Interiew by Jack Houvouras
HQ 68 | SUMMER/AUTUMN 2009
For the last 15 years, Tim Irr has been as much of a fixture in Huntington living rooms as a comfortable couch or color TV. The evening anchor for No. 1-rated WSAZ Newschannel 3 came to Huntington by way of Pittsburgh, Pa., where he grew up playing baseball, basketball, football, hockey and soccer. To this day Irr remains a die-hard fan of all sports teams hailing from the Steel City. He graduated from Duquesne University in his hometown before beginning his ascent up the broadcasting ladder.
Ask most journalists what sets Tim apart from the competition and they will tell you his professionalism, ethics and dedication to his craft. Ask most viewers why they watch Tim and they will tell you that he possesses an easy charm and smooth style. They will also tell you that Tim Irr just seems like the nicest guy in the world. Fellow WSAZ news anchor Keith Morehouse can attest to that and explains that it’s no act. “Every year a bunch of us take a golfing trip to Snowshoe,” Morehouse says. “I have to instruct one of the guys to walk behind Tim to keep him from talking to everyone on the golf course. He’s just the friendliest man in the world.”
HQ: Which news anchor did you most admire growing up?
Irr: I’m old enough to say Walter Cronkite. I started watching the news when I was very young during the Vietnam War. I became fascinated with the news as a kid.
HQ: What’s the biggest screw-up you’ve ever made on air?
Irr: They’re so frequent that it’s hard to really keep track of them. But you know, I haven’t had anything that’s been colossal, thankfully. I’ve never burped on the air or anything like that, and I’ve never cracked up because I always think of our general manager Don Ray looking out the window above the studio. If I do something wrong, I always picture him. It’s almost like a vision of God up above looking down on me, so I try not to make mistakes.
HQ: What are your Top 3 favorite things about Huntington?
Irr: It may be biased because my wife works there, but the Huntington YMCA has to be one of the best YMCAs in the country. And I know it’s cliché to say it, but the people of Huntington – from the people I work with to my neighbors to the people at St. Joe where I go to church – are what make Huntington so special. It’s just such a cool place because the people here are so cool. Finally, I’ve really gotten into Marshall football. The tailgating and the fun and frivolity that go along with Marshall football is something that really makes this town special. It’s the town atmosphere – that’s what I like.
HQ: If there were one thing you could change about Huntington, what would it be?
Irr: If there were one thing I could change about Huntington, it would be the lack of proper zoning. Too many houses are being cut up into apartments, and too many landlords allow their property to deteriorate. Neighborhoods like the Southside are quickly losing ground and losing people.
HQ: What’s the most memorable news story of your career?
Irr: Without a doubt, the most memorable day was when I was working on 9/11. That day affected everyone in the country; everyone was on alert, on standby. Even though it was happening elsewhere, to me it became a local story. For every journalist in America, it became a local story. I’ll never, ever forget that. I remember when the late Rev. R.F. Smith came in to talk about the impact on people’s psyches. We were walking down the hallway to the studio and he said, “How are you doing?” And all of a sudden, I stopped and thought about it – “How am I doing?” I thought, “This is hard on everybody.” That was really a very sad time.
HQ: Why is WSAZ always No. 1 in the ratings?
Irr: It’s been that way since 1949. As a station, we’ve always been a part of people’s family. I think people look at us that way; they look at the people on WSAZ as being part of the family.
HQ: Have you ever had a stalker or, at the very least, a groupie?
Irr: (Laughs) Oh, that’s funny. No, I’ve never had anything like that. I think that’s more of a problem for women; I mean, who’s gonna stalk me? Look at me. Have you taken a look at me? Have you watched our news? I’m lucky to have my wife who still pays attention to me.
HQ: What has been your strangest encounter with a fan or viewer?
Irr: Several viewers have sent me the Woody doll from “Toy Story” because they say he bears a striking resemblance to me.
HQ: Who’s the best-looking female anchor in America?
Irr: Well, if my wife were on air I would have to say her. But, I’ll go with NBC’s Amy Robach.
HQ: Jay Leno or Conan O’Brien?
Irr: Conan.
HQ: Your daughter just got her driver’s license. How’s that going?
Irr: (Laughs) Why don’t we ask Graley’s Auto Body? I’m sure they could give you a good answer. Or River City Tires for the numbers of tires that have been blown out. That’s been a real treat, let me tell you. She drives over curbs, she has no depth perception and she bumps into things a lot. It’s been one thing after another on the used car that we share.
HQ: You have two daughters, ages 17 and 12. What’s the best thing about being a father?
Irr: The best thing about being a father is the unconditional love that your young children have for you. It’s really something to be needed; you’re wanted, you’re loved and you’re needed. That’s something special, to know that people rely on you. Some people shy away from responsibility; I love that feeling of being needed and the responsibility of being a father.
HQ: And the worst thing?
Irr: (Laughs) Having a teenage driver. Really, the teenage years in general. I understand why back in the pioneer days the fathers were like, “Yeah, you can marry her at 14!”
HQ: What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you at the station?
Irr: Hmmm. I was pulling into the station one night, two minutes before the 11 o’clock news — I was on the way back from a big breaking news story. I was greeted at the back door of the station by three co-workers with my shirt, tie, jacket and earpiece. It was like a NASCAR pit crew.
HQ: You have two dogs. Why are some people, like yourself, animal lovers, and some just aren’t?
Irr: People who aren’t animal lovers, I just don’t think they’ve truly had a chance to have a really good pet. They just haven’t given it enough of a chance, I think. Talk about unconditional love, holy mackerel; you can’t get any better than that. They just love you.
HQ: Will the Steelers repeat as Superbowl champions this year?
Irr: Boy, oh, boy. If I tell you the truth of how I really feel, then I’ll sound like I’m not that big of a fan. As much as it kills me to say this, I think it’s just too difficult in the NFL these days to repeat as a champion. There’s just so much talent in the NFL. I remember in the 1970s, the Steelers would just destroy teams. Parody is a real issue in the NFL. When the Steelers lost to the Bengals this season, Bengals fans were rubbing it in, and I said, “I cried for a little bit, but then I took the tissue and shined up our six Superbowl trophies.” (Laughs) What can they say to that?
