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City & State or ZIP Tonight, this weekend, May 5th...
City & State or ZIP
City & State or ZIP Tonight, this weekend, May 5th...
City & State or ZIP

Monica Pearson as guest DJ at Dave FM

Monica and Mara

Monica and Mara

Monica Pearson took to the airwaves in a new way today.

She joined 92.9 Dave FM’s Mara Davis during Davis’ “Radio Free Lunch” during the noon hour. She actually got there a little bit after RFL started, because an earlier speaking engagement ran long.

She called in as Davis began the program to apologize for running late. She stressed she was obeying the speed limit and speaking on a hands-free phone.

Davis jokingly asked if Pearson’s husband John Pearson, retired from DeKalb County law enforcement, could get her out of a traffic ticket. Answer: heck no!

“We have one rule: we follow all the rules,” Pearson noted.

Davis often has guest DJs in to spin a few tunes. Pearson’s guest stint was extra special, as she will be retiring next week after 37 years at Channel 2.

“TV is not going to be the same without Monica Pearson,” Davis said.

Since announcing her retirement earlier this year Pearson has enjoyed accolades from all corners of the city and beyond. Here’s a gallery of photos from an event at the Fox Theatre saluting her long broadcast career and community involvement.

None of the festivities has been Pearson’s idea. Quite the opposite, in fact. When she told station brass she was signing off for good she suggested maybe there could be a staff lunch and that was it. She told us last week during the Fox event that she initially resisted when the idea was proposed.

“I’m glad they didn’t listen!” she said.

- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com

93 comments Add your comment

MA

July 18th, 2012
7:57 am

Oh darn, I’m going to be out of town next week for Monica’s tear filled last new cast. Shoot, I was so looking forward to it. Good luck to you Monica!!

Doug

July 18th, 2012
8:12 am

I will be so glad when she retires and ajc.com can write about other things.

[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]

ed

July 18th, 2012
8:25 am

GOOD bye, Monica. Leave it to WSB to squeeze every last drop out of a nothing story. People with long tenure at their jobs retire every day. So what’s so monumental about a tv anchor’s hanging it up? Life will go on, and the world won’t stop spinning.

howard harlow

July 18th, 2012
8:40 am

OPHRA WINFREY RETIRED ONCE NO FANFARE SEE YOU AT THE MASK BALL IN DECEMBER MONICA

CJ

July 18th, 2012
8:43 am

Wonderful milestone, 37 years,Wow, I wander if any of us could last that long on the same job. You go, Ms. Monica–I have one year and five months before my 30 years with the same company.

Sluggo

July 18th, 2012
8:45 am

I agree with ed. Queen Elizabeth received less attention during her 60th anniversary celebration.

falcon fan

July 18th, 2012
8:52 am

Yawn….hey, it’s Jennifer! I’m shocked she got the right photo up. Well, that one was about Former Falcon Jamal Anderson but she put up the pic of Michael Jenkins…..easy mistake…..they look soooooo much alike. God knows if it was a UGA story, it’d been blown out of proportion like they do any other UGA or other who cares stories.

Jake

July 18th, 2012
8:56 am

Can the producers just keep their shrine in their office and leave the rest of us alone. The over infatuation with Monica retiring borders on creepy. WSB is loosing their credibility.

atl in MT

July 18th, 2012
8:58 am

Lived in Atlanta since birth (1970). Grew up with Monica Kaufman, er Pearson. It appears the majority of you (haters) gotta be recent transplants to Atlanta who don’t get it. She will be missed. She is an amazing talent. Best of luck in the retirement Monica!

Bob

July 18th, 2012
9:00 am

Is she that narcissistic that she needs all of this attention? The great celebrities retire in a more dignified and less in your face manner. She was a good news reader, but this is stupid. How about covering some real news

Destiny

July 18th, 2012
9:10 am

If you haters are so bored with the story why did u click and then comment. Monica inspired me to go into journalisim and she has done this city a great service not only on camera but off as well. She deserves every bit of celebration she is getting. If you don’t like it don’t participate.

