'Houston Life' show to debut on KPRC 2

UPDATE AUGUST 04, 2017
Jennifer Broome to leave KPRC's Houston Life

UPDATE AUGUST 22, 2016
PHOTOS: Houston Life debuts on #KPRC2 with a zombie

YOUR FIRST LOOK: Remember that KPRC 2 lifestyle show it was hiring for earlier this year? Well, 'Houston Life' is about to make its debut

LA's Derrick Shore and former WOAI San Antonio meteorologist Jennifer Broome to host Houston Life.

My blog post about KPRC 2 hiring for a new daily lifestyle and entertainment show was very popular. I assume that TV newsers are excited about more jobs in TV market #10 and the audience likes the extra local Houston coverage.

Well, KPRC 2 has started putting information out there about the new show. Hosts have been hired from out of state, producers are being hired from other stations and with all eyes on the NBC affiliate because of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, let's get started.

The show's title will be Houston Life and it will debut August 22nd. It will air weekdays at 1pm (replacing Days of Our Lives at that time slot).

Since KPRC 2 is currently building a new studio, it sounds like the show will be live from a big public place...maybe The Galleria?

The Houston Life hosts are in Houston now (or on their way). So who are they?

One is a familiar name to San Antonio TV viewers. Former WOAI meteorologist Jennifer Broome is coming into host from FOX 31 KDVR Deniver's Good Day Colorado.

Coming in from Los Angeles' largest independent public television station, KCET, is Derrick Shore. He's been a reporter for the station's news magazine SoCal Connected.

Stephanie Gonzalez who does video segments for the Houston Dash will be a reporter for the show.

I hear the show's website will be houstonlife.tv.

Stay tuned...I'm sure KPRC will have a lot more information coming...especially with all the viewers turning for The Olympics.

UPDATE AUGUST 22, 2016
PHOTOS: Houston Life debuts on #KPRC2 with a zombie


UPDATE 8/10/2016

Press release about Houston Life:

‘HOUSTON LIFE’ TO PREMIERE AUGUST 22nd KPRC2 DEBUTS NEW DAILY LIFESTYLE SHOW

Houston, TX, August 9, 2016: KPRC2 is bringing a new brand of live, local entertainment to afternoon television. Houston Life premieres Monday, August 22nd at 1pm with hosts Derrick Shore and Jennifer Broome. The Monday-Friday, hour-long lifestyle show will showcase what makes America’s fourth largest city a great place to work, live and play.

“The show will be a celebration of what is happening each day in our dynamic city,” said KPRC2 Vice President/General Manager Jerry Martin. “It’s going to be jam-packed, high energy and a lot of fun to watch.”

Houston Life will be produced live, on location each day from The Galleria. The studio is on Level 1, adjacent to Nordstrom and across from LensCrafters. Shoppers and fans are invited to come by and be part of the experience.

“We will tap into fashion, pop culture, food, music, lifestyle trends and hot topics,” said Don Graham, Executive Producer of Houston Life. “And we will connect with viewers daily through social media so that they will have access to the show’s lively content
anytime, anywhere.”

Co-host Derrick Shore joins Houston Life from Los Angeles, where he was the host of SoCal Connected on KCET Television. He is an award winning journalist who has appeared on CBS News, NBC’s Today, ABC’s World News Now, Channel One News and Current TV. Derrick has also been cast in several scripted TV dramas and feature films.

Co-host Jennifer Broome comes most recently from Denver, where she was a meteorologist at KDVR-TV and KWGN-TV. She spent ten years in Texas as the Chief Meteorologist for WOAI-TV in San Antonio from 2000-2010. She is a self-described foodie and wine lover who loves adventure and has sky dived with the Army Golden Knights and flown a F-16 with the Air Force Thunderbirds.

UPDATE 8/1/2016

Looks like the Houston Life Galleria studio rumor is true:

Constructing something big! #staytuned pic.twitter.com/40UPcpVEUS

— HoustonLifeTV (@houstonlifetv) August 1, 2016

So exciting! We can't wait to share this show with you, #Houston! 😆📺🎥 #HoustonLife #HoustonLifeTV #KPRC2 #KPRC #NBC #NBCHouston #photoshoot #behindthescenes #Repost @houstonlifetv: ・・・ Look out for this power team! They're creating something special, coming soon to a screen near you. Houston Life premieres August 22nd on @kprc2. Thanks @EvinThayerStudios for a fun photo shoot!

A photo posted by Stephanie Gonzalez (@steph_g7) on Jul 16, 2016 at 9:46am PDT

KPRC 2's "Houston Life" is moving

UPDATE JANUARY 2023
Courtney Zavala leaves Houston Life on KPRC 2

UPDATE AUGUST 2020
Houston Life debuts at 3pm, Joe Sam joins plus other changes

KPRC 2's show "Houston Life" moves to 3pm starting Monday, August 17, 2020 - swaps time slots with "Dr. Phil" which moves to 1pm


HOUSTON – June 22, 2020 – KPRC 2’s HOUSTON LIFE, Houston’s #1 rated daytime lifestyle program, is making a bold move to weekday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. serving as the lead-in to KPRC 2 News at 4:00 p.m., starting Monday, August 17, 2020, station management announced internally on Wednesday.

