See photos from the 2006 Silver Circle Honors Dinner held on May 5, 2006 at the Drake hotel.

Go to http://www.chicagoemmyonline.org/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,70/?g2_itemId=1641 to view photos from the event.

SIX SHINING STARS ENTER THE SILVER CIRCLE

By Jim Disch
Chair, Silver Circle Production

“I really wanted to get into the television business because I believe that in the television business you can make a tremendous difference. You can have a huge impact on people.” So said ABC-7 reporter Theresa Gutierrez as she and five other television greats were inducted into the prestigious Silver Circle of the National Television Academy’s Chicago/Midwest Chapter on Friday, May 5th, 2006. Without a doubt, all six of this year’s honorees had a huge impact on people, not just television viewers, but on their co-workers in the TV business as well.

Chicago’s historic Drake Hotel was the site of the 2006 Silver Circle Honors Dinner and Ceremony. From the harpist who added a musician’s flair to the cocktail hour, to the floral centerpieces that greeted guests as they gathered for dinner in the Grand Ballroom, the elegance of the evening was a fitting tribute to those we were about to honor.

The Silver Circle recognizes outstanding individuals who have devoted 25 years or more to the television industry and who have made significant contributions to Chicago television. The contributions from four of this year’s honorees --- Charlie Boyle, Gloria Brown, Don Ephraim and Roger Lee Miller --- came behind the scenes, while Theresa Gutierrez and Peter Karl are best known for their on-camera work.

ABC-7 anchor Linda Yu, having just been inducted into the Silver Circle last year, hosted the presentation, adding several warm, personal touches along the way. The inductees had selected presenters, and biographical videos were shown highlighting the careers of each of the honorees. More than 300 family members, friends and co-workers were on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of the newest Silver Circle members. The enthusiasm of the audience was obvious throughout the presentation.

First up was Charlie Boyle, a cameraman and editor at WMAQ-Channel 5 who retired in 1998 after more than 35 years of brilliant photojournalism. Carol Marin, television journalist, newspaper columnist and a 2002 Silver Circle honoree, was his presenter. In accepting the honor, Charlie had some advice for television newbies: “I say to you young people out there, if you want to get into this business, make up your mind that you’re going to be the best at it and you’ll achieve that. You’re gonna make mistakes, but you’re going to learn from them.”

Charlie’s advice was highly appropriate for the audience that included several high school students. As the dinner began, Logan Groover, a senior at Lake Forest High School, and Kenneth Pendola, a senior at Riverside/Brookfield High School, were awarded $2,500 scholarships from the TV Academy. And seven Crystal Pillar Awards of Excellence from the TV Academy’s National Student Television initiative were handed out to Chicago area high school students. You can read more about the scholarships and TV production awards elsewhere in this newsletter.

Next up after Charlie was Theresa Gutierrez, a reporter and public affairs program host for ABC-7 in Chicago, credited with breaking down barriers for Hispanic reporters in television news. She chose Emmy award winning reporter, anchor and colleague Rob Johnson as her presenter. Theresa told the audience that she is often told by viewers that it really appears that she cares about the people she’s covering. In her words: “I’m sure my colleagues would agree with me, TV does not lie. I do care. I care very much about the stories I’m covering and the people I cover.”

Two former colleagues, director Patrick Lake and veteran NBC-5 manager and former TV Academy board president, Diana Borri, introduced Roger Lee Miller, an Emmy-award- winner who spent more than three decades directing top-notch programs at WMAQ-TV. Roger recalled how the FCC in the early 60’s questioned public service commitments on the part of television stations, a posture that caused “an explosion of local programming.” Sun Times television critic Gary Deeb referred to Channel-5 as the Camelot of television. After listing a parade of television specials he was fortunate enough to direct, Roger ended his acceptance speech with a director’s impeccable timing, thanking those present “for one bright, shining moment that was known as Camelot.”

Former WGN Television news anchor Pat Harvey flew in from KCAL in Los Angeles to join current WGN anchor Allison Payne as co-presenters for Gloria Brown. Gloria rose through the ranks at WGN-Channel 9 to the positions of business manager for news and public affairs program producer. She is known for going out of her way to help co-workers, and she spoke from the heart when she said: “It is my fervent hope, my fervent prayer, that the younger managers who are just getting started in television stop and learn to look around for the good in people instead of waiting for the bad to appear… If we are just a little more caring of our colleagues and friends… we’ll be better for it.”

Much of the success people experience in television comes because of the company we keep. That was one of Peter Karl’s messages as he entered the Silver Circle. Peter is an independent producer, host of “Crimewatch” on the Municipal Channel of Chicago, and former investigative reporter at WLS-TV and WMAQ-TV. His presenters were two former NBC producers, Marsha Bartel and David Beedy. They were obviously on Peter’s mind as he wrapped up his acceptance speech: “Whether it was at Channel-5 or Channel-7 or currently at Karl Productions, everyone around me has always made me look good, and for that I will be forever grateful.”

Don Ephraim was the final inductee of the evening. Don is an attorney, one of Chicago's top media talent agents and a long-time champion and leader of the TV Academy. Two of the people he has represented, Pulitzer Prize winning film critic Roger Ebert and former Chicago news anchor Jorie Lueloff, were on-hand as Don’s presenters. Don began by joking about his profession: “The difference between a lawyer and a sperm is that a sperm at least has a one in a million chance of becoming a human being.” Ironically, in the video biography about Don shown at the ceremony, clients, managers and critics praised Don’s humanistic approach to contract negotiations. Excellence must seek excellence since, as Don put it: “I am proud to say that almost 25 percent of the Silver Circle inductees have been clients of our office.”

Linda Yu put the finishing touches on the evening. She asked people to send a note to her colleague John Drury, a 1996 Silver Circle inductee who is battling ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. John’s name came up a few times during the course of the evening, not surprising considering John’s enduring personality and selfless contributions to the TV industry.

All in all, it was an evening of congratulations, camaraderie and celebration. Linda Yu thanked the six honorees on behalf of all those previously inducted into the Silver Circle: “You do us great honor to enhance the reputation of the Silver Circle. We thank you.”