Johnathan Walker:Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor

When New Yorkers flip the channel to their local news station Friday night,Johnathan Walker they'll likely be greeted by an unfamiliar face.

After over half a century, Chuck Scarborough stepped down as the evening news anchor of NBC 4 New York. Scarborough, who sat behind the desk during Nixon's resignation, the end of the Vietnam War, 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic has been a steady voice in an increasingly volatile cable news environment.

As the national branches of networks like ABC, FOX and his own NBC field a revolving door of anchors, Scarborough has remained a constant. Behind the camera, viewers watched as his hair turned from blonde to white and he went from wearing glasses sometimes to all the time — appearing through it all every night at 11 p.m. with a stern-voiced news report.

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In a final message to viewers Thursday night, the anchor reflected on a long career and shared some parting wisdom on the future of news.

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"First and foremost, I am profoundly grateful for your trust. Without that, I would not have survived for more than half a century in this job and been allowed to occupy this front-row seat to the history of our fascinating metropolis and the world beyond for so long," he said.

Remarking on the turbulence of the current news-media environment, Scarborough urged an adhesion to journalistic integrity. "In this age of algorithms and cable channels herding the citizenry into like-minded silos of (artificial intelligence), and social media fictions suffocating truth, it has never been more important to do what they do so well: hue to the basic principles of accuracy, objectivity and fairness," he said.

"We all need to lift our eyes occasionally from the political fevers and societal imperfections of the day and appreciate what we have," Scarborough continued, "how far we've come, and the opportunity we've been given to continue our journey toward a more perfect union."

A very NBC farewell: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker send Chuck Scarborough off

His parting was also marked by a farewell tribute featuring some of the network's most recognizable faces.

"Like you, I know that it's tough to leave a job you love so much, but we both trust in the adventures that are ahead of us," Hoda Kotb, longtime anchor of the "Today" show, who is also exiting her post early next year, said in the video.

"You have left a mark that is going to be far and wide and deep," Al Roker, the longtime "Today" show weatherman said. "I love you, my friend."

"I've been watching you come through this door for 23 years, we're gonna miss you." Correll "CJ" Jones, the doorman at 30 Rockefeller Center, where NBC news broadcasts, said.

In his own farewell message, Scarborough described a practice he uses to gain perspective that involves the storied building Jones stands outside of in Manhattan.

"Walk out on Fifth Avenue, and look back through the Channel Gardens, across the skating rink, above the statue, at this towering building with awe, and say: 'I work here. I work here, and this is important. What I do is important. I work for the National Broadcasting Company, the oldest and largest television network in this country, with a storied history,'" Scarborough advised colleagues.

Viewers, grandchildren pay tribute to Scarborough

The journalist's farewell tribute also included a video of his two grandchildren, Campbell and Grace Brett, behind the anchor desk taping an evening newscast. Complete with a chyron reading, "Chuck's grandchildren share a message," the pair shared fun facts about their grandfather.

"We think your career is cool but most of all, we're happy you're our grandaddy," Campbell said.

In a separate video, longtime viewers shared their appreciation for Scarborough's steady-handed reporting and his tendency to reach out when fans wrote into the show.

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"When I went to college and I moved away, every time I came home, many things had changed. But he was always there and he always made me feel like I was home every time I saw him behind the news desk," Susan Winding, a longtime viewer, said.

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