Deborah Duncan is celebrating 20 years with KHOU 11 Houston, first as a morning news anchor, then as host of "Great Day Houston."
And to think, the multiple award-winning Duncan originally was on a track for a pediatric neurosurgeon career, but a drama teacher and family member who worked for CBS convinced her to try journalism.
"I really know what it means now, when people say, 'Time flies when you're having fun,'" Duncan posted on Instagram. "Thanks to all my co-workers for making 20 years such a labor of love! I love you all!!! And to our viewers and past live audience members, thanks for letting us share your stories and highlight Houston!"
"HAPPY WORK ANNIVERSARY to my first TV wife @deborahduncankhoutv," wrote anchor Ron Treviño who just celebrated 40 years with channel 11. "20 years at @khou11 !!! Thanks for all you’ve done for the community. And extra thanks for always being there for me! Love you, mija!"
Back when Duncan and Treviño co-anchored mornings together starting in December 2002, the news duo really made a splash in the television ratings.
But there is no denying that Duncan is meant to host a talk show. In fact, she had just wrapped up her time hosting the "Debra Duncan Show" for abc13 KTRK across the street before starting with KHOU.
Before moving to Houston, Duncan was host of "Good Morning Texas" at KHOU sister-station WFAA 8 Dallas - Fort Worth.
Prior to North Texas, the University of Texas Austin grad, after radio, got her television start at Austin stations KTBC 7 as a reporter and then anchor for KVUE 24.
Someone emailed me a tip this morning saying that Deborah Duncan, who anchors the morning news on KHOU Channel 11, is going to be the new host for Great Day Houston!
As I told you before, former host Whitney Casey just left to do a relationship show on 1070 KTNH, write a book called Manopoly and still write her relationship column in the Houston Chronicle.
Back to Deborah Duncan, if this is true, she will leave her morning show role and be back on morning talk television. This tip sounds reliable since Duncan used to host a morning talk show for a number of years in Houston. Duncan also recently hosted a radio show on 740 KTRH.
It’s become increasingly rare for Houston TV hosts or anchors to have a restaurant menu item named after them.
But KHOU 11's "Great Day Houston" host Deborah Duncan has risen to the occasion, with Ciro's Italian Grill on the Katy Freeway introducing a pizza in her honor.
"When it comes to pizza, everyone talks about deep dish, Chicago Style vs Detroit and New York. Thin and crispy or thick, soft and fluffy," Duncan told mikemcguff.com. "I love it all, but my body doesn't love it later. Ciro offered a solution with a twist.
"It's the cauliflower crust but with a pesto sauce instead of tomato sauce. Cheese, fresh sliced cherry tomatoes, and basil. Simple but flavorful! For those of you who say you don't like cauliflower, the key is quality ingredients. You can't tell the difference in taste. I love 'my' pizza without regret. I believe that's Amore!"
Duncan’s journey to menu-worthy status includes recently celebrating 20 years at KHOU, with earlier stints at abc13 KTRK, WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth, KTBC 7 Austin, and KVUE Austin.
Other Houston media figures have also achieved this distinction.
Michelle Baden, Miya Shay, Lara Bell (Photo: Barfield Photography)
Guests enjoyed many generous moments at the Second Annual "A Time to Care" Luncheon benefitting The Rose at the Junior League of Houston on Tuesday afternoon. Co-chairs Jessica Rossman and Michelle Meissner were tickled pink when this year's Master of Ceremonies Ernie Manouse of PBS, along with more than 260 guests, helped raise more than $87,000 for advanced breast cancer screening, diagnostic services and access to treatment to more than 35,000 insured and uninsured women annually.
Deborah Duncan of KHOU's Great Day Houston set the mood as she welcomed guests to the Second Annual "A Time to Care" Luncheon. Guests enjoyed a three course meal and refreshments while Ernie Manouse and luncheon speaker Dan Moore, CEO of Cyberonics, sat down for an open and engaging conversation about the importance of taking the time to care for the ones who matter the most, whether they be friends, family or employees.
Texas State Representative Gene Wu presented The Rose with a resolution that recognizes the nonprofit breast cancer organization and its second annual fundraising luncheon. The resolution states that those associated with the event should be extended best wishes for continued success.
