Kent Pierce

Kent joined News 8 as a general assignment reporter on the final day of 1999.

E-mail Kent

Before joining News 8, Pierce was a Reporter and Field Anchor for WRNN-TV in New York City. There he covered breaking news, features, and politics throughout the tri-state area. Prior to WRNN, he worked for the Associated Press Radio Network as a reporter.

Kent also held positions as Writer/Researcher at Media Studies Center, Producer at Newsweek On Air, Station Manager and News Producer at WKCR-FM and News Director and Newscaster at WHVW-AM.

He received his B.A. from Columbia College and his M.S. degree in Broadcast Journalism from Columbia University in New York City.

 

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Journalist who inspired you growing up:  My mom, the first female hard-news reporter for the Poughkeepsie Journal. As a baby, she took me to work and I'd happily play in a box next to her desk. I guess I've always liked newsrooms.

Favorite thing about your job:  Having something to show for your effort at the end of the day.

Hardest thing about your job:  Knocking on the door of someone who's just lost a loved one. I know I have to do it, I know it's part of the job, but I sure wish I didn't have to do it.

Three words that describe you:  Resilient, thinking, wordsmith

First job:  Overnight board operator at WHVW-AM, an 800 watt radio station in Hyde Park, NY. I was 17.

Person you would like to eat lunch with:  My Dad

How do you take your coffee:  I only take it when necessary.

Favorite quote:  "For every complex problem there is a simple solution...and it is wrong." - H.L. Mencken

Hobbies:  Finding the perfect cocktail

Can't live without:  Martinis

Best dish you can cook:  Whatever the delivery guy brings

Favorite TV show: The Daily Show

Favorite movie: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Favorite food: Depends on the day...I've got a favorite place to eat in just about every town in Connecticut. Whatever they make, that's my favorite food at that moment.

Favorite drink:  Ummm, see "can't live without"

Favorite snack:  Twizzlers

Favorite musical group:  Bird, Diz, Miles...if you have to ask, never mind

Favorite book:  "The Sea Wolf" by Jack London

Favorite city to visit:  New York

Advice for students interested in being a TV journalist:  This is what I tell interns at News 8: Hang out with me for a few days...if I can't talk you out of it, and if you can deal with the hours, the stress and the material...then go for it.

Most memorable story you covered while at WTNH:  All the people from Connecticut who went to the Gulf Coast to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina