Television HOF

Bob Dotson – 2016

Bob Dotson grew up in Webster Groves. Beginning in 1975, working for NBC News, Dotson created a niche for himself in television history as an on-the-road reporter for The Today Show. His regular feature, “The American Story with Bob Dotson” focused on the stories of Americans whose accomplishments were worthy of the spotlight. For his work, Dotson received 120 national and international awards, including six Edward R. Murrow Awards and eight national Emmy Awards.

Don Francois – 2016

Don Francois literally helped build the television industry in St. Louis. He was first hired here to build KACY, the UHF station licensed to Festus. From there he went to KSD-TV, but when KWK-TV was licensed to go on the air in 1954, he moved there to build the new facility.  Then KWK-TV went to color in 1958 and Don was part of the rebuild.  In 1967, Channel 4’s station owner CBS set out to construct a state-of-the-art facility with the world’s first computerized master control room, and Don again rose to the challenge. He retired from Channel 4 in 1997.

Tripp Frohlichstein – 2017

Tripp Frohlichstein worked at KMOX-TV for ten years, working his way to the position of assistant news director. His years there served as perfect preparation for his true career with a company he named MediaMasters. Frohlichstein used what he had observed in television news to prepare his clients for media appearances. His work with major corporations, governments, associations and non-profits helped make his clients aware of the best ways to get their media messages across and avoid the possible pitfalls. He also served as a television critic for the St. Louis Journalism Review, Post-Dispatch and KMOX Radio, and he was an adjunct media instructor at Webster and Washington Universities.

Henry Hampton – 2017

Henry Hampton is a St. Louis native whose prominence came in recognition of his documentary work. One, in particular, was said by critics to be “the definitive look at the nation’s early struggle over civil rights.” It was Hampton’s 1987 production, “Eyes on the Prize,” which received four national Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award for excellence in journalism. His follow-up three years later, “Eyes on the Prize II,” won two Emmys. He was recognized in 1990 by President George Bush for his documentary work.

Jim Kirchherr – 2017

Jim Kirchherr began his career in St. Louis television on election night, 1978, embarking on a career of video storytelling in St. Louis that spanned several decades. He spent four years as a producer/reporter for KTVI, then left the market briefly for a job at Radio Free Europe in Munich. When he returned he settled in at KETC and rose to the position of the station’s Senior Director of Content. He received numerous awards for his work there on public affairs programs and on “Living St. Louis.” He was a William Benton Fellow at the University of Chicago, where he taught broadcast journalism in the early ‘80s, and has served the local chapter of the National Association of TV Arts and Sciences in many capacities.

Deanne Lane – 2017

Deanne Lane is an Emmy Award winning journalist who worked for KSDK for over 24 years. As a reporter and news anchor she covered numerous major events, including the Columbine shooting, Oklahoma City bombing and hurricane Katrina. Known for conducting in-depth interviews, she was recognized for her series on the homeless in St. Louis, during which she lived among them on the streets of the city for five days. She was very active in community service, volunteering her time for the St. Louis Area Food Bank, Red Cross, St. Louis Effort for AIDS and the Special Olympics.