One of Her Last Known Recorded Broadcasts - NBC News Digest With Jessica Savitch (10/18/1983)

Here's a mostly complete NBC News Digest with Jessica Savitch. This is notable for being one of her last appearances on television before her untimely and tragic death on Sunday, October 23rd 1983. (she did one final night of NBC News Digest on 10-21-83)
Also includes a commercial for Michelob Light.
Opening voiceover by Bill Hanrahan.
This aired on local Chicago TV on Tuesday, October 18th 1983 at about 8:55pm.
About The Museum of Classic Chicago Television:
The MCCTv (FuzzyMemoriesTV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose primary mission is the preservation and display of off-air, early home videotape recordings (70s to early 80s, mostly) recorded off of TV (in Chicago or other cities now too); things which would likely be lost if not sought out and preserved digitally. If you have any old 1970s videotapes recorded off of TV please email: [e-mail] Even though (mostly) short clips are displayed here, we preserve the entire broadcasts in our archives - the complete programs with breaks (or however much is present on the tape), for historical preservation. For information on how to help in our mission, to donate or lend tapes to be converted to DVD, please e-mail [e-mail] Thank you for your help!

[@ronaldhansen2378]

I remember Jessica Savitch on NBC Nightly News Update.I was seventeen years old when she died on October of1983. Cannot believe it was almost Fourty years since Jessica Savitch died in a terrible car accident in October of 1983. Rest in peace Jessica Savitch you one hell of a reporter.

[@licentia1963]

Classy and beautiful right until the very end. Jessica Savitch was a trendsetter and a pioneer in American television news. She was a very rare and very bright star.

[@davewanamaker3690]

Did you ever see the update that shows her trying to get some professionalism out of the crew? She deserved better than a one-horse NBC crew. They didn't have a floor manager to cue her. It was like the men were trying to sabotage her. Even my fellow broadcast students in college would have been more helpful to her.

[@gardensofthegods]

Yeah I saw that one here and I just got done watching it again and you know the content creator disabled the comments for that . On two of his other vids that have the comment section open I did ask him to open the comments for the Jessica Savitch vid .

[@gardensofthegods]

They probably wanted to deliberately ruffle her feathers so they could record her getting angry so they could say " see ... she's a b!tch , we need a new anchor person " .

[@lablaine1981]

Men messed w/ her all along her career,so so sorry Jessica's family,her dad died at 12 yrs old and was very ❤️ towards her...those men are🐛🐛

[@JoesGoldenGarage]

Always like how Jessicas tone during her sign off “im Jessica Savitch in New York” very calm and smooth

[@HenryTheGangsterCat]

One of her last stories was on auto safety? That's so tragic - she died in a car accident. Not that airbags or automatic seatbelts would have helped them sadly. RIP

[@lauralafleur2144]

I used to watch her every night. I was crushed when she died. She paved the way for the female anchor women you see today.

[@m.e.d.7997]

She was a n excellent deliverer of the news.@CJS

[@Keke-dg6qk]

no for the white ones she did not for the women of color

[@Kingfisher1215]

NOYB yeah, the Russian propaganda pusher on MSNBC is a real role model. Lol.

[@S955US84]

In fact there were many more serious and highly competent newswomen decades before Jessica Savitch ever appeared. Among the greats were Pauline Frederick, Liz Trotta, Barbara Walters, Nancy Dickerson and Betty Furness to name a few.

[@calwilliams1506]

@@Keke-dg6qk - Oprah sure did back in the day. And now Robin Roberts, Deborah Roberts, etc. I’m glad Oprah is such a kick ass strong woman!

[@hoss73ford]

Thanks for posting this. Jessica's demise is tragic, these clips keep her memory alive.

[@michaelcait2935]

She died October 23 1983 from what I gather in a mysterious car accident in Pennsylvania at age 36 the more I read and see about her makes me want to learn about her life and death

[@bgpdx1914]

It happened that I had to drive up River Road in New Hope very early on the morning of Oct 24th, 1983. I'd not yet heard the news of what had happened but saw all the flashing lights, cops & emergency workers and slowed as I went past the restaurant as they were hauling the car out of the canal. It was pretty obvious that someone had died and it was a chilling sight. It was pretty startling when I found out who was in the car and how bizarre the accident was.

[@bufnyfan1]

the driver of the car-Martin Fischbein, vice president of the New York Post, came out of the restaurant parking lot and thought through the rain that the canal (which had filled with rainwater) looked like the asphalt of the road and he drove right into it--the car flipped on its roof and settled in the mud--Ms. Savitch and her dog were in the back seat and couldn't get out (when the car was examined it was apparent she had frantically tried to kick open the door and windows to no avail)

[@gardensofthegods]

Yes very tragic I remember that was all over the news here in Philadelphia as she used to do the local news for NBC before she hit the big time . But it seems as if there was no barrier there to prevent cars from going into the canal ... ?

[@tomjones7089]

She was excellent, remember her well. Rest in Peace Jessica.

[@bak-mariterry9143]

Orson Wells was on the Tonight Show with Carson once and Carson asked Orson if their was anyone that he would like too meet . Orson said Jessica Savatage (?). Carson said that could be arranged. Well , out she walked. Orson was delighted . Wish I could find it on YT .

[@metromedia740]

It was actually KNBC news anchor Kelly Lange that he wanted to meet. She was anchoring the 6pm newscast and they let her go over to the Tonight Show set during a commercial break. The clip is on KZbin. Lange, like Savitch was blonde and beautiful. Kelly anchored at KNBC from the mid 70’s until 1999.

[@irish89055]

OCt 23 was also the sad day 241 Marines were killed at that Beirut airport...

[@figmo397]

That’s why many folks didn’t realize she’d died.

[@cherkas009]

Syria was right when they said the Beirut Airport was not safe

[@richardschmitt9479]

@@cherkas009 that's because Syria was responsible for the bombing.

[@lincbond442]

I remember watching this lovely lady. Can't believe it's been so long since her passing.

[@kawirocket88]

Same here. Her husband committed suicide only a few yrs prior.

[@toddanthony6664]

October 23, 2023 marked 40 years since she passed.

[@kimberlynorton]

She used to be my favorite broadcaster. I still remember when she died, it was almost like yesterday.

[@mianoxid1548]

Mine as well. So sharp, tough and smart. She paved away for a lot of women and died such a horrific death. RIP Jessica.

[@kimberlynorton]

+Patty Dixon :)

[@Kingfisher1215]

Norbero Fontanez google is your friend

[@Kingfisher1215]

Norbero Fontanez then you are at the whims of random strangers for the information you seek. Just as an FYI, she died of spontaneous combustion while reporting from downtown Chicago. She was covering a story on how much dye they have to put in the river to turn it green on St Patrick's day. Apparently the chemicals from the dye reacted with her hairspray and caused an inferno so intense that even today there is a hole in a downtown bridge where she burned. Thankfully this was not live on air and was before cell phones so there are no videos of it.

[@Kingfisher1215]

Norbero Fontanez March 16

[@lorisavitch9056]

According to the NBC Archives (reported to me by a representative from the Paley Center for Media) Jessica's last appearance was on Friday, October 21, 1983 - 48 hours prior to her death. It has been accurately reported that she was NOT fired after the infamous October 3 broadcast. In fact, she continued in her role at NBC as this October 18 clip clearly attests. It's your choice to believe whatever you like. Thank you for posting this clip.

[@moaningpheromones]

Sorry to see you lost your sister - she was born some months after my mother - baby boomers.

[@davidjefferson8091]

Seen her about a day or so before her death. I was 17. Still haunts me.

[@MrDHiland]

Jessica Savitch was very professional in her job, and a pleasure to watch. Her voice was very smooth and pleasant to the ear. I remember her well...and was very saddened to hear of her untimely death. It is very sad that she passed at such a young age. I'm sure she inspired many young girls, during her career, to go into the broadcasting business. That would be a fitting legacy for her life.

[@billymatthews7346]

She was a part of NBC News…

[@blessOTMA]

Watched her for years on the local channel, before she went national. She was the goods. Tragic end. RIP

[@gardensofthegods]

Yeah me too we watched her when she was with KYW the local affiliate for NBC in the Philadelphia area

[@chop3625]

Never knew her politics either, the way it was meant.

[@julesrandolph5687]

Indeed. Why the tragic story of Jessica Savitch has been turned into a "political discussion" is beyond me.

[@BettinaBalser]

Lori...I want you to know that I idolized Jessica when I was a girl (I was born in 1970, so my "fangirl" days coincided with her career at NBC). I still think of her daily. She looms large in my memories. God bless you.

[@calalilygirl]

I never knew she went on after Oct 3rd. So happy to see she did The last week before her death she is on and is TOPS in her performance redeeming herself to he wonderful glory. Glad she showed that before she died.

[@BettinaBalser]

This is a fantastic find. Thank you so much for posting it. As for her final appearance on the air, a good resource for that information would be Alanna Nash, who wrote Golden Girl, Jessica's biography. (p.s. Again, this is a FANTASTIC find.)

[@trishprazan]

I read that book, I loved it. It’s so sad about her, I’ve always loved her ever since I was a little girl.

[@RoadCone411]

Kind of sad and ironic that she discussed auto safety...

[@ParanormalExplorer]

She was in the back seat with her dog. her boyfriend was driving, went off the side of a road, flipped and was stuck in mud.

[@chadsoard2640]

MANY People believe her death was arranged because she exposed the NFL and illegal gaming practices on her new Frontline TV documentary!

