KTVT hires Lisa Pineiro, Buffolino back on KENS and more

KTVT 11 gets Lisa Pineiro as anchor
CBS OandO KTVT Dallas (DMA 5) announced that Lisa Pineiro will co-anchor the CBS 11 News This Morning with Scott Sams weekdays from 4:30 to 7 a.m. beginning Oct. 28.

Much-missed Buffolino returns to mornings
Early birds, rejoice! At long last, the popular Vicki Buffolino is back on KENS this week next to Fred Lozano.

San Antonio viewers weigh in on newscasts
Things San Antonio anchors do that annoys the viewers.

WFAA faces off with KHOU again after Cowboys win
The WFAA Daybreak staff faces off with KHOU once again after the Cowboys win over the Texans.

Monitoring Signals With ATSC USB Tuners
If you are geeky enough to understand that title, then you should love the article.

“Lone Star” pulled from Fox schedule
“Lone Star,” Austinite Kyle Killen’s Texas-filmed and -set drama about a reluctant oil swindler with two wives, has become the first casualty of the fall television seas

Belo stations to start airing Live Well HD
ABC said the Dallas-based station group had agreed to add the network to subchannels on five of its major market station.

Deadliest Catch Captains, Including Sig, Quit the Show Over Lawsuit
The Deadliest Catch stars and captains of the deep-sea power scow Time Bandit, announced Tuesday that they're leaving the hit series. (thanks Michael)

RELATED
- KUBE-TV channel 57 Houston programming schedule
- KTRK 13 steals Alex Radow from KIAH 39
- 39 KIAH Newsfix - what's the latest?
- VIDEO: Fox 26 KRIV spray paint Simpsons TV promo
- It's KCBS 2 for Fox 26 KRIV's Sibila Vargas
- KIAH 39 producer Travis Sattiewhite is CNN bound
- Dr. Oz drops by KPRC 2 to visit Jennifer Reyna?

Houston Press Best of Houston 2010 edition

The Houston Press Best of Houston 2010 edition is out. GO CHECK IT OUT

The highlights for those who read this blog include:

Best Radio Talk Show
Partisan Gridlock, KPFT

Best Flack
Norm Uhl, HISD (He's great, worked with him off and on for years for stories)

Best Weathercaster
Casey Curry, KTRK abc13

Best Local TV Talk Show
InnerVIEWS (Ernie Manouse knows the art of the interview for sure)

Best Radio Station
103.7 FM

Best Local Blog
Swamplot (I predicted this one)

Best Local TV News Reporter
Mark Greenblatt — KHOU (anyone reading this blog sees the amount of awards he brings in)

Best Radio Host (Talk)
Michael Berry — KTRH (the Press attacks him during the year, but then gives him the best usually)

Best School - 2010
T.H.Rogers
Since I attended the school, I had to make a note. Congrats principal David Muzyka!

New Chocolate Brownie Pie at Whataburger

Yes, I recently said I only allow food promotion on this blog as long as their is some free food offers for the public. However this one caught my eye because it is about dessert and it is at Whataburger (a Texan favorite).

The fast food chain is, for a limited time, offering a Chocolate Brownie Pie featuring warm chocolate brownie filling surrounded by a hot flaky crust for just 99 cents.

The restaurant says the fried pie was first introduced to the Whataburger menu in the late 1950s. Other limited-run pie flavors have included strawberry, cherry and lemon.

Remember, you have till the end of the year to get this at all Whataburger locations. Whataburger should offer these for free for a few hours one day.

KHOU 11 makes TV history with Emmy win

I think I'm going to have to make a blog category called 'KHOU 11 awards.' Every time I turn about, KHOU is winning something. Now the station is telling me it made television history. How?

For the second year in a row, KHOU won the Outstanding Regional News Story – Investigative Reporting award at the National News and Documentary Emmy ceremony in New York City. This is the first time a local station has received this award consecutively. Last year, KHOU was awarded the prize in the same category for their investigative piece Hiding Homicide. Here is more from the station:

This year’s winning entry is Soldiers at Risk: The Iraq Water Investigation, which originally aired in May 2009. Reporter Jeremy Rogalski, Executive Producer for Investigative David Raziq and Photojournalist Keith Tomshe uncovered how U.S. soldiers fighting in Iraq and often facing 130 degree heat were given an inadequate supply of drinking water. The investigation discovered that some soldiers were rationed to a half-gallon of water a day for as long as one year. Military guidelines, however, recommend seven times that amount.

Due to these conditions, KHOU’s investigative team found that some soldiers were forced to steal water from civilian facilities in order to survive. Many developed severe medical problems that continue to plague them in civilian life.

Soldiers at Risk has also won a National Headliner Award and a Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Award.

“Texas and Houston are well represented in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps,” said Susan McEldoon, KHOU President and General Manager. “We stand behind them and are proud to receive national recognition for a story that exposed a preventable, yet potentially life-threatening obstacle to their service.”

“Just as soldiers answer a call to duty, our investigative team answers a call to uncover injustice and, in this case, danger that shouldn’t exist,” said Keith Connors, KHOU Executive News Director. “There is a profound amount of care that goes into this type of investigative reporting and we are humbled to once again be recognized by the Television Academy with this prestigious award.”

Now remember this is the national Emmy awards, not the Texas version. But don't think the station doesn't have its eyes on some Lone Star Emmy awards. KHOU is in the running for 56 nominations. The station says that is more than any other station in the state of Texas.

RELATED
Watch Emmy-award winning 'Soldiers at Risk: The Iraq Water Investigation'

VIDEO: Fox 26 KRIV spray paint Simpsons TV promo

Fresh Work of Art from PR!MO on Vimeo.


Wow this is creative!

GONZO247 of Aerosol Warfare rocks a 'Fresh' mural for the Simpsons on FOX26 KRIV.
Produced by Alex "PR!MO" Luster, Steve Ellis & Craig Chambers
Music by Video Helper.

RELATED
VIDEO: Houston documentary Stick ‘Em Up!'s latest trailer

Does Michael Carl really need more Emmy awards?

My Lone Star Emmy wingman, Michael A. Carl, is at it again. I've called him the triple threat for a reason (producer/photographer/editor). Forgot to mention how he recently racked up more nominations.

Cross your fingers for him at the upcoming awards ceremony. I will be wrapping myself in tape from an old Beta SP cassette that night in his honor.

After the Trauma: Helping Children Heal
KTRK
Molly O'Connor, Executive Producer
Gina Gaston, Anchor
Michael Carl, Special Projects Producer/Photographer/Editor

Homes for the Holidays
KTRK
Molly O'Connor, Producer
Andre Dorsey, Photographer
Brian Schack, Photographer/Editor
Rebecca Spera, Anchor
Michael Carl, Photographer

RELATED
8th Annual Lone Star EMMY Awards nominations

FREE breakfast tacos from Taco Cabana

Taco Cabana is giving away FREE Kiolbassa sausage and egg breakfast tacos on Monday, October 4, from 7-9am at all Texas locations. The offer is valid for dine-in or drive thru; one taco per person.

