Matt Lavine returns to KHOU 11 weather

I feel like I could copy older posts I've written before about this, but former popular Fox 26 KRIV meteorologist Matt Lavine has resurfaced on KHOU 11.

Last December Lavine told the mikemcguff.com blog he and his family were moving to Seattle, but I understand the Lavine's are back in Houston once again permanently.

On Facebook Lavine said this weekend's KHOU weather gig was a freelance one.

This tells us he keeps trying to get away, but the Houston TV audience keeps sucking him back in!

RELATED
- Matt Lavine talks about KHOU 11 gig
- Matt Lavine resurfaces on KHOU 11 in Houston
- Matt Lavine back on Houston TV...for now
- Weatherman Matt Lavine on Channel 39 KIAH
- Matt Lavine, formerly of Fox 26 KRIV gets a blog and more
- What happened to Matt Lavine formerly of Fox 26? 

Matt Lavine talks about KHOU 11 gig

As I told you Sunday, Matt Lavine (former Fox 26 KRIV morning meteorologist) was back in Houston on KHOU 11 this weekend doing the weather. He told me earlier this year (after filling in at KHOU) that he was moving to Seattle. Here is what Lavine said to me via email about his TV work this past weekend:

"Yes, as you can see I'm back on the air at KHOU. What can I say...I love working at Channel 11!

News director Keith Connors and Chief Meteorologist Gene Norman invited me back while visiting family and friends in Texas. I'm having a blast celebrating my 20 years "on air" in Houston, and

I really enjoy working with KHOU anchors Allison Triarsi and Shern-Min Chow as well as the entire Channel 11 staff.

I can't say much more than that, but I will say that you can take the boy out of Texas, but you can't Texas out of the boy. I love living in Seattle, but I still proudly call Texas home."

Well based on all of the Web surfers looking for information on you this weekend, some Houston weather watchers love themselves some Matt Lavine!


RELATED
- Matt Lavine resurfaces on KHOU 11 in Houston
- Matt Lavine back on Houston TV...for now
- Weatherman Matt Lavine on Channel 39 KIAH
- Matt Lavine, formerly of Fox 26 KRIV gets a blog and more
- What happened to Matt Lavine formerly of Fox 26?

Matt Lavine back on Houston TV...for now

A familiar face was on Houston television this past weekend. Meteorologist Matt Lavine (formerly of Fox 26 KRIV) was performing weather duties on KHOU Channel 11.

But unfortunately Lavine tells me it is a limited engagement:

"I'm back on the air at khou Channel 11 filling in for a vacationing Mario Gomez the next few weeks.

This will be my farewell tour for Houston as I'm heading to Seattle with the wife and kids by the middle of next month.

I'll miss Houston terribly but look forward to my new life in the great Pacific Northwest!"

Too bad. From the looks of it, lots of people like Lavine in this town. When he filled in at 39 KIAH and now at 11, my inbox starts filling up reports from television watchers. Bob Martin, aka "The Accountant to the Stars" even sent the above screen grab. Thanks Bob!

RELATED
- Weatherman Matt Lavine on Channel 39 KIAH
- Matt Lavine, formerly of Fox 26 KRIV gets a blog and more
- What happened to Matt Lavine formerly of Fox 26?

Matt Lavine resurfaces on KHOU 11 in Houston

You never know who will show up on Houston TV during the holidays. Meteorologist Matt Lavine (formerly of Fox 26 KRIV) was performing weather duties on KHOU Channel 11 again this weekend. This is surprising since he told me last May (the last time he was on 11 KHOU) that he was moving his family to Seattle. I guess the Bayou City is hard to resist.

Either way its good to see him back and as usual, whenever he gets on Houston TV, viewers start hitting my blog looking for information on him.

RELATED
- Matt Lavine back on Houston TV...for now
- Weatherman Matt Lavine on Channel 39 KIAH
- Matt Lavine, formerly of Fox 26 KRIV gets a blog and more
- What happened to Matt Lavine formerly of Fox 26?

KRIV Fox 26's Matt Lavine exits

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST INTERVIEW WITH MATT LAVINE

Nothing gets past Bob Martin, "The Accountant to the Stars," and his DVRs.

He emailed me to let us all know that KRIV Fox 26's longtime weather guy, Matt Lavine, is leaving the station:

Rain or shine, there will no longer be Matt Lavine at Fox 26. Matt is a good guy. We will miss him.

