Meet the Host
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-05-06 11:10:26
Meet the Host
Prime Time Focus Host Jim Harriott's skill for being Johnny on the spot means he's been on top of the nation's breaking stories. He recorded Richard Nixon's first reaction to the news of President John F. Kennedy's assassination; toured the Watts riot scene in California with Dr. Martin Luther King, and reported on the shooting of Mafia leader Joe Columbo in Central Park.
Dangerous Pursuits
Jim's pursuit of stories put him on the hot seat at times. He tells of the day a sniper shot at him in Jersey City during a riot. "As I was recording a report on my tape recorder, I could hear the 'splat' of the bullet hitting the pavement nearby," he says, adding that the tape is a prized memento.
Host of "Prime Time Focus" since 1994, Jim says, "The show is fun, never boring. I'm always learning something—and I like to pass it on." He draws on his own wide-ranging interests, recent studies, and current events for broadcast topics. These range from serious stuff such as "Heartwise," a veteran newspaperman's chronicle of his heart surgery, to lighter subjects such as funny headlines.
With its snappy mix of consumer, medical, and cultural topics, "Prime Time Focus" appeals to thousands of baby boomer and older listeners who tune in to his daily and weekend broadcasts. "I love it when what interests me interests others," Jim adds.
Awards and More
Jim's many awards for radio and TV newscasts include four Emmys. He lives with his wife, Kaye, and teenaged daughter, Katie, in Montgomery County, Maryland.
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