TheLoop21.com

By: Keli Goff (Add to your loop)
Wed, 02/03/2010 - 01:00

T.J. Holmes is an anchor for CNN.

IN THE LOOP WITH... T.J. Holmes

When asked to name his “claim to fame” CNN anchor T.J. Holmes demurred and said, “still waiting on it,” with a booming laugh. But to fans of the weekend morning edition of CNN Newsroom, his claim to fame is well known. Holmes makes news stories, big and small, accessible for his diverse audience. His authoritative, yet reassuring delivery and winning smile are two of his trademarks. It also doesn’t hurt that he happens to be easy on the eyes. Who says you can’t have more than one claim to fame?

Claim to Fame: Broadcast Journalist

Affiliation: Anchor for CNN

Education: University of Arkansas, BA Journalism

Currently Resides: Atlanta, GA
 
TheLoop21.com: What one word best describes you?
Holmes: I’m not sure which one to go with. Maybe Southern AND gentleman.

TheLoop21.com: What's your guilty pleasure?
Holmes: Candy. I eat candy like a madman. Twizzlers and Mike and Ike and those little Hot Tamales—I’m constantly eating candy! It’s horrible.

TheLoop21.com: Are you a dreamer or dedicated realist? Why?
Holmes: No doubt I’m a Realist. I have always had the attitude that I don’t have dreams I have goals. You can dream about winning the lottery but unless you go buy a lottery ticket you’re not really making it a goal of yours.

TheLoop21.com: What book, movie or CD would you have to take with you to a deserted island?
Holmes: It would probably have to be a CD. Can I just take my whole ipod? Because I can’t walk ten feet without putting my earphones in and listening to music. If I only had one CD…I’m kind of an old soul so either Otis Redding or Bill Withers.

TheLoop21.com: What country outside the US do you most want to visit (or enjoy visiting)?  Why?
Holmes: I loved Greece. I spent a summer in Greece there covering the Olympics in 2004 and I hate that I didn’t get to take in the country like I really wanted to because we were working 14-16 hour days so I was in this wonderful, historic place and didn’t really get to enjoy it like I wanted to so I think I’d like to go back to Greece.

TheLoop21.com: If you could trade places with someone in another profession for a day, who would it be and why?
Holmes: Mike Beebe, the Gov. of Arkansas. That’s my home state. People ask me all the time “what’s your dream job?” and something I would love to do is be governor of Arkansas. Who knows? Right now I’m certainly involved and busy and got a good thing going with CNN and my career in journalism but really it’s politics on that level on a local level—statewide--it’s a job in which you can actually reach out and touch people day in and day out and it’s my home state so its certainly got my heart in it so it’s something I might love to do one of these days.

TheLoop21.com: What was your very first job?
Holmes: I was a painter at 14 or 15.