What's going on in weather departments across the city? Yesterday I told you about Radar The Weather Dog leaving the KPRC doghouse , now Lavine!

Good luck to both television weather fixtures in their future endeavors.

Did Lavine have tinted glasses like Marvin?

Matt Lavine, formerly of Fox 26 KRIV gets a blog and more

When I posted about Matt Lavine leaving Fox 26 KRIV, lots of you came and offered your well wishes for the long time Houston meteorologist.

Don't worry about Matt, he's doing just fine. Now he appears to be heavily involved in the digital world. This week he dropped me a note about his new blog - Matt Lavine's Left Field News. I just learned from his blog that Heroes star Zachary Quinto will play the role of Spock along with Leonard Nimoy in the upcoming Star Trek movie!

Not only does Lavine have a blog, but he also is taking part in a new project called Bam Tube:

Bill & Heidi Hughes present a gathering of their most imaginative characters. Matt Mercury’, The SheBuccaneer’, The Hillbilly Slug Wars’ and The Color of Blood’ will all be new comic book titles as well as film and short film tie-in projects. Hughes Epicworks will be the portal
to comic book updates and previews, live action short film “Bridges” between the comic book adventures, behind the scenes information, merchandising and even fan art.

The site will also feature radio programs, animated adventures, artist and actor biographies and media event updates. The portal will also take you to BAMtube’ a creative web-broadcast channel. BAMtube will only carry original fan created programming that features original characters or adventure entertainment news.

All the film adventures are slatted to include local Houston personality, Matt Lavine. “Matt has a great history with our projects and a lively fan base here in Houston.” Said Bill Hughes, “We love working with Matt and plan on testing his limits, as an actor, in these upcoming projects.”

READ THE REST

So congrats to Matt and I have added him to my RSS reader.

Matt's not the only media guy with a new blog. Well that's sort of true. We'll just have to wait and see when Houston city councilman, Clear Channel boss, KTRH talk show host and overall media mogul Michael Berry starts posting on his supposed new blogspot blog!

What happened to Matt Lavine formerly of Fox 26?

Since I posted about Matt Lavine signing off Fox 26 KRIV, lots of folks have come by here looking for more information on him. So let's go to the source, here's the mikemcguff interview with Matt Lavine.

mikemcguff: Why did you leave Fox 26?

Matt Lavine: I decided to comment on your blog about my status with Fox 26 because the powers that be at KRIV have not told the viewers a thing about my departure. Simply put, Fox decided not pick up my option for the second year of my contract. I can take satisfaction in knowing that my show, Fox News 8am, was number one in the November book and that I went out on top. As for why I was let go, I have no idea. I really miss my morning comrades, and I wish them the best.

mm: Give us a brief work history.

ml: I have been with Fox 26 since March of 1990. When I first started there, I was assigned to do weather for Fox News 12:30 with Mike Barajas and Linda Cheek, and I would also report for Fox News @ Nine. Then in 1994, we began Fox News 7am which over time has become the
four hour morning newscast you see today. Jose, Linda and I were the original anchors for Fox 26 morning news, and now Jose is the only
original anchor left.

mm: What do you like about doing weather for television?

ml: I loved my morning weather gig because it gave me the leeway to have fun with my co-anchors and the viewers. Jan, Jose and I had the best time working together, and we would constantly make each other laugh. I also had the distinction of being the only weathercaster to
broadcast in the elements from the roof of Fox 26, and I even had my own weather jingle which was written and performed by reporter Ned Hibberd...morning weather, rain or shine, you're on the roof with Matt Lavine." We used that jingle for more than 15 years!

mm: You not only did weather, but also served in an entertainment capacity. How did that come about and did you enjoy that?

ml: I've always worn many hats at Fox 26, and I loved the fact that I wasn't locked into weather. When Kathy Williams (news director) suggested sending me to L.A. for "American Idol," I jumped at the chance. I also reported from the set of "Star Trek:Enterprise" (with a
walk-on role), did "Fix it Fridays" and "Garden Gang Wednesday's", "Matt's Cool Cars", "Houston Idol" and "Fox Rox Fridays." I loved the fact I could be both a weathercaster and a feature personality.

mm: What suggestions do you have for future TV meteorologists?

ml: As for future tv meteorologists, all I can say is the future is very exciting. Technology enables us to do so much more than we could do a few years ago, and I can only imagine the possibilities a few years from now. Know your science and your math and try to have fun when
delivering your weather forecast.

mm: What do you plan to do next?

ml: As for me, I have two baby girls who need their daddy...so for the time being, I'll be the best dad I can be!

mm: Anything else you want to add?

ml: Once again, I want to thank all the viewers who called, e-mailed or blogged about me. It really means a lot to know so many people cared. I miss you all!!!

