Carolyn Long: A legacy of longevity, laughter and love
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Carolyn Long first walked into KCTV5 nearly three decades ago. And every day since then, she’s taken viewers on a wild ride with her upbeat, energetic and — at times — thrilling reporting and anchoring.
As we prepare to say goodbye to Carolyn, we wanted to highlight what has been an unforgettable and remarkable career in Kansas City television.
Carolyn Long has done it all. Former KCTV5 personality Fred Broski, who worked with Carolyn in the mid-90s, said, “You talk about versatility, I called her ‘the iron woman’ because she worked every shift there was on this station.”
Carolyn was hired in 1996 by former KCTV5 news director Don North. He said it was a no-brainer.
“That’s an easy hire to make,” he said. “I mean, she was really good from the very beginning.”
Soon, Carolyn was promoted to the anchor desk. It was clear she was a natural. Ready to report the news, always unflappable and quick with laughter. Broski was there when Carolyn anchored her first newscast at KCTV5.
“We’re not sure what to expect. You never know with a new anchor,” he said. “Finally, the red light comes on and off, she goes, and after about 40 seconds, the crew looks at each other, looks back at Carolyn — high signs from everybody! We’ve got ourselves a winner! She was off and running.”
Former KCTV5 anchor Bob Thill said Carolyn brought a unique energy into the newsroom.
“She energizes a crowd and energizes the room,” Thill said. “And she does that with a newscast as well. It’s real. She really lights it up.”
Thill was Carolyn’s first co-anchor at KCTV5 when they worked on the Saturday morning newscast.
“Her success is basically her personality, her comion, her ability to relate and to get along well with others, whether it’s the on-camera staff, the behind-the-scenes staff,” he said. “She’s just one of those people that when you meet her, you feel like you’ve met a friend.”
Former KCTV5 anchor Valissa Smith said Carolyn’s fun and outgoing personality helped her build a loyal following.
“Your viewers are going to miss you and I want you to hold that in your heart, Carolyn Long,” Smith said. “Because that’s how you it was a job well done.”
Former KCTV5 meteorologist Gary Amble agreed.
“We were very blessed to have her work with us for 28 years.”
Amble said working with Carolyn truly was a joy.
“She just has this uncanny ability to say the right thing at the right time,” he added. “And even though she is truly the star of the show, she always finds a way to deflect that light to the person who needs it or who is supposed to get it.”
Like former KCTV5 personality Michael Mackie, who said it was Carolyn who helped open doors for him in the business.
“I owe my entire television career to Carolyn,” Mackie said.
Whether reporting or anchoring, Carolyn poured her heart and soul into her work. And she really turned it up a notch while covering the Chiefs at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. She had fun with fans of both teams, she hung out with an Elvis impersonator on the Vegas strip, all while reporting on the latest news surrounding the Super Bowl.
But to top it off, she displayed her daredevil spirit and jumped off the iconic STRAT tower in Las Vegas which is over 800 feet up! On the way down, she could be heard screaming: “Only on KCTV5!”
As ionate as Carolyn is about journalism, she is equally ionate about giving back. Throughout her 28 years at KCTV5, Carolyn has a big heart for charity.
She has hosted and emceed hundreds of local charity events, including March of Dimes, Bra Couture, Wayside Waifs, Salvation Army, Project Warmth and countless others.
One year, she helped raise money for Variety KC by showing off her unicycle riding skills. So she’s a rock star on the local charity circuit.
She’s an Emmy award-winning journalist and a Kansas City broadcast legend. She’s beloved by viewers and colleagues alike, including Valissa Smith.
“And dang it, she’s cute!” Smith said. “She still looks the same as she did back when I left in 2003. What? How does she do that? I don’t know. She’s a rarity and I’ll you tell this, Channel 5 is damn lucky they’ve had her for as long as they have.”
For more stories celebrating Carolyn, click here.
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