Here & Now

Andy Moore Retires

Frederica Freyberg:

But tonight, October 1, sees us bidding a fond farewell. “Here & Now” series, election and debate senior producer Andy Moore is hanging up his headphones. After more than three decades, tonight is his last program. He retires from PBS Wisconsin taking his wealth of knowledge about our state, its politics and policy makers out the door. Andy has been behind the news and public affairs programming you’ve seen on our air throughout. Whether events have been routine or raging, he’s seen it all, brought his topnotch editorial judgment and delivered to our viewers with his special brand of sensibility for what matters and why.

Andy started at Wisconsin Public Television in 1987, as a producer of “Wisconsin Week,” a weekly program that examined statewide politics and policy and was co-anchored by Dave Iverson in Madison and Joe Smith in Milwaukee. The award-winning, must see TV live program “WeekEnd” debuted in October of 1991.

Dave Iverson:

We’re joined now by Andy Moore, the original producer, all-time, long-time producer of the program and the co-creator and his daughter, Maggie Moore.

Andy Moore:

I wanted Maggie to be on TV tonight not because I want my family on TV but I want people to know we’ve been on the air for 11 years. I want people to know what 11 years looks like.

Frederica Freyberg:

Always one to include a little whimsy in the long-running show, Andy helped illustrate a dry and boring policy about property tax while donning rain gear.

Reporter:

Let’s assume for a moment Andy here is the average taxpayer up in Door County. He fishes for a living.

Frederica Freyberg:

As a field reporter, Andy was not afraid to tackle the hard stories.

TV announcer:

From the “WeekEnd” eye team with photojournalist Bruce A. Johnson, audio journalist Tom Naunas and chief correspondent Andy Moore. This is an exclusive eye team investigative report, “Whitewater: The Inside Story.”

Frederica Freyberg:

As a lifelong musician, Andy was never at a loss to bring a musical instrument into the picture or a live band into the studio. The “Here & Now” program launched in January, 2003. That May Andy shared his commute to work with viewers.

Andy Moore:

Those of us that bike to work all year see “Bike to Work” week the way that partiers see New Year’s Eve: strictly for amateurs.

Frederica Freyberg:

While still booking interviews for the “Here & Now” program, Andy found time and a place for his passion: music.

Andy Moore:

It’s the “30 Minute Music Hour.” I’m Andy Moore from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nickel and Rose.

Frederica Freyberg:

In 2007, he created and hosted a program showcasing local musicians and bands. In the end, though, Andy’s programmatic bread and butter has always been politics and policy. And his work and sensibility in such coverage is unmatched.

Bill McCoshen:

Primaries are all about expectations. You got to lower them.

Frederica Freyberg:

As you just saw, Andy sure made coming to work fun. But in addition to that, he was always a serious newsman with his finger on the political pulse and a dear friend and creative colleague. Before we go, we wanted to check in on Andy in his studio control room space in person for a sendoff. Hey, Andy.

Andy Moore:

Hey, Fred.

Frederica Freyberg:

So after all of these years of Friday nights in the control room, what does it feel like to be there for the final seconds of a program?

Andy Moore:

It’s surreal. It’s kind of like going to your own funeral. People have been so outspoken all week long and sharing memories and passing along, you know, good wishes and so forth. It’s just been fantastic. To imagine for anyone to have the opportunity to be in public service and journalism is such a tall wish, but I’ve been able to try my best at both of those things, surrounded by such talented people as you well know. It’s clich to say this in our business, but I’ve done a lot of things. I’ve never run camera. I’ve never edited a frame of video. I’ve written a promotion. I’ve never directed anything. It’s because of those people that I’m here and that we’re on the air. And so I guess more than anything, I want to say thank you to them and to the viewers.

Frederica Freyberg:

Andy, thank you to you. And we want to remind folks that as a serious journalist and producer, you won a boat load of awards, including four consecutive, very prestigious Walter Cronkite Awards for Excellence in Television Political Journalism. This is the kind of work that you spent the past more than three decades doing and we will sorely miss you. Thank you.

Andy Moore:

I’ll miss you, Fred. You’re in good hands, you folks at home. Thanks so much, Fred. You are a topnotch journalist and a dear, dear friend.

Frederica Freyberg:

Thank you.