Love You Monica and may your retirement bring you peace and fufillment.

jackie

July 18th, 2012
9:11 am

Monica’s retirement is way past due and can’t get here soon enough. Maybe WSB can get a news reader who can pronounce the names of the towns and counties in Georgia. Monica has only had 37 years to learn that McDonough is pronounced “Mack-Don-Ah” not “Mick-Dun-Uh” and Coweta is “Cow-Eta” not “Co-We-Tah.” I’m not sure if her outsized ego can fit into a class room at UGA but I’m sure that she will give us another cutesy made for TV special all about how she is raising the bad and setting the standard for the other students. Let her retire already, there are plenty of people who can read the news.

The Frito Bandito

July 18th, 2012
9:18 am

I am really going to miss the way she put on that fake Spanish accent when she read a Hispanic name from her Obama Screen (teleprompter).

Jim

July 18th, 2012
9:18 am

She was a good news reader. I like her. However, many celebrities and people dedicated to charity have done far more but retired without this over the top, over done self congratulations. It is the same behavior that we all dislike about the media. Do we really need 24/7 coverage of the same story for weeks on in end

JRHD

July 18th, 2012
9:44 am

I am born and raised in ATL and I have never cared for MK/MP or her ever changing hair. We have never been able to draw real talent to the ATL airwaves with the exception of Don Farmer. I wonder if she was a white male if she would have lasted this long at the same station in ATL?

Julie B.

July 18th, 2012
9:56 am

Wow, glad to see I’m not the only one that’s happy to see this woman retire. Please … just go, already!

TruthLies

July 18th, 2012
10:00 am

JRHD has let the cat out of the bag (as always on the AJC and “the South”). Many of you just CANNOT STAND that this ETHNIC WOMAN and her ETHNIC image has held down the anchor spot in this media market for 30 plus years!! It makes you sick to your stomach because it flies in the face of your narrative that an “ethnic” person is simply incapable or undeserving of such a thing. She pronounces “McDonough” the way she does for the same reason I do – I do not speak with that repulsive suthun” twang. “McDonough” Georgia is not the only one in this big @$$3d country, and as such it is subject to various pronunciations based on where people come from. Get over yourselves. The world doesn’ t revolve around and your kind (whatever your persuasion). I know truth hurts, so let the aching begin.

ed

July 18th, 2012
10:00 am

Destiny, if Monica inspired you to go into anything other than the welfare line that’s great. But don’t get hyper over your entry into journalism. It ain’t what it used to be. Ranks just above used car salesmen. Too many people think of themselves as journalists when they are now little more than propagandists for the liberal cause, and delude themselves into believing that equates to a noble cause. Now, when you can go to work each day after having left your personal agenda at home, you legitimately claim to be a journalist.

jackie

July 18th, 2012
10:14 am

Destiny are you one of the “journalists” who use the clumsy term “pleaded’ instead of “pled” when you are reporting on court proceedings? How about the car commercial where the salesman tells the customer that “I haven’t showed it to you yet” instead of shown it to you? Journalism, ha, most “journalists” can’t even spell, much less read the news correctly. Monica is a prime example.

Rick James

July 18th, 2012
10:18 am

A month after she’s gone they will bring back those Monica Pearson Close Ups..We may not see her at six but she will be far from gone..

Mr Fernwell

July 18th, 2012
10:19 am

She is a teleprompter reader for heavens sake. Someone make me a big party when I retire as a teacher!!!

Carly

July 18th, 2012
10:22 am

I thought she said she was retiring once before and never did. Now I actually see an end in sight but she just won’t go away. Not many people have an ego as big as hers. Buh Bye Monica!!!!

Enjoy

July 18th, 2012
10:22 am

Good luck to you Monica and thank you for your dedication! So many times you could of moved from the little station in Atlanta, but you sucked it up and passed up many other BIG opportunities! I will miss your Close Up segment… Hopefully, it will continue! Enjoy your retirement and home in Henry County. We will miss your beautiful smile!