[@julesrandolph5687]

@@chadsoard2640 It was an unfortunate accident: It was pouring rain and the driver - Jessica's boyfriend, a junior exec from the New York Post - drove into a canal, not being able to see the road.

[@leonarddobens6070]

to think that she was killed by the melting ice caps

[@lindaeasley5606]

Ironic , actually

[@ericbarash6842]

I grew up in the Philadelphia market in the 70s and 80s, I remember her, and may God continue to rest her soul as I also know the details of her demise. She was an anchorwoman at KYW-TV Channel 3.

[@gardensofthegods]

Yes I grew up in Philly and I remember when she was with KYW and then when we learned of her death and how sad and bizarre it was and yeah everybody everybody was shocked and speaking about it for quite some time . And another one who was beloved was Jim O'Brien of Action News and what a sad day that was . As tragic as his death was it just seemed that what happened to Jessica and her dog and her boyfriend seemed to haunt the public's imagination more so . Funny how they both seem to have sunshine in their eyes

[@muffs55mercury61]

This makes me want to cry. She might not quite have been a pioneer but definitely paved the path for more women to get anchoring jobs in newscasting.

[@Akira625]

I was a little kid when Jessica Savitch was on the air, and I remembered hearing about her death on the news.

[@trishprazan]

Yeah I remember watching her death on the news with my mom and talking to my mom about it. It was so sad we both loved her a lot. And I was pretty young, too. Probably where my obsession with celebrities and death came from lol

[@JCNDCIII]

Amazing how good she looks in this clip. She looked so much older and tired on the October 3rd appearance. She is in top form here.

[@wmbrown6]

And wasn't her second "Digest" of the 3rd more coherent than the first?

[@murph8837]

@@wmbrown6 Yes, it was relatively better than the first. She still looked a bit out of it.

[@joeschlotthauer840]

Even back in 1983, we only had 10 years to live...

[@kcountrycorvettes]

Someone should show this vid to Greta.

[@CB.5]

lol

[@chuckboyle8456]

Where were Joe Biden & John Kerry when Planet Earth needed them most 38 years ago?

[@michaelhull63]

Yes lol and how many millions were spent back then to save the planet hahaha

[@3John-Bishop]

What they are doing is actually taxing the sun 🌞

[@FuzzyMemoriesTV]

Thanks Lori. Very neat that you were able to pinpoint her last TV appearance. She did two digests a night, correct? So the later one on 10-21-83 would have been the final one I presume. Thanks for carrying the torch for your sister's legacy and for caring about accurate information.

[@drewhunkins7192]

In the early 1980s she put together an enthralling and spectacular documentary on NFL football, gambling, possible game fixing and the outlaw line. One of the best things I've ever seen on the internet. It's extremely difficult to find online. I've seen it on KZbin only to disappear then reappear then disappear, etc.

[@gardensofthegods]

Does make you wonder if there was some sabotage as a couple people had wondered about . From what I recall there was no railing there to stop the car from backing into the canal but perhaps it would have been very easy for one or two very strong Hitman to shove the car into the canal very quickly and quietly in the dark on That Rainy night without anyone noticing ? Sounds far-fetched I know ... but who can say .

[@gardensofthegods]

Maybe she wasn't through with reporting on that topic and maybe she found more info and maybe it was a lot more serious

[@gardensofthegods]

Incredible isn't it how some very powerful entities who can also spend a lot on Advertising have that much power and clout to get KZbin to remove certain videos that should not be taken down

[@gardensofthegods]

Drew I'm pretty sure I just found it on a channel called Brilliant Resources . Type in this : Documentary NFL Football , Gambling , and The Mafia . I'm pretty sure that's the title although I might be off by a word or two because it took me a long time coming back here to find your comment again . But that's definitely her voice I hear in the beginning of the documentary which was actually on Frontline ... but it's on that channel I just gave you the name of it I think I'm going to watch it ... even though it's from over 40 years ago ... probably still going on today .

[@gardensofthegods]

Also some did think her death was suspicious and now I'm really wondering . She probably had more info maybe even something really big , bigger than that story . When their car backed into the canal people are saying there was no railing or anything to prevent that from happening and the canal was very narrow so when the car fell in I think they said upside down there was no way to get the doors open . The water was not deep but they had heavy rains that night and that might be why nobody even heard the car plunged into the water . But how hard would it have been for two big strong Hitmen to quickly push the car over into the canal ? I've been there before and there's trees around there ... and it would have been easy for the right people to do this properly with no one seeing them . I know that sounds far-fetched

[@jec1ny]

I don't recall the circumstances of her death, but I do remember her on news broadcasts of the period. I am suddenly both sad and nostalgic.

[@calalilygirl]

She appears totally free of drugs or alcohol here. Just wonderful. The old Jessica. And she had less than a week to live.

