Uncle Barky wrote about Ben Russell heading to KXAS 5 in DFW from WHP in Harrisburg. I think KPRC 2 in Houston missed out on a great opportunity to hire this guy that I will dub..."Mr. Standup."
For those who don't know, a few years ago KPRC 2 was obsessed with reporter involvement in live shots. I understand the edict was if a reporter did a story involving money for instance, that reporter should hold up some cash in the live shot.
I always said that if I worked there, I would have figured out a way to fire a gun off in a live shot. That would have been my goal. Having some kind of pyrotechnics would have been bonus points. If I could have figured out how to wear Paul Stanley KISS makeup, that might be tops (Although Gene Simmons might write a cease and desist letter for copyright violation. Don't get your Family Jewels twisted Mr. Simmons, I would buy some KISS merchandise like a KISS Kiss the Cook (bagged) Apron to make up for the infraction).
Anyway, Ben "Mr Standup" Russell has been hired by KXAS. This guy could have been the real deal for channel 2. Check out Mr. Standup's open to his resume reel (embedded above). Yeah, he actually throws a brick into a car's windshield. Then he is taping trails of paper down to make a yellow brick road of sorts for a live shot. Insanity.
Hopefully Mr. Russell can keep these kind of creative opportunities up each night in market 5 with breaking news and constant story changes (assuming it is like that at KXAS).
