support

CONTACT: Tip | COMMENT: Respond | FOLLOW: | EMAIL: Newsletter

promo

101 KLOL documentary Runaway Radio Houston screening
WATCH: Mike McGuff's "Runaway Radio" 101 KLOL documentary - now streaming!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Scott Gertner's Skybar in Montrose is shutting down

Could It Be Magic (Snippet)Saw the sad Houston music and club news on Facebook and The Insite. Musician Scott Gertner is closing down his famous Skybar in Montrose according to these reports.

Seems Gertner, a three-time GRAMMY Award nominee by the way, is not happy with the building where the club is located says Isiah Carey. READ MORE AT THE INSITE

I went to the Skybar a few years ago and had a great time. The club had a great view of Houston from the patio area. I've passed by Scott Gertner's Sportsbar Live on Fountain View near Richmond but have never gone inside.

Houston traffic radio reporting pioneer Marty Ambrose dies

Heard the sad news on the radio that recent 88.7 KUHF All Things Considered traffic reporter Marty Ambrose has passed away after battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Ambrose was considered a pioneer of the Houston traffic scene. According to KUHF:


While at the American Automobile Association in 1975, he volunteered to sit in for the resident traffic reporter on occasion, and after the ammonia truck disaster 1976, co-founded the area's first network traffic reporting service, Houston Traffic Central. In 1989 he joined Metro Networks, where he stayed as senior anchor and director of community relations until 2003.

Ambrose was 69.

I met Ambrose last year when I taped my appearance on KUHT 8's Houston 8 (both stations are in the same building). He seemed like a really nice, well-liked person.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

VIDEO: Houston TV newscast opens 80s and 90s



If you like old Houston TV newscasts from the 1980s and 90s, then this video I found on YouTube is for you. I'm glad someone thought to tape all this stuff.

Shoplifting for TV story?, TV reporters hide ages and more

Reporter: Shoplifting was part of a "freelance" assignment
TV reporter accused of shoplifting from Sears told police she was a freelance reporter working on something "on the side." (Thanks Brooks)

TV reporters reluctant to reveal age
Want to see TV news people scatter faster than cockroaches at an exterminators convention? Ask them about their ages.

Fox Affiliates: We Are Not Fox News Channel
Several news directors say Fox's reputation for right-leaning broadcasts often misleads viewers into thinking their local news reports follow the same approach.

Political candidates are their own TV newscasts
Political candidates are hiring former television reporters to produce postive stories to air on campaign websites.

Jane Skinner Leaving Fox News
Fox News Channel dayside anchor Jane Skinner announced that she is leaving the network. (Thanks Brian)

Houston TV photographer unleashes killer classic rock photos

If you like classic rock, you'll love this. The Corpus Christi Caller-Times has a great article on the city's old Memorial Coliseum. A place where lots of mega bands cut their teeth on the live circuit.

Houston television photographer Jaime Zamora was there with camera ready to capture the rocking moments:

Zamora was a Corpus Christi teenager in the late 1970s and saw dozens of shows at Memorial Coliseum, including Ted Nugent, the Scorpions and Van Halen. Concerts then were an all-day affair — Zamora and his friends sometimes skipped school to get a good spot in line. READ MORE

You can see those photos in a gallery right here.

See more at classicconcertphotos.com.

Monday, June 28, 2010

VIDEO: The Twilight Saga blues



In honor of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse film coming to movie theaters, let's watch Jimmy Fallon be funny making fun of film star Robert Pattinson. Where are Taylor Lautner's abs? I might spray paint on some right now.

(Thanks Will-E)

Former TV weatherman and Bachelorette contestant Jonathan Novack to hit Houston comedy clubs

There is a 100% chance that former KPRC 2 weatherman and current ABC The Bachelorette/future Bachelor Pad sensation Jonathan Novack will be performing at Houston comedy clubs.

Culturemap.com posted an unedited transcript between Mr. Novack and reporters. Novack goes into a lot about ABC's The Bachelorette but I am skipping those parts (click above link to read a lot more). I'm only reposting the parts about TV news and Houston comedy clubs.

Paulette Cohn: So, you’re a public figure anyway, you’re a weatherman, what has the reaction been like when you went back home.

Jonathan Novack: It’s really funny, I've been doing the weather here in Houston for three years and I don’t really get recognized very much. I’m on like one episode of The Bachelorette and now everybody is coming up to me after one episode, and I thought it was hilarious, I’m like don’t you people watch the news? I guess not.

So that’s been kind of interesting. I think overall it’s been pretty positive. People have been saying, “oh we were rooting for you, we were pulling for you,” and I just finished up in my station here at the NBC affiliate so my contract ran down so I’m not there anymore and people saying that they miss me doing the weather and come back to channel 2, come back to NBC and all this stuff, but in general it’s all been positive. No milkshakes thrown at me like in the movie the weather man so that’s good.

[snip]

David Barron: Fine thanks, there aren’t of network affiliate jobs in the top ten markets and you were able to work your way to one and then you gave it up. How do you feel about your decision to leave the KPRC, would you want to return to television news and do you believe that that career path might have been impacted by your decision to reality shows?

Jonathan Novack: No, I don’t think the show had anything to do; it didn’t have anything to do with my contract. That was honestly my plan whether or not I made it on the show, I was looking to move on and up. So I mean I don’t regret that, I that’s just how I've always kind of been. My first station I left after 3 years, Miami I left after my first contract was up, and I mean weekend weather is great, but I want to do more than that.

So, I know if I stay here, while I love Houston, it may not be the best decision professionally for me. So I know they're few and far between for the jobs and so I’m hoping if I, hopefully I'll find something and if not then I don’t. I mean there's, I’m the kind of guy it’s like let’s go with it and see what happens, and my decisions that I make at the time are what I think are the best decisions, and I can just only hope that something good will come of it.

David Barron: So, you said you’re doing nights in town before you leave here or what ...

Jonathan Novack: Yes I was just, there's a little thing over at Davenport on Tuesday night. There's one at Monday night, I forget where it is but my friend who is a comic around town, he invited me to, and so it might be the last, I don’t know if it’s the Last Stop or not, but there's a few places in town I’m going to start hitting up here in the next couple of months, getting back into it.


I'm going to start writing comedy bits for Jonathan right here. First joke for free:

"So, anyone watch The Bachelorette on ABC13? [audience applauds] Well, I was a contestant on that show... [more audience applause] Yeah, the first time I saw Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky there was a 100% chance of perspiration on my part. [audience oohs] Yeah I took her hand off camera, looked into her eyes said, 'I think there is a warm front in my pants.' [rim shot sound effect off stage]. Hey, thanks for the support folks, make sure to tip your servers!" [massive applause]

For real though, someone needs to find out where he is performing, record it on video, upload it ot the Internet and let me know the link!