Good luck to Matt in the future.

(Image courtesy Matt's web site)

See more mikemcguff media interviews.

Former FOX 26 meteorologist Matt Lavine's new cartoon

Former FOX 26 Houston KRIV meteorologist Matt Lavine is releasing new cartoon episodes based on his comic book character Matt Mercury. 

"The 20 minute cartoons are the brainchild of former Star Wars artist, Bill Hughes, who fashioned the new series after the shows and animations from the 60's and 70's," Lavine told me. "It's called 'Matt Mercury in the SpaceWays' and our latest episode features Houston actor, Joe Grisaffi, as our Space Ace, Royce Rogers."

Lavine's daughter, Danni, even plays the character Lt. Sparx!

KPRC's Roseanne Rogers takes Buzz Lady thing to 55 KTBU

Matt Lavine had an interesting piece of news on his blog. Roseanne Rogers who has been The Buzz Lady at KPRC Channel 2 since the mid-1990s is taking the show on the road over to Channel 55 KTBU The Tube.

How did she get to be known as The Buzz Lady?

If memory serves me, KPRC started doing an entertainment segment called The Buzz on many of its newscasts after Post Newsweek took over. I guess it was their effort to get the younger demo with its new tabloid look based on WSVN in Miami. Remember how 2's news used to be a lot more exciting? In fact you might have noticed how the other Houston TV stations started to look more exciting too.

Roseanne Rogers was the entertainment reporter on The Buzz segment (not to be confused with 94.5 The Buzz KTBZ which started around the same time). She started to catch on with the audience supposedly and the public started calling her "The Buzz Lady." Eventually some consultant was flown in and probably told management that the entertainmnet reporter trend was over because she was removed from the segment as far as I could tell. Or maybe the station looked at Rogers and saw green and I'm not talking about saving the environment.

Enter chapter 2 of The Buzz Lady.

In the last few years you might have noticed Rogers still on the air, but never in newscasts. The next version of The Buzz Lady was not in news, but the sales department from what I understand. Rogers started appearing in local programming that was more ad than editorial. For example there might be a 30 minute special with her as the host focusing on local businesses. I think the station did a decent job of selling but still keeping the show watchable for viewers. Heck, Rogers might have been involved in helping sell those shows, I suspect she was.

As Lavine says the show is moving to Channel 55 now. Good luck to Rogers. She always struck me as a talented TV presence with a lot of warmth. That's a rare commodity in the television biz.  She is also fortunate to have been able to build a brand for herself that can move on.  Most talent never get that chance.

Rogers joins a lot of other popular Houston broadcasters at 55. Jan Glenn and Kathy Turner have shared duties over there too.

(Image courtesy of buzzlady.com )

Weatherman Matt Lavine on Channel 39 KIAH

If you thought you saw a familiar Houston face on Channel 39 KIAH this weekend, you were right. Former KRIV Fox 26 meteorologist Matt Lavine was doing the weather for 39 News.

I've been covering Matt's whereabouts since he left KRIV.

READ MORE ON MATT'S BLOG

Matt tells me that the former meteorologist in that slot, Casanova Nurse (who had the best name in Houston TV), is back in his hometown at WTXL Tallahassee ABC 27 as the chief met.

Congrats to Casanova.

Hey Casanova, keep reading my blog from Florida!

The same thing is happening in Dallas.  Rebecca Miller, popular morning meteorologist formerly on KXAS NBC 5 is filling in on weekends on KDAF Channel 33.

Former Fox 26 KRIV meteorologist Matt Lavine found!

Former Fox 26 KRIV meteorologist Matt Lavine has been located! You might remember my interview with him a few months ago.

'Anonymous' has updated me on his whereabouts. He has a new web site (whereismatt.tv) complete with a comic strip and some kind of Internet sci-fi drama/parody video called 'Matt Mercury and His Rocket Rangers.'