[@roddevereaux1830]

Her autopsy revealed zero drugs in her system and a small amount of alcohol most likely consumed at dinner. Kinda sucks vcos i would have prefered to be fall down drunk wen something like that happens 😔

[@thunderlightning1980]

@@roddevereaux1830 The NFL Mafia killed her. Look for the Frontline episode about The Unauthorized History of the NFL.

[@EYE_GOTCHA]

I think that she was murdered.

[@thunderlightning1980]

@@EYE_GOTCHA Yes, she was murdered!

[@milesmayhem5440]

For what reason?

[@kcmaldonado3948]

I was a child, but I'm glad I grew up in he 80's. The media, the music industry, etc. all had talented people that were great at what they do. Not so much, anymore.

[@kcmaldonado3948]

ＴＨＯＳＡＮＤＪｏｓｈ But where's the true talent? You don't have to be talented in the music industry anymore, the computerization seems to do everything.

[@kcmaldonado3948]

ＴＨＯＳＡＮＤＪｏｓｈ Agreed, it's how people deal with gradual change.

[@bbser]

I so agree! The wonderful, far off 21st century of the distant future - now here - is anything but the utopia CHAIRMAN MEOW describes. Worst period of my 58 years on earth. It's a PC, "green," radical islamic, and progressive nightmare of biblical proportions. Give me the 80's anyday!

[@TheMusicalJourneys]

Kevin Cody I was a fan, she was the most gorgeous and elegant. I didn't know or forgot how she died and it's shocking!

[@pattyskullfornicate6495]

Agreed. These days they've got lingerie models reading the news. as attractive as Jessica Savitch was, I don't think she'd qualify physically to be a major network anchor these days. And she'd have to be willing to get her lips puffed up, show tits, ass and legs.

[@Rockhound6165]

I remember when she was on Channel 3 in Philadelphia before she went national.

[@1212sweetgirl]

What a classy courageous beautiful lady...paved the way for professional women.

[@AnastasiaBeaverhousn]

Classy!!?? Apparently you've not seen footage while off air..

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

Paved the way for professional women.? Ever hear of Barbara Walters?

[@barbarasmith7432]

Barbara Walters probably has her difficulties, too.

[@manofmanyinterests]

I saw nothing wrong with, and I do not fault her outburst. For that one minute of time, she WAS the NBC television network, and thus deserved a stage manager to be there, on time, and ready.

[@skinfanjay]

Agreed

[@bigcatdaddy76016]

Someone once said "The world is going to end in 12 years"...ok...prove it!

[@LajitasRain]

According to this report, the world burned up in the '90s. What's the deal?

[@gregw8232]

Good timing burning up in the 90's cuz we're to run out of oil by the turn of the century.

[@LajitasRain]

@@gregw8232 Ah yes, Peak Oil.

[@mikebliesener193]

I wrote an evaluation of a newscast with Jessica Savitch as weekend anchor in '83 when I was a student at the Univ. of West Florida. She was great.

[@MegaTriumph1]

Mike Bliesener Since she was great. I find that her untimely death very odd. Have you ever thought that.

[@mikebliesener193]

I hadn't really thought in those terms. I just remember thinking at the time that hers was a tragic death, and such a shame.

[@gregrak9389]

+MegaTriumph1 ah, excuse me? what in the world was so "odd" about her untimely death? she died as a passenger in a car driven by somebody who with the greatest respect, was at the very least, negligent when operating the car, not "odd" but a very tragic accident.

[@MegaTriumph1]

Greg Rak Are you the thought police?.

[@gregrak9389]

LOL

[@misterwhipple2870]

What can I say? She was so very beautiful! I fantasized about her all the time. Very sorry when she died. Jessica, I love you!

[@christopherthorkon3997]

AMazing to hear news about global warming at that time. And yes, R.I.P. Jessica. She was so awesome.

[@Tolstoy111]

Yeah and how did that prediction go? Catastrophe by the 90s...

[@auerstadt06]

@@Tolstoy111 Therefore global warming isn't happening? You are delusional.

[@janetoconnor3636]

I agree I thought it was 1988 but apparently 5 years before that

[@MitchGrooms]

god i loved her,, she was the best..

[@skinfanjay]

And very attractive as well

[@somethingyousaid5059]

I had an excruciating crush on her back in the day. That beautiful face!

[@jamesbulldogmiller]

Catastrophic warming of the earth by the 1990s almost forty years later we’re still hearing, “the earth has twelve years left’

[@FuzzyMemoriesTV]

You do realize, that a few decades, in terms of a global scale for nature, is really nothing. It is hard to predict these effects down to a specific decade. So if "the scientists" were off by 30-40 years that isn't that bad. And it's also possible that warnings like this in 1983 and at other times led to decisions being made to slow down the effects so that it kicked the can down the road a few decades and bought us some more time. The bottom line though is that global warming is a danger to our planet and they are trying to help. If people aren't at least a little alarmed then nothing will change for the better. I don't know why people are scoffing so much about the "prediction" of catastrophe by the 90s. We're certainly feeling some of the beginning effects now, right?