RELATED
- Former weatherman Jonathan Novack continues in reality TV
- Houston TV meteorologist on ABC's The Bachelorette 2010?
- KPRC 2 meteorologist Jonathan Novack is leaving
- Bachelor Jake Pavelka guest hosts on WFAA 8
- Mary Lee storms onto KPRC 2's weather team

Anchor Alan Hemberger no longer with KIAH 39


OCTOBER 21, 2013
Alan Hemberger has died

If you haven't seen anchor Alan Hemberger on KIAH 39's news lately, you are not hallucinating. Hemberger, who has most recently been sitting on the anchor desk during the weekends, is no longer with the station (although his bio is still on the KIAH 39 website at the time of this writing).

"We'll let Houston's news directors decide if in fact I'm retired," Hemberger told the mikemcguff.com blog. "We'll see if anyone needs part time, nightside, or weekend help. Or if I only have a face for radio."

Hemberger, along with Sherry Williams (now at KHOU 11), was part of the original anchor team in channel 39's latest incarnation of news. Before that he was a popular anchor on Houston's KTRK 13 Live at 5 with Melanie Lawson. He's also worked in Austin and San Antonio too.

What you might not know is that Hemberger was also a reporter on Entertainment Tonight in the 1980s.

On a personal note, I have to mention how gracious Hemberger was to me when I interned at KTRK in the mid 1990s. I never forgot that and I think it is an important lesson for today's broadcasters.

Hemberger has had a great career and I am sure it will continue into the future. I contacted Tribune Company (the owners of KIAH) about Hemberger but the media representative did not get back with me.

I leave you with a very funny report Hemberger filed while at KTRK.

OCTOBER 21, 2013
Alan Hemberger has died


VIDEO: DJ Brandi Garcia discusses being fired from 97.9 The Box



I've been telling you about rapper Trae Tha Truth's suit against 97.9 The Box KBXX and how a judge threw it out. Now there is more to the story.

Remember how I mentioned that Brandi Garcia had left 97.9 The Box KBXX? Now Garcia has put out a YouTube video saying she was fired and it is because of the Trae Tha Truth battle (WATCH VIDEO ABOVE). This is better than a soap opera! Grab the popcorn, sit back and watch it all unfold.

MORE
Popular Radio Host Brandi Garcia Fired For Playing Rapper Trae In Houston

Sunday, June 27, 2010

DA rejects charges against former WFAA 8 anchor

Uncle Barky reports the Dallas district attorney's office has rejected a public lewdness charge against Brad Hawkins.

You will remember the former WFAA 8 anchor and current media spokesman for Southwest Airlines was arrested in April for the alleged conduct.

The Dallas Morning news reports police claimed Hawkins pulled an undercover officer's hand to his genital area through his clothing. If convicted, that would have been a Class A misdemeanor with a possible year in jail and fine.

Hawkins' attorney tells Barky the DA actually dismissed the charges in May, but only now has made it public.

READ MORE about the case.

RELATED
- Former WFAA 8 anchor arrested, charged with lewdness
- WFAA Channel 8 anchor Brad Hawkins leaves Dallas TV

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Bachelor Jake Pavelka guest hosts on WFAA 8



ABC Bachelor Jake Pavelka guest hosted on WFAA 8's Good Morning Texas Friday in Dallas. (WATCH ABOVE). Uncle Barky says even though Pavelka is a top Hollywood gossip item right now, don't expect any probing by GMT host Amy Vanderoef.

Friday, June 25, 2010

City of Houston reveals plans concerning new website

You might remember my interview with Houston Mayor Annise Parker from earlier this year. One of the gems we learned in that interview was that the city of Houston was beginning to work on a new website.

Now the city has more news on that new site:

Also known as the eGovernment Center, the website is a one-stop shop for resources within the city.

The redesign updates the layout, and takes advantage of modern technologies and is being done completely by City of Houston employees with no extra cost to taxpayers.


Look for the new site in the second half of July 2010. The current site debuted in 2005.

RELATED
- Dan Aykroyd and Mayor Annise Parker at Houston Art Car Parade
- Mayor Annise Parker lands on 2010 TIME 100 list
- VIDEO: Houston Mayor Annise Parker talks social media strategy with Mike McGuff

VIDEO: Star Trek vs Star Wars



This one is for the sci-fi geeks out there. The argument of which is better...Star Trek or Star Wars might never end. Here is a video that pits characters from the two franchises together to see which set of characters comes out on top.

I would really like to see this with the James T. Kirk crew.

(via Lee Govatos)

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Former KTRK 13 general manager honored

The Tenth District of the American Advertising Federation announced the Southwest Advertising Hall of Fame's 2010 class of inductees.

One standout is from Houston television. Willard Walbridge (deceased) of Houston was the first vice president and general manager of KTRK-TV in Houston. Early in his career, he became the first full-time employed television person in Detroit in 1947. Walbridge is a former chair of the National Association of Broadcasters and was director of the International Radio and Television Federation.

Others inductees include:
- George Arnold of Dallas is the retired CEO of Evans/AFSC, later chief operating officer of EvansGroup, in Dallas.
- Audrey Gilbreath of Houston is the founder and president of Houston's oldest and largest African-American advertising agency.
- Warren K. "Doc" Jordan (deceased) of Oklahoma City was the founder and former CEO of Jordan Associates, one of Oklahoma's largest advertising agencies.
- Herb Kelleher of Dallas is the founder, former president and CEO, and now chairman emeritus of Southwest Airlines.
- Alex Lopez Negrete of Houston is president of Lopez Negrete Communications, the second largest independently owned Hispanic agency in the United States.
- Tom Moroch of Dallas is founder and chairman of Moroch Partners, the largest U.S. agency for McDonald's franchisees.

"Real Housewives" Houston?, radio host honored and more

TrillThe Real Housewives of Houston?
Producers in town wooing society women for show.

Bun B Slated to Teach at Rice University
Rapper could be teaching course on Hip Hop and religion.

KCOH radio Personality Michael Harris honored
Dozens of Harris’ family members, friends and radio listeners packed into council chambers to watch as the mayor and council members took turns reading resolutions praising Harris and his work on KCOH radio.

