[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> WPRO PROVIDENCE.

[RADIO STATIC] >> MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES.

>> LOCAL NEWS.

>> PRETTY SLOW GOING 95 SOUTH ALL THE WAY INTO DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> WHAT A RIDICULOUS TIME TO GET UP.

>> I USED TO FILL IN FOR MARIANNE WHEN SHE WAS ON THE RADIO YEARS AGO.

THEY ALWAYS LIKED THE JOB I DID.

MAYBE IT WAS HEARING A TELEVISION PERSON'S VOICE COMING OUT OF THE RADIO.

[LAUGHTER] THAT KEPT PEOPLE GLUED TO THEIR RECEIVER.

I FILLED IN FOR MARIANNE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

ABOUT 20 -- IT WAS 2010, THE THEN-PROGRAM MANAGER SAID BE GREAT ON THE RADIO, WOULD YOU CONSIDER IT?

I FIRST I SAID NO.

THEN I THOUGHT, AND I SAID SATURDAYS, WELL, I WOULD PROBABLY JUST SLEEP THE MORNING AWAY, SO WHY NOT DO IT?

I DID A SATURDAY SHOW IN 2010.

I WAS REALLY FUN AND IT REALLY CLICKED WITH THE AUDIENCE.

THREE YEARS LATER THEY SAID, WOULD YOU CONSIDER DOING MORNING RADIO?

AN OPENING BECAME AVAILABLE.

I WORKED AT CHANNEL 10 SO I COULD DO BOTH.

IT HAS BEEN RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE BEEN GREAT.

RHODE ISLAND'S ANCHORMAN.

HE GAVE ME THAT NAME.

>> MORE LIVE COVERAGE RIGHT HERE ON WPRO.

CELTICS BASKETBALL.

>> GOOD MORNING, PROVIDENCE.

>> THE RAMS BRING A POWER CONFERENCE OPPONENT TO PINKSTON AS THEY TAKE ON THE UNIVERSITY OF -- TO KINGSTON AS THEY TAKE ON THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA.

>> THIS IS GIO IN THE MORNING.

>> BRUINS ON THE ICE LAST NIGHT.

>> GOOD MORNING.

THIS IS OUR PRODUCER.

>> HI.

>> THIS IS US.

TYLER IS HERE TODAY, RIGHT?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLEXITY THAT GOES INTO PUTTING ON A MORNING SHOW.

YOU HAVE TO START EARLY IN THE MORNING.

GENE' PRODUCERSS ARE HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT GETTING THINGS READY.

BILL GOES OVER WITH TOM AND TYLER.

ALL OF THESE THINGS NEED TO BE READY TO GO BY 6:00.

>> DID YOU FIND THE TRUMP COMMENT?

I WANT TO OPEN UP WITH THAT.

>> THE NEWS THAT IS DELIVERED HAS TO BE DELIVERED SIS INITIALLY AND -- SUCCINCTLY AND GENE HAS A TALENT FOR GETTING THE POINT ACROSS.

YOU CAN TRUST GENE.

YOU CAN TRUST THAT HE WILL PRESENT A FAIR, BALANCED, AND ENTERTAINING PROGRAM.

GENE: YOU GOT THE FREDDIE THING RIGHT.

>> GENE VALICENTI, PEOPLE ARE JUST AS COMFORTABLE WITH HIM AS AN OLD SHOE.

HE'S GOT A SALTY IN HI -- BRINE IN HIM.

IT IS A LOT LIKE BUDDY, EVEN THOUGH HE IS NOT POLITICAL.

PEOPLE LIKE HEARING HIS VOICE.

>> ANYWAY, THESE TWO PRODUCERS HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE EARLY IN THE MORNING.

THESE ARE TWO IMPORTANT PIECES FOR THE RADIO.

THIS IS THE BOOK OF SOUNDBITES I WILL USE.

HOW MANY DO WE HAVE OF KELLY ANNE WITH WOLF BLITZER?

GRAB THE SOUNDBITES.

TELL ME WHERE THE FUN STUFF IS.

THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

THEY TAKE HOURS TO PUT TOGETHER, BUT WE ARE READY TO GO WITH THESE TWO NOW.

