The Lowdown: Holly Firfer

Atlanta is chock full of interesting “movers and shakers” – some bent on creativity, empire building, activism, the sciences, and/or just plain having fun and living the good life. Lean in to hear some of the “off the cuff” remarks as to what makes our spotlight, Holly Firfer, tick,

Holly is an Emmy-nominated journalist and national anchor for Scripps News, where she also executive produces and hosts non-news programming. She began her career as a producer in CNN’s Chicago and Detroit bureaus before becoming a correspondent, anchor, and host at CNN’s Atlanta headquarters, covering breaking news, politics, medical stories and entertainment. Holly won multiple honors, including Time’s Freddie Award for Outstanding Medical Journalism and the Red Cross Humanitarian Service Award. She was also part of the CNN team that won a James Beard Award for “On The Menu.” After a brief radio stint on 92.9 DaveFM, where she was named “Sexiest Radio Voice,” she co-hosted NBC’s, “Atlanta & Company.” Holly later became VP of programming and development for a streaming network before returning to TV news. A Chicago native and Northwestern University graduate, Holly continues to thrive in her diverse media career.

Read on to see how Holly messed up a World Series score on air.

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One fun thing people don’t know about me is …
I have appeared in big screen movies like “Flight” with Denzel Washington and “Devil’s Knot” with Reese Witherspoon. Although I’ve never met Denzel, I did sit in his director’s chair when no one was looking. If you squint, you can see me on TV as Andrea Evans in “Necessary Roughness.”

What are some of your most exotic trips?
I’ve had some wild adventures—hung out with polar bears in the Canadian Arctic, got up close with a cheetah on safari in Kenya, got stranded in Cappadocia, Turkey, and survived a typhoon in Vietnam … When the Olympics have the parade of nations, I’m counting how many countries I’ve been to—now in the 80s!

The most embarrassing thing that happened on air …
In 1997, I was anchoring on HLN when the World Series went into extra innings. Suddenly, the producer fed me breaking news that Cleveland won Game 7 — except, they hadn’t! So, I went live and announced it. Marlins fans were not thrilled, but for a brief moment, I was a hero in Ohio!

What did you learn as a medical correspondent?
Science is super important as we become more connected globally. With more travel, diseases can spread and mutate quickly, so having a strong medical community is crucial for our health. I also learned I might be a bit of a hypochondriac.

When it comes to animals, I …
Will stop, drop and pet. I actually like animals more than people. Someday, I will have a farm with one of everything … not as ambitious as Noah.

I’m streaming and reading …
Any Taylor Sheridan creation. I was late to the “Yellowstone” party but now can’t get enough. Beth Dutton is my spirit animal. I discovered I love cowboys much to the dismay of my citified husband.

If they made a movie of my life ___________ would portray me.
I’d like to say Cate Blanchett but let’s be honest – it would be Carol Burnett.

I get really silly when …
I’m with my girlfriends — no one gets you like they do, and they’re always ready with a portable fan or an adult beverage when you need it. And when you bust out the 80s dance party playlist and end up looking like Elaine from “Seinfeld” on the dance floor, they’re right there cheering.

Best advice you received … 
From my mom — You only go around the block once, stop in every driveway.

My biggest fashion disaster …
I was hosting a live charity event for Grady High School with kids as designers. One young aspiring designer made my dress — but accidentally cut the neckline a bit too low. It was a problem for public broadcasting … and possibly the Playboy Channel. Thank goodness for a box of safety pins. I really hope she went on to become a doctor instead.