I’ve been fortunate to know Mara MacDonald for several years. I’ll be honest, I can’t recall where I met her first, but I do know this when I’m looking for an opinion about something, she always gives it to me straight. The Mara I know doesn’t mince words, and has no time for BS.
When it was announced that she and other WDIV favorites were going to be given “early retirement”, it really did mark a loss to the people of this area. Mara has been a staple on Local 4 for the past 20 years. When I asked her if she’d join me in the studio to discuss her career, she didn’t hesitate. That’s how she is.
Mara MacDonald In Studio
Even though she’s “retired”, she showed up at the station in high heels, makeup on point, looking TV-ready. Me, on the other hand, not so much.
She recalled her time in radio, where it all started. It began “300 years ago” in Lansing, according to Mara. She spoke to how she’d work around the clock. She was hungry to crack this business, and she did it through hard work and hustle. She even did a couple of days with yours truly in the morning the week between Drew & Mike and the start of Dave & Chuck 11 years ago.
Mara MacDonald “Back Here Live”
We also talked about her many years in local TV. Mara coined the phrase “Back Here Live”. She said, “I never put a conscience thought into it. It sort of evolved.” Some of her other phrases were “Take a walk with me” and “Let me break it down for you”.
One of the main things I wanted to talk with her about is the fact that she spent 20 years on Detroit TV, where she grew up, and the fact that her parents are still alive and watched her every day. What did it mean to her that her Mom and Dad could watch? “Everything!” She went on to say how her Mother helped her in her decision to take the buy-out.
Mara On Her Favorite Topic To Report On
Mara covered local and national politics. She told me she loved it, although more in the previous year. “Oh, politics. Politics. Yeah, well, let me rephrase that. I used to love covering politics in this state. And to a certain standard, I still do. And I’m certainly, you know, I read all the time and I’m paying attention, but it just seems like we’re in, this vicious circle where everybody’s angry all the time, from both parties. And the vitriol is such that.”
Over the years, the job of reporting the news has changed so much since 1994 when she started. “You know, because my first reporting job was in, what, 1994? So there was no Facebook, there was no socials, there was no, no any of that stuff. And, you know, we barely had we had cell phones.”
Did she get to pick the stories she reported on? “It depended on the day. Okay. Like, you know, we’re all a slave to the news cycle. So there are some days when it’s just not even a question what you’re going to be doing. Right? Because, you know, ideally, what a reporter is supposed to do is have good connections within the community and have people call them and tell them, hey, this is happening, or did you know about this or did you hear this or whatever? Which apparently is a dying art, but that ideally is, is what you’re supposed to do and you’re supposed to, you know, you’re supposed to have a phone that you can.” Mara is connected to the community!
Mara’s Huge Clothing Collection
As far as her vast amount of hats and winter jackets, Mara says she has a lot. It’s overflowing. But the thing is, you know, people always ask, how do you have all this stuff? I’m like, guys, I’ve been doing this for 30 years. Like. Like you build a collection, over time. And, you know, I just thought about this the other day. You’ve never seen me wear patterned clothing on TV. Because every consultant will tell you that you shouldn’t wear it because it’s distracting and all the rest of it. And I’m like, I could actually buy something that has, you know.“
Yes, Mara, go buy something plaid….you’ve earned it!
There’s so much more we covered. You can watch the entire conversation below….thank you so much, Mara! I wish you nothing but the best!!!
Good Luck To You, Mara!
As Mara said, she’s not done. A new chapter in her life is coming up and we wish her the most success possible!