>> WHAT TIME DO YOU START TAKING ABOUT IT?

>> THE DAY BEFORE.

[LAUGHTER] IT STARTS LITERALLY 3:00 THE DAY BEFORE.

I AM BLOWING THEM UP 1:00 IN THE AFTERNOON THE DAY BEFORE.

>> DO YOU EVER GET NERVOUS?

>> NO.

>> PULL THAT.

SKINNY BOY BY CHICAGO.

>> I WORKED WITH PEOPLE IN SPORTS, IN ENTERTAINMENT, AND I'M GRATEFUL TO BE WORKING FOR SOMEONE WHO CARES NOT JUST ABOUT HIMSELF, BUT THE TEAM AROUND HIM.

IT IS NOT A ONE PERSON SHOW, THIS IS A TEAM, WHICH IS ALWAYS COOL.

>> 6:00, LET'S GO.

READY?

MAY SALTY GIVE US A GOOD SHOW.

OKAY, GENE.

>> 6:02, THE GOVERNOR WAS GIVING A TALK AT THE BOSTON GLOBE EVENT IN PROVIDENCE.

SHE WAS DISRUPTED BY CLIMATE ACTIVISTS.

>> WHY DOES THIS COMPUTER TAKE SO LONG TO TURN ON/ >> WE ARE DOING IT AT 6:15.

I HAVE LOMBARDI ON TRUMP, DEVOUT CATHOLIC.

YOU GUYS ARE GOOD ON THAT?

WE WILL DO THIS CROSSTALK WHERE I TALKED TO CHANNEL 10, THEY TALK TO ME.

IT IS LIKE LANDING A MAN ON THE MOON.

>> RHODE ISLAND'S ANCHORMAN HAS IT, THE NEWS AND GENE VALICENTI.

♪ >> THE NEWS WITH RHODE ISLAND'S ANCHORMAN, GENE VALICENTI.

GENE: DONALD TRUMP ON A ROLL YESTERDAY.

A LITTLE NINE NECK HE'S GOT.

>> HE IS A THIEF, A CROOK, AND HE IS A CORRUPT POLITICIAN.

>> DID YOU SEE THIS WITH KELLYANNE CONWAY AND WILL BLITZER?

HE SHOULD HAVE ASKED OFF THE BAT, WHAT IS WITH YOUR HUSBAND?

IT IS THE WEIRDEST DYNAMIC.

WOLF BLITZER, HE KEPT DIGGING HIMSELF A HOLE.

>> YOU REMEMBER THE CARVILLE -MARY MATALIN THING BACK IN THE DAY?

>> THAT WAS MORE CIVIL.

THIS IS LIKE MY WIFE CALLING IN AND SAYING I CAN'T STAND WPRO.

I NEED TO TAKE A BREAK.

IT'S OUR FRIDAY CROSSTALK.

>> THAT'S FUN, GENE.

GENE: DON'T MISS A MINUTE OF THE FUN, NEXT.

♪ >> JOINING US IS THE HEAD OF THE NEWS CONFERENCE.

GENE VALICENTI IS LIVE WITH US ON THE RADIO.

GENE: GOOD MORNING.

I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE 10 NEWS CONFERENCE.

THAT IS MY NEW TITLE.

MAYOR LAMAR THE IS MAKING A LOT OF NEWS THIS WEEK.

HE IS LEADING THE CHARGE TO SUE THE GOVERNOR AND NOT EMBARRASSED TO TELL YOU HE IS A TRUMP SUPPORTER AND DEMOCRAT.

MAYOR LOMBARDI HAS A LOT GOING ON.

>> YOU CAN HEAR GENE VALICENTI ON THE RADIO IN THE MORNING AT 6 :00 A.M. GENE: WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY WITH THE GOVERNOR?

SHE WAS AT A FORUM AND SHE WAS INTERRUPTED BY PROTESTERS.

>> IT IS DISGRACEFUL FOR YOU TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF RHODE ISLAND AND TO NOT MENTION CLIMATE CHANGE.

WILL YOU SIGN A DEAL?

>> WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

>> WILL YOU SIGN THE GREEN NEW DEAL?

[CHANTING] GENE: A LITTLE DISRESPECTFUL OF THE GOVERNOR THERE.