[@MrTruckerf]

@@FuzzyMemoriesTV Absolutely not! In the global time clock, 10,000 years is but a trifle. I think the alarmists were off by at least 10,000 years, perhaps 100,000.

[@impucked6969]

@@FuzzyMemoriesTV 3000-4000 years are nothing on a planet that is 4 billion years old. If global warming is imminent in 4000 years, who cares? I'd be surprised if man makes it another 500 years. The left's insistence that the threat is happening in 12 years is absurd!

[@FuzzyMemoriesTV]

@@MrTruckerf - Off by 10,000 years or perhaps 100,000? Ok, write up your paper with evidence that shows this. In other words, do science. And then get back to us.

[@timbarlow9662]

I remember her well. I also lived near the scene of her accident. New Hope, PA. She was the female Walter Cronkite. Sad end of a brilliant life.

[@johnmack537]

I lived in Yardley, PA at the time; just a short drive down river.

[@S955US84]

Walter Cronkite was a real journalist who had covered WW2, Korea, hosted "You Are There", anchored the JFK assassination aftermath, covered all the NASA space launches and anchored the CBS Evening News for almost 2 decades. At best, Jessica Savitch was photogenic news reader - nothing more.

[@bufnyfan1]

@@S955US84 Walter Cronkite retired in January 1981--in Douglas Brinkley's book "Cronkite" he noted that Mr. Cronkite really didn't want to retire but was literally forced out by Dan Rather's enormous ego--Rather even had Mr. Cronkite's anchor chair removed from the newsroom and didn't allow him to contribute any stories to the CBS Evening News

[@S955US84]

@@bufnyfan1 "Cronkite relinquished the anchor's chair at the age of 65 because CBS mandated that its employees retire at that age. " That was the policy of CBS head William Paley who ironically was 15 years older than Cronkite. Paley continued to run CBS for years after that. Wm Paley was the son of CBS founder Samuel Paley

[@bufnyfan1]

@@S955US84 Bob Scheiffer is now 83 and still does political commentary/Charlie Rose was 75 when he was ousted for sex harassment--Douglas Brinkley's book clearly says that the CBS Evening News had stellar ratings under Mr. Cronkite and they would have kept him on beyond his retirement age. Rather forced the executives at CBS News to force out Mr. Cronkite by threatening to jump to another network--Mr. Cronkite was offered the chance to do commentaries/feature items (especially about space flight which was Mr. Cronkite's passion---Rather made it clear that Mr. Cronkite could not contribute to the CBS evening news anymore PERIOD--in fact the first broadcast that Rather did when Mr. Cronkite retired-was done standing up--because Rather wouldn't sit in the same chair Mr. Cronkite had sat in

[@CuzCutz]

It happened in the small “artsy” town of New Hope P.A., just outside of Philadelphia. After autopsies, the Bucks County coroner ruled that both Savitch and her boyfriend at that time Martin Fischbein had died from asphyxiation by drowning. Neither Savitch nor Fischbein had any drugs other than alcohol in their system at the time of death, and they had consumed only small amounts of alcohol-about half a glass of wine each. It seems that it was a “cursed” spot because according to the New Hope police chief, a similar death had occurred at the same spot some years before. Tragic.

[@juliemiller5781]

she was so dam good at this job-- A natural broadcaster

[@julesrandolph5687]

Whatever 'certain something' that makes one a star, Jessica Savitch seemed to have had it in spades. Beautiful, poised, well-spoken and seemingly in total command. No hint of the private turmoil she supposedly lived when off camera. Besides the fascinating look back at Jessica Savitch, it's interesting (and creepy) to note that as far back as1983, scientists were already warning of the catastrophic effects of global warming and climate change. A warning which seems to have gone unheeded, unfortunately.

[@sandrapatterson2916]

Re: Climate Change warning in 1983....Unfortunately, it went unheeded far, far too long.

[@impucked6969]

Where was the devastating effects in the 90's? Sounds like the same nonsense today being spewed by the left. LMAO

[@Rockhound6165]

Uh huh, by the same "scientists" who said we'd be in another ice age by the mid 90's.

[@Rockhound6165]

@@sandrapatterson2916 yep, AND WE'RE STILL NOT UNDER WATER.

[@davej686]

Possible catastrophic warming of the earth? Oh dear!

[@jamesbulldogmiller]

Dave J by the 1990’s ..,

[@leonarddobens6070]

at least that Beirut airport became safe

[@markrichards636]

@@PianoMan-hx3ev yes, mini ice age by 1980, green house effect by 1990 and now global warming by 2030, what next?....

[@WMJCPA]

@@jamesbulldogmiller Yes, we're still here and not sweating. This was only about 4 years after they said the ice age was coming. Hot or Cold make up your minds.

[@jeremiahsams2848]

@@PianoMan-hx3ev it's running on all cylinders.

