The Mike McGuff blog is 15 years old!

The mikemcguff.com blog is 15 years old, plus I'm going on a blogging break 

As noted earlier, this week is the 15th anniversary of the mikemcguff.com (can't believe I am writing that statement).

Thanks for reading all of these years and helping me guide the coverage.  

I didn't name it the Houston TV blog or anything like that originally because it wasn't about TV in 2005 or even the immediate years after that.  Back then, it was my personal blog about Houston news that wouldn't make the mainstream media, technology news, music or whatever I found interesting at the moment.

Since I somewhat knew the broadcast media biz, the posts I started writing about TV or radio really started to take off. Hence, what you have today for better or worse.

Believe it or not, I even had a podcast back in 2006 tied to the blog!

Blogging pros would tell you I made a big mistake staying on the free blogger platform all these years.  What I got was blogging with no monthly hosting bills to pay and less technical hassles.  What I gave up was the pro look of a WordPress site that advertisers and marketers would be more interested in advertising on.  

But the contrarian in me loves the fact that I (with the help of my readers) have already reached nearly 1.2 million unique pageviews readers in 2020 on a free blogger.com blog!

I really appreciate how some readers get mad when I take a blogging break, but that is what is happening now. People who are celebrating...TV news managers.

If there is some major Houston or Texas media breaking news story, then by all means, contact me. I'll come back for that.

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook or sign up for my blog post email newsletter to get notified immediately when I return to blogging duty.

Also, if you have the desire, support my McGuff Media 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer's team. If not my team, then support another one until we don't need an Alzheimer's walk anymore because the disease has been defeated.

If you want to catch up on some recent stuff that I think was a notch above the usual posts, please take some time to read the following:

Mike Capps: From KPRC to WFAA, ABC and CNN

Rashi Vats's 5pm anchor journey is a Texas story of hard work and love

First ever show in the nation to solely focus on weather and traffic coverage debuts on CW39 Houston KIAH

KVEO Brownsville debuts first-ever Latina anchor team

While I'm away, check out some other media sites like TVNewsCheck, FTVLive, Newsblues and TVSpy.

mikemcguff blog hits 10 years! Let the party begin!

After 10 years has mikemcguff.com earned respectability or just sold out?


This blog has come a long way in a decade. That's right, mikemcguff.com has been around 10 years now!

If you need proof on how far it has come, take a look at this first post! You can tell that was before the days of social media. Now you can easily share links via Twitter or Facebook.

Here is what the blog used to look like back in the dark ages. It was a spartan black background with white text and some orange highlights. That's it. Czar of Talk Radio Michael Berry was the one to help me realize that look was a little hard to read.

Back then, I wrote about all kinds of things, but the one thing that always won you over was media coverage.

Lots has changed in the Houston and Texas media world in a decade. First, there would hardly be new reporter departure/arrival posts. Back then, media folks tended to stay put for long periods of time. YouTube was still very new so there were hardly any Houston media videos to show off.

Things have changed for me personally too. When the blog was born, my wife and I were living it up in Midtown sans kids (both of which have changed too) and I was still a special projects producer at KTRK abc13 (ditto).

I will never forget how excited I was about blogging. Before the blog, mikemcguff.com was actually a website I coded in Dreamweaver, that was pretty much a resume type site. And coming from TV, it was so freeing to be able to easily post whatever I wanted to a blog. It was much simpler task than using the web content management systems I had been using up to that point professionally.

Enough nostalgia, because if I go any further, I might spouting off warm thoughts about RSS feeds, and you don't want to read about stuff like that.

All this week, I'm taking a look back at the old blog. Tomorrow, I'm revealing the top 10 posts of all time on mikemcguff.com. You might want to sit down with a bowl of curry while perusing the list {hint, hint}.

Mike McGuff talks H-Town parenting on KUHF's 'Houston Matters'

Mike McGuff offers tips on raising kids in the Bayou City on 88.7 KUHF's Houston Matters

If you are a parent in Houston, or thinking about having kids, you might want to listen to this (interview embedded above). I scrapped thinking, writing or talking about Houston media for about 20 minutes and instead focused on parenting in a 88.7 KUHF Houston Matters segment over at Houston Public Media.

As some of you know, I am primarily a stay at home dad. The blog is something I do to keep busy while kids are at school or asleep. How could I hold a full-time job down and do this blog? That would be practically impossible.