This free food event is in honor of National Taco Day. I already bought a new suit to celebrate.

Taco Cabana tells me the chain is launching its own version of street tacos - available for a limited time. Here is the description:

Inspired by an actual trip to Guadalajara, the tacos are made with grilled beef, mixed with fresh-cut cilantro and onions, and laid in two 100% corn tortillas. The tacos are served three at a time, just like you would get from the carts on the streets of Mexico, with fresh lime wedges and your choice of salsa to compliment the simple, yet savory flavor.

I'll admit it, I'll let marketing messages slide through on the blog if I can post about free food for you.

Top 5 Houston area cell phone wreck hot spots

 

Here is my story on KIAH 39 News from last Friday. It's a cool story. Thanks to the hard work of Jennifer Peebles from TexasWatchdog.com, we know the top 5 cell phone wreck hot spots from TXDOT accident report data. No other Houston TV station has covered this that I know of. READ THE STORY

Honestly when I was at KTRK, I would have tried to save this story for sweeps.

http://www.texaswatchdog.com/

39 KIAH Newsfix - what's the latest?

Allegedly there is a conspiracy theory that I have been hired at KIAH 39 so the company can leak information to me about Newsfix for my blog. If this is true, then I need to find the leak and get this person talking. And why couldn't someone from Tribune just email me stuff? Oh well, it looks like I was actually hired to work as a reporter.

That being said, lots of readers email me asking what the heck is going on with Newsfix. I can give you an update, but its from stuff I found online or has been sent to me by people who do not work for 39 or Tribune corporate.

Newsfix has a web page introducing the 15 things the concept is about.  As noted, someone emailed this to me from outside of the station and I don't even know where to find it on the 39online.com website.

On the hiring front, Newsfix is looking for a Newsfix voice over person:

The New Tribune Company needs a biting and earthy voice to narrate a modern Newsreel style presentation. Think modern day Walter Winchell. Character is far more important than a big "radio voice." We need POV, attitude and a complete lack of traditional radio in your face hype. More akin to documentary with attitude...and non elitist mass appeal intellect. This experiment in modern Television will happen in Houston and is unlike anything on any media.
Skillful writing and a sense of understanding the pulse of America is good.

In addition to the voice, the station needs a sound designer (I've never heard of local TV having a position like this):

KIAH IN HOUSTON will be launching a sound intensive News concept that’ll focus on wide screen sound. Think Soundtrack. It’ll be a combination of recorded music from AC/DC to Zamfir, natural sound, original sound, effects and literally ANY sounds we can gather to better tell our stories.
It would be good if you:
*Have multi genre scope and maybe even encyclopedic of music styles, artist and songs
*Are well versed in today’s sound technologies
*Understand theater of the mind
*Have a knack for matching stunning sound with stunning images and video
*Have no experience in TV. OK—not a deal breaker, but we need someone who thinks more movie or even old time radio than TV.
*Think in stereo
Some musicianship is good but not necessary.

And I leave you with an image of former KIAH news director KyAnn Lewis on the turntables.

WFAA 8 Hansen, Mix 96.5 KHMX, KRLD and more

!$%# WFAA Dale Hansen Says -- how come ABC didn't think of this sitcom first?
A perceptive Uncle Barky reader notes that ABC -- or WFAA8 -- might want to counter CBS' new $#*! My Dad Says with a version starring ever-unpredictable sports anchor Dale Hansen.

Brad Womack is the new Bachelor
Austin 360 says the rumors are true: Austin bar owner Brad Womack is the Bachelor, again.

Vollmer PR to be acquired by Edelman
Vollmer Public Relations and Edelman announced Monday that the two public relations firms would merge to create a Houston-based southwest regional office for Edelman.

KVIA El Paso gets props
It's "Manhunt Monday" concept is bringing in viewers and ad sales.

Tracy Austin Named Program Director At KHMX
Former 104.1 KRBE program director now head of MIX 96.5 KHMX.

Rangers agree to extension with Fox Sports Southwest
The Texas Rangers have agreed to a 20-year contract extension with Fox Sports Southwest.

FCC approves challenged Texas TV transaction
RBR reports Una Vez Mas Texas Holdings LLC will get the two stations for $24.8M according to terms of a contract filed with the FCC late in 2009.

KRLD-AM going all-news
As of yesterday, 1080 KRLD is going all-news.

Effective Web Site Teases
Effective website teasing is rare in our business, in most newsrooms it is an afterthought at best.

Nick Kosir: The Rapping Weatherman's San Francisco Gig Is Over
His very quick San Fran stint is over.

KIAH 39 Anything That Rolls host takes on new duty
Jennifer Vogel is now also executive producer

LoneStarTimes.com blog shuts down
Editor explains why he is ceasing publication.

Univision relaunches websites
Univision's digital division has begun a launch of 72 new online, mobile TV and radio sites in 20 top Hispanic markets nationwide.

Services set for longtime Houston sportswriter
Services for longtime Houston sportswriter Jim Carley, who died Friday at 62, will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Miller Funeral Services, 7723 Beechnut.

32% of Media Consumed Daily by African-Americans is from the Internet
According to a new report from The Media Audit, African-American adults spend much more time consuming media from the Internet than any other adult group.

- WFAA and Time Warner have reached a tentative agreement
- Time Warner Cable reaches deal to keep KVUE on air

'Lone Star' faces cancellation after one episode
Now 20th Century Fox can claim to have produced both a Death Star and a possibly dead "Star."

Texas School Asks FCC to Block TWC PEG Move
The McAllen (Tex.) School District has asked the FCC to block Time Warner Cable from migrating PEG channels from analog to digital there starting Oct. 1.

NATIONAL HEADLINES
- Marysol Castro Leaving ‘GMA’ Weekend
- CNN Anchor Don Lemon’s On-Air Revelation
- Bianna Golodryga and Peter Orszag Tie the Knot
- Jeff Zucker to leave NBC Universal
- Management shakeup at CNN

News Anchor Barbie: 'A flair for journalism -- and power pink!'
Astronaut Barbie, Newborn Baby Doctor Barbie and Rock Star Barbie, get ready to answer some tough questions asked by journalist Barbie.

KUBE-TV channel 57 Houston programming schedule

KUBE-TV channel 57 Houston debuts today. The Baytown based station is available on Comcast and appears to be actually on digital channel 41, but redirects to 57.  As you can tell above, it goes by The KUBE which sounds very familiar to Houston TV watchers.