VIDEO: Top news bloopers on YouTube



Mashable has the Top 10 YouTube News Bloopers in its opinion. The video I posted came in at number 7. Breaking news is a hot potato at Fox Business News in this clip. Warning the first video has already been taken down, but you still have 10 more because their is a bonus clip about zombie kids. CLICK TO SEE ALL THE CLIPS

RELATED
- VIDEO: TV reporter gets parking tickets live on air
- TV reporter to PR guy: "DO NOT TOUCH ME AGAIN, I'M WARNING YOU!"
- VIDEO: Fox 4 KDFW weather dude gets down
- VIDEO: NBC reporter eats a big one on air
- TV anchor: "So she's enjoying penis a little bit more, is she?"
- TV reporter sinks boat live on air
- VIDEO: KIAH 39 anchor proposed to live on air

(Thanks Ed)

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Kristen Bell's dad runs Texas TV news department, flame wars don't hurt TV anchor and more

When in Rome [Blu-ray]WOAI news boss chats about famous daughter
If you thought you glimpsed actress Kristen Bell around San Antonio, your eyes weren't deceiving you.

Nothing stays private on Internet, anchor finds
Former KBTV-TV Beaumont anchor Jim Walker finds Internet bashing doesn't stop him from getting new job.

Way they were: KDFW-TV's 1989 weekend news team
Video of KDFW 4's weekend newscast from 1989. The team consisted of news anchor Barbara White, weathercaster Ron Jackson and sports anchor Paul Crane.

True Blood actress in AstroWorld TV commercial?

Last week we took a trip down memory lane with an old 1980s AstroWorld television commercial. Wasn't that fun?

Now I am being taken to task by Houston refugee Super Dave in Austin, TX.

"The little girl who gets the balloon at :16 from the raccoon is none other than Houston-bred Ashley Jones, formerly of The Young and the Restless and now of HBO's True Blood," he wrote me. "She was in my class in Westbury Christian where her mom was my Kindergarten teacher. If I'm not mistaken, she went to school with you too at Lamar."

According to actress Ashley Jones' Wikipedia entry, she attended Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) but graduated from Lamar High School. I don't think I remember her though.

Well Super Dave, next time I will research the YouTube videos I post here more thoroughly. Where's Wayne Dolcefino when you need him?

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

KVUE met leaves, WFAA anchor accident, former KHOU 11 anchor up for Daytime Emmy and more

KVUE 24 forecaster uprooted by love
KVUE's Meghan Danahey announced Monday she is leaving the station.

WFAA8 anchor Cynthia Izaguirre's nose survives hard punch from garage door
Cynthia Izaguirre, co-anchor of Dallas-based WFAA8's Daybreak, will be missing in action this week after a garage door got the best of her nose.

Former KHOU 11 anchor Sandra Gin up for Emmy award
Gin will find out if she won a Daytime Emmy for the legal television program Cristina’s Court.

Katharine Shilcutt Will Be the Next Food Critic at the Houston Press
No surprise to me! Congrats.

Kim Padgett wins Media Relations Professional of the Year
Announcement made at Houston chapter of PRSA Excalibur Awards

Changes at 1560 The Game KGOW
Richard Topper is no longer general manager at KGOW.

Can Houston man make money with Internet radio? He's trying

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Houston man making money with Internet radio

Longtime Houston resident Harold Levine loves radio. He loves it so much he started his own radio stations on the Internet. What started out as a hobby has become a $500 a month passion to bring back music you can't find on the radio airwaves. Will he be able to turn it into a business?

I've been covering Internet radio for a decade now and with the arrival of 4G/WiMax level of mobile Internet speeds, I think we're at a point where Web radio could mature soon.

Levine's stations are as follows:
Radio Swing WorldwideYour Parade of Hits from the 30s and 40s!RadioSwingWorldwide.com
Streaming the hits of the Big Band and Swing era.

Radio BopYour Never-Ending Nonstop Sock Hop!" RadioBop.com
50s/early 60s stream

Boss Radio RadioBop60s.com
All-60s Radio Bop 60s

Roots of RockThe Music Elvis Grew Up With!” - ROOTSofROCK.US
Playing pre-Rock ‘n Roll era charted pop, country and RandB hits

Mike McGuff: Why did you start your Internet stations?

Harold Levine: I worked in radio in the Dallas area in the late 60s/early 70s and though I've been in public and corporate accounting since 1974, I've always kept up with the broadcast industry. Somehow, I wound up as Business Manager of News 24 Houston and got re-educated in broadcast automation; about the same time Time Warner/Belo pulled the plug on News 24, 107.5 KLDE (now called Houston's 107.5 The Eagle KGLK-FM) dropped 50s and shifted to 60s/70s plus KQUE got sold and the nostalgia format went kaput. I was the last man standing at News 24 and my 3 month engagement to shut down and liquidate the facility ended up getting extended to 1-1/2 yrs...so I started investigating Internet radio and came up with the concept of Radio Bop as I missed my 50s music...that was in 2005. I was aware of the age shift away from demographics of 54+ and this shift was happening everywhere. I figured others might be interested but didn't have a clue we would develop such a large following in Germany and the UK and a hundred other countries. I was always into formatics and jingles way back when and grew up in North Texas where I could hear great Top 40 stations like KLIF, KBOX, KFJZ, KOMA, WTIX, WNOE, and WLS not to mention Wolfman Jack on XERF.

MM: Do you feel you are making up for the lack of airplay of your music on commercial radio?

HL: I am totally saddened by the state of terrestrial radio today whereas local radio, at least in major markets, has all but disappeared...and, if it wasn't for XM/Sirius and KUHF/NPR, driving in this town would be a real bore. There is nothing musical on the local radio dial of interest to folks 55 plus. The big payoff for me are the countless emails we get from folks worldwide about how much they love and appreciate the stations...we don't push it, but we have received $100 contributions from listeners in Australia, Germany and Finland.

In May, Radio Bop had 165,000 total tune-ins with a monthly cume of 37,000 tune-ins greater than 5 minutes for a total of 55,000 TLH (Total Listening Hours) putting us in the top 8% of all Shoutcast stations with 1,000 TLH or more.

Our present goal is to build a salable audience and we are close to the "tipping point" with the total of all four of our stations at 110,000 TLH per month and steadily increasing.

MM: You mentioned to me the amount of music you have for each station and how there is still more out there to find. How difficult is it to find the music in these genres? I figure there is a lot out there that time has forgotten but once listeners hear it, they remember it.

HL: I have a large record collection mostly from the 60s but found most of my records too scratchy to use for broadcast. I made the decision to buy as much as I could on CD, initially buying compendium sets and eventually single-artist CDs in order to get the more esoteric stuff...I have bought used where I could to save a buck and visited used record stores from California to New York plus have bought off the Internet from oldies.com, Amazon and eBay. Unfortunately, most of the record stores are gone so the Internet is about the only source left. Joel Whitburn's Billboard compilations have been invaluable in enabling us to compile the music for all our stations, in designing our formats and determining frequency of airplay.

Once again, we get comments from listeners excited to hear songs they haven't heard in 40 years. If it charted in 1957, we play it...and that includes pop songs that still made it into Top 40 playlists at the time...most of our competition doesn't probably because the songs don't sound like they belong to the Rock 'n Roll genre. As a kid, Frank Sinatra singing Love and Marriage seemed perfectly OK to me as just another song.

MM: Your costs of $500 a month sounds like a lot of money to take on. How long do you project you can last before you need to bring in revenue?

HL: As I mentioned earlier, I think we are very close to the point where we can bringing in advertising revenue. I've identified a dozen types of clients that our audience (in both age and geographic reach) would be attractive. We just acquired and are in the process of implementing traffic software scheduling three 1-minute commercial breaks with a :30 and two :15 spots each plus a :20 sec sponsorship each hour. We are also getting ready to completely redo the websites and based on the experiences of a couple of colleagues, believe we can generate enough from click-thrus and banner advertising to cover our monthly costs.

MM: Clearly your past work experience gives you good knowledge in the business of broadcasting. Do you feel that you can come up with a solid plan to be profitable in the future or will this continue to be a project of passion and love?

HL: This activity started out as a hobby and still is but the long-term objective is to turn the stations into a profitable business with the underlying objective being to keep the music and the radio memories of the past alive.

MM: With the coming of 4G and faster mobile Internet, what's your prediction for the future of Internet radio? Will we be listening to it in our cars? Are you laying the groundwork now for something much bigger in the future?

HL: There is absolutely no doubt that mobile listening on pdas/smartphones is the biggest growth area with growth in automobile listening following. Clear WiMax is now available in 75 cities and that will certainly fuel the inclusion of internet-based systems in more and more vehicles and internet radio listening. I plug my iPhone into my car's aux input and listen to all of my stations everyday.

MM: What's your suggestion to those who want to start their own Web radio station? Where do they start?

HL: I started on Live 365 which made it easy because they provide both streaming, licensing and autodj/storage in a package deal. I shifted to a server based automation system to control my format but eventually had to phase away from Live 365 as my audience reached a size which became cost prohibitive based on Live 365's pricing structure. LoudCity now provides autodj services now as well. Both Live365.com and LoudCity.net as well as Shoutcast.com have lots of information about starting an internet station.

MM: All of these questions aside, how cool is it running your own radio stations?!

HL: It's a lot of fun, especially researching the music and developing the theme for each station and format. And as I mentioned earlier, the big payoff are the emails we get from listeners and former radio deejays worldwide. I can't help but smile when folks send their thanks to our entire staff for the programming...of course, our entire staff is me!

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Houston man making money with Internet radio

RELATED
- Houston rock radio pioneer dumps FM for Web broadcasting - mikemcguff.com exclusive
- Dave E. Crockett talks to Mike McGuff about the state of webcasting
- Dave E. Crockett talks with mikemcguff about newest Houston radio station on the Web - DXSRADIO.com

Monday, June 21, 2010

The Big Four thrash tour hits movie screens

Master of PuppetsLots of metal fans are very excited about the so-called Big Four shows made up of thrash godfathers Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. No one thought these shows would ever happen.

It is happening but only in Europe for now. But Tuesday and Thursday night, in a movie theater hopefully near you, you can see all these bands play one of those European shows.

You've probably heard of these concerts beamed to local movie theaters by satellite before. This show features nearly four hours of live performances and behind-the-scenes from the Sonisphere Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The show starts at 7:30pm local time Tuesday, June 22 and again on Thursday, June 24 in select theaters. Here is the list of participating theaters.

Here are the participating Texas theaters according to NCM.com.
CNK Abilene 12 ABILENE TX 79606
CNK Hollywood USA AMARILLO TX 79119
AMC AMC Parks At Arlington 18 ARLINGTON TX 76015
CNK Southpark Meadows AUSTIN TX 78748
REG Metropolitan 14 AUSTIN TX 78745
CNK Tinseltown USA BEAUMONT TX 77705
CNK Cinemark Hill Country Galleria BEE CAVE TX 78738
HWD Movies 14 BURLESON TX 76028
CNK Cinemark Cedar Park CEDAR PARK TX 78613
CNK Hollywood USA - CollegeStation COLLEGE STATION TX 77845
CNK Corpus Christi 16 CORPUS CHRISTI TX 78412
REG Galaxy Theatre DALLAS TX 75238
AMC AMC Northpark Center 15 DALLAS TX 75225
CNK Cinemark 17 with IMAX DALLAS TX 75234
CNK Cinemark El Paso 14 EL PASO TX 79912
CNK Cielo Vista Mall EL PASO TX 79925
REG Fossil Creek FORT WORTH TX 76137
CNK Tinseltown Movies 17 GRAPEVINE TX 76051
CNK Harker Heights HARKER HEIGHTS TX 76548
CNK Cinemark 16 HARLINGEN TX 78550
AMC AMC Highland Village 12 HIGHLAND VILLAGE TX 75077
CNK Memorial City Mall HOUSTON TX 77024
AMC AMC Willowbrook 24 HOUSTON TX 77064
REG Houston Marq*E Stadium 22 plus IMAX HOUSTON TX 77024
CNK Cinemark 19 KATY TX 77449
CNK Mall Del Norte LAREDO TX 78041
CNK Vista Ridge Mall LEWISVILLE TX 75067
HWD Hollywood Stadium 14 Theatres LONGVIEW TX 75605
CNK Movies 16 LUBBOCK TX 79424
CNK Lufkin Stadium 12 LUFKIN TX 75901
CNK Cinemark 12 Town Center MANSFIELD TX 76063
CNK Movies 17 MCALLEN TX 78504
HWD Tall City MIDLAND TX 79707
CNK Odessa 12 ODESSA TX 79762
CNK Tinseltown USA Pflugerville PFLUGERVILLE TX 78660
CNK Tinseltown USA Plano PLANO TX 75093
CNK Cinemark 24 (The Legacy) PLANO TX 75025
CNK Cinemark 12 Rockwall ROCKWALL TX 75032
REG Fiesta 16 Theatres SAN ANTONIO TX 78230
REG Cielo Vista 18 SAN ANTONIO TX 78238
CNK McCreeless Mall SAN ANTONIO TX 78223
CNK Cinemark at Market Street SPRING TX 77380
CNK Texarkana Pavilion 14 TEXARKANA TX 75503
CNK Victoria Mall VICTORIA TX 77904
CNK Cinemark 18 Webster WEBSTER TX 77598
CNK Cinemark 14 Wichita Falls WICHITA FALLS TX 76308
HWD Jewel 16 WOODWAY TX 76712

Free Whataburger breakfast Tuesday and more



Free Whataburger breakfast Tuesday June 22
Stop by Whataburger on June 22 from 7-10 am and pick up a free bacon or sausage Breakfast on a Bun.

The new, modern Mai's (it's bigger)
Anna Tran reveals the rebuilding plans for Midtown icon.

Bye Bye, Mai Thai?
Feeding Another Kirby High-Rise Rumor

Former weatherman Jonathan Novack continues in reality TV

I predict a Jonathan Novack front to cover the nation very soon! What am I talking about? Well, former KPRC weatherman and ABC The Bachelorette contestant is going to be on another reality TV show!

In the Bachelor Pad (also to air on ABC), Novack will live with other The Bachelorette contestants as well as some of the lady contestants from The Bachelor. Sounds like another show I will not watch.

Don't think life in the Bachelor Pad will be all beer pong and nudie magazine posters (there have to be things for the male contestants to do after all). No, this is a cut throat pad where house mates stop being polite and start getting voted off at the end of each episode.

Honestly at first I did not realize there would be females in the house. I thought the show was mixing The Bachelorette contestants with the actual guys from The Bachelor hence the name Bachelor Pad (you know where guys live together).

Then I read how the executive producer of the new show said, "All these people have been friends, been enemies, they date each other and bring all this great backstory to the show. It seemed like there was an opportunity to combine that world with a new competitive reality show."

I was like whoa! There really is an untold show going on here!

RELATED
- Houston TV meteorologist on ABC's The Bachelorette 2010?
- Mary Lee storms onto KPRC 2's weather team
- KPRC 2 meteorologist Jonathan Novack is leaving

Friday, June 18, 2010

KHOU 11 wins National Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence

Things are going very well for KHOU 11 in Houston. The station just won its second National Edward R. Murrow Award in 2010:

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has recognized KHOU with two National Edward R. Murrow Awards. The station earned top honors for a large market television station with the award for Overall Excellence, recognizing coverage that consistently demonstrates depth and scope.

“Winning the Murrow Award for Overall Excellence is an honor shared by everyone who works at KHOU, said Susan McEldoon, KHOU President and General Manager. “I am proud of their efforts, their good work and of the commitment they demonstrate every day to serving viewers.”

KHOU also received a National Edward R. Murrow Award in the Video News Documentary category for the investigative special “Under Fire: Discrimination and Corruption in the Texas National Guard.”

Together, the pair of Murrow Awards highlights an already exceptional year for KHOU. In the past 12 months, KHOU has won more awards for journalistic excellence than any other station in Texas, in part due to the impact and success of “Under Fire,” which continues to capture national journalistic honors.

“Under Fire” was the presentation of a two-year investigation that exposed ongoing sexual discrimination and financial corruption throughout the highest ranks of the Texas National Guard. Reports by the 11 News Defenders investigative team - reporter Mark Greenblatt, executive producer David Raziq, photojournalist Keith Tomshe and art director Robyn Hughes - led to significant action and reform.

"It's a testament to the commitment our journalists share to not just cover the news,” said Keith Connors, KHOU Executive News Director. “At KHOU we take pride in uncovering the important stories that impact our community."

“Under Fire” has been recognized with a duPont-Columbia Award, the Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Medal, a George Foster Peabody Award, a National Headliner Award for Investigative Reporting and it was a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize from the Shorenstein Center at Harvard.

Other accolades for KHOU this year include six regional Edward R. Murrow Awards –the most of any large market station in the Texas-Oklahoma region – and 23 Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Awards – again more awards with more first place finishes than any large market station in the state.

The National Edward R. Murrow Awards are presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) for excellence in electronic journalism. Winners will formally be recognized on October 11 at the RTDNA Awards Dinner in New York. For a complete list of 2010 winners, visit www.rtdna.org.


RELATED
- Texas TV and radio stations win regional Murrow Awards
- KHOU 11 in Houston wins Peabody Award
- KHOU 11 does it again
- KHOU 11 Wins 23 Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Awards
- KHOU 11 wins 2010 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award

Houston Chronicle legal journalist Mary Flood moves on

Houston Chronicle legal journalist and lawyer Mary Flood is leaving the newspaper.

"It's bittersweet for me to end my 10 years at the Houston Chronicle," Flood told the mikemcguff.com blog. "This time, especially the five years on Enron stories, has been exhilarating and exhausting. I am sad to leave so many capable and wonderful colleagues at the paper."

Flood will be joining Androvett Legal Media's Houston office. In this role, she joins other former journalists and another lawyer to provide public relations, marketing, advertising and crisis communications to lawyers and law firms.

Although she is leaving the newspaper life, Flood tells me she hopes the industry finds a way to survive the digital age.

"Having worked in Houston at the Houston Chronicle, the Wall Street Journal, at the now-defunct Houston Post and briefly at the Houston Press, I want nothing but the best for newspapers here, in whatever forms their future takes us," Flood said.

We wish Flood great continued success in the future.

Flood's last day at the Houston Chronicle is June 25th. In the meantime, here is a link to Flood's Chronicle blog.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Brandi Garcia leaves 97.9 The Box, Texas Tribune wins Murrow, Texas Radio Hall of Fame noms

97.9 The Box KBXX DJ leaves
FMQB reports that Brandi Garcia exits the midday gig at 97.9 The Box KBXX.

Texas Tribune Nabs Two Edward R. Murrow Awards
The site was awarded a pair of coveted Edward R. Murrow Awards in their "Online News Operation - Local" category.

Judge agrees with HCN; online comments protected
You are not so anonymous when commenting on media stories.

The 2010 nominees for the Texas Radio Hall of Fame
The big announcement has been made (scroll down to see after click).

VIDEO: WFAA 8 unveils new morning show image spots



WFAA 8 in Dallas-Fort Worth has unveiled its new marketing push. The above video is for the morning show.

There are more accompanying image spots for the morning show below that focus more on talent:
- 2010 WFAA Daybreak Campaign - "Greg talks mornings"
- 2010 WFAA Daybreak Campaign - "Greg and Cynthia"
- 2010 WFAA Daybreak Campaign - "Cynthia talks Community"

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

VIDEO: TV reporter gets parking tickets live on air



KTLA's Gayle Anderson (you might know the name because she was KPRC 2's "Troubleshooter" reporter and "Nearly Noon" anchor in the 1980s) was doing a live shot about cars with an auto expert when Santa Monica police rolled up and started handing out $50 parking tickets (for multiple vehicles mind you). Anderson even confronted the cop live on air.

A Santa Monica PD press release posted in the bottom of the YouTube video page says the news crew did not pay for parking and that is why citations were handed out.

MORE WACKY TV VIDEO
- TV reporter to PR guy: "DO NOT TOUCH ME AGAIN, I'M WARNING YOU!"
- VIDEO: Fox 4 KDFW weather dude gets down
- VIDEO: NBC reporter eats a big one on air
- TV anchor: "So she's enjoying penis a little bit more, is she?"
- TV reporter sinks boat live on air
- VIDEO: KIAH 39 anchor proposed to live on air

Top Houston restaurants, Tower Theater goes Tex-Mex and more

Tower Theatre Will Go Tex-Mex
Swamplot reports that a new Tex-Mex restaurant is coming to Montrose. It will be in the former Tower Theater building on Westheimer at Yoakum.

Going to the Lake: Azuma moves outside the loop
A staple for inner loop sushi lovers for years, the Azuma Group has finally found some love for the suburbs.

Food in Houston's top 20 restaurants and more
Looking for a place to eat in Houston? Here are some food blogging suggestions.

Felix Mexican Restaurant location becoming sushi joint
Austin restaurant Uchi owner to most likely tear down Felix building.
UPDATE: Not tearing down the old Felix building.

TV photogs have a rough job

Shooters: TV News Photographers and their WorkHe's one of the best TV photogs in the blogging business, so that is why I am featuring some great recent posts from Lenslinger.

Let's face it, anyone in TV news knows that photographers or photojournalists (aka cameramen to the layman) have one of the toughest jobs in media. They are exposed to the elements and lots of crap from inside and outside of the station. That's why it is so good to see Lenslinger blogging about it with humor and grace.

Top Ten Signs You've Covered Too Much Spot News
Here's #10 - Like Pavlov's dog, you instantly wolf down whatever food is front of you at the merest squawk of a walkie-talkie. CLICK HEADLINE TO SEE THE OTHERS

Baton Rouge TV photog brings personality back to reporting
In a time of generic TV stories, Rick Portier is coming out from behind the camera to return some local storytelling.

Downsizing your camera and editing on Final Cut
D.L.S. That's Diminished Lens Syndrome for those of you without tripods in your trunk. The symptoms are predictable enough... initial unease at the idea of shrinkage, a false hope that smaller will somehow be better, the cruel realization that you're about to hit the streets with a molded plastic pea-shooter.

The Iceman Melteth...
The life of a TV news Photog is one of backaches, callouses and scratches.Then Summer rolls around and it gets really uncomfortable.

RELATED
- VIDEO: b-roll.net's Kevin Johnson interview from NAB
- PIC: Houston TV photographer "going the extra mile"
- VIDEO: TV news photog makes movie!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

VIDEO: CNBC anchor makes sexist comment towards co-anchor



Clearly I have been holding onto this video for awhile, but I am a little bit behind from being out of the country. In the video, CNBC anchor Mark Haines makes a sexist comment towards Erin Burnett

In full disclosure I think I am developing have a crush on Ms. Burnett which some might find sexist too these days (don't worry, I have alerted my wife). So now that we have that out there, sign your latest corporate sensitivity training HR form and watch the above video.

Huff Post has more on this incident including another video from the day after.

Sprinkles Cupcakes to open in Houston - war is on

Cupcakes!Houston has some good cupcake shops no doubt. I personally like Crave in Uptown. In fact I just bought a half dozen there this past weekend as a gift for my wife!

Next Monday though...is a game changer for all Houston cupcake lovers. It's going to be an epic war of frosting, flavors and wrappers that will leave some with an overdose of sugar.

I'll get to the point, Sprinkles Cupcakes from California is finally opening in Houston's Highland Village. Sprinkles just so happens to be the godfather of all cupcake shops in America. It is the one that spawned them all like a sugary virus that has infected the nation.

Back in on October 1, 2008 I wrote that Sprinkles was opening here and now on June 21 it will actually be in Houston. I'm sure you can blame the economy for the delay.

I've been to the original location in Beverly Hills and it is pretty damn good. You can even get shots of icing right at the counter. Who gets that? Probably the people you figure would.

So stop eating now and save those calories for the start of next week. See you in line?

Sprinkles Cupcakes
Highland Village
4014 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77027

RELATED
Houston to get Sprinkles Cupcakes

(Thanks Sonia)

KIAH 39's Hailey Frances leaves for main anchor gig

KIAH 39 is without an entertainment reporter right now. The former reporter to hold that spot has skipped out of the Bayou City.

Turns out Hailey Frances started a new main anchoring gig at Tribune owned WXMI Fox 17 in Grand Rapids, Michigan Monday.

"I am really excited about the opportunity to become a main anchor, and it was an opportunity to stay with a company that believes in who I am and what I have to offer," Frances told the mikemcguff.com blog. "10 p.m. here I come!"

While she wasn't in Houston for very long, Frances did make the most out of her time here.

"Houston was a whirlwind and a blast," she told me. "It was a career launching opportunity for me in a top market and one of the coolest cities in the U.S. I'm so lucky to have grown my skills there on-air."

I don't usually talk about TV talent agents, but I did notice that Frances is represented by Nancy Shafran of No Whining Talent. Why is that important? Shafran was news director of KPRC 2 from the late 1990s into the early 2000s. I did not know she was now a TV agent. Who better to negotiate with a news director than a former news director I guess.

Congrats Hailey.

http://haileyfrances.com/

RELATED
VIDEO: Houston TV reporter runs the bases at Minute Maid Park

Monday, June 14, 2010

Flirty TV anchor emails, 'penis' anchor quits, KABB anchor changes

Flirty e-mails released between anchors
She calls him "arm candy." He calls her a "hottie."

Houston Channel 11's original transmitter site
This is like Playboy for nerdy engineering types. I just clicked for the accompanying article though.

"So she's enjoying penis a little bit more" video anchor leaving TV biz
WGNO-Channel 26 New Orleans anchor Michael Hill is a hero to many because he called out a dumb story on air. Don't worry other stations did the story after this video appeared on YouTube!
- Watch original video

KXAS' Mike Snyder signs off with grace
While Mike Snyder will sign off from NBC 5 KXAS effective July 1, he has made it clear that his retirement from the station will not mean his departure from the news business.

KABB Fox San Antonio making anchor and weather changes
Mileka Lincoln upped to anchor and former KMOL (now WOAI) weather dude Mike Hernandez joins station.

Jim Bell signs off 88.7 KUHF NPR Houston

Anyone who has listened to Houston NPR station 88.7 KUHF in the last decades is probably familiar with longtime news anchor Jim Bell. You would know him as the Houston host of NPR's Morning Edition since 1997.

Well after 17 years at KUHF and 45 years in the radio business (including a stint at NBC Radio News in New York), Bell is retiring. Congratulations to him. We wish him well.

According to his online bio, Jim got his start in radio back in 1965 as a DJ on an easy listening FM station in the Clear Lake area. The station was owned by Col. John "Shorty" Powers, the former voice of Mercury Control in the earliest days of the space program.

Most recently, Bell has been serving as the KUHF local host on 88.7 HD-2 and KUHF News online.

LISTEN TO HIS OFFICIAL SIGN OFF HERE

RELATED
- 88.7 KUHF gets David Pitman as new Morning Edition host
- 88.7 KUHF Houston NPR develops a business news radio show

Mary Lee storms onto KPRC 2's weather team

There are many things we know about Mary Lee, the latest weathercaster to join the KPRC 2's storm center. We know she arrived to Houston from Austin's KXAN 36/KNVA 49. We know she is originally a California girl (come on sing it with "I wish they all could be...").

UPDATE 2022
Is Mary Lee still on KPIX 5?

But there is one thing we do not know. Will a TV reality show cupid (presumably named Chris Harrison) shoot an arrow through Lee's heart causing her to search for love and national television exposure?

I'm not as smart as a TV meteorologist, but even I can predict that most likely will not happen. I think her predecessor Johnathan Novack appearing on ABC's The Bachelorette is a one and a million chance for most TV weather departments. That's a forecast you can depend on and I didn't even correspond with Mississippi State. If it happens again then I bet there will be a celibacy clause added in contracts immediately!

Good luck to Lee and here is a video of her in action on KPRC 2.

RELATED
- Houston TV meteorologist on ABC's The Bachelorette 2010?
- KPRC 2 meteorologist Jonathan Novack is leaving

Sunday, June 13, 2010

VIDEO: AstroWorld and WaterWorld TV spot from the 1980s



Now that the land where AstroWorld formerly sat has been sold, let's look back at a TV commercial for the theme park from the early 1980s. This was back in the park's heyday. Remember when there were entertainers, mascots, marching bands...etc.

The commercial promotes the new Sky Screamer ride and the brand new park WaterWorld.

*BONUS Watch a clip from the 1975 documentary The Pleasures of this Stately Dome with KPRC 2 anchor Ron Stone talking about the Astrodome's construction. Lots of bloggers are calling for the Eighth Wonder of the World to be torn down. As a Native Houstonian, I say DON'T DO IT!

RELATED
- Astroworld being torn apart - a satellite view of fun destruction
- My Astroworld tribute page
- Where did those Astroworld rides go?

CNN 650 AM radio host Brent Clanton is a conductor

You were asked to vote on which Houston celebrity got a chance to conduct an orchestra. And the winner is...CNN 650 AM Radio host Brent Clanton.

 His father was a band director and Clanton wanted to follow in his old man's footsteps. The only pitfall, his old man talked him out of it. READ MORE HERE

Now Clanton gets to forget about his radio career for a night as he conducts the "Star Spangled Banner" at the June 26 concert at UH Moores School of Music.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

First Native Houstonian astronaut set for launch

We all know NASA is in Houston, but it is almost unbelievable after all these years only one Native Houstonian has become an astronaut.

The first Native Houstonian astronaut, Shannon Walker, is set to lift off Tuesday in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. On her first spaceflight, Dr. Walker will participate on a long-duration mission to the International Space Station. She will serve as a flight engineer and conduct research on board the station during Expedition 24 and Expedition 25.

Dr. Walker was born in Houston and grew up on the southwest side of town. She attended Parker Elementary School, Johnston Middle School and graduated from Westbury Senior High School (class of 1983). She received a bachelor's in physics as well as a master's and doctorate in space physics from Rice University.

She was selected by NASA to become an astronaut in 2004 following more than a decade of work in the local space industry.

Dr. Walker returns to Earth in November.

Dr. Walker bio

Friday, June 11, 2010

Aspiring Houston TV reporter's dream comes true

One aspiring Houston TV reporter hit the jackpot recently. Daniela Rodriguez, 27, competed against contestants from across the country on ESPN Deportes' Dream Job: El Reportero to cover the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

As the only female finalist in the competition, ESPN notes Rodriguez stood out from the seven contestants with her broadcasting skills, personality, camera presence and her general knowledge of soccer. Her experience sounded like a TV reality show version of what a normal broadcasting intern must endure - anchoring a studio show, acting as a reporter, conducting interviews and participating in numerous debates.

But did she have to get someone coffee or carry a photographer's tripod?

"This year we saw a lot of talent during the casting tour," said Christian Calcagno, coordinating producer, ESPN Deportes, ESPN International in a statement. "Our seven finalists' vast knowledge, skills and competitive attitude showed us how passionate fans are about soccer, but we felt Daniela would do a fantastic job of representing ESPN Deportes through her enthusiastic reporting and passion for this game."

Rodriguez currently works as an account executive for a communications company. ESPN says her grandfather was a professional soccer player.

Official show site

McDonald's serves shrimp in Europe

Euroknallers at McDonalds
Euroknallers at McDonald's


Euroknallers at McDonald's in The Netherlands. Yes McDonald's serves shrimp in Europe. I did not try them.

What's next? Ronald serving Champagne in France? Hopefully not for his sake. That would just give some more reason to get him fired.

RELATED
- Cool Ranch Doritos are known as something else in Europe
- Dr. Pepper Zero is coming?

VIDEO: 1970s Johnny Carson profile on 60 Minutes



Watch part 2

Here is a 60 Minutes profile on Johnny Carson. It was produced during the Carter administration based on his jokes so you have a time frame. With the current late night wars winding down for a bit, I think it is great to go back and watch the true master. (Check out the part where Johnny makes a joke that Mike Wallace is there to interview Ed McMahon about the finances on his house. That's a portent if I have ever seen one.)

Lately I have been getting quite the Carson fix. You can watch Carson's Comedy Classics on the Reelz channel. And I just read an interview with Johnny in a Rolling Stone mag interview book my wife just bought me. I can remember begging to stay up late just to watch The Tonight Show back then. Even though I was too young to get many of the jokes, Carson had a quality that could entertain all ages.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Snyder out at KXAS, Berry in trouble, rapping weatherman and The Bachelorette

Over and out for NBC5's Mike Snyder
Uncle Barky reports that anchorman Mike Snyder's 30-year career with KXAS/NBC5 will end on July 1st when the 56-year-old anchor/reporter retires from the Fort Worth-based station.
- KXAS NBC 5 anchor Mike Snyder leaves 10pm



740 KTRH's Michael Berry gets federal complaint filed against him
Just after I blog about Michael Berry possibly going national, he gets into trouble while I was on vacation. Richard Connelly of The Houston Press reports the former city councilman who hosts a talk show on KTRH each afternoon, has had a federal complaint filed against him by CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
- Michael Berry of 740 KTRH going national?




Outlook is sunny for hip-hop forecaster
Fox 4 KBTV weather dude Nick Kosir is the Rapping Weatherman of Beaumont.
- Texas TV newscasts battle to be top music acts
- See the video




Former KPRC 'Weatherman' Woos Bachelorette
Michael Malone of Broadcasting and Cable plays tabloid reporter with former KPRC 2 meteorlogist Jonathan Novack who I first told you was going to be a contestant on The Bachelorette 2010.
- Houston TV meteorologist on ABC's The Bachelorette 2010?

Smoking pot in Amsterdam's Red Light District

Red Light District in Amsterdam.


You could probably care less about all the stuff I've told you about the Netherlands so far. Everyone wants to know about Amsterdam's Red Light District and all of the marijuana smoking going on over there.

Oude Kerk or The Old Church - AmsterdamI did visit the Red Light District. No I was not a paying customer. I had to pass through the district to get to the church hidden in the attic museum (Our Lord in the Attic) which was unfortunately under construction but still worthwhile anyway. Let's just say around 4pm the women in the windows might want to make you turn out the red light from what I can tell. Strangely enough, the Oude Kerk or "old church," Amsterdam’s oldest parish church, is right in the middle of this district. It was odd.

After vising the Anne Frank museum, I went back to the Red Light District and found it picked up around 8pm. Tons of people were just walking around and gawking - men and women actually (I thought the parents with young kids in tow were out of line). The photo above is the only one I took because the guide books say big bouncers show up and attempt to take your camera away if you get to picture happy. Also a camera makes you a big theft target.

I felt safe there because this time of year it does not get dark in Amsterdam until 10pm. There were also lots of police around. And let's face it, when there are elderly tourists walking around with canes, it's hard to have a sense of too much danger. Especially if there is no Viagra around. (Guide book says get out of there by 10:30pm because of drug users and other trouble hanging around.)

The girls in the windows at the later hours are what you expect. They do anything to get attention but nothing over the top (other than wearing swim wear looking stuff). The guide book said there are all types of women offering services and they are independent contractors who pay taxes. Wow, there are supposedly people in high levels of the US government that don't pay those.

I found it amusing that there were restaurants, bars and dessert shops mixed in throughout the area. Must be a place where people work up an appetite. The area is called De Wallen and you can read more about it here.

Now for the marijuana. Unlike Los Angeles where there is currently a war going on against medical marijuana dispensaries, these shops are all legal. The only time cops bust the so-called "coffee shops" is when normal tobacco is being smoked inside (just like much of the US now).

Like the Red Light District, I was not a customer at the "coffee shops" but I clearly saw a lot of people who were (and could smell their patronage too). When you exit the Amsterdam Central train station, the first place to go is the Red Light District which is full of these shops. The guide books say the shops cannot advertise weed - you as the customer must ask for a menu. Typical US and UK pot smokers are not used to the level of the strongest Dutch product. The book says you can remain high 10-12 hours on the strongest stuff. Supposedly light weights can order a weaker joint (or brownie). There is supposedly one shop run by two Americans that can help out North American tourists.

As you can tell Dutch society is pretty tolerant and progressive. Although that openness might be in danger of getting the door slightly shut according to Wednesday's election results.

Netherlands full coverage
ALL OF MY NETHERLANDS PHOTOS

Former KHOU 11 reporters land new jobs

This next post proves there is life after working in Houston television news.

Former KHOU 11 reporter Lee McGuire left Houston for Boston and is now the Chief Communications Officer at Boston Public Schools.

"We have a very active and smart local news community here, and working with them has been fun," McGuire told the mikemcguff.com blog. "More broadly, however, my job is about shaping our communications strategy. We have a team of people here who want our teachers and students to get the credit for the hard work they do every day, so it's been an easy story to tell. Working in communications is very, very different than local news, but I'm enjoying the transition. Plus, sometimes I get to go to meetings where they bring cookies."

Cookies in meetings are always a plus in my opinion too.

McGuire tells me that he can almost see the Old State House from his new office. That's where the Declaration of Independence was first proclaimed to the people of Boston.

"On Monday, a fife and drum parade wandered by and somebody thought it would be a good idea to fire muskets into the air," Lee said.

But don't worry, McGuire has not forgotten his former city, "I never would have ended up here were it not for some very helpful friends in Houston. The team at KHOU is fantastic, and many of them provided job references for me. The same is true for many, many people at City Hall. I won't name names, but several people in particular went above and beyond and made a mighty big, very positive difference in the direction my life has taken."

Boston is McGuire's hometown. If that was not enough of a reason to move there, McGuire just learned his little sister is pregnant. But don't worry, he is still a big fan of the Bayou City.

"I have been telling people up here to spend their winters in Houston," he joked. "I'm like a one-man Chamber of Commerce annex."

Also celebrating a new job is former KHOU 11 airborne reporter/photographer Chris Barnes (his work also appeared on KPRC 2, KRIV 26 and KTRK 13).

Barnes is now working for TV One in Silver Spring, MD as the network's Systems/Database Administrator. I had to know how he went from chopper duty to an IT sounding gig.

"I was the Systems Admin for Westwood One while I was also doing traffic from their chopper," he told me.

Smart man. Younger readers new to media need to start learning everything and diversifying as much as possible. Learn from Chris!

Congrats to both.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

VIDEO: Ted Nugent shredding on the steps of Sugar Land City Hall



Rocker Ted Nugent was in Sugar Land last weekend at a Wounded Warrior benefit at Sugar Land City Hall. He pulled out his axe and shredded on "The Star-Spangled Banner" (video above).

Like Sebastian Bach says, "Savage Animal dude, that's the best."