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SITE AND WATCH THE SHOW

Glad to see Matt acting again. I wonder if Dr. Jim Siebert acts?

Look at new Star Trek movie

Matt Lavine was beamed some new images of a shuttlecraft from the upcoming Star Trek movie.  You know, the one without the great William Shatner.

Harry Knowles has seen some clips from the new film.  You can read his report here.

Gene Norman out at KHOU 11

UPDATE APRIL 19, 2013
Gene Norman to WIAT CBS42 Birmingham

Lots of rumors are floating around about Houston TV people and this one apparently is true - just earlier than what I originally heard.

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that KHOU 11 chief meteorologist Gene Norman is gone. In fact the man is nowhere to be found on KHOU's website either. Crazy because we are still in November sweeps.

UPDATE 1/11/2013
What Gene Norman is doing now

I really should have seen it coming since someone just posted a YouTube link of Gene Norman's resume reel on my post about the big KHOU 11 weather department schedule change from last August (WATCH IT BELOW).


Here is where things get really interesting. The Houston Chronicle makes it appear that weather change could be a reason for Norman leaving. Here is more from the Chron:

On the day the change was announced, a message was posted to Norman’s Twitter account reading that “blondie moves to morning, morning moves to 4, 5. I am reduced” to 6 and 10. Later in the day, another message on the account read, “It appears my twitter account was hacked today be careful on social media,” and the tweets regarding the assignment changes were removed. Norman did not return a telephone call seeking details about the reported Twitter hacking.

So yeah, "blondie" would be Chita Johnson.

Now for the untold story (turn on Inside Edition music). That Norman tweet was how the Houston Chronicle and I found out about the KHOU 11 weather department schedule change.

Here is how things went on a different path at that point. Call me weak, too nice or sympathetic, but I called KHOU, said I had the news of the weather changes, they confirmed and I posted without the inclusion of Norman's wild tweet. Why did I do this? I thought it might cause Norman a lot of grief with Belo. The TV business is already bad enough for everyone in it - I figured he didn't need a guy with a stupid free account on blogger posting this. And KHOU certainly did not need to have anyone else leave them at this point (they might want to bolt the doors from the outside over at the Allen Parkway studios).

The newspaper business is pretty rough too, but the Houston Chronicle also saw Norman's tweet and ran with it on August 13th. The whole message was reprinted in the paper. Surprisingly the news did not go viral like I expected. Now it just might.

The lesson for young journalists here is don't be nice or sympathetic like me. I was nice and did not get the scoop of Norman's departure. The Chronicle posted the tweet, got the scoop and now I am linking to them for the news.

By the way, the Houston Chronicle says David Paul will be filling in on the 6pm and 10pm. Other folks are available to fill-in too. There is always Dr. Neil Frank and former Fox 26 KRIV's Matt Lavine.

Norman came to Houston in January 2008 from WGCL in Atlanta. Before that he was the weekend meteorologist at KTRK 13. Where Norman's resume really starts to differ is the fact he worked at NASA developing weather monitoring software for the space shuttle and did not get a degree from Mississippi State University (got his bachelor's from MIT and a master's in meteorology from the University of Maryland). He got into TV while at NASA by driving to Beaumont on the weekends and doing weather there.

As for the man with his own weather number, he has some powerful family connections and knows how to network.

When I interned at KTRK in the 90s, I found Norman to be a nice guy, and remember, I was an intern so that's saying something.

Good luck Gene.

UPDATE 1/11/2013
KHOU names David Paul the chief meteorologist

Cuts coming to Fox stations

First I reported that the Dallas Morning News said Belo was making cuts at its television station, now Matt Lavine tells us cuts are coming to Fox stations. Yikes.

I should start a company that helps television employees make the transition into the real world.

Former KRIV Fox 26 Meteorologist Robert Smith dies

Matt Lavine emailed me the sad news that former KRIV Fox 26 Chief Meteorologist has died in a tragic accident. He was 59 years old.

I remember watching him and always thought highly of him and was sad to see him leave the station.

Matt has more on what happened on his blog. He also has Cecilia Sinclair's thoughts.

Our prayer's go out to his family

The world's only travelling breast museum?

Here is something Matt Lavine might want to take for his blog...it is probably one of the oddest press releases you will ever see! And this "exhibit" will supposedly be at Reliant Stadium for the big Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts game this Sunday:

With more than 75 artfully decorated boobs, this exhibit promises to be the hottest museum on wheels!

