West Palm roots lead ‘NOW Tonight’ broadcaster to audience-minded, online-based program
When Joshua Johnson returns home to Palm Beach County — away from the heavy deadlines of his New York news program — he often drives along the coastline from Singer Island north to Jupiter or from Lake Worth south to Boca Raton. Just to “clear my head.”
He'll devour a Smokey from CR Chicks at some point in his visit.
“A creature comfort I've always enjoyed,” Johnson said.
In his new broadcasting gig, Johnson enjoys digging deeper into the top news stories of the day.
In December, NBC News Now launched a new primetime streaming program featuring Johnson. The one-hour, deep-dive program, called "NOW Tonight with Joshua Johnson," streams at 8 p.m. Monday through Friday on NBC News Now.
His new job would bring context and contributions from expert guests to the big stories of the day, and "help make sense of it all," NBC News Digital announced at the launch.
Johnson, 41, appreciates the freedom NBC News has given him and his team to be creative.
“We're still writing the playbook for the show; but by far, the thing I like most about 'NOW Tonight' is the thing I like most about this company overall: the people. They're enterprising, reliable, and a joy to be around.”
Formerly, Johnson hosted the NPR radio programs "1A" and "Truth Be Told." In 2019, he joined NBC group as host of "The Week with Joshua Johnson" on MSNBC.
"NOW Tonight with Joshua Johnson" aims to examine the issues that people are talking about.
“If they wanted, viewers could shape the whole thing,” Johnson said. “I want viewers to follow us online, keep an eye out for topics that relate to them and get in touch as often as they like.”
Viewers can interact with the program via its social media presence and an online submission portal. The show will also take an in-depth approach with segments designed to reveal a bigger picture behind the story as well as extended newsmaker interviews.
Johnson grew up in West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach, the only child of Zandra Harris, Evans Johnson and stepfather Theo Harris. His cousins, Steven and Sarah, were like siblings to him.
He attended the school now called RJ Hendley Christian Education Center, as well as Roosevelt Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary, Kennedy Middle, what is now Bak Middle School of the Arts, and Suncoast High.
“When I was growing up, West Palm Beach felt like a big town aspiring to be a small city,” Johnson said. “That meant that opportunities for a precocious kid like me were easier to come by than they might've been if I'd grown up in a bigger city.”
Taking part in the Friday teen panels with the late Jack Cole on WJNO, or taping a "McDonald's Kids Break" PSA on WTVX, or even performing "The Lorax" on the kids' stage at SunFest … all of these opportunities gave him chances to use his talents and build his skills.
“As the area grew, I became more aware of the world, and I could see myself telling stories as a journalist that related to our evolving region,” Johnson said. "But it might've gone very differently if I hadn't come up in a place where I could nag my way into places and say, ‘Hey, could I try that?’"
He started working in television at WTVJ during college at the University of Miami. It's where he first met Yvette Miley (who's also from Palm Beach County), the executive who followed his career and was instrumental in shepherding him into NBC.
His mother never has missed his show.
“I always think to myself, wow, that’s my kid,” Harris said. “Joshua was always encouraged to follow his dreams and live his best life, to be authentic and to always pray. He grew up surrounded by a loving family and a strong community that supported him.”
Johnson doesn't get home very often — maybe once or twice a year.
“When I do, I try to make as much family time as I can, though it's also nice to get some rest in the slower pace of PBC compared to living in New York,” he said.
If Johnson could give one piece of advice to aspiring young broadcasters in Palm Beach County, it would be “start right now.”
“Very few of the doors that I've gone through professionally have been opened for me,” he said. “For many of them, I or someone who knew me had to ask for them to open. We'd make phone calls, attend events, ask to tour a station I was interested in, try to get involved in projects and generally nag my way into opportunities.
Technology makes it even easier to produce work on your own without anyone's permission, he said.
“So don't give me any excuses about no one letting you do the thing you're dreaming of doing. If you're that easily defeated, then why should anyone want to give you anything? Start now. Work with what you have, and make the case for giving you more. You’ve got an HD camera on your phone. Make something, and publish it. Today. Right now. Go.”
That impetus continues to propel Johnson.
“Simply put, I’m going to help NBC News build the national conversation America deserves. Civic dialogue in 2022 isn't dead… just deficient. We need trustworthy spaces that welcome everyone, where we can be who we are and connect despite our differences."
Viewers can suggest stories for "NOW Tonight with Joshua Johnson" to cover, or submit questions about what's happening in the world. Follow "NOW Tonight" on social media (@NBCNOWTonight on Twitter, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram), email NOWTonight@NBCNews.com, or leave a voicemail at 888-575-2NBC.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm native Joshua Johnson a rising star of NBC News, hosts new show