 Here is the station's schedule as provided by Zap2It. We don't know if this is a temporary schedule or the real deal. The shows are retro and family friendly.  The station is currently running promos and crawls in Spanish telling the former KAZH audience this is the new channel with family friendly programming for all (at least as best as I can tell with my limited Spanish skills). I did not include the overnight hours in the TV guide list because it is all paid programming.

KUBE-TV channel 57 Houston programming schedule:
7:30 AM Religion
8:00 AM Paid Programming
8:30 AM Saved by the Bell
9:00 AM The Little Rascals
9:30 AM The Little Rascals
10:00 AM Andy Griffith Show
10:30 AM Andy Griffith Show
11:00 AM Beverly Hillbillies
11:30 AM Beverly Hillbillies
12:00 PM Little House/Prairie
1:00 PM Matlock
2:00 PM Perry Mason
3:00 PM Quincy, M.E.
4:00 PM The Brady Bunch
4:30 PM The Brady Bunch
5:00 PM Mork & Mindy
5:30 PM Happy Days
6:00 PM Happy Days
6:30 PM Laverne & Shirley
7:00 PM Family Ties
7:30 PM Family Ties
8:00 PM Magnum, P.I.
9:00 PM Rockford Files
10:00 PM Hunter
11:00 PM Star Trek
12:00 AM The Twilight Zone
12:30 AM The Twilight Zone

RELATED
- KUBE-TV channel 57 Houston

(Thanks @gridlockjoe and Michael)

KTRK 13 steals Alex Radow from KIAH 39

Just when you thought Leticia Juarez, who is KABC channel 7 Los Angeles bound, would be the only KIAH 39 talent going to Disney...think again. Last Friday Alex Radow told me he was going to KTRK 13. Time to put on his Mouse ears.

A couple of weekends ago Radow told me he had applied for the KTRK sports producer position opening. At the time I told him he probably had a really good chance. Radow is on air, produces, shoots, edits and does web stuff. That just so happens to be what the job calls for. Plus he's been in Houston for years and knows the sports scene inside out.

I would have had a quote from him, but as you can tell, he's pretty busy.

The KTRK sports producer position had lots of folks interested. How do I know? Applicants were emailing me and asking about the station.

Congrats Alex! Radow replaces Ted Markus who was formerly in the sports producer role. Markus left the locker room for a gig in the KTRK news department.

BTW, Radow's bio says he joined the 39 sports department in July of 2005. He came to Houston after spending nine years at WITN-TV in Washington, North Carolina. At WITN Alex anchored the weekend sports for five years. He also spent time as a news reporter and sports photographer.

RELATED
- KIAH 39 producer Travis Sattiewhite is CNN bound
- Mike McGuff: From blogger to KIAH 39 reporter
- KTRK 13 gets Samica Knight as new reporter
- KIAH 39 loses two reporters; familiar faces fill in

Teen robbery suspect gets beat down from angry family

Here is my story on KIAH 39 News from last Thursday. In a nutshell, a teen robbery suspect walks into a family owned restaurant in Baytown, TX with a gun...the family kicks his ass. It was the number one story on 39online.com. READ IT HERE

Mike McGuff on 650 AM noon today

Make sure to catch me today from 12pm to 1pm on 650am. I'm going to be dishing with the Dining Diva herself, Cleverley Stone!

We'll talk food (hey, I can at least talk about Feast) and we'll probably touch on my KIAH 39 work too.

http://www.cleverley.com/

Dallas Cowboys vs Houston Texans - #1 game

Week 3: 9/26-9/27 – Top 5 Most Popular NFL Matchups BY DEMAND

*According to the NFL Ticket Exchange "Buzz Index"

1. Dallas Cowboys @ Houston Texans
2. Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints
3. Tennessee Titans @ New York Giants
4. San Diego Chargers @ Seattle Seahawks
5. Indianapolis Colts @ Denver Broncos

*The NFL Ticket Exchange "Buzz Index" utilizes a proprietary algorithm incorporating site traffic, ticket demand, sales volume, and ticket revenue to calculate each game's popularity for the week.

Free game play at the 2010 Houston Arcade Expo

I did a story about classic arcade games making a comeback years ago for KTRK and abc13.com. While working the story, I met and interviewed Keith Christensen. He's behind a cool annual event in Houston that brings these old gaming machines back to the masses (While I was working the story, I learned about a famous Houstonian who has a full classic arcade with pinball machines in their home. Wish I could tell you who, but I was sworn to secrecy).

Christensen and The Houston Area Arcade Group (HAAG) are holding the 9th Annual Arcade Expo this coming October. There will be over 200 classic and current coin-op pinball machines, video arcade games, penny arcades and console video games ready for attendees to play for free or even buy.

That's right you can celebrate Pac-Man’s 30th anniversary by playing the real thing! And where else in Houston can you find playable systems like Atari 2600, 5200, 7800, ColecoVision, Vectrex, Intellivision, Sega, NES and Xbox 360s all in the same place?

If your inner geek isn't excited enough, dudes and dudettes dressed in Star Wars costumes will be at the show. Yes, you can actually meet your favorite member of the Empire & the Rebel Alliance!!!

2010 Houston Arcade Expo
Oct 8th: 6pm until 2am
Oct 9th: 10am until 2am
Houston Northwest Crowne Plaza
12801 NORTHWEST FREEWAY
HOUSTON, TX 77040

Admission is $30 for a weekend pass or $20 for a single day, which gets you access to over 150 arcade games and pinball machines all set to free play!

www.arcadecenter.com

It's KCBS 2 for Fox 26 KRIV's Sibila Vargas

Thanks to Isiah Carey AKA The Insite, we officially know that Fox 26 KRIV anchor Sibila Vargas is leaving Houston for California. Now a really, really good source at Fox has filled me in on the rest. Are you ready? OK, here we go.

Vargas' official last day will be September 26. Being that is this coming Sunday, and Vargas does not usually work that day to my knowledge, we can assume her last day on air will be this Friday.

So now to the part you're wanting to know about...where is she going?

Newsblues has been around for a long time in web years and it was correct when reporting Vargas is KCBS bound. So congrats to Vargas, it's been a great three years in Houston.

My question for you is, will KRIV replace Vargas? Or will Melinda Spaulding do both the 5pm and 9pm shows? Your homework for tonight is to write a single spaced, two page paper on this topic.  Oh who am I kidding, I always hated homework.  Go watch Must See TV or whatever they are calling it these days.

RELATED
- FOX 26 KRIV's Sibila Vargas returning to California for TV anchor job
- Fox 26 KRIV's Sibila Vargas not talking about KCBS job rumor
- Fox 26 KRIV anchors also in movies/TV shows
- VIDEO: Fox 26 KRIV's Sibila Vargas opens "The Wendy Williams Show"
- Fox 26 KRIV anchors playing a game of switch-a-roo on air
- Sibila Vargas lands at Fox 26 KRIV from CNN
- New Fox 26 KRIV anchor is a CNN entertainment reporter

KIAH 39 producer Travis Sattiewhite is CNN bound

Channel 39 KIAH producer Travis Sattiewhite is leaving Houston for Atlanta. Yeah, he is CNN bound!

