R.I.P Nick Charles

MJ5150 · #1 06-25-2011, 05:14 PM

Ex-CNN sportscaster Nick Charles dies at 64 - ESPN

Oh man, I remember Nick so well. I can hear him calling another "Play of the Day" with Ozzie Smith, Dominique Wilkins, Al Toon, or Jimmy Carson. Him and Fred Hickman were so great together on CNN's sports show back in the day. Many a night I chose Fred and Nick over Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann.

-Mike

Jeff K · #2 06-25-2011, 10:38 PM

Yeah Mike, I agree. Nick and Fred were my favorite sports anchors back then. This is sad...

Selta · #3 06-25-2011, 10:59 PM

Damn, only 64 too.

Dr. Cheese · #4 06-25-2011, 11:15 PM

RIP, life is precious!

MJ5150 · #5 06-27-2011, 11:14 AM

That's it for Nick Charles? Come on guys.

-Mike

macaroni tony · #6 06-27-2011, 11:15 AM

RIP...he was before my time. Didn't know much about him

Jeff K · #7 06-27-2011, 10:39 PM

We're gettin' old, Mike. (At least I am...)

MJ5150 · #8 06-28-2011, 09:45 AM

I guess. Those guys at CNN were a big part of my youth.

-Mike

Dave Siff · #9 06-28-2011, 11:41 AM

I was fortunate to work with Nick and Fred for a few months in 1996-97, producing the 11pm show on the short-lived CNNSI channel. Nick was a real character, a great anchor and reporter who really knew his stuff. Fred was a pleasure to work with, as well.
If you haven't seen the pieces CNN did in the last few months of Nick's life, go to CNN.com and find them. They're beautifully done, and just heartbreaking, especially the video diaries he did for his daughter to watch after he died.

MJ5150 · #10 06-28-2011, 11:46 AM

Wow Dave, I am so jealous.

For me, those guys were big in my early teens. Nick always felt like this really cool uncle I wish I had, and Fred too. It felt like this guys were talking to me in my living room. I know it sounds corny to describe it, but I don't feel that kind of connection with anyone at ESPN. I did for a little bit with Stuart Scott, but he let his fame get to him and it ruined it for me. Same with Olbermann and Berman.

I like this video...... YouTube - ‪CNN Sports Promo Blooper with Nick Charles and Fred Hickman 1980's‬&rlm;

-Mike

Dave Siff · #11 06-28-2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

For me, those guys were big in my early teens. Nick always felt like this really cool uncle I wish I had, and Fred too. It felt like this guys were talking to me in my living room. I know it sounds corny to describe it, but I don't feel that kind of connection with anyone at ESPN.

I hear you. I think part of it is that sports was just a small part of CNN's programming, so Nick and Fred brought a real freshness and enthusiasm to the 30 minutes they had, and we only saw them once a day. Plus, they had great chemistry on the set. Whereas sports is everything ESPN does, so it feels like you see the same people all the time and it never really feels unique.

Atoz · #12 06-28-2011, 03:48 PM

Nick and Fred were a great team.