Mark Johnson has been gracing Treasure Valley television screens since the early 1980s. Now retired, the KTVB legend took time to reflect on three decades of memories and what’s next.
What are some of your career highlights?
I’ll never forget getting the main anchor chair in 2004 and then being sent to Washington, D.C. to cover Dirk Kempthorne’s confirmation hearings as nominee for Secretary of the Interior. I remember doing live shots in front of the U.S. Capitol and the White House thinking, “Only four months ago I was in costume doing an imitation of Coach Dan Hawkins for the Halloween edition of Sports Extra, and now I’m in D.C. covering one of Idaho’s biggest news stories!” It’s been an amazing run: five Olympic trips, three Fiesta Bowls, three season-opening Boise State football games in D.C. and Atlanta, countless pre- and post-game shows, and so many other trips to cover news in Idaho.
What will you miss about the job?
It’s such a cliché, but I will miss my family at KTVB the most. They made it fun to come into work every day. I’m so proud and humbled to have been a part of that.
Most memorable interview?
Muhammad Ali. He was in Boise promoting a boxing match and I interviewed him live in 1986. He came from his hotel room seconds before we went on air and I noticed he had cut himself shaving. I opened with, “Champ, I believe you have more blood on your face right now than in your entire career!” He looked at me and said, “Who are you? The local Howard Cosell?!?” It was magical.
I enjoyed interviews with Senator John McCain, Mitt Romney, Michael Jordan, and Wayne Gretzky, but Ali ranks as the biggest moment for me.
Best career advice?
I was told a long time ago to “be myself.” I've been fortunate to work with people who are the same off camera as on, and that's something I always passed along to young journalists. It has gotten me into trouble on occasion, but I always worked to make sure I wasn’t trying to be anyone else but me on TV.
How do you plan to keep active during retirement?
I love to play golf. My wife and I got a pair of e-bikes and I want to spend long rides with her. We want to travel. We have two daughters in college, a new grandson in Seattle, and want to spend time with them, as well as the rest of our wonderful family. I’m looking forward to continuing my involvement with local nonprofits and all of the exciting things they are doing in the community. I’m also looking forward to trying my hand in new “adventures” -- whatever they might be!
Any fun anecdotes to share?
The viral thing that happened to me was a kick and something I still don’t understand. (In 2021, an automated tweet accidentally went out from KTVB’s Twitter account with Johnson’s headshot and ‘Mark Johnson’ as the only text.) It was fun hearing from Jimmy Fallon, Ellen, and Stephen Colbert, who had a field day with it.
Final thoughts?
I am just so thankful to have had a career with absolutely no regrets. And one that has now allowed me to give attention to my wife who has been so supportive of every move I’ve made. I’m looking forward to returning the favor. I’m also thankful for the viewers who treated me like a friend whenever they met me. I always felt so welcomed and I won’t ever forget that.