To get specific, he will be an assignment coordinator for CNN's Newsource. That's the part of CNN that works with local TV affiliates and is very excited about the new gig.

"My longtime dream of working at CNN has finally come true," he told the mikemcguff.com blog. "While, I’m leaving 39 News, I won’t be far away. In my new position, I will be working diligently to provide 39 News and other CNN affiliates with video from around the country and world."

Sattiewhite will take off for ATL in two weeks. Congrats.

RELATED
- From blogger to KIAH 39 reporter
- KIAH 39 loses two reporters; familiar faces fill in
- KIAH 39 9pm producer Adam Silverstein on to KSTU Fox 13

Dr. Oz drops by KPRC 2 to visit Jennifer Reyna?

Dr. Mehmet Oz visited Houston last week and stopped by the studios of KPRC 2. Channel 2 carries his show by the way.

While in the station, Dr. Oz snapped a photo with traffic anchor/reporter Jennifer Reyna. You can read Reyna's account about being in the Land of Oz here.

It will make you click your heels together and say there is no place like KPRC, there is no place like KPRC. Is it just me, or does HWY 59 going south look a little more yellow and full of bricks or something?

VIDEO: WFAA News 8 Fall Image Appetizer

A new WFAA 8 promo has been unleashed on the public. Uncle Barky gives the play by play.

New TV season, Belo vs Time Warner, radio squirrel attack and more

This week’s season premieres
The new fall schedule for the networks until it all starts getting cancelled or juggled around.

Want an On-Air Gig at 'GMA?' Apply Now!
ABC's "Good Morning America" is looking for a new advice guru, and rather than work their network of contacts, the producers are opening it up the general public.

Belo, Time Warner fire volleys in talks over TV stations
Time Warner Cable Inc. and Dallas-based Belo Corp . are negotiating a new agreement over how much Time Warner will pay Belo to carry several of its television stations in markets around the country, including ABC affiliate WFAA-TV (Channel 8) in Dallas.
- KENS, Time Warner in contract negotiations

Mix Up The Structure Of Story Packages
All newscasts have points where viewers are more likely to switch away - just before the break, after the lead story, and after weather, are some of the more common ones. The beginning of a package is one of these vulnerable moments.

Aging Shows, Management Shakeup Give ABC Cause for Concern
ABC needs to pull a desperate housewife out of its fall schedule.

Networks flip in San Antonio
The CW Network has a new home in San Antonio, flipping to Sinclair’s KYMS-TV. The market’s former affiliate, Corridor Television LLP’s KCWX-TV, has picked up the MyNetwork affiliation exited by KYMS.

Station is taken off the air by a squirrel
You call this the radio episode of “When Squirrels Attack.”

Get Your Roland Martin Ascots Here!
CNN contributor and Houston guy Roland Martin is renowned for his sense of style. Specifically, his mastery of the ascot, the tie-alternative that has seemingly been lost to time.

Modern Luxury Completes Sale
Modern Luxury Media has completed its sale to an investment group led by Dickey Publishing and managed by Cumulus Media. So now Houston Modern Luxury is owned by 104.1 KRBE owners.

KFMK bringing a new spirit to Austin
CRISTA Broadcasting announced that KFMK 105.9 Austin, TX will re-launched as Spirit 105.9 when its new Christian Contemporary format began.

Another college FM ponders selling its license
First Rice University's 91.7 KTRU announced a sale; next could be Vanderbilt.

Texas fifth-graders produce daily TV newscasts
It's lights, camera, action every weekday morning in a corner of the Heritage Elementary School library.

Texas News Site Uses Raw Data to Attract, Keep Audience
The Texas Tribune has figured out one way to draw and keep readers on their site.

'The Situation' in Apple's top 10-grossing apps
Mike Sorrentino's iPhone application -- appropriately titled "The Situation" -- has soared into Apple's top 10-grossing entertainment apps.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Former Fox 26 KRIV sports anchor Matt Sampsell's Huffington Post piece
- Mike McGuff: From blogger to KIAH 39 reporter
- FOX 26 KRIV's Sibila Vargas returning to California for TV anchor job

KUBE-TV channel 57 Houston

Never heard of Houston's channel 57 KUBE-TV? Well, neither has anyone else since it hasn't actually signed on yet according to Internet reports.

As I blogged last week, the current channel 57 KAZH is saying adios to the Spanish-Language format and moving to English programming with the new KUBE call letters. Those call letters sure sound familiar. KUBE sounds like TUBE which is what Channel 55 KTBU used to be known as - The TUBE. I wonder if KUBE was chosen with that intention?

UPDATE
Here is the KUBE-TV channel 57 Houston programming schedule.

RELATED
- Petry Television signs KUBE-TV Houston
- Petry Television adds KUBE to its roster

(Thanks @gridlockjoe and Michael)

Former Fox 26 KRIV sports anchor Matt Sampsell's Huffington Post piece

Since I just posted about my new freelance gig at KIAH 39, I don't want to inundate you with stories about the station, but I just saw something worth linking to on the Huffington Post. The post is written by fellow KIAH 39 freelancer Matt Sampsell (former Fox 26 KRIV weekend anchor).

He talks about the struggles he endured after his departure from KRIV in a very well written piece. Sampsell's journey took him from making around $80 a week in radio, to a friends couch in Seattle all the way to starting a sports radio station in the Bahamas. READ IT

RELATED
KIAH 39 loses two reporters; familiar faces fill in

Mike McGuff: From blogger to KIAH 39 reporter

Longtime readers will have watched me leave KTRK 13, consult social media for KPRC 2 and now freelance report for KIAH 39 until NewsFix arrives.

The news of me reporting at KIAH 39 News was reported in this morning's Houston Chronicle Ken Hoffman column. READ THAT HERE Hoffy said some nice things in there and I thank him for that.

I didn't blog about starting at KIAH 39 for fear that I would blow it. After all, I haven't reported on live TV since 2001. Things went fine though. Am I ready to win my next Emmy or AP award with the two stories I've done? Not yet. But since they are my first two stories, and I haven't written or interviewed folks for TV in more than a year or so, I'm pretty happy with the results.

SEE MY FIRST TWO STORIES HERE:
- 20 Year Old Cold Case Arrest
- West Orange-Stark Quarterback Dies After Collapsing During Football Game

The producers were happy how I used some old job skills and web produced my West Orange player story into a newspaper style report for 39online.com (at least newspaper style for most TV station sites that is).

People are asking me when I will show more personality on air. Didn't feel that was too appropriate since both stories so far dealt with death.

