KOMO Viewers Say ‘Eric’s Heroes’ Makes Their World Better

Every Wednesday evening at around 6:45, KOMO’s 6 p.m. news airs a story from an ongoing series called Eric’s Heroes.

KOMO is Sinclair’s ABC affiliate in Seattle.

Here are some excellent promos for Eric’s Heroes done by KOMO over the years:

Eric Johnson is the news anchor at 6 and the reporter responsible for finding the “sweet little things that human beings do for one another to help us all get through the day and life.”

Johnson says there have been more than 200 episodes of Eric’s Heroes over the past four years, enough longevity for people in Seattle, and thanks to social media, “tens of thousands of people all over the word” to voice their comments, says Johnson. His Facebook page, Eric Johnson KOMO, has almost 300,000 followers. And his stories often generate hundreds, sometimes thousands, of comments.

Those comments are filled with loving, emotional examples of how Eric’s Heroes has touched their hearts.

Here are some samples you’ll see throughout:

“I appreciate life more because of these stories.” — Lisa Roberts

“This story makes you feel good to be a human being again.” — Andy McLeod

“All I can say is thank you for finding the good in us.” — Eric Denmark

“You and your stories fill my life with joy and hope. Thank you.” — Daniel Zorn

“Just when I think the world has gone crazy, there you are with your Heroes, and I’m good again.” — Anne Bonner

“I’m sitting here crying at 8:30 in the morning because of how beautifully touching this story is.” — Renee Elizabeth Lawrence

“Just when I am about to give up on the human race, I am blessed to see a story like this!” — Rhonda Marsh Rush

“That was such a sweet story of love and goodwill. KOMO you have no idea how much good news is needed so thanks for giving us something to smile for, cry happy tears and just feel good for a moment about the good things and people that we don’t hear enough about.” — Mary Glenn

“That is why I believe there is something there, not just for me, not just for KOMO, [but] for all of us to learn,” says Johnson.

“Eric’s Heroes is a very well-received bit of good news throughout the Seattle market,” says Jessica Rappaport, KOMO’s creative services director.

Rappaport says the Eric’s Heroes segments get an enormous amount of likes, shares and engagement across KOMO’s social media platforms.

“I know no one can see me … but I’m standing up with a slow strong clap.”— Christopher Glennon

“My faith in human kindness has gone up a notch.” — Kezzie Mudge-White

Johnson says the series is his way of showing a “disconnect between the world that’s portrayed on the news,” and what he sees the world to be in his daily life.

“There is a place for humanity,” he says.

“This is what makes the world a better place!” — Deborah Wheeler-Aldridge

“I just bawled my freaking eyes out. So touching and amazing!” — Brandon Scott Carraway

“In a world filled with sorrow, cruelty, hatred or indifference, each of your hero stories serves as a reminder that goodness exists. Thank you.” — Debbie Lefebre

Eric’s Heroes segments, sponsored by The Retirement Solution, a retirement planning firm, typically run five-to-six or more minutes, a luxury and a rarity when a story of two minutes is considered long on local TV news.

And it’s not just the length of Eric’s Heroes that Johnson appreciates, but the resources he gets to produce them. He credits his team, including Doug Pigsley, photographer; Darrin Tegman, editor; and Joan Kinsey, story finder and producer, for what he’s been able to achieve.

“None of it would work without this group’s amazing abilities,” says Johnson.

What is working is the process of finding the stories, which Johnson concedes can be the hardest part.

In addition to tips, Johnson says his team looks at web pages and Facebook groups, looking for the gems that are sometimes hard to come by.

But the stories are out there, says Johnson. “People still take care of each other and do lovely, sweet little things,” he says. And the people who watch these sorts of tales “find it incredibly rewarding,” he adds.

“Stories like this make you proud to be an American!” — Sue Beitlich

“I cried, this touched me deeply, thank you.” — Robert Tamblin

“It made my heart smile. Awesome.” — Joe Boggess Jr.

Johnson says he gets thousands of comments and saves many of the profound ones to look at when he retires.

“I’m a single mother or four. Just making it by. My van wouldn’t start this morning and, I’m not even joking, I sat there and cried like a baby. Then I got a notification from your Facebook page. I didn’t hesitate. I clicked on it. You’re a godsend. Literally. My mood changed, I felt hopeful. I felt alive. Life feels so alive right exactly now. Thank you. More than I can ever explain.” — Meg Ramos

“Thank you for what you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Makes the world a better place!” — Nancy McCann

“This is probably the most wonderful and amazing story I have ever heard in my life.” — Jan Crossland

“THIS is the America I love.” — Kevin Gent

“Makes me happy to be part of this human race!” — Pat Crawley

Some of the comments come from the people who were featured in Eric’s Heroes.

“These people tell you, ‘You changed my life’, says Johnson. “I can’t stress enough how rewarding it is.”

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