For a sweet take-home treat, Mister French's Gourmet Bakery provided each guest with its sugar vanilla cookies. The cookies were meticulously hand decorated to the smallest detail and designed specifically for the event by Scott French himself. For every table, centerpieces included of assorted pink flowers in a glass vase were underwritten by Kroger. To thank all the heart-warming guests, bright fuchsia pink and green pashminas covered the Junior League of Houston Tea Room's chairs and were generously underwritten by Randall's.
Time flies with United Airlines as the raffle drawing for round trip business class tickets (anywhere in the U.S. Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America or Europe) raised $20,000. The raffle winner of the United Airline tickets was Amy Carr. Guests also opened up their big hearts and purchased raffle tickets for five fabulous packages that included spa treatments, dining, entertainment, getaways and more.
Those taking time to care included: The Rose Co-Founder and CEO Dorothy Gibbons, board members Myrleen Knott, Chair, Donna Mittendorf, Vice Chair, Tom Watson, Eileen Campbell along with guests Lara Bell, Bruce Padilla, Diane Caplan, KTRK's Sonia Azad and Miya Shay, Laurette Veres, Kim Padgett, Shelley Ludwick, Josh Espinedo, Kari Gonzales, Edward Sanchez, Peter Remington, Gracie Cavnar, Leisa Holland Nelson, Dana Kervin Clark, Beth Wilson, Texas State Representative Gene Wu, Ruchi Mukerjee, Kay King, Tina Governale, and Helen Perry.
(This post was taken from a release sent to me by The Padgett Group)
Hall opts not to attend Houston Chronicle screening with Parker
Top mayoral challenger Ben Hall refused to attend a candidate screening with incumbent Annise Parker at the Houston Chronicle Friday afternoon, just 15 minutes before it was scheduled to start.
CSN Houston ‘will not’ survive without bankruptcy, Comcast says
Comcast and the Astros traded tartly worded legal documents in their struggle over the future of Comcast SportsNet Houston on Tuesday, with less than two weeks to go before an Oct. 28 court hearing that could decide the fate of the network and its 130 employees.
Houston Firefighter on reality show
The A.R.K.N. Group is proud to announce the second episode of "Extreme Cheapskates" a reality show staring Marlin Thomas and his family. "Extreme Cheapskates" is a reality series produced by Sharp Entertainment about a family who struggles with their family member that is frugal. This episodes explores a frugal firefighter who goes through great lengths to save money. This is not Marlin Thomas first time on television; he was an extra on NBC Television Series "Chicago Fire" and he and his family are in talks with a television network for another reality series. Marlin is currently a Houston Firefighter and is pursuing a career as an actor. First episodes begin October 30th on the TLC Network
Channel 63 at 9pm.
San Antonio: Border Media Deals To Larry Wilson
L&L Broadcasting has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase radio stations from the Border Media Business Trust. Border Media Business Trust, LP owns eight radio stations located in and around San Antonio, Texas.
Leno goes for a spin at Circuit of the Americas
A special visitor stopped by Austin's Circuit Of The Americas on Thursday. Tonight Show host and car enthusiast Jay Leno took a spin out on the track ahead of NBC's coverage at the U.S. Grand Prix in November.
I'm asking because a guy on a Houston board has noted that she will not be on NewsRadio 740 KTRH Monday afternoon!
I went to the NewsRadio 740 KTRH web site and looked at the schedule page. Sure enough, no Deborah "Debra" Duncan on the roster. She still has an email link though.
Hmmmm....
First Atom Smasher and Maria Todd - now Deborah Duncan? It can't be!
Or is she just taking time off? It is still prime vacation time.
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who posted and let us know what was going on. Billboard's Radio Monitor is reporting the following:
Changes at KTRH/Houston, as Debra Duncan drops her 1-3pm airshift to concentrate on her TV and singing career. WOAI morning guy Joe Pags adds her shift.
Singing career? KHOU must have a lot of vocal talent in the drinking water.
KHOU 11's Great Day Houston host Deborah Duncan almost went the pediatric neurosurgeon career route but was steered into the broadcasting world by a her drama teacher and a family member who worked at CBS.