[@ilovebeinagirl]

I love the way she spoke.

[@ronaldhansen2378]

Yeah I remember Jessica Savitch Kenosha was a really Young when she died I don't know how old better very good reporter I was 17 years old when she passed away and should be forever Young. Rest in peace Jessica Savitch you are not forgotten.

[@xennial80sxberner]

she was only 36 here (born 1947) and looked like a classy/beautiful 56 year old. Maybe the average person just acted more sophisticated and older in the 80s?

[@lindadoucette6850]

It is unfortunate that Savitch had a serious drug addiction. Regardless, she is my all time favorite anchor woman.

[@tvtimetravel]

Her death was on the same day as the Beirut Marine Barracks bombing. :(

[@cherkas009]

Part of our newscast was that the Beirut Airport was not safe according to Syria

[@matthewscott1091]

I just read about the death of her, her dog & her boyfriend. What a horrific way to go. Sealed in her car like a tomb by mud as it filled with water. They drowned in about 4 feet of water but because of the mud it was really deeper than that. I only hope that the accident knocked them all unconscious before they drowned.

[@Scrimparmy]

Wow what in the fuck. Was it mudslides?

[@jjbud3124]

@@Scrimparmy The car went into a canal.

[@booksteer7057]

I read her biography. She didn't drown. Her neck was broken. It happened so fast that her eyes were still open when they found her. :-(

[@matthewscott1091]

@@booksteer7057 That sounds like a bit of a blessing. If her, her boyfriend & the dog all died on impact or were knocked unconscious it means they didn’t have to be terrified or gasping for breathe in their last few moments. Morbid but a much less scary way to go. 😕

[@matthewscott1091]

@@Scrimparmy Long story short, pulled out onto the wrong roadway, car flipped into a shallow canal. But because the canal bottom was so muddy, the car sunk (or sucked into) the mud (as opposed to just sitting on dirt). Even if they’d managed to survive the cars fall into the canal they wouldn’t have been able to open the doors because of the mud that surrounded the car. I’m not sure about her but I believe the boyfriends cause of death was drowning. But because he was found still in his seatbelt it’s likely he was knocked unconscious when it happened. I’m sure the dog (being loose in the backseat) died on impact. Very sad.

[@patrickmccarron5059]

Mandatory seat belts and air bags in all cars? That will never happen.

[@magnusforsman9150]

5 years later Well they’re are now. In developed country’s 😉

[@spiritmatter1553]

@@magnusforsman9150 OP was being sarcastic.

[@milepost4846]

We have airbags in all cars now, but the automatic seatbelts didn't last. Dunno what the deal was with those if there was too many malfunctions or no one using the lap belts with just the shoulder belt that was the automatic belt. I guess mid 90s or so was the last car with auto belts I can remember.

[@bufnyfan1]

It wouldn't have helped in this situation anyway---the car flipped on its roof and settled to the bottom of the canal---the doors couldn't open as the car sank in the mud at the bottom

[@batterymakermarkii2654]

She was always sharp as a tack.

[@susanschneider8324]

I so remember watching her on TV. Really liked her. So sad when she died.

[@jasonbertalotto2355]

She was a voice of journalistic integrity

[@susanschneider8324]

@@jasonbertalotto2355 So true.

[@jasonbertalotto2355]

@@susanschneider8324 I even seen her work on a website dedicated to her career

[@stephencombs3971]

Gone way too soon. Amazing talent.

[@garysteinert8555]

By the 1990s.

[@esclad]

What a tragic life for someone who seems such a lovely lady. The boat accident, second husband's suicide, coke addiction, then drowned :(

[@jeffbengert2863]

LOVED HER.....

[@AnastasiaBeaverhousn]

"I thought you were tired", "nope just thirsty"!!!

[@FuzzyMemoriesTV]

Read the video description. I didn't say this was the clip of her reporting "drunk". After that infamous incident on October 3rd, she continued to do NBC News Digests - so her last appearance was not the one where she appeared intoxicated. This Digest aired October 18th. She died on October 23rd.

[@andjusticeforall13]

What a terrible loss. I remember her on tv.She was the best. I watched her on the news.Such a tragic loss.

[@m.e.d.7997]

She was lovely.

[@JoesGoldenGarage]

I can remember that voice so well. She looked much older than 35 at her death.

[@akbar41]

She was a real rising star at NBC. As I recall, along about this same time, maybe between this broadcast and her death a few days later, she appeared on one of these breaks rather obviously under the influence of something.

[@benpezzot8805]

I believe if she lived and slowed down on drugs she would have been the biggest female broadcaster out there no doubt about it

[@JungleYT]

Sadly, her life was a mess behind the scenes as is the case with many of these news people...

[@S955US84]

like matt lauer, and charlie rose,

[@seanklingensmith7572]

No time for being tired when there is some Michelob Light to go crush!

