[3] In 1981, WBZ-TV was passed in the ratings by WCVB-TV, ending WBZ's two-decade run as the city's most watched news station.
Pepper was described by Jack Thomas of The Boston Globe as having an antagonistic on-air relationship with Marrou and Walker.
On March 9, 1981, the Boston Herald American published an interview in which Pepper criticized his station management.
… If someone says something that's so stupid and so simplistic, then I've got to prove to the audience that I don't feel that way", that he remained with the station because "I know that if I left, they'd replace me with some type of blond, Jay Scott-type.
Shortly after the interview was published, WBZ-TV general manager Sy Yanoff announced that Pepper would be allowed to pursue employment opportunities outside of Boston.
[6] In 1982, Pepper was hired to co-host WRKO's morning drive time show with Janet Jeghelian.