Kelly Davis, the founder of the Houston Moms Blog, was with me as we took questions from host Craig Cohen and callers about the challenges and great parts of raising kids in Houston.

Got a great reaction from the listeners of Houston Matters over this, some of which will be coming up in a future blog post here! Tease, tease, tease.

If you are bored by me talking about anything other than media, then look no further to the link below where I was on Houston Matters talking the news biz with Houston Chronicle senior editor George Haj and former KTRH reporter and assistant news director Joe Householder.

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Mike McGuff talks media on KUHF's 'Houston Matters'

Anonymous commenters on the attack

Study finds most anonymous online comments to be uncivil

It's been an interesting few weeks around here concerning blog commenters. On my own blog, I've been called an idiot, a Nazi and those are just some of the nicer things.

Last week, I learned about the so-called Michael Berry Brigade in my comments section and was also personally blamed for 93.7 The Arrow KKRW becoming 93.7 The Beat KQBT. Remember Houston radio listeners, don't anger me or I might flip the format of your favorite station with a few keyboard strokes.

No one ever said online commenters were brainiacs? So just to be clear, I really do not have the power to change radio station formats. Changing television anchors? Now that's a different story...

One thing we do know is that commenters are mostly anonymous here and other online places. Now a University of Houston researcher has found that anonymity is key in empowering the name calling.

In the study, Virtuous or Vitriolic: The Effect of Anonymity on Civility in Online Newspaper Reader Comment Boards, UH assistant professor Arthur D. Santana found a significant correlation between anonymity and civility. Poring over thousands of online comments, Santana found that 53.3% of anonymous comments included language that was vulgar, racist, profane or hateful. However only 28.7% of non-anonymous comments were found to be uncivil. Sound the breaking news alert.

Can you imagine having to read thousands of newspaper site reader comments? Instead, I would have volunteered for the study on adult male reactions to Justin Bieber music if given a choice. Do you think I could become a Belieber?

"Anonymity has a long history in journalism dating back to the beginning of U.S. newspapers," Santana said in a release. "In the 1700s, Benjamin Franklin used the pseudonym Silence Dogood to get his opinion published after being denied several times with his real name. It has long been seen as a valuable way to express an opinion, however unpopular."

In today's politically correct world, where one unpopular comment could get you canned from your job, the tradition continues.

Santana, a former journalist at newspapers like the San Antonio Express-News, The Seattle Times and The Washington Post, says the "online disinhibition effect" is at play. The effect predicts when people's identity is hidden, their actions or words have no consequences, thus their inhibitions drop. So under the cloak of online anonymity, people are more likely to behave in ways that they ordinarily would not if their identity was intact.

So on my blog that means obsessing over KPRC 2 anchor Dominique Sachse in the comments section - even if the post is not about her. Although maybe you know someone in your office who does this openly in real life too.

"One of the benefits of online anonymity is that it allows people to express their views, uninhibited, especially if it is an unpopular opinion," Santana said. "It's when commenting descends into hateful language, threats or racism that the conversation breaks down and any benefits of constructive dialogue goes away."

A constructive dialogue doesn't seem to be on many Houston TV and newspaper online commenters' minds from what I've seen over the years.

Some of Santana's findings:
- Non-anonymous commenters were nearly three times as likely to post civil comments.
- 44% of non-anonymous commenters posted civil comments following news articles compared to 15% of anonymous commenters.
- Vexed with an overwhelming number of uncivil comments that threaten to undermine the value of their commenting forums, newspapers are increasingly disallowing anonymity by making readers sign in with their Facebook account; 48.9% of the 137 largest U.S. newspapers have disallowed anonymity in their commenting forums, 41.6% allow anonymity and 9.4% do not have forums.
- Comparing comments following a racialized topic and a non-racialized topic, Santana observed that comments that followed the racialized topic were significantly more likely to be uncivil.

"These findings should be of interest to those newspapers that allow anonymity and that have expressed frustration with rampant incivility and ad hominem attacks in their commenting forums," Santana said. "Particularly those that follow sensitive news topics."

The study mentions how news organizations like the Huffington Post hope banning anonymous commenting will allow more people to join the conversation.