BGreen

July 18th, 2012
10:23 am

I’m a mid 40’s transplant from Anniston, Alabama where Monica was all I remember from the news. Being in rural Alabama yet less than 100 miles from Atlanta, it was an inspiration to see an African-American on TV “from the big city”. I’ve been living in the Atlanta since the early 90’s and wish Monica the best in her retirement. I’ve seen the hair change over the years (and actually enjoyed it – do your thang!) but the one thing that has been consistent has been her professionalism. I get my haircut with a camera man who works with Monica on a daily basis and he says she is just as genuine as she comes across. Good luck, Monica! Enjoy your retirement but don’t ever stop being you. We appreciate you and all that you have blessed us with over the years. – Bernard Green Jr.

Typical

July 18th, 2012
10:25 am

LMAO, some people can’t help but show who they really are.

e.g., ed’s comment reflects his insecurities which fuel his racially-motivated comment: “Destiny, if Monica inspired you to go into anything other than the welfare line that’s great.”

That says a lot because he assumes that Destiny is of a particular racial group which he assumes comprises the majority of welfare recipients — which is false.

Oh, but ed isn’t the only one. And it’s just really insecurities. And an inferiority complex. That’s all.

ed

July 18th, 2012
10:34 am

Ohhhhhh, Typical. You’re so caustic.

Destiny

July 18th, 2012
10:37 am

Typical you are very swift and correct. I don’t understand why someone would waste their time logging on to smash someone or a story they are already “tired of” makes no sense. Other than they need to get a life and it’s easy to be an annoymus coward behind a keyboard.

Typical

July 18th, 2012
10:55 am

LOL, now ed, I may be a lot of things but caustic isn’t one of them. And ed, you know, that, c’mon, ed, you know! You know I’m a bundle of love! And so are you (when you get past your insecurities, etc.)

Road Scholar

July 18th, 2012
11:00 am

And ed you are an a$$. Likewise to the rest of the naysayers. And how do you know how much charity work she has done? You people could not may 3 years on a single job….she spent 37 years!

Monica, have a great, long, healthy retirement.

ed

July 18th, 2012
11:05 am

Road Scholar and Typical, I guess you put me in my place. We minorities are always the targets of the slings and arrows of the new majority. But we shall overcome.

Kim

July 18th, 2012
11:09 am

Sluggo…Queen Eliz has never worked an honest day in her life and has stolen from the English people to live a life of vulgar, unearned luxury for her entire pathetic life. Monica has worked her butt off for 37 years and helped countless people along the way.

JRHD – If you are actually from Atlanta you should know that John Pruitt ( a white male) was indeed at the same station just as long. Get on their site and look at the bios. Once you start at WSB, you stay at WSB. They are obviously beyond loyal to their employees.

Good luck in retirement Monica. Thanks for all the years and for representing our city so well. I’m sure we’ll see you back from time to time. =)

atlien

July 18th, 2012
11:12 am

Some of you need to get a life. Yes, people retire every day. Yes, some people work more than 37 years. Yes, some people retire quietly. Let’s donsider the facts: Monica has been working for the SAME company for 37 years, and she has been in the public eye for 37 years. It is only fitting that her retirement be shared with her Atlanta viewers. Many of you are jealous that you won’t ever reach a pinnacle in your career as she has in hers. I think it is fantastic! She has made it 37 years and is not swept under the rug due to some illegal, immoral, unethical activities — that’s why we don’t get to see a lot of retirements.

I would like for you to think back a few years when the waitress retired from the Chic-fil-a Dwarf House in Hapeville. Truett Cathy made sure that she was given a large party, complete with media coverage, and a Mustang! I don’t remember anybody bad mouthing her, she had been a stalwart in that community and the community rallied around her!

Thank you Monica for 37 years of professional and dedicated service to the metro Atlanta area!

just me

July 18th, 2012
11:14 am

Please Stop!!! Monika, just retire. You are as bad as Star Jones was with her wedding. Enough already. The same people are tired of going to your narcissistic events, saying the same old things. And the viewing audience of WSB has had more than enough.