>> YOU ASK SOMEONE'S NAME AND THEY WON'T GIVE IT AND YOU FEEL YOU ARE VIOLATING THEIR SAFE SPACE?

>> I AM AS CONCERNED ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AS YOU ARE.

>> THROW THEM OUT!

>> BOY, THAT IS RUDE.

YOU WANT A BUS TO THE PARTY, THEN PROTEST -- BUST THE PARTY, THEN PROTEST.

>> YOUNG PEOPLE, GENE.

GENE: GET THEIR FINGERPRINTS.

WHO PUT THE PAINT ON THAT COLUMBUS STATUE?

I THINK THEY ARE IN THAT CREW.

>> YOU ARE NOT WOKE.

GENE: I'M NOT WOKE ENOUGH.

IT'S 6:20, I HAVE BEEN WOKE FOR TWO HOURS.

MAYOR LUM BARDI -- LOMBARDI WHEN WE COME BACK FOR THE WOKE PEOPLE.

>> IT IS A COMBINATION OF PEOPLE LIKE HEARING HIS VOICE AND THERE IS A COMFORT LEVEL.

EVEN IF PEOPLE THINK, GENE, YOU ARE TALKING THROUGH YOUR HAT, THEY LIKE IT AND RESPOND TO HIM.

>> CAN WE CALL THE 463 NUMBER PLEASE?

GENE: THE ICEMAN RETURNETH.

B'S WILL TRY TO SNAP A FOUR GAME SKID.

RHODE ISLAND'S ANCHORMAN HAS MORE OF THE DAY'S TOP STORIES.

>> WE'VE GOT A FILM CREW WITH US TODAY.

>> WE'VE GOT FRIENDS.

GENE: HE SAID I HOPE YOU WILL DO THE BAKERY.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS SLOTTED IN YET.

THAT IS ALL RIGHT, WE WILL JUST SING IT BECAUSE WE KNOW IT.

READY TO GO?

THREE, TWO, ONE.

♪ I LOVE THOSE PIZZA CHIPS THAT THEY MAKE AT THE ORIGINAL ITALIAN BAKERY ♪ IT IS 6:51.

>> WE CREATE THE NEWS CYCLE HERE.

WE TRY TO CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT FOR WHICH SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TALKS ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS.

USUALLY THE NIGHT BEFORE I WILL GIVE THEM THREE STORIES IDEAS I THINK WE SHOULD LEAD WITH.

THAT THREE STORY IDEAS DON'T MATTER AT 6:00 A.M. BECAUSE WHEN I TALKED TO HIM THE NIGHT BEFORE, SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN BEFORE WE GO ON THE.

GENE: -- ON THE AIR.

GENE: I WILL GET A PROVIDENCE COUNCILWOMAN ON THE LINE.

YOU NKNOW THERE IS TALK OF MOVIG THE COLUMBUS STATUE TO FEDERAL HELP.

BY THE TIME WE THINK OF WHAT TO DO WITH COLUMBUS, HE WOULD HAVE SAILED BACK AND FORTH.

>> NORMALLY WHAT WE DO IS FIVE TO EIGHT MINUTE INTERVIEWS.

WHEN YOU GET A STORY THAT IS HITTING THE FRONT PAGES OF THE NEWSPAPERS OR SOMETHING TALKED ABOUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WE WILL GO TO 12, 15 MINUTES WITH THAT.

>> THEY KNOW HE IS AGAINST CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

NO WAY.

GENE: YOU WERE IN THE PARADE.

YOU HAVE TO ANSWER FOR THAT.

>> I AM NOT ANSWERING FOR BEING IN THE PARADE.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

GENE: YOU CAN HONOR COLUMBUS WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING GOOD AND BAD THINGS CAME FROM THE DISCOVERY.

>> UNTIL WEIGHT ACKNOWLEDGE -- WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE STATUES LIKE COLUMBUS ARE COMPLICATED IN THEIR HISTORY -- GENE: YOU WANT THE GENOCIDE PART TWO OVERSHADOW EVERYTHING -- TO OVERSHADOW EVERYTHING ELSE, THE REST OF CIVILIZATION.