Co-hosted by three-time Emmy Award-winner Derrick Shore and former KPRC 2 anchor Courtney Zavala, HOUSTON LIFE has quickly become the city’s go-to program for honest and witty conversations about all things H-Town, including family, community, food, fashion, entertainment and of course, the perfect mixed drink to go with whatever you do.

During the recent COVD-19 pandemic, HOUSTON LIFE’s popularity exploded among viewers, consistently winning its time period against national programming and consistently outperforms all other locally produced lifestyle/talk shows.

“We’re so confident in the direction and growth of the show,” says KPRC 2 Vice President/General Manager Jerry Martin. “It’s an essential part of KPRC 2’s community-based brand, and the move to the coveted 3:00 p.m. time slot will provide viewers with a fresh local perspective leading into our news at 4:00 p.m.”

Along with its new time slot, the HOUSTON LIFE team promises some fresh, new elements for the show that will appeal to current viewers and newcomers alike.

Now in its fourth year, HOUSTON LIFE launched in August 2016 from its first studio in the Galleria. After two seasons the decision was made to build HOUSTON LIFE its own home inside the new, state-of-the-art KPRC-TV Channel 2 studios on the Southwest Freeway.

Graham Media Group is comprised of 7 local media hubs, Graham Digital and Social News Desk delivering local news, programming, advertising solutions and digital media tools for television, online, mobile, OTT, podcasts and audio devices. We are dynamic, local brands that extend well beyond the traditional TV set. Our work helps inform, celebrate and knit together the communities we serve.

GMG operates in 6 states: KPRC–Houston, WDIV–Detroit and WSLS–Roanoke (NBC); KSAT–San Antonio (ABC); WKMG–Orlando (CBS); WJXT–Jacksonville (fully local), and WCWJ–Jacksonville (CW). Based in Detroit, Graham Digital is a digital media and technology development group widely recognized as a leading industry innovator. Social News Desk, headquartered in Atlanta, provides its 2500+ worldwide newsroom-customers with a single dashboard to publish, measure, curate and monetize local news content on social platforms.

(This post taken from a release sent to me by KPRC)

Is Casey Curry co-hosting KPRC 2's Houston Life permanently?

A day after I posted she was gone from abc13 KTRK, meteorologist Casey Curry co-hosts Houston Life on KPRC 2

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
Casey Curry does weather on FOX 26 KRIV

Derrick Shore with Casey Curry on Houston Life Monday

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SEND A MESSAGE VIA TWITTER by clicking below:
Tweet: I would like to see @CaseyWeather work for #HoustonLifeTV! https://ctt.ec/RynUO+

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I thought my phone was going to blow up as ex-abc13 KTRK meteorologist Casey Curry showed up as a co-host with Derrick Shore on KPRC 2's Houston Life Monday.

See, I told you in the last post that it would be interesting to see where she showed up next. That was even faster than I anticipated.

As I told you Sunday, Curry is no longer with channel 13, so she is a free agent.

Clearly channel 2 was excited about that possibility.

The show just lost its meteorologist host Jennifer Broome, here comes meteorologist Curry to save the day!

UPDATE: After posting this, I got to the Galleria Houston Life studio as fast as possible.

Houston Life Executive Producer Don Graham tells mikemcguff.com this was a guest spot for Curry.

As I have written before, after the departure of Broome, the show held an online casting call.

Graham tells me they received more than a hundred entries. This Thursday, the show will start featuring those finalists.

He assures me Curry is still a possible candidate though.

Curry was nice enough to fill us in on what is going on through a Facebook Live video with me (embedded below). Pardon the camera work.

She says she hasn't had time to jump on social media as of late because she was busy prepping for her Houston Life appearance.

"I want to thank you guys, because you've been so sweet," Curry told mikemcguff.com concerning Houston TV viewers. "I have loved being a meteorologist for so many of you here in Houston, it's been wonderful, and I hope I'm able to stick around here in Houston and be apart of your TV life. So, now what a wonderful way to start my vacation, hanging out with my friends at channel 2 and do some Houston Life for today."

I'm sure Curry would do very well as a host of this show. She was always great at mixing the serious with the light-hearted news coverage. If the show needs weather coverage...well that's an added bonus.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
Casey Curry does weather on FOX 26 KRIV

KPRC 2's new dog, Tex, joins Houston Life

KPRC 2 gets another dog, but this one will not be about the weather


Remember Radar the Weather Dog? Well, unfortunately Radar has passed away, but now KPRC is adopting a new pup according to the following press release:

UPDATE AUGUST 2022
Tex the dog leaves KPRC 2

KPRC 2 is pleased to announce the addition of Tex to the Houston Life family.