As Hoffman noted, NewsFix is coming and people are leaving the station. But actually the vibe is pretty good there. The station is filled with some great folks who have been very welcoming and helpful. In fact the place is filled with a ton of former KTRK 13 and KHOU 11 folks. Last Saturday I was with four former KTRK employees and that says something since all television stations have less staff working on weekends. Knowing a lot of people going in, and the fact many staffers seem to know me from this blog, has made the new gig a lot easier.

One funny story actually relates to this blog. I was recognized by someone while shooting my last story. He didn't know me from 39 yet, he recognized me from mikemcguff.com! He thought I was shooting video with a photographer for the blog you're reading now! I've only done that once or twice from what I can remember.

Here is my last story on video:

FOX 26 KRIV's Sibila Vargas returning to California for TV anchor job

I told you back in August how Fox 26 KRIV anchor Sibila Vargas told me "no comment" concerning rumors of a new job at KCBS in Los Angeles, California as reported by website NewsBlues.

Well, we still don't officially know where Vargas' new job is, but we do know she is leaving Houston for the west. Isiah Carey AKA The Insite, who happens to be Vargas' Fox 26 KRIV co-worker, was at the anchors goodbye party last Saturday. He even has some photos of the big event! He always has the good Houston party photos actually.

Vargas promised me she will give me a goodbye quote for all of her Houston fans when she is ready to make her official departure announcement. As they say in the TV biz, stay tuned.

In the meantime, good luck Sibila. It is no surprise to me that the showbiz capitol of the world would snatch up a former CNN entertainment reporter from Houston.

RELATED
- Fox 26 KRIV's Sibila Vargas not talking about KCBS job rumor
- Fox 26 KRIV anchors also in movies/TV shows
- VIDEO: Fox 26 KRIV's Sibila Vargas opens "The Wendy Williams Show"
- Fox 26 KRIV anchors playing a game of switch-a-roo on air
- Sibila Vargas lands at Fox 26 KRIV from CNN
- New Fox 26 KRIV anchor is a CNN entertainment reporter

Fox 26 news future, Chronicle and outsider blogs, DFW radio to TV and more

KTBC 7 classic interview with stars of 1960s Batman
Jean Boone of Austin’s KTBC television interviews Adam West, Cesar Romero and Lee Meriwether during the making of the 1966 “Batman” feature in Austin.

The way Fox 26 KRIV will cover news in the future?
Think how Fox News likes to interview reporters and pundits and not run many actual packages during the day. We see The Insite testing out the idea. I've heard other Fox stations are going in this direction.

The Houston Chronicle’s Eric Berger on newspapers and blog networks
How the newspaper has reached out to experts and others to blog.

‘Texas Monthly Talks’ ending; new show on the way
A brand new program called “Overheard with Evan Smith,” which is scheduled to premiere on Thursday, Oct. 21 (the same night that Season 2 of “The Daytripper” — formerly “The Austin Daytripper” — kicks off).
- Texas Tribune's Evan Smith calls Lt. Governor Dewhurst Snookie and more

KIII-3 Corpus Christi anchor Erik Rosales lands new gig
Erik Rosales, who until August of last year was anchoring at KIII-3 in Corpus Christi, has landed a job in California.

Houston, we have a TV problem: New series set in Bayou City being filmed in Dallas
The Bayou City is getting a lot of attention in some new network shows. "Chase" is set in Houston. "Lonestar" is set partly in Houston. But here’s the thing—those shows are being shot in Dallas.

Sig Byrd's Columns Making Their Way On To The Net
There are many Houstonians who mourn the fact that the columns Sig Byrd did for the old Houston Press are not easily available. That's changing, though.

KFOX postpones 5 p.m. newscast
KFOX-TV Channel 14's 5pm announced newscast doesn't appear on El Paso televisions.

Jay Leno's wife visits San Antonio, speaks out for silenced women
Her husband wears a talk show crown, but Mavis Leno is using her own voice to speak for silenced women.

DFW radio show going to TV
KLUV-FM's (98.7) Jody Dean and the Morning Team will be seen and heard on D-FW's TXA21

Molly Ringwald Remembers John Hughes
Every great artist has his muse: Dante had Beatrice; Man Ray had Kiki de Montparnasse; and John Hughes had Molly Ringwald, who starred in his movies “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink.”

KTEN-TV, Denison, TX is looking for a News Director
Rick Gevers has the details.

MTV Looks Beyond Jersey Shore
After a long slump, MTV is trying to build on the Jersey Shore juggernaut.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- 8th Annual Lone Star EMMY Awards nominations 2010
- VIDEO: Houston Texans Reliant Stadium announcer
- KTRK 13 gets Samica Knight as new reporter
- VIDEO: News anchor forgets he's not wearing pants on live TV
- Leticia Juarez KABC abc7
- Houston's 57 KAZH changing formats to English programming

8th Annual Lone Star EMMY Awards nominations tonight

It's a big night for local Texas television news this evening as the 8th Annual Lone Star EMMY Awards nominations are announced.

The big event is 7pm at lonestaremmy.org.

Congrats to all of the Lone Star EMMY Award nominees.

RELATED
7th Annual Lone Star EMMY Award winners

VIDEO: Houston Texans stadium announcer in action

You hear his voice every Houston Texans home game, but now here is a rare look at Reliant Stadium announcer David Brady behind the microphone during a pre-season game in 2010.

According to his Linkedin profile, Brady has held the job since 2006. His day job is Vice President - Marketing for the Houston Zoo. (Twitter @voxtaur)

Brady replaced Jim Carola as the stadium voice. Carola was also the Houston Oilers announcer at the Astrodome.

(Thanks Garf)

KTRK 13 gets Samica Knight as new reporter

KTRK 13 has a new reporter that hit the airwaves this week. It's Samica Knight who most recently worked at WHP CBS 21 in Harrisburg, PA.

Before that she worked at one of my old stations, KXXV in Waco. She started her career at KSAN in San Angelo.

I'm excited to see Knight back in Houston because she was an intern when I was at KTRK! In fact I put her in contact with my former KXXV news director when she was looking to apply for jobs.

(Image courtesy of WHP)

More Houston icons going away? Plus more things coming our way

One thing about Houston, you can't say it never changes. Right now those changes are coming at 100mph. Stand back.

Iconic Montrose club building for lease
Nancy Sarnoff of the Houston Chronicle reports the owner of the lower Westheimer building that houses Numbers is looking for a new tenant. However the club's operator says it's not closing.
- Numbers Update: Don't Mourn Goth Sanctuary Just Yet

Westbury Square Up For Sale Again
My mom and grandmother used to take me to Westbury Square on their shopping trips. Then I shot movies there as a kid when it was as vacant as a Hollywood back lot. Richard Connelly of The Houston Press says Westbury Square is once again up for sale and this time it might not make it (what's still left that is).

