Meet the News Team

August 14, 2008

Every week viewers who feel they have suffered injustices or been wronged contact Howard Thompson for assistance. Since its inception in 1995, "Help Me Howard" has aided hundreds of viewers who have benefited from Howard's intervention.

Born in Massachusetts, Howard Thompson played high school football and had dreams of playing professionally. At Syracuse University, Howard played college football long enough to receive two concussions and be sidelined from the game. Deciding to use his head for something other than football, Howard transferred to Emerson College where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in TV production and Broadcast Journalism in 1981.

After graduation, Howard landed a position at WWLP-TV in Springfield, MA as a general assignment reporter. In 1983, Howard moved to Connecticut to cover nightlife in Hartford for WFSB-TV. From 1985-1988 Howard was an anchor for WPXI-TV in Pittsburg, PA, moving in 1988 to NY's WNBC-TV where he remained through 1990.

At this point, Howard decided to leave the newsroom altogether and explore his passion for racecar driving and international motorsports, which began as a child after watching the film "Grand Prix." Howard then spent the next few years racing and interviewing drivers for various freelance projects.

In 1994, Howard returned to television full time as host of Disney's Los Angeles-based program "The Crusaders," a nationally syndicated magazine program which served as the stepping stone for "Help Me Howard."

In 1995, Howard caught the attention of WPIX and he was hired as a weekend anchor, and it was at WPIX where he created the "Help Me Howard" concept. By mid-year, the long-form investigative interviews had transformed into what is now "Help Me Howard."

Since its inception, "Help Me Howard" has aided hundreds of viewers who have benefited from Howard's intervention. His tenacious investigations have run the gamut, from shutting down an unlicensed medical practice to helping a local family with a bogus contractor. In addition to resolving major conflicts; Howard also seeks to expose con artists. As a result, Howard recently won his first Emmy Award for best Business/Consumer Program Series from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

An avid cyclist, Howard has completed The American Diabetes Tour de Cure as well as the Tri-State Trek, a three-day bike ride that benefits Lou Gerhig's disease research.

He is also adept in the kitchen, and has perfected his own recipe for what he calls "the best Bolognese sauce this side of Bologna!"

LIST OF AWARDS:
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES (NATAS)
EMMY AWARDS
2006: Business/Consumer Program Series