The amiable Jesse Jones, trading in bright yellow KING reporting garb for KIRO’s crimson, works alongside photojournalist Katie McDowell. They’re taping an interview with Pat Fowler, a Lynnwood woman who got a lemon of an SUV — and thanks to Jesse, a check for $32,000 from Dodge/Chrysler. (Mike Siegel/The Seattle Times)
Crooks and ne’er-do-wells, take cover: Jesse Jones, the Tacoma native who popularized the “Get Jesse” segment during a nine-year run at KING 5, returns to TV on KIRO 7 this month.
SO LET’S SAY you’ve just ripped someone off. Added a digit to the amount of their check. Stolen their identity. Absconded with all their earthly possessions in a moving company van. Placed a mystery charge for $1,219 on their cable bill. Sold them a lemon vehicle. Choose your poison.
When the big man, Jesse Jones, and his big microphone appear on your doorstep, cameras rolling, people sometimes panic — and do something stupid. What’s the absolute dumbest move?
“Rule Number One: Never call the cops!” exclaims Jones, hanging out inside his new consumer-crime-fighter lair at KIRO 7. He throws back his head, cuts loose with a staccato cackle and slaps his knee as he recounts a “Get Jesse” segment from his previous employer, KING 5.
“This was a story we did about 20 bucks,” he says. “TWENTY BUCKS. And I would do another story about 20 bucks. Because it wasn’t right, what happened to this kid.”
Jones now lapses, as he often does to charming effect, into an alternate voice (these range from syrupy-sweet tones of his mother to a stereotypical, deep-baritoned, white-guy news anchor, to — on special occasions — Oprah Winfrey). The voice of the moment sounds like a Bible Belt preacher, ripping down the runway toward oratory liftoff.
“Kid puts money into a machine at ARCO. Had witnesses there. Went and tried to pump (gas). Didn’t work. Wanted his 20 bucks back. Walks in there, the guy tells him, ‘Pound sand!’ We check it out. I show up. Guy calls the cops on me!
“NEVER call the cops!” Jones repeats, busting up again. “Because then it’s GONNA be a story!”
Of course there is no arguing this point: Flashing lights and forced removal? Great TV. “ARCO rips off kid. We make it right. Film at 11.”
Got screwed? Get Jesse. It’s an entire news franchise in four words. And few American TV newsies do it with more exuberant panache than Jesse Jones, who makes a triumphant return this week to local airwaves after sitting out a six-month noncompete clause.
Reliving the ARCO imbroglio has him wound up.
“Sometimes, it’s more than just what went down,” Jones says, as if leaning over a pulpit to stare down those who would wrong his flock.
He finally breathes and leans back.
“So it’s fun, you know, to be on my end. Somebody goes through all that, I’m the guy who gets to say, ‘I got it back.’ ”
MUCH MORE TO THIS FEATURE STORY. READ IT HERE AT THE SEATTLE TIMES WEBSITE.
http://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/jesse-jones-is-here-to-help/
Why did KING 5 let this guy leave? He is one of the most entertaining personalities in local news. Every station should have a consumer reporter like Jesse Jones.