"Incivility serves as a barrier," Santana said. "People don’t want to enter the fray when there are a bunch of bullies in the room. Why would you want to join a conversation when everyone is shouting at each other? It’s possible to be forceful, robust and emotional in your argument, but when even a small minority of people resort to hateful or even intimidating language, others are reluctant to join a conversation."

Read the study for yourself here.

Katherine Whaley's Dash of Decadence

KHOU 11 anchor Katherine Whaley's blog could help you in the kitchen

Katherine Whaley

KHOU 11 noon anchor/morning traffic reporter Katherine Whaley is clearly known for her TV journalism career, but off camera, you might find the native Houstonian in the kitchen and blogging.

Whaley, a Rice University graduate, talked to me about her cooking blog, Dash of Decadence, which, "represents the idea that you can create a little bit of luxury in everyday life, especially at the table."
No advanced culinary skills are needed to enjoy this blog, since Whaley says she wants it to be a guide for any learning or experienced home chef.

Mike McGuff: What made you start writing a food blog?

Katherine Whaley: It’s fun! Food blogging is a combination of some of the activities I love most: cooking, writing, and photography. It was also practical -- people would ask for a recipe I had made, and posting to a blog was the most efficient way to share my creations with friends, family, and viewers. Because I give a little bit of background in each entry (who I was cooking for, the occasion, etc.), the blog has evolved into a journal of special memories I shared over food. Plus, it’s my blog, so I get to be the boss! How fun is that?!

How long have you been a foodie?

Being a TV reporter turned me into a foodie! The news business brought me to several cities with specific regional cuisine, and I was curious about how to cook those dishes at home. When I worked at the CBS affiliate in Lafayette, Louisiana, I picked up tips on gumbo, sweet potato pie, and fried okra. When I worked at the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to interview chefs who made “fancy food” -- lobster bisque, foie gras, foams, powders, truffles, towers, and so on. I ate it up! But, I wasn't always an adventurous eater – I subsisted on hot dogs and PB&J until I was about ten.

How difficult are the recipes you post for the average home chef to make?

Easy…Seriously! I post pictures of all of the ingredients and steps of each recipe. It’s very visual. Some dishes are perfect for quick, healthy weeknight dinners, others are better suited for occasions where you really want to “wow” your dining companions with something sinful. I’m a “little bit of this, little bit of that” kind of cook, so blogging encouraged me to record the process.

What is your favorite dish/food type?

Tough question! I eat whatever I’m craving, and I will try just about anything. I’ve been cooking a lot of Italian lately since it is such a crowd-pleaser, but there’s rarely a week that goes by without a Tex-Mex run. I like rich food (think chocolate, red meat, and cream sauces), but I balance it out by cooking with a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially in summer. Houston boasts an abundance of innovative cuisine, so I am always on the hunt for new or undiscovered restaurants!

www.dashofdecadence.com

KHOU 11 and CultureMap team up

Previously CultureMap Houston teamed up with KTRK 13's website abc13.com in a content sharing agreement. However today, I received this release from KHOU 11 about teaming up with Culturemap:

KHOU 11, the CBS affiliate in Houston, and CultureMap, Houston’s daily digital magazine, announced today that they will embark on a content sharing partnership spanning television, web, digital and social media platforms.

“We are very excited to kick-off this collaboration with CultureMap,” said Susan McEldoon, KHOU 11 President and General Manager. “We are always looking for fresh, new ways to better serve our local audience. This relationship provides both of our organizations the opportunity to enhance our product with quality content that is relevant, unique and local.”

“CultureMap is pleased to work with KHOU 11 on such a dynamic partnership with such a great partner,” said Stephen Newman, CEO of CultureMap. “Our goal as Houston’s daily digital magazine is to provide the most up-to-date news and information on Houston culture, lifestyle and quality of life. As a result of this partnership, we will heighten our audience experience of the site, providing deeper insider intelligence and a platform for discussion.”
Starting immediately, KHOU 11 will feature CultureMap content in live programming, including the “CultureMap Moment” in newscasts and segments on its morning talk show Great Day Houston. KHOU 11 will also expand its digital offerings by linking to CultureMap content.