Tex, a 10-week-old male Maltipoo who was adopted from the Houston SPCA, will make his Houston Life debut this Thursday, August 16, at 1PM, and will continue to make regular appearances on Houston Life.

KPRC 2’s addition of a station dog coincides with NBC/Telemundo’s third annual Clear the Shelters initiative taking place this Saturday, August 18, at pet shelters & rescue groups here in Houston and across the nation. On this day, participating animal shelters will offer no-cost or reduced fee adoptions or waived pet spaying and neutering fees.

“We’re proud to welcome Tex to the Houston Life family as a way to advocate for adopting pets from our overcrowded local shelters. We know our viewers will help us make Tex feel right at home as they follow his adventures on Houston Life and on social media,” said KPRC 2 Vice President/General Manager Jerry Martin.

Tex’s introduction as Houston Life’s mascot follows in the paw prints of Radar the Weather Dog, adopted by KPRC 2 in 2004 from the Houston Humane Society. Following his on-air retirement, Radar remained a member of the KPRC 2 family until his passing in 2016.

While Tex will spend his days running the hallways of the KPRC 2 studios, he will go home nightly with a station employee. Viewers can follow his adventures on HoustonLife.tv, through the Houston Life Facebook page, and using #TVTex.

PHOTOS: Houston Life debuts on #KPRC2 with a zombie

Houston Life debuts on KPRC 2 with a quick paced format


Just like a bunch of other Houstonians' first day today, the hosts and crew of Houston Life are starting out fresh, not in a classroom, but a brand new locally produced KPRC 2 lifestyle show.

Hosts Jennifer Broome (former WOAI San Antonio meteorologist, FOX 31 KDVR Denver's Good Day Colorado) and Derrick Shore (formerly of KCET Los Angeles) started the show by jumping out of a plane in a recorded segment (now doing that live would have been a technical masterpiece). I would imagine the skydiving stunt is a great metaphor for the first day launch of a new talk show.

After a catchy theme song (complete with lyrics), through the magic of TV, the next us viewers saw were the hosts live from their new studio digs at the swanky Houston Galleria expansion next to Nordstrom. The duo even got some cheers as they ran through the set door from the shopping mall crowd.


If you've ever worked in television, then you know soap opera fans are passionate. The ones who are still watching, even more so, as their viewing options are dwindling. Shore calmed tensions by quickly mentioning that Days of Our Lives was moving from 1pm to right after Houston Life at 2pm.

Like Sands through an hourglass, these are the days of our zombies? Yes, after a quick clip of the hosts skydiving again, a zombie was featured chained on set. I am not joking. Did not expect this. Turns out it was a quick segment about the Houston Escape Room game with what I'm guessing was a fake professor. I wonder if the show will ever let me come on the air dressed as a werewolf?


Houston Life doesn't seem to stay on anyone subject too long. Next, it was a whirlwind tour of places around the Bayou City. We saw a quick clip of the hosts at iFLY. Then a quick edited package segment of the hosts at Topgolf.

After the first commercial break, Chef Ronnie Killen was live in the studio doing one of the things he does best...barbecue and the sauces to go with it. From personal experience, if you want to eat at Killen's Barbecue in Pearland, get there early. The menu items go fast and once all the food is gone, the place shuts down for the day. This was the longest segment of the show so far.

After the second commercial break, the hosts appeared in a recorded segment participating in a beer bicycle tour to the Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Once at the beer HQ, they got a behind the scenes tour of the operation. And just to show that Shore has no fear, he went to the main beer hall full of customers and danced around interviewing people while wearing a lederhosen. I believe this was a Houston TV first for me.

Obviously the show is live, so after break three, the hosts checked back with KPRC 2 meteorologist Justin Stapleton for a quick weather update. Next up, an edited package segment of Shore and Broome getting batty at the Waugh Drive Bat Colony. A favorite of Houston TV feature segments. This was followed by an in studio interview with bat expert Suzanne Jurek.

Not related to the show, but during the next TV ads, I learned The Texas Hammer, attorney Jim Adler, is being joined by his son Bill, who is also a Texas Hammer. I never thought we would have two hammers.


Reporter Stephanie Gerry was up next in an edited package report from Houston Texans tailgating. The package went to black all of a sudden, then Gerry was in the studio with the hosts for more tailgating talk with Houston Pitmaker. Afterwards Houston Texans cheerleaders showed up talking about their new calendar! The cheerleaders displayed a proclamation from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner declaring today Houston Life Day.

After the break, was an in studio interview with the principal and students from the British International School of Houston with a few performances. This seemed to be one of the longer segments of the show.

The show ended with cake, confetti and champagne. The zombie stayed around for this too. Maybe he should have come back to help kill a little time (insert rim shot).

Broome and Shore appear to have good chemistry and are clearly comfortable doing this type of format.

Houston Life Executive Producer Don Graham who helped start and was in charge of KHOU 11's Great Day Houston for many years, clearly has lots of experience in the talk show arena. In fact, he even did time as the Executive in Charge of Production for the The Gayle King Show back in the 90s.