YOU LIT UP THE LINES TODAY BIT ONLY BECAUSE YOU WANT TO CELEBRATE ITALIANS, NOT COLUMBUS.

>> I WILL CELEBRATE FEDERAL HILL.

GENE: THANKS FOR COMING ON.

>> WE HAD AN UNBELIEVABLE INTERVIEW WITH GENE.

IT WAS A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE WE BROKE HERE WHEN THE COLUMBUS STATUE WAS DESECRATED.

GENE: IS IT FRIDAY?

GIVE ME ON NOW.

>> GENE IS NOT JUST A RADIO HOST, HE'S YOUR FRIENND.

HE IS A GUY GETTING YOU TO WORK EVERY DAY.

WHEN YOU HEAR SOMEONE HAVE A COMPELLING CONVERSATION LIKE THAT, YOU WANT TO BE PART OF IT.

YOU HAVE TO ADJUST ON THE FLY.

HE IS PROCESSING WHAT I'M SAYING WHILE TRYING TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION MOVING AT THE SAME TIME.

THAT IS WHERE HE THRIVES.

HE KNOWS HOW TO WORK UNDER PRESSURE AND RISE TO THE OCCASION.

GENE: WHEN I COME BACK, THE PRIDE OF JOHNSTON, RHODE ISLAND WILL JOIN US.

HE WAS LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION WITH THAT COUNCILWOMAN AND SAID HE ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD.

>> IT DOES NOT STOP WITH THE ISSUE OF THE STATUTE.

I HAVE SPOKEN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

MAYBE IT IS THE AMERICANS IN THIS STATE, MAYBE THEY WILL NOT SPEND THEIR MONEY IN THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE.

MAYBE THAT WOULD SEND A MESSAGE.

I JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO STOP.

I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM TAKING THE STATUTE IN JOHNSTON, IF PROVIDENCE DOESN'T WANT IT, WE WOULD BE GLAD TO TAKE IT WITH OPEN ARMS.

SOCIETY, WE ARE IN TROUBLE.

GENE: BEFORE WE BOYCOTT ANYTHING , THOSE RESTAURANT OWNERS BETTER GET A HOLD OF THIS MILLER.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET RID OF COLUMBUS DAY.

SHE WAS IN THE PARADE, BUT SHE WANTED IT BOTH WAYS.

I WAS THERE FOR THE ITALIANS.

B.S.

MAYOR, THANKS FOR JOINING ME.

I WILL TAKE SOME CALLS ON THIS, BUT FIRST I HAVE TO CHECK IN WITH THE KID FROM BROWN.

TYLER, YOU CAN HAVE THESE PEOPLE HOLD.

I WILL GET TO THEM.

SAY GENE WE'LL GET TO YOU.

>> IT IS LIKE FLYING AN AIRPLANE.

HE SAID WE FLY AIRPLANES EVERY DAY.

WE WANT TO GET OFF THE GROUND AND DOWN ON THE GROUND SAFELY.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SYSTEM CHECK AND MAKE SURE YOU'VE GOT THE JET ENGINE FUEL.

THE JET ENGINE FUEL IS THOSE SOUND CUTS.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE WINGS ARE SET UP CORRECTLY.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOUR AUDIENCE IS ENTERTAINED.

WE FIND THE MOST COMPELLING CONTENT THAT WILL MAKE OUR AUDIENCE THINK, LAUGH, CRY, WHICH IS FINE.

YOU CAN LEFT, CRY -- LAUGH, CRY, THINK, THAT IS ONE HECK OF A DAY.

GENE: WATCH ME ON THE NEWS TODAY.

THE NEWS MACHINE NEVER RESTS.

DON'T GET MAD IF I'M LATE.

>> HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING HIS BOSS?

HE'S VERY EASY TO WORK WITH.

HE BRINGS IN THE REVENUE, THE RATINGS AND PUTS ON A FANTASTIC SHOW.

THAT IS ALL WE ASK FOR.

GENE: YOU WANT TO GO TO THE ORIGINAL ITALIAN BAKERY AND THEN GO TO LUNCH.

CHANGE OF PLANS.

LET'S GET SOME PIZZA CHIPS.

WHERE IS EVERYBODY TODAY?

HEY, HOW ARE YOU?

WHERE IS YOUR SISTER?

THESE GUYS ARE FOLLOWING ME.

THEY WANTED SOME PIZZA CHIPS.

CAN YOU GIVE US A BAG OR TWO.

THE PIZZA CHIP SONG.

ARE YOU READY?

>> I DON'T EVEN KNOW IT.

GENE: I WILL LEAD YOU.

♪ I LOVE THOSE PIZZA CHIPS THAT THEY MAKE AT THE ORIGINAL ITALIAN BAKERY ♪ GET YOUR HOLIDAY ORDERS IN EARLY.

[LAUGHTER] YOU ARE ALL THAT AND A BAG OF CHIPS.

THEY MADE US SING THE PIZZA CHIP S SONG ON THE RADIO.

YOU GOT A FREE PLAY.

>> NO, I WAS TOO BUSY.

GENE: HEY, WHO IS DOING THE NEWS?

WHAT ARE YOU MAKING?

PEPPER BISCUITS.

LOOK AT THAT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS GUY?

>> GENE REMINDS ME OF BUDDY.

HE'S NOT AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT ANYBODY.

HE WAS THE SAME WAY.

HE'S GOING TO SAY WHAT HE WANTS.

[LAUGHTER] GENE: YOU MEAN I CAN BE TRUSTED TO GO AFTER YOU?

>> YOU CAN BE TRUSTED EITHER WAY.

>> GENE IS UNAPOLOGETIC.

HE'S GOT A GOOD LIFE.

I LOVE THAT I CAN TEASE HIM.

HE'S NOT LIKE AN EGO-DRIVEN GUY.

WE TEASE HIM ALL THE TIME ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY HE MAKES.

RHODE ISLAND'S ANCHORMAN, REMEMBER WILL FERRELL?

I'M NOT A BABY, I'M A MAN.

>> SOMETIMES PEOPLE GET THE IMPRESSION HE'S A STAR OR SOMEBODY YOU CAN'T GET CLOSE WITH, BUT HE'S THE NICEST GUY THERE IS.

GENE: WE HAVE A BIG STORY IN THE PIPELINE.

WE JUST CAN'T GET IT OUT.

IT IS GREAT TO HAVE ME ON IN THE MORNING AND THE EVENING.

IT IS A GREAT PLUS.

HE LIVES TO BE THE ANCHORMAN.

>> I STILL WORK HERE.

♪ >> I WORK ALONE, AS BUDDY USED TO SAY.

THEY ARE ALL ALERT.

GOOD.

♪ HELLO, GOOD MORNING.

>> HEY GENE.

GENE: DID YOU HEAR THAT SHOW THIS MORNING?

>> YES, I TEXTED YOU.

GENE: COULD YOU BELIEVE HER?

>> IT MADE FOR GOOD RADIO.

>> HE'S AUTHENTIC.

HE'S QUICK ON HIS FEET.

YOU CAN TELL HE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A REPORTER.

HE IS A REPORTER BEFORE HE IS AN ANCHORMAN.

>> THIS MORNING ON THE RADIO WAS AN INTENSE INTERVIEW.

IT WENT FOR A BIT OF TIME.

I CAN SEE OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT SAY WHOA, BRING IT BACK.

THAT IS WHY HE WAS SUCCESSFUL AT THE SAME TIME.

CHANNEL 10 IS WRITING A STORY BASED UPON WHAT GENE GOT THIS MORNING ON THE RADIO.

>> IF YOU WERE ON CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA AND THEY WERE TAKING DOWN CONFEDERATE STATUES, WOULD YOU BE DEFENDING THEM?

GENE: WHERE WERE YOU THIS MORNING?

YOU SHOULD HAVE CALLED IN.

>> GENE IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

GENE: HE WILL FOLLOW UP ON A STORY FROM THE RADIO.

>> WE DO IT EVERY DAY.

[LAUGHTER] >> GENE COULD HAVE GONE ON TO BIGGER MARKETS.

HE MADE THIS HIS HOME AND PUT TOGETHER WITH HIS HYBRID CAREER IN RADIO AND TELEVISION THAT REALLY WORKS.