Mall of the Mainland to get a makeover
I made a quick trip to the mall for the first time in 2004, not much was there at the time. My wife tells me that has been the case for awhile. That could be changed very soon.

Giant vacant lot across Bellaire from Sharpstown Mall gets tenant
St. Agnes Academy is moving in. (on the click, scroll down for story on this)

If all of this hasn't been enough for you, then you might take solace in the fact that Schlotzsky's is adding six locations to Houston. Next time you are stuffing your face with an Original, think of me.

VIDEO: News anchor forgets he's not wearing pants on live TV

I've worked with TV news anchors who wear jeans and yes even shorts under the news desk during a newscast but just boxers? That is a new one for me.

The above anchor must have been concentrating hard on his show and when it was time to talk to his producer during the closing credits, he turns his chair around to reveal more than the audience bargained for. Could this be a ratings stunt? Fake video? I'll let you debate that.

I once tried wearing a Speedo for a week while I blogged, but didn't notice any improvement in my writing or content. In fact I think it just disgusted my wife.  Guess this really doesn't have anything to do with the above video so I will just shut up now.

Buzz Lady goes commercial, ABC changes, Jim Nantz, Howard Stern and more

Goodbye, television's Buzz Lady. Hello, new career
Roseann Rogers, formerly the Buzz Lady on Channel 2 News and Channel 55, has turned her attention full-time to TV commercials.
- ‘The Buzz Lady’ points Finger in new direction
- http://www.buzzlady.com

iTunes offers free fall tv season sneak peeks
If you’ve got a computer, iPhone or iPod touch and an iTunes account, you can download HD sneak peeks, trailers and starter kits for the new fall TV season.

Disney's Iger aims to put ABC back in game
Bob Iger is marking his fifth anniversary as CEO of the Walt Disney Co. with an extreme makeover of ABC -- in an attempt to save the network from falling into last place among the nation's Big Four broadcasters.

The news is, that pitch was paid for
When spokespersons for hire promote products on local TV news shows.

'Swift Justice' with Grace -- Nancy Grace
FOX 26 anchor Sibila Vargas met with the outspoken Nancy Grace to talk about her new show.

Reporter Maite de la Rosa leaves KMID 2 Midland
She is the newest addition to the WZVN-7 news team in Ft. Myers.

KFOX TV and 92.3 The Fox Partner Together
KFOX TV and KOFX radio, better known as 92.3 The Fox, have partnered together to bring viewers and listeners the latest news, weather and traffic.

Instead of delivering the news, a Norwegian news anchor quits - on the air
Listeners in Oslo, Norway waiting for the news on the public broadcast station Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) heard the news anchor make news.

Chelsea Handler panned as VMA host
Comedian among 'worst in show's history,' writes N.Y. Times

Sirius Looks Fit to Outgrow Howard Stern
Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) may keep adding listeners, fueling a stock rally that has lifted the satellite radio provider by 74 percent this year, notwithstanding the prospect of losing famed shock jock Howard Stern.

Nantz in front row for sports history
If Jim Nantz has his way, he today hits the midpoint of what he hopes will be a 50-year career with CBS Sports that ends on April 8, 2035.

Highway to hell: Rerunning a daring 1978 WFAA8 story that got a lot of motors running
In May 1978, Byron Harris and two other WFAA8 staffers decided to test the feasibility of the federally mandated 55 mph highway speed limit by driving three cars abreast on I-30 from Dallas to Fort Worth.

Abilene's modern rock "98X" KTLT goes all-sports as "The Ticket"
Cumulus Media ends 3-½ years of alt-rock by flipping KTLT, Anson, Texas to all-sports, affiliated with ESPN Radio.

KIAH 39 loses two reporters; familiar faces fill in

There are some departures and new arrivals to report at KIAH 39.

Most recently it has been announced that reporter Leticia Juarez is leaving Houston for Hollywood! Is she leaving to find love on a reality TV show? No, she's sticking with the TV reporter career and moving on to KABC 7 in LA. Juarez has been in Houston for several years. She started her Texas career at KHOU 11 and later moved to 39.

She received national attention after being proposed to on air this year by her boyfriend Mark Annas. Someone told me at the time that exposure could help her career. No joke. It doesn't get much better than one of the top stations in TV market #2.

If the proposal actually helped Juarez make that big of a career jump, then there are a lot of single local reporters around the nation looking for a potential spouse with a ring and a live camera. If they are married, then they are booking studio/satellite time and looking to renew their vows.

The California native will return to her home state after her last 39 report September 22.

Some older news is that 39 reporter Jason Volentine departed the station last Friday. He took a weekend anchor/general assignment reporter job recently at WXMI Fox 17 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He's already going to have a friend in the WXMI newsroom. You might remember that former 39 reporter Hailey Frances is the main anchor of that station. Good thing Volentine already knows someone because Frances can teach him how to stay warm during the winter. He might actually prefer Michigan's eight degrees to 100+ degree temps in Houston's summer months though. Plus Ted Nugent is from there.

Volentine's move could be called a family affair since Tribune Company owns both WXMI and KIAH.

So who is replacing these two? We already know the answer to that. If you have turned on 39 in the past few nights you have seen reporting by former KPRC 2 sports anchor Steve Mark and former Fox 26 sports anchor Matt Sampsell.

VIDEO: Texas TV newscast opens from around the state

TexasTV just posted some great TV news opens from around the Lone Star State. This edition covers Houston, Dallas and San Antonio from the 1980s to 2000s.

And a happy birthday wish for Murdock today. There is a Chip Moody clip in there just for you.

Houston's 57 KAZH changing formats to English programming

I didn't see this one coming. Broadcasting and Cable is reporting that a Houston station is switching formats from Spanish language programming to English programming.

Channel 57 KAZH is the station we're talking about and is currently a Vasallo Vision Network affiliate.
Titan Broadcast Management who operates the station tells BandC that it can make more money with the format change.

Titan CEO Dan Sullivan told the publication, "The availability of quality classic television programming was also a driving force in this decision to change format."

Does that mean the Houston channel will air something akin to the RetroTV Network or ThisTV? Tribune just announced it is starting a secondary digital network that will offer older shows but that won't debut until next year supposedly. Well at least we know what the new programming probably won't be then.

The article says we should find out the new programming soon. The station changes at the end of September.

Care to take a guess on what it will air? Maybe old Mr. Ed episodes? Maybe that is just me wishing out loud.

http://www.kazh57.com

UPDATE
TVnewscheck reports that the KAZH format change came from news that KNWS 51 could change to a Spanish language format.

(Thanks Matthew and Michael)

Top 10 Stolen Vehicles in Houston for August 2010

The following is a rundown of the “Top 10” makes of vehicles reported stolen to the Houston Police Department during the month of August 2010.

1. Chevrolet Trucks 113
2. Ford Trucks 107
3. Honda Cars 106
4. Dodge Trucks 87
5. Dodge Cars 49
6. Ford Cars 42
7. Chevrolet Cars 38
8. Toyota Cars 37
9. Nissan Cars 28
10. Buick Cars 20

KDAF Russian smuggling suspect gossip girl, Houston radio's Suzi Hanks reads Playboy for the blind and more

KDAF 33 gives gossip gig to Russian smuggling suspect
A Plano woman who made national and tabloid headlines this summer after her arrest on smuggling charges has a new job: television commentator.

Playboy channel — for the blind
AP covered a story about how 107.5 The Eagle's Suzi Hanks of the Dean and Rog Show reads Playboy at Taping For The Blind Inc. in Houston.

Heloise joins the outcry over 'Regis and Kelly'
Heloise, the famed household hints diva, is the latest to protest San Antonio TV's dropping of "Live with Regis and Kelly."

Jimmy Johnson talks about surviving his favorite show after getting cut twice
Once, twice, three times a Survivor applicant, former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson at last got what he wanted -- a chance to spend sleepless, shivering nights in the rain on a bamboo bed amid lush but primitive surroundings.

Anchorwoman makes bold impact in new bangs
It's such a strikingly different look for KENS anchorwoman Karen Grace that viewers already have raced to react.She's now wearing bangs - not the wispy variety that Deborah Knapp sports - but the long, full, across-the forehead kind.

Big picture galleries gaining acceptance at newspapers
Newspapers around the country embraced the idea of increasing the format size of their photo galleries. The New York Times Lens Blog, Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, and many others started big picture galleries.

TV photogs behind the hunted
If you're looking for a place to major in cameramanthropology, you'll do no better than your local water park.

Pacifica Radio (KPFT Houston) is in talks to air the Al Jazeera Network
Pacifica owns and operates KPFA-FM (94.1) in Berkeley, California, KPFK-FM (90.7) in Los Angeles, KPFT-FM (90.1) in Houston, WBAI-FM (99.5) in New York City and WPFW-FM (89.3) in Washington, DC.

From artist to TV news anchor
To most, Lee Sausley is known as the KRIS 6 news anchor who delivers the news to residents at 6 and 10 p.m., but to others he is the artist who painted the still-life photo that decorates their living room walls.

Mark Baker, Longtime Panhandle Broadcaster, Dies At 60
Mark Robertson-Baker (born Terry H. Mesler), 60, of Amarillo died on September 4, 2010, of a spinal cord injury. In 1976, he joined Amarillo's ProNews 7's team of investigative reporters and later worked as a television anchor and news director for KVII, KFDA, KAMR and KACV for more than twenty years.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- The hot 10 TV shows of the fall season
- VIDEO: Harrison Ford interview with KXAS 5 in 1977 about Star Wars
- What happened to Radar The Weather Dog from KPRC 2?
- Why isn't Astros' Alyson Footer on 1560 The Game anymore?
- New 1560 The Game KGOW night show with Nuño and Raheel
- VIDEO: Texas Tribune's Evan Smith calls Lt. Governor Dewhurst Snookie and more

New 1560 The Game KGOW night show with Nuño and Raheel

Last week I blogged Where is 1560 KGOW The Game's David Nuno going? after word former Jim Rome producer Travis Rodgers was taking over his and Ken Hoffman's time slot. Nuno told me he was sticking at 1560 The Game.

Now we know more about just what he will be doing.

Turns out David Nuno and Raheel Ramzanali will host a live remote show together Monday nights just in time for Monday Night Football. The above video is a comedic announcement about the new show, complete with pool cue fighting and funny sound effects!

RELATED
- Why isn't Astros' Alyson Footer on 1560 The Game anymore?
- Where is 1560 KGOW The Game's David Nuno going?

VIDEO: Texas Tribune's Evan Smith calls Lt. Governor Dewhurst Snookie and more

PRSA Houston or the Public Relations Society of America Houston Chapter interviews Evan Smith of the Texas Tribune. He talks about how hard it is to leave Texas Monthly behind, why the Texas Tribune started, calls Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst Texas' Snookie and more.

You can also see Smith get grilled by Howard Kurtz on CNN's Reliable Sources here.

TV reporter sexpert in DFW, Tonia Bendickson leaves, TX radio and more

CW33 "sexpert" Shana Franklin caught in love nest
Veteran CW33 reporter Shana Franklin, who self-describes herself as the station's "sexpert," has a new video bio on the Dallas-based station's website.

Former KHOU 11 morning anchor leaves WBTV 3
Tonia Bendickson, one of the foremost personalities at WBTV Charlotte, NC for a decade, has parted ways with the station.
- http://toniabendickson.wordpress.com/

Some Newspapers, Tracking Readers Online, Shift Coverage
Now, because of technology that can pinpoint what people online are viewing and commenting on, how much time they spend with an article and even how much money an article makes in advertising revenue, newspapers can make more scientific decisions about allocating their ever scarcer resources.

Trae Tha Truth On Being Banned From Radio One & His Friendship With Lupe Fiasco
Interview with Trae Tha Truth reveals his feelings about feud with 97.9 The Box KBXX.

Gawker Media Now Bigger Than All Newspapers Online — Except One
The latest traffic memo arrives from Gawker Media honcho Nick Denton: in it, Comscore shows that his network of sites is bigger than any newspaper online but one.

TV photog describes what a news gang-bang is
Don't worry, it is safe for work and is a term widely used in the television industry.

Weekly football lineups on Houston radio stations
Weekly scheduled football hits on KILT (610 AM). KBME (790 AM), KGOW (1560 AM) and KFNC (97.5 FM).

In Corpus Christi, Texas, the Beatles meet "Jake"
Five days of all-Beatles stunting at the former AC “Star 107.3” KRSR leads to a new variety hits station named “Jake.”

Business booming, local shows launching in San Antonio
With summer coming to a close and the temperature slipping back to the double digits, San Antonio stations are poised to launch new programs.

Television Company Belo Corp. (BLC) Names Angela Betasso Vice President/Sales
Belo announced that Angela Betasso has been named the Company's vice president/Sales.

What are the top ads in DFW?
According to Media Monitors, the #1 advertiser in Dallas last week on the radio was...

Tim McCoy new GM of KFMK-FM in Austin, Texas
Contemporary Christian KFMK-FM (105.9) “The River” is in the process of changing hands from Clear Channel’s Aloha Station Trust to Seattle-based Crista Ministries.

MandM grabs a handful of Texas radio stations
Munbilla Broadcasting Properties is the seller, and MandM Broadcaster Ltd. the buyer of a package of radio stations that lie to the west of three different Texas Arbitron markets.

The hot 10 TV shows of the fall season

Guess what? Your DVR is about to start filling up again with the new fall TV season here. But there are some new shows premiering this 2010 season you might want to check out too.