“KHOU 11 digital users will have immediate access to the latest information from CultureMap, including what’s hot on the social scene, the best in local cuisine, home & design, fashion – the list goes on. Headlines will be updated daily and available with a click on KHOU.com and by downloading the KHOU 11 app for smartphones and iPad,” added Christine DiStadio, KHOU 11 Director of Digital Media.
Likewise, CultureMap will feature the latest news and featured videos from KHOU 11 on its homepage and throughout the site. Plus, breaking news from KHOU 11 will be updated instantaneously on CultureMap as it happens. Culturally relevant content from the TV station will appear on the site in other areas such as fashion, art, sports and food/drink.

“Our highly regarded editorial team and contributors will work closely with KHOU 11’s award-winning news teams to report on stories, places and people that matter in the greater Houston area,” said Clifford Pugh, Editor-in-Chief of CultureMap. “Our goal is to establish a network of information sharing that is mutually beneficial to both news organizations.”

“We both know Houston and are dedicated to telling compelling stories about this great city,” said KHOU 11’s Executive News Director Philip Bruce. “It’s really like two old friends coming together to share things they’ve learned about a place they love. And the great thing about it is that we’ll never run out of stories to tell.”

Fox 26 KRIV gives Isiah Carey AKA The Insite news segment

The Isiah Factor - Suspicious Reporter, Sunny Side Politics, Boot: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

As a blogger, I was pleasantly surprised to see Isiah Carey AKA The Insite get his own blog segment on Fox 26 KRIV. That's right, at 5pm everyday (and in other KRIV newscasts at times too), the Isiah Factor comes on the air.

"This is the most fun I've had on TV in a while," Carey told mikemcguff.com. "It gives me a chance to tell the quirky stories and all of the crazy things that happen behind the scenes. So far I've had the McDonald's customer who went off on an employee over a Hot and Spicy burger and the news crew who looks suspect."

Speaking of news crews, any Insite reader will be able to tell you that Carey always has a great behind the scenes look into the Houston TV news world and his own KRIV stories. For example, you can watch the above clip where Carey and photographer Torrey T-Dub Walker were shooting a story in Meyerland and the cops were called on them. Here is the blog version.

"It wasn't my idea, but the brainchild of my News Director Tom Doerr and General Manager D'art Bebel," Carey told me. "They said, 'Isiah, we want you to put some of the stories from the Insite on TV.' I was like a kid in a candy store when they said that."

I'm impressed that KRIV has such a supportive role in this. Most stations around the country would not let a reporter have their own blog segment on air, much less about a personal blog. If a segment like this was actually allowed, most likely a station would want that blog to be on its own website so it collected the ad money.

I used to work for a TV station where a manager would stop me in the halls and say they were reading my blog everyday. That actually sent a chill down my spine because I knew they weren't reading because they liked it. Those types of incidents put a chilling effect on your blog and work.  In fact, now that blogs have been around awhile and we can look back in hindsight, I would recommend to TV station employees (and anyone at a corporation) not to write a personal blog.  It's probably not worth your career.

Back to Carey, you might have recognized the Isiah Factor branding from a promo the station launched earlier this year.

carey2.blogspot.com

Texas Iconoclast tackles Texas politics, media and culture from the center-right

My venture into the blogging world started in 2005 after I interviewed Charles Kuffner of Off the Kuff and Kevin Whited/Anne Linehan of blogHOUSTON for a KTRK abc13.com article (I was actually using my full name as a byline back then).  Both blogs have loyal followers and lots of influence on Houston and Texas issues.

Now a new chapter opens for Whited as he starts a blog with Evan of Perry vs World and Cory Crow of Harris County Almanac (and Lose an Eye, It’s a Sport before that).

I chatted with Whited and Crow over email about Texas Iconoclast, which they describe as a review of Texas politics, media and culture from a center-right perspective. The site officially launched a few weeks ago.

Why did you start Texas Iconoclast and what will it cover?

Cory Crow: For me, Iconoclast was all about filling a hole in Texas political coverage. To avoid the old "liberal bias" cliche I think that what you see from Texas MSM is a statist view of the world where there's no government solution that can't find a problem to attach itself to. Iconoclast was designed to counter that. Hopefully it will be done with with wit, and some unique insight.

Kevin Whited: I'm pretty sure you've heard my lament that so many political bloggers cover national politics, and so few cover local and state. I've talked to various right-bloggers for a long time about doing a group blog focused on Texas, but we just never achieved critical mass... until recently.

I think what you're going to see from us is a unique perspective on Texas politics.... and sometimes the journalists who cover Texas politics. You'll see a defense of the idea of limited government, and respect for the social mores of Texans (broadly speaking), and promotion of Texas as a place of opportunity and innovation. You might see us complain a little if those perspectives are poorly represented in MSM reporting, or if the statist perspective is overrepresented.

Why are there two separate blogs (morning roundup links and lengthier commentary)?

Kevin: As we were tossing around ideas for the site, we spent some time discussing the sorts of sites WE found most useful. The ones that came up frequently were aggregation/curation sorts of sites. For me, sites like Real Clear Politics and Brothers Judd get my day started -- and in Texas, Texas Tribune's morning roundup and Jason Embry's roundup for the Statesman. We decided to front our project that way -- but with our political perspective. We thought it made more sense to break out longer commentary in its own place.

Cory: The round-up is designed to be just that, a daily link blog of most of the news that's news in Texas. The blog is the place where the editors (Evan, Kevin and myself) can go long-form on issues, elections, etc.

What has the reaction been?

Kevin: Good so far. I think it's harder than ever for new blogs to get traffic, but we seem to be picking up some interest from some of the other state bloggers, and some journos and some think tankers. That's encouraging.

Cory: So far, fairly positive. I'm not sure of the exact count of unique visits, but I know it's growing. So far our commentary has been productive as well.

With your other blogs, are you going to run out of time/material?

Kevin: Time always seems to be the enemy! As material goes, I think that could potentially affect Cory and Evan a little more than me, as they've written a lot -- and smartly -- about state politics for a long time on their own blogs, whereas I've done much less.

Cory: I doubt it. Harris County Almanac is primarily Houston/Harris County centric and I rarely venture into other topics. Plus, that blog is more based on humor and sarcasm while Iconoclast is more serious in nature. One thing I've learned, there's always PLENTY of stuff to blog about.

Anything else you want to add?

Cory: I encourage people to comment, and to send us links that we might miss. Also, if anyone has something that they think needs to be addressed from a center-right perspective they can always drop us a line. We hope this grows over time into something people of all political stripes can use, even if they don't always agree with us.

texasiconoclast.com

Former KTRK 13 staffer becomes Houston Chronicle blogger

I've been blogging about David Yarbrough since 2008 when he gave me a makeover with the pictured poncho (we met as colleagues at KTRK 13). His popular Style Points blog has landed him as a guest blogger on mikemcguff.com and now a more permanent home on the Houston Chronicle's website.

Style Profile - Rise to the occasion with men's fashion expert David Yarbrough - is one of the newest blogs on chron.com. Make sure to check it out.  You might actually learn something that can help you unlike the junk my blog.

http://blogs.chron.com/styleprofile/

RELATED
- Top 10 fashion mistakes men make - and how to avoid them

Top 10 fashion mistakes men make - and how to avoid them

Houston blogger David Yarbrough (a former KTRK 13 colleague) of Style Points blogs about the ten mental errors concerning menswear for the mikemcguff.com blog:

Freedom of expression is indeed one of the fundamentals of American life, and many a fashion statement has been made in public and private circles for generations. Some are poignant (like the tuxedo), while others, quite frankly, should not be tried at home (MC Hammer’s “diaper pants”).

For the everyday man who dresses for success, an important goal that goes without saying is to not look out of place. Here is my “top 10” list of mistakes that can turn the most savvy of men into social deviants in a hurry:

10. Not knowing how to tie a bow tie. I rated this at No. 10 only because men can use pre-tied bow ties (or perhaps rely on women) to avoid having to do it manually. For starters, the bow tie is an important part of wearing a tuxedo. Tying a bow tie, like anything else that is worth being good at, requires practice. Here’s a head’s up: If you know how to tie your shoe, you already know how to tie a bow tie. Now, prove it to yourself in the mirror.

9. Socks that expose the leg while seated. Over-the-calf socks are a surefire way to ensure full coverage when a man crosses his legs in a sitting position. Anything less is uncivilized. Who wants to see a hairy leg?

8. A lack of coordination. Not coordinating the color of your shoes with your belt. This probably is no big deal when you’re in grade school. But it counts when you reach adulthood. Same goes for the color of a pocket square matching up with the tie and/or shirt.

7. Unpolished shoes. People will quickly notice two things about you: Your head and your toes.
When it comes to the latter, your footwear conveys whether you mean business or are in casual mode. Polished shoes are the finishing touch to a professional presentation; unpolished shoes suggest that you care less than the guy who does.

6. Wearing cap-toe shoes with a tuxedo. There’s very much a regimen in place when it comes to formal wear. Patent leather shoes are the first choice, in either a plain-toe lace-up or a pump with grosgrain bow. Plan B is a polished black calfskin shoe or pump. Cap-toe shoes are more appropriate with business attire, not formal attire.

5. Excessive jewelry. Only winning sports franchises such as the New York Yankees, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys can lay claim to the “bling” dynasty, where over-the-top-looking rings are definitely for show-n-tell. Unless you’re a member of a championship team, wearing such baubles in public can distort your look. Thick necklaces also send a message of ostentatiousness. Simple, elegant pieces such as a sterling silver signet ring or a titanium watch can go a long way for men.

4. Underestimating the power of a manicure. A firm handshake says something about an individual, man or woman. A woman once commented that my hands were soft but that my nails were unusually long. I immediately went to CVS and got nail clippers. Long nails not only are not cool for a man, but dirt can get underneath more easily. Investing in a manicure (and a pedicure, while you’re at it) is money well spent.

3. Wearing patterns that compete. Guys wanting to look smart can outsmart themselves sometimes. For example, a plaid jacket may work well with a striped shirt and a paisley tie. But a plaid shirt risks clashing with a plaid jacket, or a striped tie may get lost in front of a striped shirt. Integrating solids with patterns removes clutter. In other words, less is more when it comes to wearing patterns.

2. Ill-fitting clothing. Even if you got a great deal on a Kiton suit off the rack, you will have wasted your money if you bought the wrong size. Any reputable tailor will tell you upfront whether radical alterations would work. Also, wearing trousers that are too short will result in automatic membership to the Pee Wee Herman fan club.

1. Taking “casual Friday” too far. In work environments where suits are worn every day (law firms, accounting firms, banks, to name a few), blazers and khakis for men might be considered an option. The “casual Friday” concept, however, has encountered a rather slippery slope. Jeans and T shirts, shorts and sneakers can test the sartorial sensibilities of the workplace. In the words of some dapper-looking ESPN talking head: “C’mon, man!” Common sense has to kick in sometime, where a man doesn’t have to look like a grunged-out skateboarder in his cubicle. If your take your image seriously, others will treat you accordingly.

David Yarbrough has served as a fashion consultant on various Houston television stations.

READ MORE OF DAVID'S WORK

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:

My KIAH 39 NewsFix Imaginator resume cover letter

OK here it is. I told you I was going to use your suggestions to apply for the KIAH 39 NewsFix Imaginator position. This is the job Tribune Company says will revolutionize news.

Thanks to everyone who has shown support for my application process - from those in the Houston media to bloggers.

Please comment your critiques on my cover letter for the Imaginator job. Think of it as your way to let KIAH and other TV news managers know what you are thinking. Considering what the job is calling for and the tone of the job description, should I cuss more? Be more rock and roll? Talk myself up more? Use proper spelling and grammar?

Here it is:

I saw a bumper sticker on Loop 610 last weekend that read "TV Sucks: Ride a bike." While I am not much of a bike rider anymore, I have to say much of TV does suck including local news. News viewers are not turning it on as much, not tuning in, only dropping out.

We can change that.

For NewsFix to work, you're going to have to hire someone like me who is tuned into the Houston community (even more rare, I am a native Houstonian). Things that work on TV/radio in Houston...only work here. Did you ever see a Marvin Zindler report?

My blog has more than 20,000 unique readers a month. I was voted top Twitterer in Houston by the Houston Press readers for 2009. Keep in mind that I am only some dude with a free blogger.com account...imagine what I could do with a damn TV transmitter!

My bosses at KTRK used to say Mike McGuff is the best at merging television and the web. That's why I'm the only person in Texas to have two Lone Star EMMY Advanced Media Awards to my name in two years. Not only that, but I also won First and Second place in Best Online/Special Content from the Texas AP in the same year!