>> IT IS HARD WORK.

IT IS DEDICATION TO THE CRAFT AND HIS DESIRE TO PUT ON TE BEST PRODUCT, WHETHER HIS RADIO SHOW, WHETHER HIS TV SHOW.

HE WANTS IT TO BE AS GOOD AS IT CAN BE FOR THAT DAY.

>> SHOWTIE.

>> HE WILL WORK TIRELESSLY TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS AS GOOD AS IT CAN BE.

THAT IS WHAT HE EXPECTS OF THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM.

THAT IS WHAT HE WANTS FROM ANYONE ON HIS TEAM.

GENE: WE ARE STARTING ON BOTH OF THEM.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE ON BOTH.

WE ARE DOING REAL TV.

RIGHT NOW AT NOON, A GOOD SAMARITAN KILLED IN A CRASH.

THE FAMILY OF A WORCESTER FIREFIGHTER WHO WAS KILLED.

DUNKIN IS DITCHING ITS ICED COFFEE.

TRUMP ASSOCIATE ROGER STONE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF WITNESS TAMPERING.

THEY SAY HE TEMPERED WITH WITNESSES AND OBSTRUCTED A HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE PROBE.

-- TAMPERED WITH WITNESSES AND OBSTRUCTED A HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE PROBE.

ROGER STONE FOUND GUILTY.

>> THE LACK OF SLEEP, THE HOURS DON'T MATTER AS LONG AS IT COMES OUT LOOKING OR SOMETHING THE RIGHT WAY.

THAT IS ALL GENE CARES ABOUT.

>> THE TOWERS FOUNDATION IS HOPING TO RAISE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY OFF THE MORTGAGE OF THE FAMILY OF THE LIEUTENANT WHO DIED FIGHTING A HOUSE FIRE.

HE LEAVES BEHIND A WIFE AND THREE YOUNG CHILDREN.

HIS FUNERAL WILL BE MONDAY.

>> YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS WORKING ALONGSIDE HIM.

GENE AND I HAVE RHYTHM.

IT HELPS WE ARE FRIENDS OUTSIDE OF WORK.

WE RESPECT ONE ANOTHER.

A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE RESPECT HIM AS WELL BECAUSE HE KNOWS A STORY WHEN HE IS WORKING IT FROM THE DESK OR FIELD.

HE WORKS HARD.

>> IT IS AN EXCITING DAY.

I'M BACK AT 6:00.

BE SURE TO WATCH SUNDAY MORNING AT 11:30.

>> ALRIGHT, GOOD SHOW.

>> HE LOVES HIS NEWS.

THE RADIO IS GREAT BECAUSE YOU REALLY SEE HIS PERSONALITY.

BUT IT IS A LONG DAY.

[LAUGHTER] AND THEN GETS UP AND DOES IT AGAIN.

>> I'LL SEE YOU OVER THERE.

>> HOW MUCH LONGER DO YOU WANT ME TO DO THIS?

>> AS LONG AS HE IS HAPPY AND ENJOYING IT, I'M FINE WITH IT.

>> I'M DOING THE 6:00 NOW.

THIS WILL HAVE MORE LOCAL PACKAGES IN IT BECAUSE IT IS A COMPLICATION -- IT IS A COMPILATION OF A WHOLE DAY'S WORK.

MORE NATIONAL NEWS.

THE 6:00 SHOW HAS THE LOCAL STUFF WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON, MOSTLY LOCAL NEWS.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS ONE NATIONAL STORY HERE.

>> THAT STORY YOU DID THIS MORNING, DID THAT MAKE THE NEWS?

GENE: THEY FOLLOWED UP ON THE STORY THAT BROKE ON THE RADIO.

I DID BILL'S LEAD.

IF PROVIDENCE WILL TAKE CARE OF ITS CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS STATUE, JOHNSTON WILL, SAYS THE JOHNSTON MAYOR.

>> THIS IS SOMEONE WHO HAS SPENT A NUMBER OF YEARS IN FRONT OF A CAMERA AND BEHIND A MICROPHONE AND FOUND THE MOST SUCCESSFUL WAY TO DO THAT IS BY BEING HIMSELF.

