Ted Perry, anchor of the FOX 6 News team, isn't a lifelong Milwaukeean, but he's been here long enough to know that he wants to stay. The city fits him, his personality, his pace, his style and his wit. Watch him on the 10 o'clock news or listen to him on WLZR's "Bob & Brian" show long enough, and you get the feeling that Ted's a funny, down-to-earth guy. And if you've seen the station's promotional ads featuring Ted, you'll be glad to know that he wrote them. So his humor and wit are real.
Ted's a real person, too. Thus, Milwaukee has taken to him. He's won OnMilwaukee.com's "favorite male news personality" two years in a row and while his star continues to rise in Milwaukee, Ted continues to take it in stride.
He's the youngest of eight kids, so he knows that respect comes from being able to state your points in an entertaining manner, talk up (but not out of turn) and, most importantly, from following the golden rule.
Ted was born in Wilmette, Ill. (approximately 16 miles north of downtown Chicago). If you have never been to Wilmette, think Whitefish Bay -- tree lined streets, well-maintained parks and excellent public and private schools. Population about 26,000.
In 1979, when Ted was a freshman in High School, his father took a job as a sales manager with a plastics company in Baraboo. The move was a bit of a culture shock for the 14-year-old and suddenly "only child" Ted.
But, he says "it was the best thing that ever happened to me." It got him out of his shell. Suddenly no one knew his older brothers and sisters and he was able to carve his own niche at Baraboo High School, home of the T-Birds.
Ted was a pretty good student, played sports (football and baseball) and was class president his senior year.
After high school, and still thinking he wanted to be a teacher "when he grew up," Ted made the leap to UW-Madison. He always knew Madison was the college for him, his brother had gone there and he'd been to many football games, so the school was in his heart and soul. He even went on to do a stint as Bucky Badger.
Fox 6's Ted Perry, Bucky Badger? What better place to start the interview.
OMC: Okay, tell us the Bucky Badger story.
{INSERT_RELATED}Ted Perry: I was actually trying out for cheerleading, thinking I was trying out for Bucky. I almost made the cheerleading squad, which I wanted nothing to do with! But they told me that Bucky try-outs were in a couple of weeks, and to come back then.
So, I came back. I'm in this room with eight other people and they ask questions … Where does Bucky live, what does he eat? The contest was based on your ability to adlib and BS. So, being the youngest of eight in an Irish Catholic family, I had that down pat. I told them that Bucky ate Gopher meat and Wolverine scraps, they liked it. Finally, me and another guy were picked to be Bucky for the 1984 football season. We did parades all summer. You try walking around downtown Fort Atkinson in a Bucky costume and tell me that you don't love the UW! "
OMC: How long did the Bucky Badger thing last?
TP: Until I got fired! I was doing the entertaining ritual with the Iowa mascot at half time. We shed our carcasses, introduced ourselves, and then swapped outfits. The cheerleaders didn't think this was too funny. They told Elroy Hirsch (the Athletic Director) and he fired me the next Monday. But, it's funny I got more ink out of being fired than I ever would have being Bucky."
OMC: Okay, let's get to know Ted Perry. What was your first job out of college?
TP: I was a bartender, and a darn good one, right out of school in Chicago. My first full time TV job was in Rochester, Minn. at the NBC affiliate, Channel 10 KTTC. It's so funny, I remember the call distinctly. It was June 30, and already one year after I'd graduated from college. I was about ready to give up on television, and I told myself if I didn't get this job I'd start looking in insurance or something.
But, sure enough, I got the call from Gene Carlson saying in this groggily voice, 'Ah yeah, I got your tape. I think I'm going to use you. I'll probably hire you. Call me Monday and we'll talk terms and all that.'
So, I went up there and was a feature reporter for three years. I got paid less than peanuts -- what would that be, walnuts?
OMC: Yeah, walnuts. Give us an idea of what walnuts pay was.
TP: I made $10,900 my first year, but had so much fun and could not wait to get to work each day and quite frankly, didn't want to ever leave. I rented a house with two others guys in the same position that I was, and we just had a gas in Minnesota.
OMC: But, you eventually moved on. Where next?