But before you throw my resume out because "I have too much TV experience" keep reading. What I'm saying is you need a guy like me who knows what's really going on in Houston and is connected. There are people in this city who would love to contribute to the newscast. Want investigative reports? Groups like Texas Watchdog are doing the journalism, NewsFix could provide the time. Want to know what hot new restaurant is going into that old famous building in Montrose? Swamplot has your answer. Want the latest society scoop, Culturemap knows.

I'm the one to bring all these parties together and actually get it on TV so viewers aren't being subjected to some guy giving his opinion on high gas prices in the predictable "man on the street" interviews. Don't even get me started on live shots at night where it looks like the reporter is reporting from their closet.

Speaking of the online world, you could totally dominate with what I can do. Wanna experience how much I know about online? This cover letter was crowdsourced. Yeah, I took reader suggestions from my blog for ideas on this letter. You think Tribune is getting buzz off NewsFix? Well so am I! In fact, I want to bring in a camera to record my job interview with you! This is why the trades and news sites as far as Seattle pick up my coverage of the coming KIAH revolution.

Together we can stop the brain drain and BS in local news. Hurry up and call me, the viewers are dropping like flies out there from boredom. Don't let that be on your conscience.

As promised, if I get called in for an interview, I would like to bring in a video camera for at least part of it to be shown on this blog (it would be great to get a few minutes of the NewsFix pilot on mikemcguff.com too). I'm also considering the dress code. They want rock n' roll so I was thinking about slinging my electric guitar around my shoulder and heading into the job interview. I guess that is for another post though.

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- Mike McGuff resume
- KIAH 39 Imaginator job: Help me apply for it
- KIAH 39 dumps traditional newscasts
- NewsFix pilot debuts to KIAH 39 staff - terrorists referred to as 'bozos' in story

KIAH 39's NewsFix worries TV anchors, Jonathan Novack talks and more

KIAH-TV's plan to air anchorless news has NYC anchors wondering where bond with viewers has gone
Word that KIAH 39 Houston is considering anchorless news called NewsFix has TV anchors wondering whether this is the next wave of TV news or just a stunt to draw attention by a station with low ratings.

The Bachelor Pad Weatherman reveals all: Jonathan Novack spills on his tell-all, his comedy career and Ali
Jimmy Kimmel and everyone else may refer to him as "The Weatherman" but we still think of Jonathan Novack as our hometown heartthrob.

Call former KENS 5 anchor 'Judge Marrou'
Maybe KENS-TV should launch a new afternoon show called "Judge Chris," considering the station's most popular anchorman in San Antonio history just added that title to his resume.

Russ Martin Scores Early
Russ Martin returned to the North Texas airwaves on July 12, and in the first three days, he brought in some big numbers for KEGL 97.1. In the 18-to-34 demo, during the 6 to 10 a.m. slot, he took the station from No. 15 to No. 3.

Fox News' Digital Divide
Dominant cable news net’s site lags rival CNN.com. Why?

Who is spending money on Houston radio
The #1 radio advertiser in Houston last week was Gallery Furniture with 855 spots. Coming in #2, was Verizon with 801 ads, while Chase was #3, up from #67, with 635 commercials.

Six reasons to watch local news project TBD’s launch
Washington DC television station WJLA and parent company launch new kind of news website.

Fox bets on BlogHer
Twentieth Century Fox is betting that BlogHer -- the world's largest conference for social networking women -- is on its way to becoming the new Comic-Con.

Future of Houston Chronicle and chron.com

The panel discussion I was on with Dean Betz of chron.com this past Saturday at the Wordcamp Houston conference held in the Houston Museum of Natural Science went quite well.

It was lead by Monica Danna aka Cosmopolitician and we discussed the line between online journalists and bloggers. Plus how the 2009 FTC Online Disclosure Law has affected the way bloggers do their thing.

Thanks for all of the great feedback in the event and afterwards on Twitter. It's even still coming days afterwards and I appreciate that.

What I am writing about here is what happened towards the end of the event. Having one of the top people at chron.com gave the audience (and me) great insight to chron.com's future.

Here are the things Dean answered from audience questions that I am now posting from memory:

- The Houston Chronicle has no plans to cut home paper delivery service. What you will probably see however is the paper's size and dimensions physically shrink.

- The paper side of the operation is continuing to publish new niche products.

- The idea of a pay wall is over. Newspapers were thinking about it, but realized like the rest of us, they just aren't going to work.