MsShanquel

July 18th, 2012
11:14 am

This has to be the longest drawn out retirement salute in history. You’re retired. Congrats. Stop taking up space and move on ppl.

#1 Foxy Lady

July 18th, 2012
11:21 am

she was local news-reader from a second their market. what’s the big deal? the fact that she changed her hair style often? she’s some sort of star?

huh? what am i missing? is the bar really that low for here?

TruthLies

July 18th, 2012
11:25 am

I ABSOLUTLEY LOVE IT! (The pain Monica’s HATERS must feel)

It IS after all, what they do BEST!

JRHD

July 18th, 2012
11:28 am

@ Kim – I am from ATL and I do know who John Pruitt is. I also know that he was on the air at 11Alive as lead anchor before being the co-lead at WSB next to MK/MP. I also remember Guy Sharpe doing the weather. Don’t doubt my ATL cred just because I think MK/MP is an empty St Johns suit with a bad dye job.

Rick James

July 18th, 2012
11:29 am

It still amazes me that channel 2 interviewed Orpah Winfrey and Diane Sawyer when they hired Monica..I’m sure Oprah is happy that she didnt get the job.

TruthLies

July 18th, 2012
11:36 am

So does John Pruitt FREESTYLE his news “off the dome” as an anchor, or does he read a TELEPROMPTER like Monica (or any other news anchor)?? Wouldn’t want to attempt to marginalize
or delegitmize him now would we? Of course not. That’s reserved for minorities only.

See, smart people know better (and even know racism when they see or hear it).

notaracist

July 18th, 2012
11:38 am

Monica is a beautiful talented anchor, who will definitely be missed. By the way, when she started anchoring the news, there were no teleprompters. Also, she (Monica) is not the person, who is or has planned all of the retirement celebrations. Therefore, if it bothers you so much,I have two suggestions, 1)blame the “Powers That Be”,and that ain’t Monica. 2)You can simply stop freaking watching. For what it’s worth. Best Wishes M.K.P. And may God continue to bless what ever you choose to do. In my humble opinion, you are indeed a credit to your Profession, Gender and Race.

NotMe

July 18th, 2012
11:41 am

Way to go Monica. There is life after retirement and it sounds like you are going to be active with many neat fun things!

#1 Foxy Lady

July 18th, 2012
11:42 am

her and the RHWofATL am the two greatest things in this city. if you don’t like them, then you is just a gellous Hater.

Home Carebear

July 18th, 2012
11:43 am

Have fun in retirement. For 55 communities see http://www.55communityguide.com

joebob

July 18th, 2012
11:55 am

37?!?! …in a row?

sal

July 18th, 2012
11:56 am

I thought to work at WSB you have to be a card carrying member of the Republican party. I wonder if that’s true.

Enough

July 18th, 2012
11:57 am

Funny that Destiny was inspired to go into journalism but hasn’t figured out how to use spell check yet. For journalism! lol I believe Monica saying goodbye is now lasting longer than the KISS farewell tour!

Fan

July 18th, 2012
11:58 am

@ #1 Foxy Lady – Seriously? “then you is just a gellous Hater.” Girl, where did you learn to write?

Fan

July 18th, 2012
12:00 pm

I agree. some people can’t stay out of the spotlight. I hope for the best for Monica but retirement is tough for some. Is she going to UGA or DJ’ing or both or what?

Monica is the greatest

July 18th, 2012
12:06 pm

I will definitely miss seeing Monica every day. From the moment she arrived on the air when I was 6 years old, it was uplifting, inspiring, and encouraging to see someone who looked like you on television. I hope Monica has an amazing retirement after being on the air so long and I do hope she does make occassional close up specials :)

Captain Midnight

July 18th, 2012
12:08 pm

Wow, if they’re doing all this for Monica, I can’t wait to see the send-off for Boortz.
On air in atlanta for 41 years. The guy is incredible! He will truly be missed.
“The high priest of the church of the painful truth”
Undisputed King of Atlanta media.