TP: Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1990. One of the little quirks about this period of my life, my first day at the station was Feb. 28, 1990 and my last day was Feb. 28, 1993. Three years on the nose. I was fat and happy down there with the main anchor gig and everything. But I realized, 'what the hell am I doing so far away from home?' I needed to get closer to my father who was dying at the time.
OMC: So you started at FOX 6 in '93?
TP: Yep. Jill Geisler was kind enough to hire me. I started doing general assignment stuff, all kinds of stories. My first story was a huge sinkhole on Port Washington Rd., I think of it every time I drive past it. I remember, I went to Solly's for lunch my first day, I was hooked.
OMC: What are your thoughts on the Milwaukee TV news landscape?
TP: TV news is in everyone's crosshairs. There are great people in this market. I just know that there are four news stations now, and I don't think in five to 10 years there will be four news stations. That's just my own personal feeling, no one has told me that, and I'm not in management. But I just don't see how a town this big can have one newspaper and four TV news stations.
OMC: What are your general impressions of Milwaukee?
TP: When I moved here, the city fit me a like an old pair of blue jeans. I like the people here, they are very approachable, very real and casual.
It's a big enough city to be exciting, and it's still exciting when I go out which is very infrequent now since I've become a bit of a homebody since buying a house. It just feels comfortable. I was in Chicago last weekend, and driving home as soon as you see the spinning Miller sign it just feels comfortable. It's funny, we were out in Chicago and I saw a car with 'sconnie plates and said, 'ah look honey 'sconie plates.'
OMC: 'sconnie?
TP: I got my girlfriend saying it now. You've never heard the term 'sconnie for Wisconsin? Maybe it's a Baraboo thing!
OMC: Okay. Let's move on. What's the last concert you saw?
TP: I saw Counting Crows at The Rave, and BoDeans at Summerfest. Actually, I played with KB's Midlifecrisis at Summerfest, if that counts. And on Nov. 10, for Dave and Carole's 10th Anniversary on WKHL, I'll be joining Kevin Brandt and KB's Midlifecrisis again. (No word if an impromptu Haiku contest will break out beween Ted and KB as its been known to on WKLH).
OMC: What three albums would you take on a trip if you could take only three?
TP: Ah, good timing. I was packing the car this morning.... Let's see. Counting Crows, "August and Everything After." Eric Clapton, "From the Cradle." You gotta have a little Clapton. And, Willy Porter's "Dog Eared Dream."
OMC: Do you watch much TV? What are your favorite shows?
TP: Sports Night (ABC show that was, for some odd reason, canceled last season -ed) was the best. I remember seeing it for the first time and thinking, (laughing) hey it would be cool to work in TV. I watch a lot of TV, actually. Sports Center, Chris Rock and when I say 'M.A.S.H. is coming up next' after the newscast, it's not for the viewers, it's to remind me to watch it … I'm a big M.A.S.H. fan.
I change clothes after work and stay for M.A.S.H. , especially if it's an older one … pre-Winchester. It's like comfort food, like meatloaf...the dish, not the singer.
Every time we take M.A.S.H. off, people go nuts. It's one of those quirky, quirky things. There's gonna be drunks on Opening Day and M.A.S.H. on Channel 6.
OMC: Although it's leaving in April and being replaced by Seinfeld at 10:30 p.m.
TP: Actually that's the one show that might work in its replacement.
OMC: What about sports?
TP: I'm a Brewers fan. They are good people at the Brewers, and they're up and coming. It's was great to see the White Sox lose in the playoffs! I have not become a huge Packers fan, actually I am more of a Bears fans than I am a Packers fan. Bucks Coach George Karl is great, and I've enjoyed covering a few Bucks stories. They are in for a good season.
OMC: If you could have a drink with anyone who would it be?
TP: Living?
OMC: Doesn't matter.
Ted: Well, I'd love to have another beer with Dad.
But, let's see. Johnny Carson, how's that for an answer? Even when I was a kid, Johnny Carson struck me as funny, professional, and he never got caught up in it all. His friends weren't show business types. He just seems like such a normal guy, who was on TV. In his day, he was huge, so good at what he did and so in control. But, he didn't seem to know just how good and how big of a star he was. He'd have tons of stories.
OMC: Favorite restaurants?
TP: Real Chili, by myself, during the day. Palermo Villa on Murray. Coerper's. There are many others, but those are very good.
OMC: Coke or Pepsi?