- However there will be a premium area on chron.com with special content.

- Chron.com is developing an iPad app. There will also be apps for other tablet types other than Apple.

- One of most important things in 2010 that chron.com has done is to put reader tweets on the front page of the site.

I am excited to see what comes next for the Houston newspaper and its website.

RELATED
- Houston Chronicle editor Jeff Cohen talks future of paper
- Houston Chronicle takes over Texas...sort of
- Chronicle lets the 'citizens' do the sports writing

Will the FTC fine your blog or social media account?

Here are some helpful links I will be talking about during the Journalist vs. Blogger: Understanding the FTC Online Disclosure Law panel at WordCamp Houston.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Revised Endorsement Guides (for bloggers/social media)

FTC Seeks to Clarify -- and Justify -- Its Blogger Endorsement Guidelines

FTC Endorsement Rules Get Their First Workout

Is the FTC Really Going To Sue Bloggers?

FTC Endorsement Rules Get Their First Workout

RELATED
Bloggers get smacked down for free products

FTC Guidelines Include Affiliate Links

Mike McGuff serves on panel at WordCamp Houston Saturday

I'm pleased to announce I will be on a panel discussion concerning the media and blogs with Houston Chronicle notable Dean Betz Saturday. It will be moderated by Monica Danna aka Cosmopolitician.

It's all apart of the all day WordCamp Houston taking place at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

WordCamp Houston scored a great keynote speaker too - Matt Mullenweg, founder WordPress + Automattic. You can't get much better than the guy who created WordPress for a blogging conference!

http://www.wordcamphouston.com

RELATED
Why I write the mikemcguff.com blog and other dark secrets

Lady Gaga's Houston adventures

I know Lady Gaga is one of the biggest stars in the world. So I figured you might enjoy some of the blog coverage of her Houston visit - from on stage to around the Bayou City.

AROUND HOUSTON
- Tracking Lady Gaga's Houston adventure: From the St. Regis pool to Dirt Bar
- Lady Gaga dines late at Spanish Flowers and goes unnoticed

THE CONCERT
- Backstage with Lady Gaga: Only Lynn Wyatt and her lucky friends get to share the love
- Lady Gaga's "Monster" show is a perfect mix of theater, dance, sex, scandal, horror & parental dysfunction
- Lady Gaga At Toyota Center - Again

FANS AND FASHION
- "Monsters" dress to impress their idol, Lady Gaga
- Lady Gaga Style Tips From Two Houston Experts

Why I write the mikemcguff.com blog and other dark secrets

Julio Ceniceros of Spark Houston must have run out of people to interview because he chose me as his latest profile piece.

So if you want to know why I started the blog, what inspired me, my all time favorite post...etc. Then click here.

It's stuff I'm not going to talk about on this blog because I want to maintain your interest. Although there is a funny Michael Berry story in there.

blogHOUSTON'S Kevin Whited to join Chronicle editorial board

I just heard that Kevin Whited of blogHOUSTON has just agreed to join the Chronicle's editorial board. This is kind of surprising actually.

READ HIS FIRST PIECE (He really is going after the media and politicians in this one!...Ouch)

mikemcguff.com to offer premium subscription for $500 a month

It's no secret how the media is always looking to generate more revenue from Web sites. I am joining the fray. Starting tomorrow, there will be a $500 a month premium version of mikemcguff.com. It's a tremendous buy for you.

What you will get when you starting paying a monthly fee:

- Sexually provocative photos of Mike McGuff
- Analysis of past episodes of Be Good Johnny Weir and Kell on Earth
- A newsletter about Motley Crue and Ratt
- Breaking emails on Sam Malone's whereabouts (that is practically free on the main blog though)
- Photos of my old desk at Channel 13 KTRK (and secret looks at the station's snack machines)
- My Houston Mayor Annise Parker interview on DVD with commentary channel by Jeff Ehling
- A weekly podcast devoted to Michael Garfield's hair
- Free access to isfullofcrap.com
- Some of my best stalker letters sent to Miya Shay, Owen Conflenti and The Insite
- A weekly autographed photo of Bob Martin aka "The Accountant to the Stars"
- Tips on getting news desk assignment planners to cover every story you want on TV
- A chance to touch all of Mark Greenblatt's awards

Don't delay...hurry up and sign up here.

Your subscription could save all of new media.