[@Phil-gw9vr]

I was manning the phones for a WGBH pledge drive in Boston back then. during a break i sneaked over to the Frontline set and sat in her chair. .I remember thinking "this is so cool".

[@leonafasano9335]

She and her companion left a restaurant in New Hope. PA. He was not familiar with the area and drove off the towpath and into the canal. The car was a station wagon which ended upside down. Because of the mud and silt. Jessica could not open the door. There was signs that she tried to kick the door open. Tragically she and her companion did not survive. Plus her pet dog in the back also drowned. RIP

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

I was only 9 years old in 1983, but I still remember seeing these News Digests featuring Jessica Savitch. I also remember the infamous one, and my Mom wondering aloud what was going wrong.

[@calleaeste]

This was from October 18, 1983, I googled "GM 42 million dollar settlement" and a NY Times article published October 19 came up.

[@peterdarker1]

Good work, Jessica Drew!

[@jimmyh7822]

Savitch lost her life only 5 days later. So sad

[@frederickrapp5396]

We just never know when our time on earth is up. I’m sure Jessica was not thinking about her own death on this October 18th 1983 newscast. She was too busy living a full and passionate life and at 36 was in the prime of her femininity. It’s kind of spooky hearing her talk about the long ago decade of the 1990’s on this particular broadcast. It was a decade that she never lived to see. May Jessica Savitch Rest In Peace for all eternity. I admired her in life. I mourn her in death.

[@FuzzyMemoriesTV]

Read the video description. This aired Tuesday, October 18th 1983 at about 8:55pm. She was not pulled off doing the Digests after the 10-3-83 incident.

[@spreadeagled5654]

I remember her. I miss her. R.I.P. 😢

[@drrmdjr]

She was broadcasting royalty! A pioneering legend.

[@handyadams3319]

Almost 40 years ago she called out global warming

[@sarahs2288]

The only anchor who knew how to pronounce “Iran” in the 80s.

[@GrandGame1440]

Turns out she was in fact NOT taken of the Digests after her meltdown. I suppose this is one of those things where you see something in print countless times and you come to the conclusion it must be true since so many people have said it. In this case, I'll admit my mistake. My apologies. :) Keep up the great work.

[@musicom67]

THIS IS PRIME TIME NEWS, FOLKS !!!!! -Jessica Savitch

[@clementine9187]

She said "Prime time television", not news.

[@edwardjames50]

That's not even remotely funny, Musicom. Have *you* accomplished, in *your* lifetime, anything close to what *she* did?

[@badwater]

@@NothingToPointOut24 Even when she was angry she was professional and direct about it.

[@sillygoose635]

@@edwardjames50 Oh shut up.

[@sillygoose635]

@@NothingToPointOut24 and you're a twat.

[@joey22306]

How did this pop up on my recommendation list? Interesting story RIP 🙏

[@JRR0013]

Okay I was "there" and "aware" and used to watch Jessica Savitch. I don't remember the newscasters talking about global warming until the mid-1990's. Wow - that's amazing. I don't think she was driving the vehicle when she died I think she was a passenger. She was very, very talented.

[@hollywoodeastchannel]

They (scientist and ecologist) have been talking about the green house effect and polution effect on the global enviroment/climate every since the mid 1960's. Yet even today with all the evidence before our very eyes do the fat heads not listen. What fools are we?

[@JRR0013]

Total fools! Our descendants will hold only disdain for us as we continue our ravages on Mother Earth.

[@MrClean417]

hollywoodeastchannel Carter was telling us how we were going into the new Ice Age during his administration. Guess you missed that. Shoot, when cable tv came on and they started playing old "In Search Of" shows they had several episodes on the coming disaster. Those were selectively removed from the playlist. Thankfully most of that dated show was too. We were supposed to be dead from the lack of Ozone too BUT Clinton won the election and the Ozone hole and the Homeless problem dis-appeared until a republican was in the white house. Climates change, it's what they do. The magic "Hockey Stick" always appears 10 years farther down the chart whenever they show their new version of it. And, as a science based guy, let me Carl Mape that Climate and Weather are too separate things, so your weather in California doesn't mean a hill of beans compared to the climate. Been waiting for one of you drones to bring up your weather so I could use the standard line back at ya. If there WAS a man made problem the solution to any of them would not always be, TAX the SHIT out of Americans and give it to third world socialist dictators.

[@James-gk8ip]

@@MrClean417 Please no.

[@tonyromano6220]

So much for the 1990s burning up!

[@danielharrington1891]

0:43 -- Global Climate Emergency IS NEWS THEN: 1983!

[@MrTruckerf]

They have been crying 'Wolf' for almost 40 freakin' years! As I type this it is -5 degrees, going to be 25 below soon and no warmup for at least a week, perhaps two!

[@randolpho-]

@@MrTruckerf More like 50-60 years.

