So long, Dave Marash

I've been remiss in not linking to this tribute, one that every TV critic in the country should have written, saluting the true hero of ABC's "Nightline" -- Dave Marash, a guy who could report every conceivable type of story and lend exactly the right amount of gravitas/humor/poignancy to it ... pretty much using the same tone of voice. Now there's a gift if ever a broadcaster had one, and Dave Marash has it.

Link: Newsday.com: Marash, and beard, say goodbye.

Or "had it," at least as far as ABC was concerned. Marash won't be part of the new "Nightline," and that's not just a shame, that's ridiculous.  It's almost as though ABC executives want the new "Nightline" to fail, getting rid of their best correspondent just because he happens to look like your dad.  What, viewers don't listen to Dad?  Maybe when they were 16 they didn't, but now that they're in the 18-49 demographic, I think most people have figured out that older guys have something to say worth listening to.

ABC is doomed.

Read more about and by Dave at his wife's website.

And here's an eyewitness essay Marash wrote after visiting the Balkans in 2001.