In the feature film Bruce Almighty, Jim Carrey plays a TV reporter on the verge of a meltdown over a perceived brushoff by management. Bruce takes himself too seriously, and isn’t considered for meatier stories until obtaining help from God.
That’s not likely to ever happen to K.C. Colby of CTV News Barrie.
K.C., you see, HAS a sense of humour about himself that comes through in many of the human interest stories he covers.
"I’m a huge Jim Carrey fan. I sometimes feel the best Carrey film to describe my life is The Mask — but my (three) kids would say it’s Dumb and Dumber."
And like Stanley Ipkiss (Carrey’s “Mask” character), Colby has himself assumed many identities outside of journalism: pizza maker, truck driver, vacuum cleaner salesman, bellman, fruit delivery man, waiter — fields that would keep anyone grounded.
As for advice he would give anyone starting out in the news business: Take everything personally.
“Care about what you’re doing but don’t get in the way of the story. This business is a privilege to be a part of — but remember that we don’t save lives, we’re not heroes and we can be replaced in a minute.”
And this Toronto native is passionately in love with Barrie, mostly for what he feels it could be.
“This city is now my permanent home. I like the direction it’s heading in — but it’s a long way from where it could be. So, the selling point is potential.”
A veteran of more than 3,000 stories, Colby obviously has trouble picking out a favourite, but instantly relates one that drew belly laughs – literally.
“Attempting to catch a pumpkin launched from a catapult was one of the stupidest things I ever tried. The pumpkin was like a cannonball as it roared over my mid-section — it’s amazing I was still able to father kids. Very stupid—still don’t know why I tried it twice.”
But when the stories turn from light-hearted to the fragility of life itself, K.C. Colby suffers alongside his subjects, even to the point of needing professional help.
“Years ago, I was shooting a fatal accident scene involving two vehicles. A grandmother and grandfather died at the scene. While walking around the scene, I stepped on something that ‘crunched’. I looked down and realized I had stepped on a small baggie of cheese and crackers, perfectly assembled, and still intact. The grandparents had been on their way to have a picnic with their family.”
What’s been his story of the year, so far?
“A dying child’s wish for her parents to marry was as much heart-warming as it was heart-wrenching. The wedding was as beautiful as the little girl’s smile. There are emotional moments you can prepare for — but it’s the ones that blindside you that resonate.”
And Colby’s coverage of a storm-ravaged Royal Canadian Legion branch in Huntsville, is among the latter.
“In the middle of interviewing a vet, he started crying. He knew the damage could be repaired — but the legion didn’t have the money to pay for it. (And) because the legion was closed, vets didn’t have a place to meet, laugh and argue. For many, this was what kept them going.”
Still, K.C. Colby finds much in his work to smile about.
“What other job could let you interview Martin Short and Jay Leno, become an Elvis tribute artist, send you to play and do stories at Disney World — and tour a enormous underground doomsday bunker with a guy who promises to save you a spot if you can sing him a little Elvis’s version of ‘Little Sister’?”