TVGuide.com’s editorial team selected 10 new shows that stand out for 2010. Senior Editor Mickey O’Connor had the following comments for each show.





ABC
Better with You - Premieres: Wednesday, Sept. 22, 8:30/7:30c
"From the people who brought you Friends, here's another fantastic, funny ensemble."

Body of Proof - Premieres: TBD, Fridays at 9/8c
"For a show mostly about corpses, Body of Proof has a very lively sense of humor."

CBS
The Defenders - Premieres: Wednesday, Sept. 22, 10/9c
"Funny guys Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell bring a buddy-cop sensibility to the courtroom drama on The Defenders."

Hawaii Five-0 - Premieres: Monday, Sept. 20 at 10/9c
"Whether you watched the original Hawaii Five-0 or not, you'll loved this action-packed update."

Mike and Molly - Premieres: Monday, Sept. 20 at 9:30/8:30c
"Mike and Molly is a sweet, funny show that proves that love comes in all sizes."

FOX
Lone Star - Premieres: Monday, Sept. 20 at 9/8c
"Lone Star's James Wolk is the best new discovery of the fall season.”
- Bob Allen lives a double life in Lone Star

Raising Hope - Premieres: Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 9/8c
"Raising Hope is the best new family comedy of the fall. It has such a big heart."

NBC
The Event - Premieres: Monday, Sept. 20 at 9/8c
"Your jaw will drop at the end of the first hour of The Event."

CW
Nikita - Premieres: Thursday, Sept. 9 at 9/8c
"We love Nikita; Maggie Q is the sexiest killer on television."

HBO
Boardwalk Empire - Premieres: Sunday, Sept. 19 at 9/8c
"Boardwalk Empire is like The Sopranos, with bowler hats and flappers."

So how is TVGuide.com's track record in picking hot new shows? See its list for 2009.

VIDEO: Harrison Ford interview with KXAS 5 in 1977 about Star Wars

Bobbie Wygant Interviews Harrison Ford for Star Wars 1977 from Atombomb.tv on Vimeo.


Way back in 1977, KXAS 5's Bobbie Wygant interviewed a lesser known Harrison Ford about his new film Star Wars. Ford says he was not a sci-fi kind of guy and complained no one ever recognizes him from his films. Be careful what you wish for.

See Wygant's review for The Empire Strikes Back.

As for Wygant, she joined Channel 5 in DFW when it signed on as WBAP-TV back in 1948. You can see her archives at bobbiewygant.com.

What happened to Radar The Weather Dog from KPRC 2?

From 2004 to around 2007, KPRC 2 generated a lot of buzz with an on air talent who had a real nose for the weather. It was a canine  named Radar The Weather Dog. In fact the KPRC viewers voted for that name.

Like many segments in TV news, things come to an end and so did the Wheaten terrier mixed-breed's television appearances.

So what happened to Radar The Weather Dog?

According to the online bio of KPRC news director Rick McFarland, Radar went home with him:

Rick has a famous dog that many KPRC Local 2 viewers might recognize. That's right -- Rick adopted Radar the weather dog when his broadcast career ended.
"He is now a very well-behaved family dog. But, he still poses when he sees a camera," Rick said.

I barely remember posting this, but back in 2007 I blogged Radar was to become the face of the John C. Freeman Weather Museum.

Why isn't Astros' Alyson Footer on 1560 The Game anymore?

Dustin wrote in asking where is Houston Astros reporter Alyson Footer on 1560 The Game KGOW?

Why isn't Alyson Footer on with John and Lance anymore? At first I thought it was b/c she took a position with the Astros but then she was on with Sean and John for a while. She threw a tweet out the other day saying happy b-day to 1560 "even though you voted me off the island". What happened there???? Thanks!

Here is what 1560 The Game program director Chance McClain told me over email:

We love, love, love Footer. When her job switched from working for MLB.com to working for Astros we thought it would be best to not put her in a position of having to give tough and critical opinions of her direct employer. We still have a weekly paid Astros guy in the morning.

http://twitter.com/alysonfooter

SA anchorwoman calendar, KTVT's Burger, online reporter harassment and more

San Antonio TV anchors and reporters pose for calendar to aid cancer fight
The models? Among them are KENS anchorwomen Sarah Lucero and Karen Grace; Delaine Mathieu; WOAI anchor/reporter; and Karen Martinez, KABB anchor who also is a breast cancer survivor. On the calendar's cover? Stunning local actress Ara Celi.

Weatherman forecasts retirement after 40-year career
In conversation, Mike Burger laughs so heartily and frequently that it can be almost incongruous to hear about him going through a stressful time. But as the longtime weather forecaster for KTVT/Channel 11 and KTXA/Channel 21 talks about what led him to retire from a 40-year career in broadcasting, he turns contemplative and serious.

Announcer accused of online harassment
In a case that could lead to the first local prosecution under a year-old law against online harassment, a San Antonio sports promoter is accused of using a fake Twitter account to badger a television reporter.

Jeanne Jakle: WOAI plays up light and playful personality
What in the world is going on at News 4 WOAI? Vivid and fun new promos for the NBC affiliate's local news spotlight a more playful and youthful side to a station that traditionally has been known as relatively stodgy.

The West Coast lures away rapping forecaster
Nick Kosir, the "Rapping Weatherman" on Fox Channel 4 in Beaumont, is heading to San Francisco's KRON.

Westin quitting ABC News
David Westin announced Monday night that he is resigning as president of ABC News after a tough year that included anchor changes on every broadcast and cutting a quarter of the staff.

Hamilton honored for 65 years in broadcasting
The Houston Astros honored Milo Hamilton for 65 years in broadcasting. The Chronicle has five memorable calls from his more than 50 years as an MLB voice.

Turning back the static: KUHF returns to full signal strength after repair
The University of Houston's KUHF station went through a stretch of more static than usual when the station's main antenna (located in Missouri City) was struck by lightning in late August.

Arlington Citizen-Journal's rebirth brings back memories
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is bringing back the Arlington Citizen-Journal.

Do you Have a True News Brand or Just a Slogan?
Do you have an actual branding plan that clearly defines the product attributes and emotional drivers of your brand position? This isn't just a promotion thing. Every department in the station should have a living branding document that actually gets used.

Houston Texans watch TV ratings spike as season anticipation builds
On the field, professional football players are judged by their statistics. Off the field, the numbers are already adding up for the Houston Texans to have their most successful season to date.

Tribune Co. settles on Lewisville for central business office
Chicago-based media firm Tribune Co. has finalized an office lease in Lewisville to house 200 back office workers.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KHOU 11 meteorologist Dan Meador loses cancer battle
- Where is 1560 KGOW The Game's David Nuno going?
- VIDEO: Carson on 104.1 KRBE in 2005
- KTRK 13 reporter Jeff Ehling has been in Hoffman's column before
- “Still A Virgin?” billboard erected in Houston