One thing Graham and the staff seem to want is to keep the attention of the Facebook generation. For the most part, the show moves at such a quick pace that viewers never really get too much of one thing. One could argue there might not be a lot of in depth information, but on the flip side, if anything gets too boring, viewers won't have time to flip the channel (or start browsing social media on the so-called second screen).

Outside of the one blank screen and time to kill at the end, the show seemed pretty error free. That's quite a feat since the show takes place live from a location other than an actual TV studio. The only other problem was with the channel 2 website. Online users were promised a livestream of the show but it wasn't there. Where the video player was supped to be was a graphic. I saw a complaint on the show's Facebook page too.

What are your thoughts on the new show?

UPDATE
Mike McGuff shares his thoughts on KPRC 2's Houston Life with Health Fitness Revolution

Courtney Zavala to host Houston Life on KPRC

Former KPRC anchor Courtney Zavala returns to channel 2 as Houston Life host

Former weekend morning anchor Courtney Zavala is returning to KPRC 2 to host Houston Life with Derrick Shore.


UPDATE JANUARY 2023
Courtney Zavala leaves Houston Life on KPRC 2

"I'm excited and thrilled to come out of retirement and return to my KPRC family," Zavala told mikemcguff.com. "Houston Life is a great show that showcases our diverse city."

Zavala fills the spot Jennifer Broome left open a few months ago.

Back in 2014, when Zavala left the KPRC 2 weekend anchor gig, she told me her exit was for family reasons.

"It's time for me to bow out gracefully and go out the way I want to go out instead of them telling me it's time to leave," Zavala said on this blog three years ago. "It was not an easy decision, it was several months in the making. I feel like I missed so much of my family life, that I'm just ready to be present."

Fast forward to 2017, the Houston Life weekday hosting gig, is a seemingly better fit for Zavala's life with children.

"This opportunity came knocking and I feel it was the perfect time to jump on it," she told me. "This is a perfect fit for me and my busy family."

Zavala originally joined KPRC as a reporter back in 2003.

Before channel 2, she worked at Salt Lake City's KSTU Fox 13 as a fill-in anchor/reporter. She started TV in Texas at KMID in Midland.

The Chicago native is a graduate Zavala of St. Xavier University.

"I'm looking forward to my first day back on the air on Oct. 16th," Zavala added.

“Courtney was a popular anchor at KPRC2 and always enjoyed a strong following among viewers,” Jerry Martin, KPRC Channel 2 Vice President & General Manager said in a statement after I originally posted this. “We know she will bring the same energy to Houston Life where she will be a natural fit with Derrick.”

CLICK HERE TO CONGRATULATE ZAVALA ON HER TV RETURN!

Katherine Whaley guest hosting "Houston Life" this week

Katherine Whaley has guest co-hosted KPRC 2's 1pm lifestyle show "Houston Life" in the past, like in May 2022 (clip above), but her return this week has TV watchers asking me if this is a tryout for the now open job (clip below).

Why?

Just last week, I broke the news that Courtney Zavala had surprisingly left her Houston Life co-host position with Derrick Shore.

- Courtney Zavala's video after leaving Houston Life

So when Whaley, a former KHOU 11 and abc13 KTRK traffic anchor, and overall popular TV personality, appears on the "Houston Life" host seat, you have to wonder if it is an audition.  

RELATED
Katherine Whaley gives birth to baby #2

In fact, I hear Whaley will be on the show for the rest of the week if you want to tune in.

Longtime "Houston Life" reporter Lauren Kelly has also filled-in, leaving viewers wondering if she could be the next host?

And another past instance I've seen people recently talking about is when Lauren Freeman returned to KPRC 2 for the first time since leaving her 5pm anchor slot to guest co-host "Houston Life" in December 2022. 

Stay tuned.

Stephanie Gilbert returns to Houston Life on KPRC 2

Stephanie Gilbert was still Stephanie Gerry when she was last on KPRC 2 lifestyle show "Houston Life" back in June 2018.

The former "Houston Life" reporter/producer/fill-in co-host returns Thursday, February 23, 2003, as a guest host with Derrick Shore.

Gilbert tells me she is thrilled to return and very much looking forward to the homecoming appearance.

"The show is near and dear to my heart for so many reasons," Gilbert told mikemcguff.com.  "I was there from the start...painting walls in the studio at the mall to producing the inaugural episode. I was fortunate enough to be a part of a strong and passionate team and I met some of the most incredible people during my time there (including my husband, who was a guest on the show.)"

Gerry changed last names to Gilbert in May 2019 when she married husband Aaron who is with the Austin Fire Department.

Since leaving Houston, Gilbert was a co-host with Rosie Newberry of KXAN Austin's "Studio 512" until January 2023.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stephanie Gilbert (@stephaniegilbert.tv)

Naturally, I wondered if Gilbert is auditioning for the empty seat left by Courtney Zavala earlier this year.

RELATED
- Courtney Zavala's video after leaving Houston Life
- Houston radio morning team reunites on Houston Life

"I love and respect Derrick so much and I’m looking forward to eventually meeting his next permanent Co-Host," she told me.  "He deserves the absolute best on-air partner. The timing is perfect for me to show up and have fun, and although I’ll never say never…my current plans are to remain in Austin."

As reported on this very blog last summer, Gilbert gave birth to baby Lane in July of 2022.

While life with Lane and Aaron seems pretty rooted in Central Texas for now, Gilbert says there’s no place like Houston and a big piece of her heart will always be here.

"The memories I made during my time with 'Houston Life' are some of my most treasured, and I’m grateful that I’ll get a full circle moment tomorrow," Gilbert added.

Courtney Zavala leaves Houston Life on KPRC 2

Courtney Zavala has left KPRC 2 afternoon lifestyle show "Houston Life" multiple sources tell mikemcguff.com.

UPDATE JULY 2023
Tessa Barrera joins Houston Life

LEAVE YOUR GOODBYE COMMENT FOR ZAVALA

UPDATE
After I posted about Zavala's departure, co-host Derrick Shore had this to say on air:

"After 20 years at KPRC and more than five years at 'Houston Life,' Courtney Zavala is moving on. Yesterday [January 17, 2023] was her last day on our broadcast. Courtney, I have truly never had a partner and a friend just like you. 

You were always down for a good time, and we have shared so many laughs together, supported each other, both on and off the air. 

And we've had a few cocktails, more than I can count. 

And yes, to our viewers, yes we do have a friendship in real life. I am looking forward to making many more memories with you and to many more laugh attacks as well. 

Courtney has such a strong relationship with your viewers. 

She truly loves 'Houston Life,' this show and our team."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Courtney Zavala (@courtneyzavala)

Zavala returned to KPRC in 2017 to co-host the show with Derrick Shore after original co-host Jennifer Broome left.

"I'm excited and thrilled to come out of retirement and return to my KPRC family," Zavala told mikemcguff.com back then. "Houston Life is a great show that showcases our diverse city."

This was a return to channel 2 because Zavala left the KPRC weekend morning anchor job in 2014.

The Chicago native joined KPRC 2 Houston in 2003 as a reporter.  

She previously worked for FOX 13 News Utah KSTU as a fill-in anchor/reporter and ABC Big 2 News KMID Midland - Odessa.

Tessa Barrera leaves 94.5 The Buzz

Tessa Barrera, who works for 94.5 The Buzz KTBZ Houston's “The Rod Ryan Show” in the mornings and KPRC 2's 1 p.m. afternoon lifestyle show, "Houston Life," announced she is leaving the radio portion of the job.

UPDATE MAY 2025
- Mo from 100.3 The Bull joins Rod Ryan Show
- Erik Scott Smith joins Y100 San Antonio

UPDATE JANUARY 2025
Rod Ryan talks replacement

Barrera made announcements on both shows today.  Here is a transcript of what Barrera said on Channel 2's "Houston Life" with co-host Derrick Shore about leaving "The Buzz" morning show and focusing on television:

"Tessa Barrera: You've known for some months about my plans to step away from radio. We've kind of been chatting about it. And, you know, just really focusing on just having one job right now. I'm pulling double duty. It's a long day. It's a fruitful day. But getting back in the TV business, like, I realize how much I miss it through this show. And today on Rod Ryan Morning Show, the radio, we finally announced the news that Friday is going to be my last day on the show. Thank you.

Derrick Shore: This coming Friday.

Tessa Barrera: So it's been over five years, you know, a little bit five years into like a little sprinkle of change. But I want you to see the picture like the goodbye picture that we put on (SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE IMAGE). Do we have that? Okay. So this is nice right. First of all, this is what I look like guys with no makeup and not dressed in the morning.

Derrick Shore: That's Rod and Chile and Alex. 

Tessa Barrera: Chile. Rod. Alex. There you go. And, like, I Had a pimple patch on.

Derrick Shore: No way.

Tessa Barrera: Yeah, this is my goodbye photo after five years of effort. The pimple is, like, right there, forming in the crevice.

Derrick Shore: How do you forget?

Tessa Barrera: Well, I don't know. And then Rod goes, "Did you want to take this again?" I was like, "No, just post it."  Goodbye to my radio...like this is the perfect way to end it because this is the type of family we are. We talk about the uncomfortable things.

Derrick Shore: It's real.

Tessa Barrera: It's as real as it will ever get. Okay, so big news...

Derrick Shore: Congratulations. 

Tessa Barrera: Thank you, thank you.

Derrick Shore: That's a big, big change. 

Tessa Barrera: I'm terrified.

Derrick Shore: Really?

Tessa Barrera: Yeah, a little bit.

Derrick Shore: Why?

Tessa Barrera: Just because it's, you know, you get in the you get in the habit of something and doing it every day, and you don't want to feel like you're letting people down. You hear about people losing jobs. And here I am walking away from a really great one. So I just feel a lot of emotion about it. But I'm thrilled to just really focus on this and go, like, so hard for Houston Life in 2025.

Derrick Shore: I'm happy for you and I'm sure your listeners are totally bummed.

Tessa Barrera: They were so fun. I did everything for them. It was like the pleasure of my life to keep them entertained, the pleasure of my life! And they are...they're everything. Houston listeners and viewers are everything.

Derrick Shore: They really are. You know, I have a dear friend who once told me, leave while the party is still fun. Figuratively,  in relation to a career. And so when you know it's time to go, it's time to go. And I'm proud of you."

I would guess Barrera's loyal listeners will understand about just focusing on one job.

By the way, that photo is a rare picture of me with someone I am writing about. Houston Life was nice enough to have me on to discuss my 101 KLOL documentary "Runaway Radio" when it premiered at the Alamo Drafthouse and was released on streaming earlier in 2024.  We talked about how KLOL led to the creation of "The Buzz," which was featured in my film! Buy the DVD as a holiday gift!

When Courtney Zavala left "Houston Life" in January 2023, Barrera was one of many hosts who filled in with Shore as co-host. 

She filled in on the show in April and was announced as the next co-host in July.

Barrera joined 94.5 The Buzz in 2019, coming from iHeartMedia's Los Angeles sister station, KFI AM 640, where she served as a news anchor and executive producer.

Before that, the Corpus Christi native worked as a television news reporter and sportscaster for KRIS 6 and KZTV Action 10 News in her hometown.

She also showcased her competitive side in 2014, appearing on CMT's reality competition series Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rod Ryan Show (@rodryanshow)

(Thanks Chris)

Houston Life changes in Summer 2022

Melanie Camp and Enrique Ramirez have joined KPRC 2's lifestyle show "Houston Life" as reporters.

UPDATE JANUARY 2023
Courtney Zavala leaves Houston Life on KPRC 2

Camp, who was announced first, came from 7 News WKBW where she was a co-host of "AM Buffalo." Hailing from Australia, Camp performed in school plays with the late actor Heath Ledger according to her bio. Professionally, Camp as acting credits in HBO's "True Blood" among other projects.

The above video is of Camp interviewing former CW39 KIAH morning meteorologist Maria Sotolongo. That was a surprise find.

Ramirez moves from behind the camera where he has been an EMMY award-winning KPRC 2 photojournalist.  Fun fact, he previously served as a city councilmember in Goddard, Kansas. 

Houston Life viewers have been asking me about the whereabouts of Joe Sam.  While is bio is still online and his socials mention "HL", his photo is no longer on the bios section for the show. A reader also told me he is no longer on the intro to the show. 

A KPRC representative told me Sam is no longer with "Houston Life." 

Sam joined the show in August 2020 when it moved to 3pm from 1pm.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022

Houston Life is moving from the 3pm timeslot on KPRC 2 and going back to 1pm.

And Joe Sam posted on LinkedIn that he is the new Community Outreach Coordinator at Houston Community College (HCC) Central.

Houston Life moves back to 1pm

Houston Life on KPRC 2 is leaving its current 3pm timeslot and returning to its former 1pm start time starting September 12, 2022.

UPDATE JANUARY 2023
Courtney Zavala leaves Houston Life on KPRC 2

The 1pm timeslot is where the show debuted back in August 2016. 

The channel 2 lifestyle show moved to 3pm in 2020.

OTHER RECENT CHANGES FOR THE SHOW
- Tex the dog leaves KPRC 2
- Houston Life changes in Summer 2022

Other KPRC 2 programming schedule changes for the fall 2022 season starting 9-12-2022:

11am - KPRC 2 News Midday

11:30am - Entertainment Tonight (ET)

12pm - KPRC 2 News at Noon

1pm -  Houston Life

2pm - NBC News Daily

3pm - Dr. Phil

4pm - KPRC 2 News at 4pm

BIG NEWS, y’all. Starting next Monday, we’re moving to 1 pm @kprc2. 🚨🚨
You can still catch us on our KPRC2+ streaming channel at 8am and 8pm! 😀 @KPRC2 @derrickshore @zavalacourtney @KPRC2LaurenK @KPRC2Enrique @KPRC2Melanie pic.twitter.com/tUcuM2LwJr

— Houston Life TV (@houstonlifetv) September 8, 2022

Texas TV news and radio job moves January 2023

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list here.

- A Texas TV baby boom
- Best TV News Bloopers January 2023

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Mason exits HOT 93.3 KLIF DFW.

Adam Bomb adds mornings at Hot 93.3 KLIF.

Jeff Miles joins afternoons on 97.9 WRMF West Palm Beach.

Kelly Parker named VP/Sales for YEA Networks.

After 30 years with the company, WFAA Chief Editor Brian Hardcastle signs off.

KERA and WRR unveil permanent schedule for WRR 101.1 FM, featuring all classical music.

Tom Hanson beams into 100,000 homes across the US every night — all the way from Fort Worth.

Zaeem Shaikh joins the Dallas Morning News as a breaking news reporter.

Kylie Capps has re-upped as weekend morning meteorologist with FOX 4 KDFW.

Madison Sawyer gives birth
Tony Canales to helm KXAS and KXTX DFW
Collin Myers welcomes baby to family
WFAA Dallas weekend anchor updates 2023
David Schechter franchise debuts on CBS stations after WFAA departure
Two big WFAA anchor milestones
Hal Jay's health update on WBAP 820 DFW
Cosmo the Clown on KFJZ DFW 1950
Michael Autovino joins CBS Now in DFW
Alberto Romero left FOX 4 KDFW Dallas
Dan Henry celebrates 20 years with FOX 4 KDFW

HOUSTON

Kyle Claude to serve in a newly created role as Executive Director of Marketing for Houston Public Media. In his new role, he will lead Houston Public Media as a Regional Digital Center of Innovation, a collaborative content partnership with PBS and PBS Digital Studios. He will also further organizational marketing efforts. Claude joined Houston Public Media as Executive Director of Content Operations in 2020.

A Legacy Worth Remembering: Happy 63rd Anniversary, Forward Times.

Geoff Blum, Todd Kalas, Julia Morales, Robert Ford, Steve Sparks, Francisco Romero, and Alex Treviño are all returning next season as the Houston Astros broadcasting team.

Houston Astros radio play-by-play announcer Robert Ford wins the National Sports Media Association 2022 Texas Sportscaster of the Year Award.

Rowdy Yates signs two new affiliates for 'The Rowdy Ride Home.'

The Amanda Seales Show joins 97.9 The Box KBXX Houston from 10am-2pm.

Raybin Dockery joins KPRC 2 as Morning Streaming Manager from the CW39 Houston KIAH assistant news director role. 

Erika Adolphus promoted to KPRC 2 Weekend Executive Producer.

Former Houston TV anchor Katie McCall joins News 12 Long Island as primary weekday evening anchor.

Producer John Carreon celebrates 26 years at abc13 KTRK.

E&E News hires Houston Chronicle reporter Shelby Webb to cover oil/gas.

Andrea Ball joins the Houston Chronicle as an investigative reporter from USA Today.

Lisa Gray returns to the Houston Chronicle as Op-ed editor from City Cast Houston.

Senior Reporter of Politics and Government at Houston Public Media, Andrew Schneider, has been selected as a 2023 Kiplinger Fellow.

Caroline Collins debuts on FOX 26 Houston
KHOU 11 names new weekend anchors
TJ Parker returns to Houston
Adam Krueger takes TikTok by storm and now its spreading
KPRC 2 dumps 4:30am newscast
Maggie Flecknoe returns to 'Houston Happens' with baby
Jonathan Bruce welcomes baby son
Freddy Oldenburg named Telemundo Houston KTMD VP of news
Brhe Berry leaves abc13 KTRK Houston
Jonathan Martin drawn by Nigerian artist
Rachel Briers gives birth to baby #2
Lauren Talarico makes KHOU 11 Houston changes
Courtney Zavala leaves Houston Life on KPRC 2
Caroline Collins talks TikTok advice
Where is Denise Middleton?
Chauncy Glover returns to abc13 Houston after nearly 4 month absence
Rita Garcia's baby is here
Jose Flores to lead Telemundo Houston KTMD
Gerzain Garcia, abc13 KTRK photog, needs your help!
Glenn L. Coleman promoted to Univision Houston President and General Manager
Katherine Whaley guest hosting "Houston Life" this week
Katelyn Maida gives birth
Former FOX 26 meteorologist Matt Lavine's new cartoon
Courtney Zavala's video after leaving Houston Life
Jose Griñan returns to FOX 26 Houston

SAN ANTONIO

Weekend Anchor/Investigative Reporter Tim Gerber celebrates 19 years with KSAT 12. 

Darian Trotter celebrates eight years with News 4 San Antonio/FOX 29 KABB.

‘Pedro al Aire’ Escalera named program director of “104.5 Latino Hits” KZEP.

Jim Lefko leaves News4 San Antonio - Fox29
Mario Orellana named KSAT San Antonio news director
KSAT 1985 news during 13.5″ San Antonio snow event
KSAT San Antonio's Greg Simmons arrested and charged for suspected DWI
Greg Simmons resigns from KSAT San Antonio

AUSTIN

Meteorologist Zack Shields celebrates 23 years on FOX 7 KTBC.

Anchor Ashley Goudeau celebrates 11 years with KVUE 24.

CBS Austin Anchor/Meteorologist Allison Miller busts a move with her “Dance Forecasts.”

Former KROX Austin morning host Deb O’Keefe sues Waterloo Media.

From the 1970s through the 1990s, Dave Jarrott was a top-rated morning radio DJ on rock radio stations in Austin. Now, he's found a new calling.

Jeff Ward returns to host 11am-2pm Sports “ESPN 102.7” K274AX/KBPA-HD2.

George Preston named CEO of KMFA 89.5.

KUTX celebrates 10th birthday.

Briana Sanchez joins the Austin American-Statesman as Director of Photography.