Captain Midnight

July 18th, 2012
12:12 pm

And who could forget;
” am the two greatest things in this city”
Priceless.

TruthLies

July 18th, 2012
12:22 pm

I guess Capt. Midnight and Fan are both too dense to realize that #1 Foxy Lady is likely a (racist) White person (poorly) attempting to portray themselves as the stereotypical ignorant Black person. Again, this is something that is quite obvious to Black people as it is evident when you consider the context of the statement as well as the “trying way too hard” portrayal. It really is a blow to Whites rather than Blacks though, which is what has ALWAYS been so funny to us, because it speaks to the deep deep character flaws that exist in the mindset of that type of person. Yes, we actually laugh… at YOU! Betcha didn’t know that, did you?

Pandora

July 18th, 2012
12:28 pm

I wish you all the best Mrs. Pearson. :)

Chuck Snow

July 18th, 2012
12:41 pm

Ya gotta love Monica she’s the heartbeat of Atlanta. I’m sure she’ll enjoy retirement as much as I have. She’ll have time to enjoy her hobbies, travel and do exactly as she pleases 24/7. My only regret is that I couldn’t have done it 40 years sooner.
I hope she’ll follow Guy Sharps lead and just disappear into her own wishes.My only regret is that I couldn’t have done it 40 years sooner. I hope she’ll move on and never look back.

Monique

July 18th, 2012
12:41 pm

I like Monica. However, I agree with the people that say that WSB has focused on the retirement for too long. The people who are attacking people on here as “haters” completely miss the point. They miss the fact that it is like a typical local TV broadcast, with the same 15 minutes of programming repeated into a couple hour broadcast. For those that are in journalism, we ask that if you are intelligent enough to understand then learn to create and not just regurgitate the same garbage, which is what WSB is doing.

TruthLies

July 18th, 2012
12:51 pm

I know I seem “racist” Ted. It’s what people like you pin on people like me who point out the obvious when it rears it’s ugly head. Much like when holy water was thrown on the devil possessed “Ragan” as her head swiveled on her body, she screamed “IT BURNS!” That’s how you feel LOL.. And nice try claiming to be “Black” as if to somehow give yourself credibility. Actually, I’m a White guy using a “Black” online persona. I figure it draws to strongest reaction to the things I say. Works pretty well huh?

James

July 18th, 2012
12:56 pm

There is nothing racist with some of us getting tired of the constant droning about Monica’s retirement. We just want it to be over. Please, please let it be over.

TruthLies

July 18th, 2012
1:09 pm

@James

If you TRULY want it to be “over”, get the HELL off the blog concerning her!! But that’s just it, you CAN’T…because you and your buddies cannot contain your hatred! LOL!!!! Good for you.

ed

July 18th, 2012
1:17 pm

Maybe after this lively discussion WSB will put as much promotional effort behind the going away party for the Mighty Whitey. Black, white, or whatever the shade of complexion we enjoy firing good natured barbs at the regulars on local tv. I’m not sure Humman is going to work as the wake up sound for Atlanta that Boortz is, but at least a voice of sanity will continue to warm the kilocycles, and drown out these uneducated liberals who are the destruction of this once great city and nation.

dre

July 18th, 2012
1:29 pm

I for one am curious to see what Monica’s spin will be on the latest Michael Bolton recording….heh heh heh. :)

TruthLies

July 18th, 2012
1:29 pm

Hmm… so Atlanta-Fulton = “uneducated liberal”

Let’s see, if this is but ONE of Georgia’s 159 counties, what’s the excuse then for the state of Georgia being the —pit that it is, considering it is arguably the REDDEST state in the country? I already know the answer by the way.

Positive Cynic

July 18th, 2012
1:33 pm

Good or Bad. WSB and Monica are doing what is best for them. No one can really fault either. Monica employer paid her well and she did it for 37 years. She got tired of it and wants to spend time with her husband while still staying active to some degree in the employment force. Nothing indicates that Monica is going to stay home all day doing something like watching daytime TV.

