's firing back in March sparked heavy backlash from Simmons' loyal fans and even a SaveSueSimmons hashtag , Facebook group, and Tumblr account devoted to keeping the longtime anchor on air.
Despite the heartfelt attempts, however, not everyone's sad to see her go. Even as recently as May, the anchor bestowed onto viewers yet another blunder, candidly chatting about an assault on her breasts, not realizing she was still on air. Regardless, her absence will surely be felt in the community, as fans continue to post their goodbyes on Facebook. One fan wrote:. God bless you Sue! You've made us laugh much more than we've had reasons to cry, and those of us who have worked with you will always miss people like you who make work an absolute pleasure.
Today, Newsday launches an occasional series to find out. She left in A true trailblazer, Simmons was the first African American woman to co-anchor a nightly New York news broadcast, and New York's most prominent female anchor as well.
Her programs, like the groundbreaking "Live at Five," and the 11 p. I spoke with Simmons earlier this week. This is her first extended interview in seven years. I sensed a little reluctance on your part to do this. What have you been doing with your life? I can't tell you specifically other than living my life day to day, like anybody else who worked and then finds themselves with a lot of time on their hands.
But thankfully, because of my career, I'm able to have a place in the city and one in a nearby suburb. I go back and forth between those places. I keep myself busier than I care to, and spend a lot of time with my Mets. I'm a long-suffering fan. After all those years of prominence, you disappeared. I'm no Greta Garbo [but] it is fair to say that I have no public profile. I don't have any desire for one. I'm settling in very nicely, being the person I was before TV.
I have a tendency to enjoy my home and not go out just to go out. But when I do go to my appointments on the West 57th Street crosstown bus, I will get an occasional shout-out from people.
It feels so good because I like to be remembered. I do want to be remembered. You had one of the greatest runs in New York TV history. Lessons learned? I have a room in my house, my office, and a lot of articles framed on the wall, and photos, and I walk in there occasionally and read some of the stuff.
It seems so long ago. I read one — about the proclamation for Sue Simmons Day [upon retirement]. It seemed like it happened to someone else. I miss the team and the camaraderie [but] I must say, the best part of my day was when I was on the air.
I never got over that. When your contract wasn't renewed in , I sensed that was a bitter, emotional time for you.
It was very emotional — the end of a year career, 32 of those years in New York.
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