Think back to the old days, when families used to get together during the evening to watch The MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour. At the end of each broadcast, Jim Lehrer would say “Goodnight, Robin” to his coanchor.
Has anyone ever heard Jim Lehrer explain why he called his colleague Robin? It seems a strange thing, even by PBS standards, to address one’s cohost by a nickname. It has always bothered me, and only recently have I heard anyone else even acknowledge that it happened.
Robin is a common (at least in England and British Canada) diminutive form of Robert. Just like Bill is a diminutive of William. And if it’s OK to call the president of the U.S. ‘Bill’ (or ‘Jimmy’ for that matter), then it’s OK for a Robert to be called Robin on PBS.
It’d be as much a non-issue if Jim Leher said, “Good night, Bob.”
Peace.
BTW, how come you’re not as shocked that Jim Lehrer doesn’t go by ‘James’ on air?