WSB noticed that her prime time close ups were getting good ratings and that like Oprah she has a following that crosses racial lines. I expect and hope to see Monica doing primetime close ups like just two a year over the summer with one that feature Georgia people and another that features more national people. I could really do not care if Monica is retiring, but I think Monica would be an ideal vehicle for a network to use to interview some Georgia people (especially in business) that I would never get an opportunity to hear.

For example, I would not mind hear the CEO of UPS give his opinion on what the federal government needs to do to save the USPS and if he thinks the government should save it. CEO of UPS used to be a high official with the Federal Reserve Bank so some good questions can develop on the economy. High pay of CEO’s is a good topic. I do not know if the CEO of UPS would do an interview but I am sure several major professional individuals would do interviews.

Monica might be just another publicity hound in our society, but unlike others she has the ability to put her publicity to good use. Anytime anyone interviews someone on TV that has made some “real” accomplishments in life and is doing real work rather than who was voted out of the house by a group of self obsessed people are society is a better place.

Captain Midnight

July 18th, 2012
1:46 pm

If she tried to be any more flamboyant, I think she’d actually flash on and off. I mean you had Wes Sargenson and John Pruitt in business suits and “Monny” in feather boas. Seriously? Look at Amanda Davis and Brenda Wood. Professional. Monny was one sequin away from going on tour with Ru Paul. LOL!!

dre

July 18th, 2012
1:49 pm

haha- PoorJennifer. If she were to post something about jelly donuts, it would still turn into a race fest. LOL. “Atlanta, the city too busy to hate….except when trying to engage in a dialogue with another human.” haha

TruthLies

July 18th, 2012
2:19 pm

(Laughing at Capt. Midnight …again). Must be a God awful pitiful existence. I wonder if he hides behind that whole “Christianity” thing? I wouldn’t be surprised.

Captain Midnight

July 18th, 2012
2:53 pm

Yes Truthy, Atlanta does equal uneducated liberals, cept when they test scores get to erasin/changin’. “Then we as smart as all them little white kids in Fayette.”

mamaj

July 18th, 2012
3:02 pm

@ #1 Foxy Lady.
You have got yo be kidding. What the h@!! are you talking about? Your comments make about as much sense as the missing capital letters in them. You have absolutely no right to make ANY negative comments about anybody or anything, until you learn how to correctly write a sentence!.

TruthLies

July 18th, 2012
3:02 pm

Ok so the question REMAINS Capt. Midnight..

159 counties in the VERY RED (that’s “Conservative” by the way) —-pit state that is Georgia. Deflection is cool and all…unless you are dealing with someone who readily calls Bull—-. I’m waiting, patiently for an explanation. Monica is great by the way. Thought I’d bring it back to that, just for relevance’s sake.

Goodbye already

July 18th, 2012
3:13 pm

Uh…JB, whre’s my previous post (~9:30 or so this AM)!? And, Monica is not the “heartbeat of Atlanta.” We all will keep living and breathing just fine.

wbswow

July 18th, 2012
3:21 pm

When John Pruitt was leaving (his last day). WSB-TV did not even let the BEST TV Newsman EVER in Atlanta get his last word in before they cut him off. I hope others remember this. And we get a six month, yes! A six month long good-bye to Monica. Yes, She did a great job but ENOUGH already! I knew when she said she was leaving in Feb it would be this way. Please…Just go out with a little grace about yourself. This is running it into the ground!!!!!!!

alphadog

July 18th, 2012
3:22 pm

All of you must understand that Monica is part of the history of the city of Atlanta, and not necessarily all of the suburban, and exurban, communities filled with transplants that WSB-TV reaches. I don’t watch her newscasts, will not participate in the retirement festivities and will be glad when its over. However I do appreciate her talent, community involvement and longevity in a very tough business.

