We live in interesting times, when news makers can go viral along with nobodies and mega stars, and in which influencers often sell out major venues. WBZ reporter Matt Shearer occupies a unique spot in this newfangled matrix, essentially becoming Boston’s most beloved journalist in a few short years with videos that get love from around the world.
While he specializes in showing ordinary people doing extraordinary things, the story behind his stories is entertaining in its own right. And with his sold out Reporter Matt & Friends interactive show at the Wilbur this Thursday, we asked Shearer about his unusual career path, approach to reporting, and breakfast in his native MetroWest.
How did you get started at WBZ?
I was unemployed at the beginning of the pandemic, playing way too much Rocket League while collecting severance checks from my last job (technically that means I was a pro gamer) when I heard that WBZ needed a new reporter. They were looking for some fresh new ideas, and I was ready for a fresh new path. I’m so glad I went for it.
What gave you the idea for the web series?
As much as I’d love to say I’m a genius and that it was my idea, it wasn’t. It was my boss, Jay Borselle, the real genius. He registered the account for @wbznewsradio on TikTok, and asked if I wanted to be the one to start posting on it. At first it was an afterthought to my on-air duties, but once things really started taking off, it became the priority.
You grew up as a skater in Acton-Boxborough. There seems to be tremendous freedom in skating. How does a skater’s mentality translate into a career in media?
It permanently re-wires your brain to see the world differently. For example, most people might see a bench and think “that’s a bench,” but a skateboarder will be thinking something like “that’s a nice spot for a frontside tailslide, shuv out.” Anything and everything in the world with a reasonably smooth surface is a new possibility. The world is your skatepark.
I try to approach storytelling the same way: Everyone else is going to see the story for what it is, but what are the possibilities? How can I have fun with this? Obviously in the world of news, there are limits to how much creativity you can bring to a story, but as long as the facts are rock solid, it’s fun to present it in a way that nobody else has thought of.
Did you write a lot at Legend or Crossroads Cafe? Which has the better pancakes? Or is there another option that only natives would know?
Legend was definitely more my vibe. Crossroads was good but a little pricey for a high school kid’s budget. The best pancakes in town were at Julie’s Place (RIP). I could honestly write a whole memoir about Acton spots that I miss, but none more than Makaha. It was our own little Kowloon, right down to the giant temple-like facade. They served late-night Chinese food in all its greasy glory, with a townie bar for the ages. They were constantly getting their liquor license revoked, but would always appeal and be back within a matter of weeks. They’re gone for good now, but never forgotten.
You talked about what it takes to go viral online and I thought it was very inspirational. Could you reiterate?
Going viral should never be the goal. The goal should be to tell a great story, then if it goes viral, you can be like hell yeah. It’s like a musician trying to write a hit. When the primary goal is to make big bucks, the songs become formulaic and lacking in substance. When that same musician simply writes from the heart, the passion is palpable.
You host a great show and have an amazing knack for highlighting the people you interview. Do you have a favorite moment from one of your interviewees?
So many! The first that comes to mind: When I interviewed MBTA superfan Pari Kim (best known for being on Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum”). She told me that her dream was to ride the T with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. Little did she know that we were on our way to do exactly that. You couldn’t have scripted that moment any better.
How much of a role does editing an episode yourself rather than someone else play into the effectiveness?
My recording style is very freeform, you could also call it “unprofessional,” so I would feel terrible passing hours of messy footage off for someone else to make sense of. It’d be like driving a rental car to the middle of nowhere, giving a stranger the keys and saying, Can you take this to the specific Hertz dealership that I’m thinking of? I can give you a vague description of what it looks like, but you’re on your own from there.
You’ve developed into a standup comedian and on April 9 you have a big show at the Wilbur Theater. What type of show/performers are you preparing?
It’s going to be so fun! I won’t be telling “jokes” in a traditional sense, mostly playing funny clips on a screen as I tell true stories with some of the most beloved recurring characters from my videos. It has a ton of potential to be a disaster, which I’m hoping will add to the excitement.
Bonus: If you had to, which Sesame Street character would you fist fight?
Oscar is the obvious choice. I feel like he’d want to fight. It’s incredible to me that Jim Henson was like, We’re making a kid’s show, and this guy is gonna be a total dick to everyone for no reason. Also, he eats trash and smells like shit.
The Count is my underrated pick. By all accounts, he seems like a good dude, but as a vampire, doesn’t he need blood to survive? How many people has he killed while the rest of the gang is asleep? I bet he knows.