>> HE WAS SO DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER GUYS.

HIS STORYTELLING IS UNIQUE.

YOU HAVE TO BE ON YOUR TOES WHEN YOU ARE WITH HIM.

>> GENE KNOWS THE NEWS.

HE WILL CHANGE ABOUT EVERY SCRIPT WRITTEN FOR HIM A NEWSCAST, MUCH TO THE CHAGRIN OF MANY A PRODUCER OVER THE YEARS.

GENE: I AM GOING THROUGH EVERY SCRIPT AND REWRITING IT SO IT SOUNDS LIKE I'M READING IT.

THE PRODUCERS AND WRITERS DID A FINE JOB.

I COULD READ IT THAT WAY, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT SOUNDS LIKE I AM SAYING IT.

>> WHEN HE IS DELIVERING THE NEWS ON TV, HE'S NOT READING IT, THESE ARE HIS WORDS.

IT'S HIS STYLE, HIS DELIVERY IS UNIQUE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET WITH GENE VAICENTI.

HOW HE IS ON TV, HOW HE IS ON THE RADIO IS HOW HE IS WHEN YOU ARE IN FRONT OF HIM TALKING TO HIM.

GENE: WHAT WE USE IS LIKE A DOUBLE A PROXY.

-- DOUBLE EPOXY.

I GET THIS FROM PROVIDENCE AUTO BODY.

THIS WILL HOLD A FENDER ON.

>> HE HAS THE SAME MANNERISMS, THE SAME PERSONALITY.

>> HOW MANY TONS OF MAKEUP DID YOU PUT ON IN YOUR LIFE?

GENE: I DON'T KNOW WHO HAS MORE.

[LAUGHTER] >> GENE VALICENTI, HE'S HIS OWN PERSON.

HE'S GENE.

IN THE NEWS BUSINESS, PEOPLE WORK HERE ONLY FOR A FEW YEARS AND MOVE OUT.

HE HAS BEEN HERE FOR DECADES.

THAT GIVES YOU A PERSPECTIVE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE.

SOMETHING CAN BE HAPPENING IN NORTH KINGSTOWN AND HE KNOWS THE PEOPLE AND THE STREET THEY LIVE BY.

>> GENE AND EMILY ARE BEST FRIENDS.

>> FOR A LONG LIST OF REASONS.

THAT IS THE VO AT THE TOP OF THE SHOW.

>> I THINK IT IS MY READ.

>> GENE, IF YOU CAN, TELL ME THE STORY OF HOW YOU ALMOST DID NOT PURSUE THIS AS A CAREER.

GENE: A FRIEND, OUR NEWS DIRECTOR AT CHANNEL 10, I WAS ON CHANNEL 26 IN CONNECTICUT.

SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND WOULD WATCH ME ON CHANNEL 26 IN CONNECTICUT.

HER FATHER USED TO WATCH ME.

THERE WAS AN OPENING AT CHANNEL 10.

BETTY JO WAS GOING THROUGH RESUMES AND PICTURES AND I THINK HER FATHER HAPPENED TO BE IN THE ROOM AND SAID, WAIT, THAT'S THE GUY IN NEW LONDON.

YOU SHOULD HIRE HIM, HE'S VERY ENTERTAINING.

[LAUGHTER] THEN I GOT THE PHONE CALL.

I HAD SUCH A TOUGH TIME, HAVING BEEN LAID OFF, FIRED FROM ONE JOB.

THE THEN-NEWS DIRECTOR SAID WOULD YOU COME UP FOR AN INTERVIEW?

I GO TO THE OLD CHANNEL 10 BUILDING DOWNTOWN AND I AM WAITING FOR HIM TO COME.

HE KEEPS ME WAITING.

FIVE MINUTES, 15 MINUTES, HE'S NEVER COMING.

NOT BY THIS TIME.

I'M DEJECTED.

I WILL NEVER WATCH TELEVISION AGAIN, LET ALONE BE IN IT.

I MAKE A MENTAL NOTE TO MYSELF, THIS GUY DOES NOT COME DOWN IN THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES, I'M LEAVING.

I'VE HAD IT WITH THIS BUSINESS.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP A JOB.

IT'S THE WORST BUSINESS IN THE WORLD.