ICE

July 18th, 2012
3:25 pm

IT’S ALL GOOD TAKE A CHILL PILL

byebye

July 18th, 2012
3:28 pm

You did a good job! But PLEASE, just leave. And you can keep your new degree studies to yourself too! People are getting degrees every day.

mamaj

July 18th, 2012
3:32 pm

Monica Kaufman Pearson is Atlanta royalty. She is loved by her peers, MANY people in the city of Atlanta and beyond, and she deserves every bit of the accolades and attention that she is getting right now. The way I see it, she knows about all of the hateful people and the comments they make about her, but she has NEVER let them stop her from being who she was destined to be. Monica has done so much good, it outweighs any of the nasty comments and all of the bad hair days she had along the way. And for all of you that don’t like her and are tired of seeing all the praise that she is getting–TURN THE CHANNEL–it works every time.

agreeabout

July 18th, 2012
3:36 pm

The John Pruitt comment. They should bring him back on her last day and let him be the last one to tell her,bye & also make sure he has the last word before they sign off. It did seem like they did him a little dirty when he was leaving. But I would be willing to bet he did not want it to be a really big deal. He just seemed that way. And yes, he was the best.

Captain Midnight

July 18th, 2012
3:41 pm

Truthy baby, to answer the question that you’ve been so “patiently” been waiting for it’s called averages honey.When you have a concentration of a population living in a certain area and they’re all stupid, it pulls everybody else down with them. You need look no further than Fulton, Atlanta (when the scores arn’t fradulent)Dekalb,Clayton,Bibb and so on. Look at Detroit,Chicago,Memphis,Atlanta,D.C. and I could go on. Wanna guess what all of these municipalities have in common? I bet you can. Hope this clears it up for you Truthy.

heymamaj

July 18th, 2012
3:46 pm

hateful people,nasty comments? I think most people agree she did a great job. But like one person said, does it take six months to tell a person, see ya later and thanks? Half a year to say she is leaving. jezz! If this is not a “hey look at me” I don’t know what is. royalty? please

Pearson Of Interest

July 18th, 2012
3:51 pm

While I agree that all the hype surrounding her retirement has gotten old, I still think Monica deserves kudos for all she has done for this city, and for journalists in general. Also, if you read the article, she actually declined the Fox celebration initially, which shows some humility on her part. I’ve never met the woman (though I’d love to), but she seems genuine to me (OK, except for the hair!). Plus, she’s my homegirl: We’re both from Louisville, KY! I wish her all the best.

ByeByeMonica

July 18th, 2012
4:08 pm

I did like Monica. However, WSB has drug this out for 6 months of self congratulations. I am sorry, but she was a well paid news reader. It is only because of her ego that we have been forced to put up with six months.

TruthyLies

July 18th, 2012
4:10 pm

TruthLies is Monica or her publicist.

CD

July 18th, 2012
4:17 pm

Rough crowd. Summer heat must be making most commenters grumpy!

No not really CD

July 18th, 2012
4:40 pm

I think folks are just sick of the “over the top” good byes. What about the guys that help build wsbtv into what it is today? No way guys like, Ray Moore or Don McClellan would have talked about their retirement “on air” for six solid months. And this is NOT a racist thing, this is a “PLEASE hurry the heck up with this and get it OVER thing, at this point”.

Ronj

July 18th, 2012
4:46 pm

If you want to know why Monica is so revered at WSB, then check her ratings dominance during here tenure and her active involvement in numerous worthy community efforts. She’s respected for her performance and after all, TV news IS A BUSINESS.

TruthLies

July 18th, 2012
4:50 pm

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyymmnnnn @Captain Midnight!!!

