40 Years In Television, Time Has Changed
The average news story last only about a minute and thirty seconds, but Reporter Theresa Gutierrez has much more to share. As a veteran reporter of 40 years, Gutierrez has seen it all in the business the good and the bad.
Beginning her broadcast career in the 1970’s, Gutierrez hosted a talk show at the height of the Feminist movement.
“I started on a feminist show here, because I am a feminist. I started my show saying, this is what a feminist looks like. I had Phyllis Shaffely, Gloria Steinem, Marlo Thomas major hitters in the feminist movement come through my show. That what I identified with the feminist movement.”
Although Gutierrez hosted successful feminist-centered programming, it came with opposition from her contemporaries. During the beginning of her career Gutierrez faced sexual harassment and nicknames like, “Chiquita Banana” in reference to her Spanish background. At one point, she realized that even some of her colleagues were mocking her work.
“Everyone use to look at the set [of The Feminine Franchise] and just snicker…I found out years later the art director had designed the set to look like vaginas.”
Gutierrez still heavily aligns with the movement however, as management changed, so did her image. When the feminist movement started losing popularity, Gutierrez was “re-branded” to target the Latino demographic for the station.
Although she heavily resisted being pigeon holed, she accepted that, “[she] was the best one for the job.” Gutierrez believes that her strong work ethic and empathy drive her day to day.
“People always says to me it looks like you care, It’s because I do care.” Gutierrez said. “I care a lot about every story I do whether I like it or not. I got into this business because I wanted to represent the underdog.”
Unfortunately, Gutierrez is less than impressed at the current state of television. What could ultimately be a powerful tool , is being used for reality TV shows.
“I am really disgusted and disappointed in what television has become…The Kardashians, The Housewives and all that other crap, instead of it being used right.”
It’s such a stark comparison; Gutierrez worked twelve years behind the scene before getting in front of the camera. Kim Kardashian became an overnight sensation after a leaked sex tape. One could definitely summarize television has drastically changed.
Think your boss is tough? Wait until you've read about Theresa Gutierrez's first on-air job at Feminine Franchise.
— Kandace Thomas (@_kandacethomas_) May 28, 2014
Theresa Gutierrez, how a little girl from Gary Indiana became an Emmy Award winning producer and TV Journalist.
— Kandace Thomas (@_kandacethomas_) May 28, 2014
"It has been one hell of a ride." So what's kept Theresa Gutierrez in journalism for over 40 years?
— Kandace Thomas (@_kandacethomas_) May 28, 2014
Behind The Scenes With Theresa Gutierrez
Theresa Gutierrez is a 40-year TV veteran,
while many may recognize her from her work in front of the camera; Gutierrez
has produced several specials and shows in the past.
Currently, Gutierrez hosts and produces the series, “The Ñ Beat” a show that focuses on the vibrant Latino community in Chicago. The pace of the show is a welcome change from the typical hard news and crime coverage the reporter is used to.
“Those are all my subjects, those are all my topics. I have final word on that show. I work with phenomenal producers give them an idea and they run with it. I’ve had nothing but great producers on that show.”
The Emmy winning show focuses on music, restaurants and culture. Gutierrez says she loves the series but has completed several projects of which she’s proud.
“I like working and I like television news and I love The Ñ Beat” and I like Feminine Franchise that was my all-time favorite.”
When Gutierrez began her career in the 70’s it was behind the camera as a producer. She produced the show Feminine Franchise. She got her first start on television when, “the co-host was gone and my boss was on vacation.” The other host of the series would sneak Gutierrez on the show.
While she describes the series as a blast, bringing on guests and handing out “Male Chauvinist Pig Awards,” the show was about advancing equity. A strong focus of Gutierrez’s which motivated her proudest moment, her half hour special, “Beyond A Reasonable Doubt.”
“It was about two kids from Gary Indiana serving a life sentence for a crime they did not commit. I snuck around with crews; I met a woman in an alley who told me the story.”
Originally from Gary, Ind, Gutierrez felt compelled to do the story but not without some resistance. She recalls receiving phone calls from people from Indiana saying, “We knew your dad Theresa he wouldn't want you to do this lay off.” Of course this only motivated her to pursue and finish the story.
Not only was she nominated for an award from the work done for the special, Gutierrez says something greater came from the story. “The kids, these two young men were in the penitentiary in Michigan City, they are now living productive lives in Georgia.”
Gutierrez says she’s almost done with her career on-screen, “I’ve had a great run, it’s time for somebody else. Am I going to be the oldest report on the street saying Theresa Gutierrez ABC eyewitness news?”
While she may be exiting television news we can still expect to see more projects from her.
“I’ve got a lot left in me.”
Currently, Gutierrez hosts and produces the series, “The Ñ Beat” a show that focuses on the vibrant Latino community in Chicago. The pace of the show is a welcome change from the typical hard news and crime coverage the reporter is used to.
“Those are all my subjects, those are all my topics. I have final word on that show. I work with phenomenal producers give them an idea and they run with it. I’ve had nothing but great producers on that show.”
The Emmy winning show focuses on music, restaurants and culture. Gutierrez says she loves the series but has completed several projects of which she’s proud.
“I like working and I like television news and I love The Ñ Beat” and I like Feminine Franchise that was my all-time favorite.”
When Gutierrez began her career in the 70’s it was behind the camera as a producer. She produced the show Feminine Franchise. She got her first start on television when, “the co-host was gone and my boss was on vacation.” The other host of the series would sneak Gutierrez on the show.
While she describes the series as a blast, bringing on guests and handing out “Male Chauvinist Pig Awards,” the show was about advancing equity. A strong focus of Gutierrez’s which motivated her proudest moment, her half hour special, “Beyond A Reasonable Doubt.”
“It was about two kids from Gary Indiana serving a life sentence for a crime they did not commit. I snuck around with crews; I met a woman in an alley who told me the story.”
Originally from Gary, Ind, Gutierrez felt compelled to do the story but not without some resistance. She recalls receiving phone calls from people from Indiana saying, “We knew your dad Theresa he wouldn't want you to do this lay off.” Of course this only motivated her to pursue and finish the story.
Not only was she nominated for an award from the work done for the special, Gutierrez says something greater came from the story. “The kids, these two young men were in the penitentiary in Michigan City, they are now living productive lives in Georgia.”
Gutierrez says she’s almost done with her career on-screen, “I’ve had a great run, it’s time for somebody else. Am I going to be the oldest report on the street saying Theresa Gutierrez ABC eyewitness news?”
While she may be exiting television news we can still expect to see more projects from her.
“I’ve got a lot left in me.”