Television HOF

Bob Costas – 2006

Bob Costas left his radio job in St. Louis to join the NBC television network in the early 1980s, but he never really left St. Louis. Known for his smooth delivery, knowledge of sports, and his quick wit, Costas was a play-by-play announcer for the old Spirits of St. Louis of the American Basketball Association. He became a major presence at KMOX Radio, and was briefly employed by the CBS network before signing with NBC He won many National Sportcaster of the Year awards and nearly 20 Emmy Awards for outstanding sports announcing. Costas was a recipient of the Curt Gowdy Award, which is awarded to members of the electronic and print media for outstanding contributions to basketball. In 1988 he broke new ground and won praise for “Later with Bob Costas,” becoming the first sportscaster to host a nationally televised late-night talk show. NBC consistently turned to Costas to host its Olympic coverage. As an active citizen of St. Louis, he lent his time and support to many charitable and civic causes.

Dick Deeken – 2009

Dick Deeken worked as a news photographer at Channel 5 for 30 years. Known as one of the area’s runner and gunners, Dick would do what it took to get the shots and the story. Before he was hired, Deeken bought his own film camera and drove around the area at night after leaving his day job. He’d hang out with cops and firemen and get video, then sell his material to Channel 5 the following morning. This free-lance effort led to his hiring in 1965. He even survived a helicopter accident when it crashed into the Mississippi River as he was shooting video of a barge accident. He escaped from the wreckage by using his camera to smash through the helicopter’s bubble.

This is a Stub Article for the Television Hall of Fame.
After other articles are available in this category, this should be unpublished.

George Abel – 2012

George Abel was the jack of all trades, which is just what was needed in radio and the early days of television. Taking a job at KSD radio in 1943, Abel soon found the new medium of television was a perfect match. In 1947, KSD-TV signed on with Abel as one of the original on-air employees.

Spanning 34 years, Abel played roles as program announcer/sports commentator, cowboy “Drygulch” on the The Wranglers Club show, a personality on the Charlotte Peters Show and then as announcer of Wrestling at the Chase on KPLR-TV Channel 11. He retired in 1981.

Spencer Allen – 2006

Allen had a casual and relaxed style in delivering the news. His easy manner won the confidence and trust of many viewers. After graduating from the University of Missouri School of Journalism he started his career in radio, working at stations in Missouri and Texas. In 1941 He moved to Chicago to work at WGN radio. During World War II, he served in the Army as public relations officer at Fort Monmouth Signal Corps Training Center in New Jersey. After the war, he rejoined WGN in Chicago and established one of the first local television news operations before coming to St. Louis in 1958 and joining KMOX-TV, where he became news director and chief news anchor. In 1964, Mr. Allen went to rival KTVI, but only spent three years there before returning to KMOX-TV as editorial director. In 1972, he left television to teach in the graduate program of UM’s journalism school.

John Auble – 2011

John Auble came to St. Louis in 1967 to work for the old St. Louis Globe.  After newspaper work in other cities, he returned to a job at KSD-TV. In 1988 he moved to KTVI. He scored a number of high-profile exclusives including the very first interview with James Earl Ray (confessed assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), Coretta King, Rosa Parks, Olympian Wilma Rudolph, St. Louis Mafia don Mike Trupiano and Ike Turner, among others.  He is credited with helping to free Patti Stallings after she was convicted of murdering her son by feeding him antifreeze. The child actually died from a rare genetic disorder.  Among his honors are seven Emmy awards, induction into the NATAS “Silver Circle” for his lifetime achievements in the media, “Media Man of the Year” by the Missouri Police Chiefs’ Association, and others.