Being on TV is nerve-wracking enough as it is, but one broadcaster took things to the next level as he reported live from a skatepark in the US.
News reporter Victor Williams of Local 4 has gone viral on Twitter after his slick reportage of free skateboarding lessons at a new skatepark in Detroit. Clearly not in need of free skateboard lessons himself, Williams zipped around the skatepark on a skateboard as he delivered his report.
His colleagues at the studio were amazed and when they asked how long he’s been skating, he said since he was just eight years old.
Remarking on Williams’ report, the co-host said: “I knew he was cool but that’s a whole new level.”
Since the video was uploaded to Twitter last night, it has garnered over 430,000 views and 22,000 likes.
People loved his unique report, with writer Eddie Robson saying Williams has raised the bar for news reporters.
This dude out there raising the bar for reporting to camera from the scene https://t.co/BTEANotzTs
— Eddie Robson (@EddieRobson) October 14, 2021
What category does this fall under in the journalism awards? https://t.co/yVsdoCGqTC
— Ben Haugh (@BenHaugh) October 14, 2021
You put smiles on faces today @NewsWithVictor! Thank you @Local4News! https://t.co/Ax3TWDshuE
— NPPA (@NPPA) October 14, 2021
Live! In a suit! https://t.co/r1c9RwtMm0
— Stefan Fatsis (@stefanfatsis) October 14, 2021
Bow to the king of swagger in reporting. https://t.co/iW0JtWDOBn
— Farrukh K. Pitafi (@FarrukhKPitafi) October 14, 2021
Victor. You’re cool and I love this. Imagine all the Black boys and girls to not only see you do this on tv, but in a suit as a news anchor. Gentle reminder that being Black is not a monolith.
— AmberYum (@AmberYum) October 14, 2021
This is amazing! The type of creativity we NEED in the industry. So smooth @NewsWithVictor, well done. 😃🙌🏼
— Nick Mantas (@Nick__Mantas) October 14, 2021
I’ve had my fill of the news these past few years and zero desire to watch it regularly anymore, but this is a breath of fresh air and what I’d love to see more of. Give this man more air time. 👍🏻
— Jessica Chavez (@HProtagonista) October 14, 2021
Well damn done!
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) October 14, 2021
Victor....this is AMAZING. Even if I KNEW how to skate, I don't think I would have tried this live. Just excellent. Good on you dude.
— Taylor Hemness (@taylorhemness) October 14, 2021
Outstanding! That live shot would have ended fairly quickly if it were me😃
— LBJ📺📻 (@lbjnola) October 14, 2021
Williams isn’t the only reporter to get creative at work in recent weeks.
Two weeks ago Donovan Long of Michigan-based WOOD TV8 did push-ups while delivering a live report:
Challenge accepted!@JenisonWildcats students Jaxen & Matt asked me to do push-ups with them on live tv, and I couldn't back down!
— Donovan Long (@DonovanLongTV) October 1, 2021
Looks like @traffictom8 & @terrideboer got some reps in too! 🤣
That’s how you kick off the first day of October on @WOODTV! pic.twitter.com/rdSfx2L2Vx
Not all reporters are quite as smooth as Williams or Long, with newsreaders previously sharing their most hilarious on-air gaffes on Twitter.