If I didn’t know ANY BETTER, I would say you have just displayed the ULTIMATE hypocrisy!! Please LET ME CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO your playing of the “LIBERAL” card!! You know… that one WHERE YOUR TYPE IS ALWAYS throwing barbs at “liberals” who “BLAME THEIR FAILURES ON OTHERS???” Did I read correctly when you say it’s the “law of averages” (all Atlanta-Fulton’s fault) that Georgia and its ENTIRE slew of 159 counties is a P.O.S.??? Yeah, the Black folks in 1 out of 159 counties makes GA a P.O.S huh?? It’s all “their” fault. Newsflash. Little Jimmy Lee is dumb as a box of rocks too, but he sure can shoot .22 rifle with tight groupings though. Laughable

TruthLies

July 18th, 2012
5:05 pm

And finally Captain Midnight, you have proven my point 100 times over. We know where your problem really lies. You made it clear in your last post (as if you didn’t in all the others). Yeah, as if White folks are soooo gifted and smart. I want to leave you with something. Too often White folks’ “accomplishments” (just like people of other races) are this:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/utah-man-confessional-obituary-owns-life-pranks-180934687.html

Difference is, when it’s a White person, it is shrugged off as humor or harmless. It’s always justified, much like the @$$h01e who shot up 18 people in AL. Oh, he’s a “troubled guy,”, “lost his job”,etc. Let’s get the pity party going won’t we? many Whites slug and cheat their way through life just like others do. You spotless view of yourself prevents you from acknowledging it though. And for the record, I’m no publicist or other affiliate of MKP. I’m just a sap out here just like everyone else doing my part to make some corporate fat cat rich, while earning a decent living for myself.

TV watcher

July 18th, 2012
5:05 pm

Naysayers, Monica K or P is an institution, plain and simple. WSB may be forgiven for milking her departure. Hey, exploitation is what they do. If you don’t get that, you live under a rock.

She is being feted partially because in our increasingly fractured society there are ever fewer icons. Media fragmentation means there will be no more “Thriller”-sized hit records, no more “M*A*S*H”-sized hit TV shows. We all live in our own media cocoon. And partially because she is Monica, a unique soul and a beloved friend who has been in our living rooms longer and more often than virtually anyone else.

Also, it is worth noting that she broke gender and race barriers with a certain aplomb.

Monica represents the last of a dying breed. I don’t disagree that a school teacher deserves a big send off after 35 years, but the number of discreet impressions that teacher made are by definition substantially smaller and are not shared by an entire community. A community in this case that is 5 million strong. Moreover, the schoolhouse or office can make a big deal out of a favorite regular who retires. There will be an assembly, maybe a tribute dinner, but schools and offices are not television stations with millions of extended family members. I feel as though I’m losing IQ points just having to explain this!

Be gracious and tip your hat–regardless of what you think of her as a journalist–to a pioneer defined a position and then held it down credibly over an entire career. It’s worth celebrating.

Captain Midnight

July 18th, 2012
5:37 pm

Truthy, what point have you made other than your belief that Georgia is a POS?
“Georgia is a P.O.S yall! blah, blah blah…
Good point..
If you dont like it here then move. Chicago perhaps?
Mabe you’ll get to meet Oprama.

mamaj

July 18th, 2012
7:19 pm

Is it a coincidence that people want Monica to hurry up and get off the air, but praise news people like John Pruitt, Ray Moore, Don McClellan and Wes Sargenson, for they are supposedly what made WSB-TV what it is today? All of those people certainly had a hand in WSB-TV’s success, just like Monica, but it’s the fact that all of them are white men. It’s ludicrous to think that only someone of Caucasian persuasion is smart enough, or good enough, or deserving enough to be in a job where not many other groups have the opportunity to tread. It is ridiculously disheartening, and sad (but true), to think that ANYONE would HAVE to call upon a law like Affirmative Action to “level” a playing field. And we wonder why racism is always thrown around?.

Observer

July 18th, 2012
11:02 pm

Kudos to you Monica! You have been in the homes of millions of Atlantans for many, many years. You are family. Wish you the best and much success in your future endeavors!

[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]

lessthanaweek

July 19th, 2012
6:48 am

run clock run!!!

JILL

July 21st, 2012
11:56 pm

MONICA PEARSON , IAM GOING TO MISS WATCHING YOU ON WSB. THE BEST NEWS ANCHOR. I AM FROM GA. YOU ARE A SWEET AND WONDERFUL PERSON. MAY GOD BLESS YOU. ENJOY SLEEPING LATE, AND JUST TAKE IT EASY.