The finest performance on television last week was not by an actor but by an anchorman.
Outgoing KTVX anchor Phil Riesen bid farewell to his co-workers, his viewers and his job on Friday night with amazing class.As has been well-publicized, Ch. 4 decided not to renew Riesen's contract, which runs through the end of January. (He'll be replaced in early December by Randall Carlisle.)
But Friday was Riesen's final night on the air. His wife was in the studio for the 10 p.m. broadcast. But despite the emotion of the moment, Riesen was calm, steady and even a bit buoyant at times, as he had been for the previous two weeks. (Just spending those two weeks on the air when all of Utah knew he'd been released was an amazing gesture.)
But the final few minutes of Friday's broadcast were something special. For the first time, KTVX announced Riesen's departure, with Kimberly Perkins bidding her co-anchor a warm farewell.
Then Riesen expressed his gratitude to Ch. 4 for the years he'd worked there, to his co-workers and to the viewers.
He even took time to reassure watchers that the brain surgery he underwent in February to repair an aneurysm had nothing to do with his departure - that his health is fine.
It was an extremely classy performance. Dignified, low-key and heartfelt, it was emotional without being overly sentimental.
Riesen has reason to be proud, not only of his accomplishments at Ch. 4, but of the manner in which he left the anchor desk.PHIL'S FAREWELL: Here's what Riesen had to say as he bid KTVX farewell on Friday:
"Nearly a decade ago this television station gave me the opportunity to once again come into your homes as your nightly news boy. It was an opportunity and an invitation I have never, ever taken lightly. Every night I have sought always to bring honesty and dignity and professionalism and truth to this desk and into your homes, and you have in turn rewarded me many times over with your loyalty and your support.
"Tonight, as Kimberly mentioned, unfortunately is a night for goodbyes, as this will be my last broadcast with KTVX News. To my colleagues and my friends in this building and at this desk, thank you for your friendship and concern and the best to each of you.
"And to all of you who are watching tonight, thank you. Thank you for your unending kindnesses and prayers for me and my family, particularly during my surgery last February, and for your continued loyalty and kind thoughts over the past years and these past two weeks.
"Because of my surgery seven months ago, I know many of you have openly wondered if my leaving KTVX News is in any way connected to ill health. Allow me, if I might, to put those fears aside by assuring you that my health is just fine, thank the Lord, and that is in no way connected with my departure.
"In your concern, reflected in hundreds of phone calls and pieces of mail, you have each reaffirmed my feelings of love and respect for this state, its values and for you. I will miss you - each of you.
"So, for the last time, for a while, I'm Phil Riesen, KTVX News. Goodnight."WELL-MEANING: Riesen's release generated a good number of calls and letters to Ch. 4, not to mention local newspapers.
However, a few fans apparently are confused about call letters. KUTV took a number of calls protesting KTVX's actions - calls Ch. 2 was happy to refer to Ch. 4.