[@jimmorrison4163]

Catastrophic global warming by the 1990s! ... some things never change. It’s all about power & control.

[@Tracymmo]

@@MrTruckerf That's weather, not climate. climate.nasa.gov/

[@trishlilly7863]

TY 😊👍

[@freeamericausa1]

I remember when she was in Philly before going to NBC New York. Also remember her car in the canal in Bucks County where she passed. Sad sad day.

[@timothyhorner3152]

Bless her heart ❤️

[@Sceneyour]

The beer commercial was the best. Everyone loves mixing racquet ball with alcohol and then going to the sauna. Later, soul brother, I am going go play PacMan at the mall in my members only jacket.

[@hoagie1978]

The late 70's and 80's was a huge time for racquetball and tennis. By the time the late 90's arrived, both sports fell out of popularity with the american public.

[@Miss_Chick]

So sad. A huge loss.

[@Charliecomet82]

I still miss Jessica.

[@billymatthews7346]

Never thought any different of her, grew up watching her regularly on NBC, only to come in one night, and learn she was gone, from our local NBC station.😢

[@timames9696]

I remember Connie Chung took her spot and announced her death.

[@JCNDCIII]

Jessica actually turned down NBC News at Sunrise. Connie only could have announced her death on that show Monday morning as Jessica died AFTER the Sunday NBC Nightly News. It's a shame Jessica didn't accept the Sunrise offer as she might have been home that fateful night to go to bed early for the 3am wakeup call.

[@billymatthews7346]

@@JCNDCIII agree

[@FuzzyMemoriesTV]

Thanks for clarifying that - I appreciate it. Now the only question is, when exactly was her *last* appearance on the air? (i.e., was this it, or was she on sometime in the five days between when this aired and her death?)

[@johnmcmunn5698]

Use to watch her on local news in Philadelphia b4 she went national. She was beautiful and talented. Was such a shame she led such a tortured life and died so tragically.

[@hollybilski]

She was a total pro.

[@blofeld39]

The broadcast from October 3rd seems to have disappeared from off here -- but I remember seeing it on here. Wonder if anyone saved it. :-/

[@blofeld39]

You happen to have a link? :-o

[@kyokogodai-ir6hy]

Had a crush on her. I was in my first year of college, when she died. SMH

[@chubwright79]

Jessica savitch was a stunning looking woman.

[@jamesbarretf1251]

Spoke like a movie♡star.

[@spike2ize]

I was a senior in high school when this took place.

[@jamescombs8316]

I was a senior, too. Where's the time gone?

[@trwent]

Her hair always looked so good ... I bet she used Aqua Net.

[@mprkg]

:47 Greenhouse gasses. Wow! That is crazy. 1983 and they said warming of Earth by 1990s. I was born in late 1960s, and the climate in Southern California has definitely changed. 96 F this Thanksgiving on the beach. We had the hottest and driest year on record here in So Cal. Every year, more record highs and terrible drought. Nobody believed it back in 1983, in 2014 it is a harsh reality.

[@Maestrohbill]

Oh I see. So you're arguing TEMPERATURE on Thanksgiving, right? What city was this in? It was 91 in Riverside that day. But one year earlier it was 75 on that same day. And the high was 60 this past November 27. So yeah, I see what you mean. It was 31 degrees cooler but we're all gonna die. (Note: YOU used temperature first before you try that argument).

[@greedyd5524]

Carl Mape oh dear where to even begin with this hyperbole and silliness

[@lindaeasley4336]

In winter of 1978/79 Dallas TX set a record for cold . Just 2 years later they had warmest summer on record with 47 straight days of 100 degrees or more. Climate is always changing .Its called nature .

[@BusStopProductions.]

The days when a Beer Company sponsored The News

[@coryburns9161]

A 57 second video and time for a beer commercial

[@alanrogs3990]

@John Maziasz From fun beer to serious meds. This country is truly screwed up.

[@armybeef68]

Heck, cigarette companies used to sponsor radio shows.

[@BusStopProductions.]

@@armybeef68 & The Flintstones

[@coryburns9161]

@@armybeef68 I remember seeing celebrities smoking on the Tonight Show

[@ernestinemaloy2820]

Holy shit I forgot she died on my 21rst bday...October 23rd 1983 her poor dog and boyfriend died with her in that tragic accident...her dogs name was chewbacca !! RIP to those 3 lives lost that night...

[@romankatz982]

Her ex boyfriend gave her the dog as a puppy. When she died, he went to the scene of the accident. He saw items from the paramedics still strewn on the banks of the canal. But then he saw the dog lying on the bank, too. Nobody had bothered to do something with its body. He took care of it. But I remember how extra devastating that was to him. She loved that dog. I remember a People magazine feature on Jessica, and the dog was in the photo. She took that dog everywhere. And yes, I remember she called it "Chewy."

[@mmonroe8253]

So sad...Rest easy...