Veteran Journalist Jess Marlow to Join ‘Life & Times’

A veteran KNBC Channel 4 newsman will be the new face at KCET Channel 28.

Jess Marlow, whose 42-year career included a 27-year stint at KNBC as an anchor, reporter and commentator, is joining KCET’s “Life & Times Tonight” later this month as an anchor of the news and public affairs program.

Marlow, 71, is coming out of semiretirement Jan. 22 to host the daily series with continuing co-anchor Val Zavala. He had retired from the news operation in 1997, but had continued to host the Sunday Morning “Channel 4 News Conference” until his last show on Dec. 31.

He replaces Warren Olney, who left the series in September to host the nationally syndicated radio show “To the Point,” which is produced by KCRW-FM (89.9).

“This is an unexpected opportunity that has come up,” said Marlow. “This will be great fun. I really like the way they do the show. We can do stories that are four to five minutes long, which is unheard of in local news. And talking heads are not frowned upon.”

Al Corral, news director of “Life and Times Tonight,” said that Marlow’s professionalism and stature as a local news veteran made him the perfect fit for the job.

“Jess is one of the only people in Southern California who fit the job description of what we were looking for,” said Corral. “He’s smart, friendly and approachable on the air. If we came up to him five minutes before air time and said the computer had screwed up, he wouldn’t panic. He is an icon and has true affection for the news.”

Added KCET President and Chief Executive Al Jerome: “Jess has a tremendous command of the issues. And this is not a show that can be done in a superficial fashion.”

Marlow said it will be enjoyable to have a steady daily gig again: “It won’t be a bad arrangement, they’re making it very easy. There’s no heavy lifting involved, and I’ll be doing something that interests me.”

* “Life & Times Tonight” can be seen weeknights at 7 on KCET-TV.