 The Texas Tribune’s spring 2023 fellowship class has been announced.

Grace Thornton joins KVUE Austin as a meteorologist
Britt Moreno gives birth
Amanda Dugan gives birth to baby #3
Dylan McKim joins Austin TV
Isabella Basco joins KVUE Austin

Casey Claiborne welcomes baby #2

AROUND TEXAS

KCBD Lubbock sports director Pete Christy signs a new three year contract extension.

Jimmy Kimmel mocks KVIA EL Paso with video of on-air screw up.

“Mix 92.5” KMWX Abilene flips to Texas/Red Dirt Country “92.5 The Ranch."

KTWF Wichita Falls and KHITS 95.5 KOME Granbury add 'The Jeremy Show.'

KWEL Midland-Odessa shuffles lineup.

Chad Vautherine joins KWTX 10 Waco-Temple-Killeen as a sports reporter/anchor.

Conor Bonfiglio joins KTEN Sherman as sports reporter/anchor.

25News KXXV Waco, Killeen, Temple nominated for a GLAAD Award.

Sandra Diaz leaves KFOX14 - CBS4 El Paso
Salina Madrid joins KFOX14 El Paso
Rusty Garrett's touching video message
Max Crawford welcomes baby
CBS19 KYTX Tyler debuts new set 2023
Katie Pratt promoted at FOX 51 - KETK Tyler
Shelby Mac joins WKRN Nashville

REMEMBERING

Randy Lemmon has died
Adam Bradshaw, KFDX ND Wichita Falls, has died
Dan Molina, former KPRC 2 and NBC correspondent, has died

Tino Saenz of KIII 3 News Corpus Christi has died.

Courtney Zavala's video after leaving Houston Life

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Courtney Zavala (@courtneyzavala)

Courtney Zavala posted a video on Instagram after leaving her hosting position on KPRC 2's "Houston Life."

UPDATE JULY 2023
Tessa Barrera joins Houston Life

"Yes, There is a life update. I know that you all have heard the news. I am no longer with KPRC, no longer on Houston life. 

And I know you have a million questions. What is going on? Where are you going? And what's next? Where are you going? 

We are staying here. We're in Houston. Don't worry. 

What's next? Well, I'm on to new opportunities, and this is the place to find out what I'm doing. So you're in the right place. Don't worry. 

And before I get back to regularly scheduled programming like fun posts on here and different things around town, I wanted to take a moment and say a very heartfelt thank you to you. I have received so many hundreds of messages, phone calls, text, DMS and you have touched my heart. Thank you. I have felt your love. 

If I haven't responded or gotten back to you yet, I will. I promise. I'm going to return everybody's message. Thank you. That you took out a few moments of your day to send me a message is just really incredible and I feel the love. So thank you again from the bottom of my heart."

UPDATE
Katherine Whaley guest hosting "Houston Life" this week

Houston Life debuts at 3pm, Joe Sam joins

KPRC 2's Houston Life has swapped places with Dr. Phil to air at 3pm and debuts new move with other changes


KPRC 2's Houston Life has officially moved to its new 3pm time slot as of yesterday. The channel 2 lifestyle show swapped placed with Dr. Phil who is now on at 1pm.

UPDATE JANUARY 2023
Courtney Zavala leaves Houston Life on KPRC 2

Back in June when the station announced the TV scheduling change, the Houston NBC affiliate noted the ratings for the show were very good. My guess is that KPRC wanted to use those high ratings to take on abc13 KTRK's Eyewitness News at 3pm head on, then keep those viewers through KPRC 2 News at 4:00 p.m. and the rest of its evening newscasts.

RELATED
‘Who knows the MOST about their co-HOST!?’ Team Houston Life vs. Team KPRC 2 News at 4 PM

With a new time slot, also comes new changes.

Joining hosts Derrick Shore and former KPRC 2 anchor Courtney Zavala is CBK Media Management client Joe Sam.

While not in Houston yet, Sam joined the hosts for a live interview Monday from New Orleans. He told the audience he officially debuts on Houston TV September 8th.

Sam comes from working as a reporter-host-anchor for WSYX Columbus, OH.

He has also worked as a:
- News Anchor/Reporter at WILX Lansing, MI
- Morning News Anchor/Reporter KLAF Lafayette, LA.

The Opelousas, Louisiana native graduated from Southern University A & M in Baton Rouge, LA with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications and also earned a Masters Degree from Grand Canyon University.

He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, NAACP and National Society of Leadership and Success.

Reporter Lauren Kelly returns after officially joining the show in 2019.

Apparently Kelly has totally left the MIX 96.5 KHMX morning show to join the TV world. I assume Jessie Watt was actually Kelly's replacement on the radio show.

Also new to the show are set modifications.

Houston interior designer Paul Brockman and his team took the last week to update the show's studio space.

Brockman said he changed the wallpaper, plants and lights among other items.

YouTubers will want to know that he actually used residential lights that anyone can buy to brighten things...so there is some inspiration for video creators.