We learn this from a nice profile done on Duncan by the students at New Caney High School's EagleVision. (VIDEO ABOVE). Duncan also offers advice to those thinking about a career in broadcast journalism.
I am not putting this cheaply Photoshopped image up to say anything personally about Great Day Houston's Deborah Duncan on KHOU 11. No, this actually relates to Little Shop of Horrors! now in production at Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS).
It seems Duncan is the voice of Audrey II (the plant). I believe this is a prerecorded performance.CORRECTION: Ven Daniel says the performance is live.
Duncan is not the only Houston TV anchor to perform with TUTS. I am pretty sure that former KTRK 13 anchor Bob Boudreaux also hit the stage at Miller Outdoor Theater too.
Seeing how much research the show did going into this nearly 10-minute segment was amazing!
Duncan promised to have me on the show when I finished the doc—all the way back in February 2016! Below is an Instagram post from all those years ago!
And as I posted on Facebook, I even had more of a KTRK reunion when newly hired photographer/editor Vaughan Samples walked through the door to tape the segment!
No Mass Grave, but a Defamation Lawsuit
A Texas couple claim in court that they were defamed by major media companies, including The New York Times, Belo Corp., CNN, Thomson Reuters and ABC News, after a self-proclaimed psychic told the sherriff that 25 to 30 dismembered bodies were buried in a mass grave at their home.
Stegall backtracks, returns to Dallas
Casey Stegall, who left Fox4's Good Day in March 2007 to become a Los Angeles-based correspondent for Fox New Channel, is reversing course to become part of the cable network's Dallas bureau.
Isiah Carey on YouTube Celebrity, Homebodies and How the Devil Is Busy
Fox 26 investigative reporter Isiah Carey is a YouTube celebrity, an often dubious distinction and a source of embarrassment for many who are uncomfortable with that kind of spotlight, but Carey seems to revel in it.
After TV, Escamilla gets fit
After Randy Escamilla left his job as a TV reporter at WOAI in 2005, he acquired more than a new career as a public relations pro.
Two new reporters at KFOX
Channel 14-KFOX recently welcomed two new reporters to the Sun City - Ruben Veloz and Genevieve Curtis.
Jay Lee: Local Photographer Threatened With Lawsuit by Woman Who Used Copyrighted Photo Without Permission
When Houston photographer, Houston Chronicle blogger and KPFT tech-talk show co-host Jay Lee found out last month that one of his copyrighted pics of Houston's skyline had been used without permission on multiple Web sites, he sent the Web hosts a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice informing them of the situation.
Channel 11 KHOU's has replaced Deborah Duncan with Christine Haas out of Austin. The Houston Chronicle's David Barron has the scoop:
Christine Haas, winner of two Lone Star Emmy Awards during a five-year stint at KVUE in Austin, will join KHOU (Channel 11) next month to co-anchor the 5-7 a.m. newscast with Vicente Arenas.
Haas and Arenas will debut Aug. 25 alongside meteorologist David Paul and traffic reporter Darby Douglas, said Channel 11 news director Keith Connors.
Incumbent morning anchor Ron Trevino will continue anchoring at noon and will report for the evening newscasts. Shern-Min Chow, who has co-anchored the morning broadcast since Deborah Duncan's move this spring to host Great Day Houston, will return to weekends as the solo anchor. READ THE REST
Austin hasn't seen such big news as Haas leaving KVUE 24 since two Spelce's were on KEYE! OK, that 's all I got in the lame joke bag for today.
What is stranger is that while I was writing this, the song Christine Sixteen by KISS came on iTunes!
18th annual Haute for Hope Houston TV fashion show for the homeless children of Star of Hope
Event Chairs Shana Wood and Elizabeth Wood Edgeworth invited Houston’s best known radio, television and print personalities to strut their stuff on the runway to help raise money for the homeless children of Star of Hope.
During the 18th Annual Haute for Hope Celebrity Fashion Show & Luncheon media fashionistas walked the runway outfitted in summer creations from Kendra Scott, BB1 Classic, LUCHO, and NIMA Boutique & Bridal.
Star of Hope’s Children’s Critical Care Fund provides daily programs and services for infants to 18 years of age. Proceeds from the event helps ensure that children at the Mission will flourish emotionally and intellectually during their stay.
Star of Hope was able to serve over 1,800 children last year.
KPRC 2's Dominque Sachse (Photo: Daniel Ortiz)
KHOU 11's Deborah Duncan (Photo: Daniel Ortiz)
KHOU 11's Chita Johnson (Photo: Daniel Ortiz)
KPRC 2's Andy Cerota & KHOU 11's Courtney Perna (Photo: Daniel Ortiz)
FOX 26 KRIV's Melissa Wilson (Photo: Daniel Ortiz)
HOUSTON –– For the third time in eight years, KHOU took home the Lone Star EMMY Award Saturday night for overall Station Excellence. KHOU received 20 Lone Star EMMY Awards in various categories – topping all other stations in the Houston market.
Lone Star EMMY Awards are presented by the Lone Star Chapter of the National Television Academy and aim to recognize news excellence across the state of Texas. To see a complete list of winners and nominees, visit www.LoneStarEmmy.org.
Congratulations to KHOU’s Lone Star EMMY Award recipients listed here:
STATION EXCELLENCE
KHOU-TV Station Excellence
KHOU
Susan McEldoon, President & General Manager
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Star of Hope for the Holidays
KHOU
Deborah Duncan, Host/Senior Producer
Reggie Sadberry, Photographer/Editor
Lisa Shumate, Director of Programming and Marketing
Caroline Shumate, Songwriter
NEWSCAST - MORNING/DAYTIME - LARGER MARKETS (1-25)
11 News This Morning
KHOU
Keith Connors, Executive News Director
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT - SINGLE STORY
My Neighborhood Tax Fraud Service
KHOU
Jeremy Rogalski, Investigative Reporter
Keith Tomshe, Photojournalist/Editor
Under Fire: Discrimination and Corruption in the Texas National Guard
KHOU
Mark Greenblatt, Investigative Reporter
Keith Tomshe, Photojournalist/Editor
David Raziq, Executive Producer
FEATURE NEWS REPORT - LIGHT FEATURE / SERIES
Rescue Me
KHOU
Kevin Reece, Reporter
Ernesto Torres, News Photojournalist
Chris Desmond, News Photographer
BUSINESS/CONSUMER - NEWS SINGLE STORY / FEATURE
Corporations Helping Crooks
KHOU
Mark Greenblatt, Investigative Reporter
HUMAN INTEREST - NEWS SERIES
Powerless
KHOU
Frank McBride, Photographer/Editor
POLITICS/GOVERNMENT - NEW SERIES
City-Owned Slum Properties
KHOU
Jeremy Rogalski, Investigative Reporter
SPECIALTY ASSIGNMENT REPORT - NEWS SINGLE STORY/FEATURE
Dying to Breed: Panola County Puppy Mill
KHOU
Brad Woodard, Reporter
TEXAS HERITAGE - NEWS SINGLE STORY/SERIES/FEATURE
Black Cowboys
KHOU
Len Cannon, Reporter
Gus Pereyra, Photographer
WEATHER - NEWS SINGLE STORY/SERIES/FEATURE
Still No Home on the Range
KHOU
Brad Woodard, Reporter
WEATHER - PROGRAM/ SPECIAL / FEATURE/SEGMENT
Storm Warnings: Winds of Change
KHOU
Chris Nocera, Producer
Gene Norman, Chief Meteorologist
PROMOTION - NEWS PROMO - SINGLE SPOT
11 News - 2009 Year Ender
KHOU
Bobby Rigg, Promotions Producer
EDITOR - NEWS - WITHIN 24 HOURS
The Daily Grind '09-'10
KHOU
Todd Rogenthien, Photojournalist
ON-CAMERA TALENT - ANCHOR - NEWS
Live, Local, And On The Desk
KHOU
Christine Haas, News Anchor/Reporter
ON-CAMERA TALENT - PROGRAM HOST / MODERATOR / REPORTER - PROGRAMMING
Great Day
KHOU
Deborah Duncan, Show Host/Senior Producer
ON-CAMERA TALENT - REPORTER - INVESTIGATIVE
Jeremy Rogalski/11 News Defenders Investigations
KHOU
Jeremy Rogalski, Investigative Reporter
ON-CAMERA TALENT - REPORTER - SPECIALTY ASSIGNMENT / CONSUMER / MEDICAL
A Voice for the Voiceless: Brad Woodard Reports, 2010
KHOU
Brad Woodard, Reporter
Call out the helicopter, live trucks, email alerts...oh wait...I'm not a TV station...just a blog, but I do have breaking news!
A kind reader emailed me before 7am this morning saying promos were running on KHOU 11 heralding the return of none other than Ron Trevino to KHOU 11 News This Morning this Monday morning. You might remember Trevino used to anchor that very show with DebraDeborah Duncan a few years ago. This time around, Trevino will join Christine Haas, Katherine Whaley and David Paul (again).
"I'm really look forward to going back on the morning news," Trevino told mikemcguff.com. "It'll be a way to engage with our audience in a more personal way than a traditional newscast. And I specially love that part of it!"
After leaving the morning show, Trevino anchored channel 11's noon newscast and reported for the evening newscasts. That's a pretty good schedule. While a more high-profile gig, a morning anchor job has a much rougher hours.
"Waking up at 2:30 every morning to be at work so early? Well, I will have to get used to that all over again," Trevino told me. "I'm buying all new alarm clocks. You need several in case one breaks down or there's a power failure. It's like NASA...there has to be a backup to the backup. Failure to wakeup is NOT an option!"
When Trevino and Duncan sat at the morning anchor desk, KHOU 11's ratings in that time slot were quite formidable. Since both of their departures (Duncan went on to host Great Day Houston), the show has struggled to keep as many viewers. I always wondered if Trevino would make a return since he was waiting in the wings as they say. No doubt the name Ron Trevino has viewer recognition. According to Trevino's bio, "he is one of KHOU's award-winning journalists, bringing more than 30 years of television news experience to the anchor desk -- 25 of those years, right here at KHOU." That's impressive.
Trevino will be replacing Vicente Arenas who will return to his old schedule too. Arenas goes back to anchoring weekends with Shern-Min Chow.
HAPPY 10th: It's been a great decade for KHOU 11's 'Great Day Houston'
Get out the cake, KHOU 11's morning talk show "Great Day Houston" is ten years old. The show originally signed on the air with host Whitney Casey. Two years later, Houston talk show host veteran Deborah Duncan took over where she remains to this day.
And as you can see in the following video, Duncan is still on top and winning awards!
Michael Garfield was an influencer before the word was connected to online dancing and "get ready with me" moments.
"I had to do it the old-fashioned way," Garfield told mikemcguff.com. "I had to shake hands, knock on doors, and promote myself way before social media."
All that work is paying off as the broadcaster connected to the "High Tech Texan" brand is expanding his weekend 950 KPRC Houston show to Talk Radio 1190 KFXR Dallas and News Radio 1200 WOAI San Antonio (already airing in the Alamo City, hitting DFW airwaves this weekend).
With the syndicated radio show heading to other big-market Texas stations, Garfield's iHeartMedia boss, Bryan Erickson, told him, "It's a good thing you didn't call yourself the High Tech Houstonian."
That name never materialized because Garfield, AKA Garf to his fans, has been a statewide presence for many years, going back to where many people first heard of him, as the voice and face for then Time Warner Cable's "Road Runner" high-speed internet service. He would later contribute to WFAA 8 DFW.
Garfield's "High Tech Texan" branding moved from ad campaigns to the radio for the then eight Clear Channel Houston stations, including his now decades-running show on 950 KPRC.
In fact, at 23 years running, Garf's radio show is the longest-running local radio show in the history of the 100-year-old KPRC-AM. That gives Garf the second-longest tenure at the now-named iHeartMedia Houston radio stations, only behind Sunny 99.1 KODA morning host Dana Tyson.
Now that the long-lasting local show is going to North and South Texas, Garfield will introduce himself to the new listeners so they know he is beyond a potentially boring tech show about fixing computers.
"That's the last thing I will do or I have ever done," Garfield explained. "It's more about consumer lifestyle and products. I actually talk more about car and truck test drives and new recommendations than I talk about computers and laptops."
He certainly has the scoop on new auto releases. As a Texas Auto Writers Association member, Garfield no longer uses his personal car. A new one is delivered to his house every week for review. He estimates that in the past 15 years, he has test-driven more than 800 cars.
Beyond cars, Garfield delves into fashion trends and pop culture, all with a sense of humor.
"I answer many questions that people have before they go out and make purchases, large purchases, expensive purchases," Garfield told me. "But if you don't entertain them, I don't think a lot of people continue to tune in."
Even though he now joins the ranks of syndicated Houston radio show hosts such as Michael Berry and Jesse Kelly, Garfield avoids political talk.
"I do not engage in politics, but I, without a doubt, have my opinions, and I've probably ticked off a lot of Aggies over the years with my love for the Texas Longhorns," said Garfield, who attended the 2024 SEC Championship in a decked out University of Texas themed private jet. "That's about as controversial as I'll get."
While his radio career has steadily beamed through the airwaves, Garfield is also ready to supercharge his television resume.
"I started on TV," Garf said. "My first job was on QVC. I was the youngest show host ever to be on QVC at 24 years old. To be on national TV, you had to learn how to talk to viewers, position, and sell products."
The QVC experience landed Garfield on KPRC 2 Houston mornings in the early 2000s before radio and the Road Runner ads
Now, you can find him down the dial at KHOU 11 as a live field correspondent with Deborah Duncan on "Great Day Houston." He will also fill in as the "Great Day" host one day next week while Duncan taking time off.
"TV has always been a goal, it's always been a dream," Garf admitted. "I love doing it and I hope I can continue to do it before I get wrinkly and gray."
Not that Benjamin Button, like Garfield, has to worry about aging quickly with his daily workouts and the great head of hair he says he inherited from his mother.
Is it time to kill TV anchors?
The upcoming and much ballyhooed experiment with anchorless news at Tribune's KIAH Houston may allow broadcasters to gauge just how much value anchors still have these days.
Belo Corp. Launches Web-based Group Buying Program
Belo recently launched Yollar.com, a new Web-based group buying discount program. Yollar.com offers alerts, deals and discount offers from local businesses to consumers who sign up for the service.
UT gets go-ahead for TV network
Texas’ plans to create a Longhorns TV network took a step forward with the UT board of regents authorizing school president William Powers to negotiate and sign a deal with a broadcast partner.
Huddle up for new Houston football TV show
“Radio Faces” is a 30-minute talk show featuring Houston Chronicle sportswriter John McClain, former Houston Texans defensive end N.D. Kalu and radio sports commentator Barry Warner.
11 questions with 'Great Day' host Deborah Duncan
Most embarrassing moment: When hosting a show (KTRK 13 Debra Duncan Show), a motorcycle daredevil did a segment and asked me to get on the back of his bike. I had no idea he was going to pop a wheelie. I fell off, live on the air. It really hurt but as they say, the show must go on! And it did.
Pugs And Kelly Back Together
KELLY MOHR has rejoined JOHN "PUGS" MYRON on his "PUGS AND COMPANY" show at CLEAR CHANNEL brokered Talk KFXR-A/DALLAS.
Graci to program KLIF Dallas
KLIF/Dallas has a new PD as of November 15, when Jim Graci arrived at the Cumulus Talk outlet.
Inside The Wall Street Journal 'Hedcut' Drawings (VIDEO)
The Wall Street Journal is as famous for its iconic "hedcuts" -- the tiny, pointillist portraits that dot the pages of the newspaper -- as for its financial coverage. But how, exactly, do you draw one, and why has the Journal embraced them?
KOKE and The HORN transitioned from terrestrial over-the-air radio frequencies to an exclusive focus on digital streaming platforms. - Bob Cole & Eric Raines Exit KOKE-FM With Online Move
KXAN city hall/local government reporter Grace Reader re-signs with the station for three more years.
Someone emailed me a tip this morning saying that Deborah Duncan, who anchors the morning news on KHOU Channel 11, is going to be the new host for 
Is it time to kill TV anchors?