Huntington Beach, CA - (SEPTEMBER 20, 2007) - The creators of Jingle Jugs, the newest sensation in the novelty items arena, are launching a month long tour that departed Los Angeles, California on September 8, 2007 from the Rose Bowl. They will visit college football games, and various sporting events across the country, in an effort to raise funds and promote breast cancer awareness. More background information and tour schedules can be found at www.jinglejugsforlife.com.

Billed as Jugs Across America, the tour will consist of a convoy of vehicles, including a 53' semi-truck trailer, artistically decorated outside, and retrofitted inside as a combination bar/grille/art gallery that will be opened to the public. This traveling breast museum will
also display over 100 sets of plastic breasts (Jingle Jugs) uniquely decorated by many different artists.

[snip]

Jingle Jugs are a light-hearted homage to most men's "best friends." Fashioned as a lifelike set of women's breasts, Jingle Jugs, when activated, move in rhythmic motion to a very popular song by Capitol Recording Artist and comedian Rodney Carrington. The newest versions of
the product have re-recordable chips that can record and play back the user's choice of any 40 second audio, such as favorite songs or special messages. They also contain an embedded, non-removable audio message about breast cancer.

Fox owned stations could get cuts

TVNewser has the sad news concerning possible cuts coming to the Fox owned and operated stations:

According to a local spy, News Corp. is preparing for a round of cutbacks after the new year, mandating major O&O's to make "across the board" cuts. Stations like New York's WNYW, Chicago's WFLD and Houston's KRIV are expected to be hit hard. READ MORE

Matt Lavine reported this bad news a few weeks ago.

Byron Miranda gets a new job, rain or shine

Remember former KPRC Channel 2 morning meteorologist Byron Miranda? Sure you do if you read this blog . I won't let you forget him. It has been my honor to track his every move around the country since leaving Houston. Why?  So many people come here to find news about him, I can't let the public down. (See a recent weather update from him at KCRA )

Today we have an update.  Byron Miranda is now in San Diego at KGTV Channel 10:

Longtime local TV weather anchor Loren Nancarrow has left KGTV/Channel 10 after 11 years, the station announced Friday.

Nancarrow is being replaced by Byron Miranda, whose résumé includes stints at KTVU-TV in San Francisco, KCBS in Los Angeles, CNN and CNN International. Miranda is a member of the National Weather Association and winner of a Golden Mike Award for Best Weathercaster in Southern California. READ THE REST

What amazes me is how the station did not erase all mentions of Nancarrow from its Web site. In fact his bio page is now a goodbye letter to San Diego where he talks about starting a new company that deals in water conservation. Keeping traces of old talent is a rarity in TV news.

Enough about Nancarrow though. We don't want Miranda to become jealous.

Full coverage of Byron Miranda through the years

The funny thing is, I don't think I ever once watched Byron Miranda on television when he was in Houston. And I have to admit, Bob Martin, aka "The Accountant to the Stars" inspired this post's headline. He emailed in something similar when alerting me about Matt Lavine returning to the Houston airwaves on KHOU Channel 11.

(Thanks Tim)

Jesse Hawila adds to the family

Jesse Hawila welcomed a baby boy to his family as his wife, Elisabeth, gave birth to second child, Finn.

The WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth weekend evening meteorologist and his wife also have a daughter.

While he is out changing diapers and such, Chief meteorologist Pete Delkus even namechecked Hawila recently.

Weekend morning meteorologist Kyle Roberts has been handling Hawila's duties, with former KENS San Antonio meteorologist (now of WFAA) Stacia Wilson covering weekend mornings. 

The above video is an interview with Hawila concerning his love of metal music and the former punk band AFI.  As a drummer, I'm guessing Hawila is a Richard Christy fan based on the above podcast.

Also of interest to Houston viewers, Hawila, who grew up in Spring, TX, admired the weather forecasting talents of former FOX 26 KRIV Houston meteorologist Matt Lavine. 

Did rap group go too far on Fox 26 KRIV?

Matt Lavine gives us the scoop on how the Houston-area rap group Huntzville performed “Backpack Fulla Gunz” on Fox 26 KRIV's morning show.  He says some viewers didn't get crunk during the performance. READ MORE