TP: Coke. Regular.
OMC: Beer?
TP: A bottle of Leinie's regular. Never really have more than one or two, though. Maybe a Guinness or a Sprecher on tap.
OMC: Okay, here comes the good stuff. You were voted the news guys that Milwaukee would most like to meet? So, what does Ted Perry look for in a woman? What's most important to you?
TP: First, I'm honored with outcome of the vote. Thanks. I am dating someone and I've been in a pretty serious relationship for about one year now. What I would look for in someone is what she has. She's beautiful and funny. She loves her family, is extremely loyal to her friends and is just kindhearted. And she thinks I'm funny.
To me, that's exactly what you look for. Plus she's got a great laugh!
We joke that we share a brain … she's certainly getting the worse half of that deal if she thinks it's true. But she is sort of the female version of the things I like. The ideal woman is one that I'm describing, and she's actually dating me. But, she'll wise up … (laughing)
OMC: Okay. Who's better, Britney or Christina?
TP: Musically, I'd pass on both.
OMC: Coffee? Got a favorite brand?
TP: Alterra, the Kulantik blend. It's from a farmers' cooperative in Chiapas, Mexico that works with my church Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church on N. Cramer St.
OMC: Who was your role model growing up?
TP: My parents, clearly. Very supportive and loving. My mom was the original working mother, with eight kids she had to be. They taught me so much, especially about the golden rule. That's what it's all about. Do unto others.
OMC: What do you do in your free time? We hear you're a triathlete?
TP: I have a lot of time in the mornings. It's nice. I've completed in three triathlons. I'm not the fastest triathlete, but I think it's a cool sport.
Here's a good story. In the last one I did I was riding my bike, and I hear this wump, wump, wump, wump behind me …. and this younger guy with a flat tire passes me!
I usually finish about last in my age group, but what the heck.
Get this, in the Devil's Triathlon in Devil's Lake … where is the one place that you don't want to finish? Take a guess? 666. Right? I'm not kidding, that's where I finished. It's scary. Check it out in the results section on www.wimultisport.com. There I am, #666!
OMC: What's the deal with your occasional Haiku (a Japanese form of 3-line, 17-syllable poetry) outbursts on 96.5 WKLH's morning show ?
TP: Dave and Carol called me at home one morning and I rattled off a couple. You know, KB always does his Haiku and I was up to the challenge when they called me. I'm the most proud of the one that I did in French and in English. They put the word out that I couldn't do a Haiku in a foreign language. Well, that's false. In fact I did one in French, and it was perfect hiku because it means the same thing in French and English and in both languages it's 5-7-5. Want to hear it?
OMC: Of course.
TP: Je pense qu'un gars Qui parle français comme un Français va à reçoit placé, which means, "I think that a guy who speaks French like a Frenchman is going to get laid. Or get girls, if you will.
OMC: Good stuff. Do you have a quote that you use for inspiration?
TP: The Golden Rule. I'm not really in to all these motivation speakers, but Les Brown once had a good saying, "If you want to keep getting what you're getting, keep doing what you are doing." It works both positively and negatively. It's a good line that I tell my friends when they are down in the dumps. If your behavior is causing results that you don't like, change it.
OMC: Are you reading a book at the present time?
TP: Actually I am. My girlfriend got me the Walter Payton book, "Never Die Easy." He was sort of my hero growing up.
OMC: Are you a big Internet guy?
TP: Not really. I'm embarrassingly behind when it comes to the Web. But I use it more and more at work for newspapers and research. I've been called "Flintstonian" when it comes to computers, but hope to have a home computer soon. I do have OnMilwaukee.com bookmarked.
OMC : Where do you think you'll be 10 years from now?
TP: I hope to be here. Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans, but I do love it here. And in 10 years, I hope to have kids and be coaching Little League somewhere with my kid on the team … and I hope she can pitch!
OMC: Give us Mayor Ted Perry, what does Milwaukee need?
TP: A great left-handed pitcher for the Brewers and a major power center in the middle for the Bucks. Milwaukee needs to be less segregated, more mixing of the people.
The Summerfest deal needs to get done. And, better downtown parking. I know I'll have a ticket when I leave here today.
OMC: Great. Thanks for your time.
TP: No problem. I hope to have my computer at home by the time you post this.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