I'M DRIVING BACK TO NEW HAVEN WHERE I LIVE WITH ABOUT 2.5 MINUTES TO SPARE.

HE COMES OUT AND SAYS SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE JOB AT CHANNEL 10.

THE REST IS HISTORY.

>> THE LESSON IS YOU SHOULD NOT EVEN BE HERE.

GENE: PROBABLY NOT.

I AM THE LUCKIEST GUY.

[LAUGHTER] >> PEOPLE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND GENE, BUT IF YOU GET TO KNOW HIM, HE IS THE MOST GENUINE GUY, HUMBLE, FAMILY MAN.

HE IS A REALLY NICE GUY.

>> HE'S HIMSELF.

HE KNOWS HOW TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE, HOW TO DRAW THINGS OUT OF PEOPLE.

HE IS A GREAT INTERVIEWER.

>> HE IS QUICK, FAST, FUNNY.

SOMETIMES HE CAN BE TOUGH, WHICH IS WHAT I ADMIRE ABOUT HIM.

HE IS A STRAIGHT SHOOTER.

>> IF I HAD TO LOOK AT TODAY AS A TYPICAL DAY IN MY LIFE, I WOULD SAY I AM LUCKY.

I GOT TO LAUGH, SHOWS WENT WELL, WE BROKE SOME NEWS AND WE GET TO DO IT ON MONDAY.

>> 8:00, WE HAVE TO ASK THE MAYOR.

DO YOU SUPPORT DEFUNDING PROVIDENCE POLICE?

ONE OF THE FINEST DEPARTMENTS.

HE GOES OUT OF HIS WAY TO SAY CRIME IS DOWN ON MY WATCH.

THE MAYOR FOR ANOTHER HALF HOUR COMING UP AT 8:00.

>> HOW HAS THE WORLD CHANGED FOR YOU?

GENE: HERE I AM AT HOME.

THE RADIO STATION SENT ME HOME THREE MONTHS AGO.

I HAVE BEEN PUSHING TO DO THE RADIO FROM HOME.

THIS HAS BEEN A PLUS FOR ME TO DO MY RADIO SHOW AT HOME.

WITH THE TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE TODAY, IT SOUNDS LIKE I AM IN THE STUDIO.

I MAY KEEP THIS.

THE PANDEMIC HAS TAKEN OVER WHAT WE DO.

I THOUGHT PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME, THEY ARE NOT IN THEIR CARS, MY RATINGS WILL GO DOWN THE TUBE.

TURNS OUT IT WAS THE OPPOSITE.

WE HIT NUMBER ONE IN RHODE ISLAND.

THERE IS A HUNGER FOR NEWS.

IT IS THE LEGACY OF SALTY BRINE.

WE ARE BACK, BABY.

DOES EVERYTHING SEEM TRIVIAL NOW?

YOU ARE RIGHT.

THIS MAY BE ONE OF THE TOP STORIES I HAVE RECOVERED.

AFTER 9/11, IT WAS PANDEMIC.

RUINED A LOT OF LIVES.

A LOT OF PEOPLE I KNOW ARE SUFFERING.

I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE FULL COMMISSION, EVALUATION, POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION.

WHAT DID WE DO TO OURSELVES?

THAT BOOK HAS NOT BEEN WRITTEN YET.

THE MAYOR IS ON THE LINE.

>> RHODE ISLAND'S ANCHORMAN, GENE VALICENTI.

GENE: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

8:05.

WE WILL DO ASK THE MAYOR.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A GOOD ONE BECAUSE WITH GOT A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

WEEK AGO THIS TIME, HIS CITY WAS ON FIRE AND THEY WERE CLEANING UP THE BROKEN GLASS.

NOW THERE IS A MOVE TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

THERE WILL BE A HEARING ON THIS.

LET ME ASK THE MAYOR WHAT HE THINKS.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOUR PHONE CALLS.

THE MAYOR IS ON THE LINE NOW.

GOOD MORNING, MAYOR.

>> ♪ I'VE GOT SOUL MAKE ME WANT TO DANCE I'VE GOT SOUL MAKE ME WANT TO DANCE ♪ ♪ [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE,