Houston Life celebrates 10 years on KPRC 2

August 2026 marks 10 years since KPRC 2 Houston’s lifestyle program, Houston Life, first premiered, launching a decade-long run of live television, local personalities, celebrity guests, food, fashion, entertainment, and stories celebrating life in the Bayou City.

Houston Life debuted Monday, August 22, 2016, at 1 p.m., replacing Days of Our Lives in the time slot.

 The hour-long weekday program was designed to bring a new brand of live, local entertainment to Houston afternoons and showcase what made the city a great place to work, live, and play, the station said at the time.

From the beginning, Houston Life took an unconventional approach. Rather than broadcasting from a traditional television studio, the program originated live each weekday from The Galleria. The show's studio was located on Level 1, near Nordstrom and across from LensCrafters, allowing shoppers and fans to watch the production in person.

“The show will be a celebration of what is happening each day in our dynamic city,” KPRC 2 Vice President and General Manager Jerry Martin said when the program was announced. “It’s going to be jam-packed, high-energy and a lot of fun to watch.”

“We will tap into fashion, pop culture, food, music, lifestyle trends and hot topics,” added Don Graham, Executive Producer of Houston Life when it debuted. “And we will connect with viewers daily through social media so that they will have access to the show’s lively content anytime, anywhere.”

Graham brought considerable experience to the project. Before launching Houston Life, he spent years as the executive producer of Great Day Houston at KHOU 11. Earlier in his career, he also served as Executive in Charge of Production for The Gayle King Show in the 1990s.

The original Houston Life team featured co-hosts Derrick Shore and Jennifer Broome, along with reporters Stephanie (Gerry) Gilbert and Stephanie Gonzalez.

Shore joined KPRC 2 from Los Angeles, where he hosted SoCal Connected on KCET. An award-winning journalist, he had previously appeared on CBS News, NBC's Today, ABC's World News Now, Channel One News and Current TV. He also had credits in scripted television dramas and feature films.

Broome came to Houston Life from Denver, where she worked as a meteorologist at KDVR-TV and KWGN-TV. She already had a strong connection to Texas, having spent a decade as chief meteorologist at WOAI-TV in San Antonio from 2000 to 2010. 

The early days of Houston Life were not without their challenges.

Producing a live television show inside a shopping mall proved to be something of an experiment, with the crew having to deal with the unpredictable realities of broadcasting outside a conventional studio.

“Doing a LIVE show in that setting really was like a giant experiment,” Shore recalled.

One memorable mishap involved a local chef preparing chocolate mousse for a cooking segment. The chef arrived early to prepare the dish, but just before the segment was scheduled to go live, the entire dessert ended up on the floor.

The demonstration table was being moved onto the elevator floor of the set when it apparently became unbalanced.

“Somebody picked up that table, it wasn't balanced, and that whole dish went upside down on the floor of the set,” recalled Courtney Zavala, who would later become one of Houston Life's most recognizable co-hosts.

Broome's time on the program was relatively brief. In 2017, the original co-host announced she was leaving Houston Life. KPRC 2 turned to Zavala, a longtime member of the station's news team and former weekend morning anchor, to take over as Shore's co-host.

Zavala joined Shore and became a central part of Houston Life for the next several years.

In 2018, KPRC 2 added another memorable member to the Houston Life family: Tex, a 10-week-old male Maltipoo adopted from the Houston SPCA. The dog quickly became part of the show's personality and a familiar face to viewers.

That same year, Houston Life underwent another major change when the program moved from its Galleria location to the KPRC 2 studios on the Southwest Freeway. 

In 2019, Lauren Kelly joined the show as a reporter from MIX 96.5 KHMX mornings.  Kelly started contributing to the show in 2016 as a guest on its "Trending Topics" segment.

By 2020, Houston Life was ready for another significant change.

KPRC 2 announced that the program, which had become Houston's No. 1-rated daytime lifestyle program, would move from its 1 p.m. home to 3 p.m. beginning August 17, 2020. The new time slot positioned Houston Life as the lead-in to KPRC 2 News at 4 p.m. The 3 p.m. experiment, however, would not last permanently. In September 2022, KPRC 2 announced that Houston Life would move back to its original 1 p.m. time slot.

Then, in January 2023, another major chapter came to an end.  After more than 20 years at KPRC 2 and more than five years with Houston Life, Zavala left the station. January 17, 2023, was her final day on the program. Her departure marked the end of a significant era for Houston Life, but the show continued to evolve.

Later in 2023, Tessa Barrera joined Shore as the new co-host. Barrera was already a familiar voice to Houston radio listeners as co-host of The Rod Ryan Show on 94.5 The Buzz KTBZ. Barrera brought her radio background and energetic personality to the afternoon lifestyle program, joining Shore as Houston Life entered its eighth year on KPRC 2.

- Mike McGuff details epic Houston radio station 101 KLOL-FM in new documentary ‘Runaway Radio’

And after nearly a decade, another hosting change arrived in 2026. Barrera announced she would leave her Houston Life co-host position after three years on the program, with March 31, 2026, marking her final day on the show. She later joined Hello Houston in August 2026.

As Houston Life celebrates its 10th anniversary in August 2026, the program's history is ultimately a story about adaptation. What began as an ambitious experiment broadcasting live from a shopping mall has grown into a longtime fixture of KPRC 2's daytime lineup.

- Melanie Camp leaves KPRC's 'Houston Life'

Brooks Garner on air as tornado hits FOX 35 studios

Former KHOU 11 Houston meteorologist Brooks Garner covered a tornado live on air that was hitting his own station's studios at Lake Mary FOX 35 Orlando WOFL Central Florida, located in Seminole County.

"Everybody in the FOX 35 building, get to your safe space under your desk, if you're not in a designated area," Garner said on-air during the coverage. "We're catching debris right now on the roof. Debris is on the roof right now. We're hearing...you can see the debris flying there on the camera. This is a tornado! Seek shelter immediately."

WOFL reports that the EF2 tornado touched down at 9:36 a.m., with winds peaking at 115 mph. No fatalities or injuries were reported.

"We didn’t know how strong the tornado was going to be or what impacts it would have on the studio, as it approached and hit," Garner told mikemcguff.com.  "Thankfully, the building is strong, and the twister weakened a bit."

Garner joined FOX 35 Orlando in 2021 from FOX 31 KDVR and KWGN Denver.

FOX 26 Houston KRIV meteorologist Allison Gargaro came to Houston from FOX 35 Orlando in 2023.

 

Christine Noël joins FOX 31 Denver

Christine Noël announced she will join FOX 31 Denver KDVR as an evening co-anchor with Jeremy Hubbard starting January 22, 2025.

Here is what Noël said online:

"Denver, I’m (finally) baaack! I’m thrilled to announce I’ve joined the incredible team at @fox31denver — starting Jan 22nd, you can catch me alongside the incomparable @jeremyhubbard on FOX31 News at 5,9 & 10pm. 

When I moved back to Denver from Houston, I just kept praying the right position would open. 

During that time, my husband and I welcomed a beautiful son into the world and I have loved every moment of being fully present at home with him. 

Then God opened this door and I knew it was the right time and the right place—  and I couldn’t be more excited to share your stories in a place I call home. 

I’ve missed you, Colorado! Thank you for the warm welcome back to the airwaves #KDVR #Colorado #News"

I've been waiting for this moment, as Noël hinted in the past that she would be back anchoring TV news.

Houston television viewers will recognize Noël from her years at KPRC 2 were she anchored the afternoon newscasts from February 2019 to November 2022.

Noël's departure from KPRC occurred amid a series of anchor changes at the station in late 2022. Lisa Hernandez transitioned from morning anchoring to afternoons, while Sofia Ojeda, who had left KPRC earlier that summer, returned to take over Hernandez's role on KPRC 2 News Today with Owen Conflenti.

Before channel 2 Houston, Noël was a morning anchor for 9News KUSA Denver.

Prior to her time in Denver, the Hope College graduate built her career at WCCB 18 Charlotte and WZZM 13 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Guess which other former Houston anchor works for FOX 31?  Vicente Arenas, who worked for ABC13 KTRK, KHOU 11 and later CBS News.

Hema Mullur leaves CBS Austin

Hema Mullur announced on Facebook that she is leaving CBS Austin KEYE where she is a 5/6/6:30/10pm weeknight evening co-anchor.

Here is a portion of what Mullur posted on Facebook:

"After 9 years, my time at CBS Austin has come to an end. Thank you to the Central Texans who welcomed me into their homes nightly to tell stories, provide updates on breaking news, and serve as a trusted resource in times of crisis. I’ve celebrated the biggest milestones of my life in this city, so Austin will forever be a second home and have a piece of my heart. 

For now, I am relishing this extra time with my beautiful family. After 17 years of working the late news schedule, nothing feels sweeter than having dinner with my daughter and putting her to sleep at night without having to rush back to work! I’m taking the summer to rest and recharge before heading back this fall to continue earning my Juris Doctor at one of the best law schools in the nation. 

I did not plan to end my career as a journalist and looked forward to using my legal education in that capacity, but if I never find myself in another newsroom again I leave knowing I’ve done the kind of work and been the kind of teammate my communities and coworkers deserved. The number of people who have already reached out with a kind word tells me I’ve done at least one thing right over these many years. More than anything, I’m proud to be an Indian American woman who has thrived in an unconventional career path. I am sad Central Texas will no longer have that prominent representation, but I will forever cherish every comment I received from fellow South Asians who took the time to tell me how proud they were to see my face and hear my name on TV. "

Mullur joined KEYE 42 in 2014 from FOX31  KDVR and KWGN 2 Denver, Colorado where she was an evening anchor. 

The Plano raised anchor returned to school at The University of Texas School of Law in August 2022.

She married husband Bryan Ashton in 2020.

- Hema Mullur gives birth

The University of Texas at Austin grad (Plan II Honors and Broadcast Journalism) previously worked in such Texas TV markets as an anchor/reporter for KFOX 14 El Paso and morning anchor/reporter/producer for Newswest 9 KWES Midland/Odessa.

She interned for FOX 7 KTBC Austin.

Samantha Smerechniak and Karsen Buschjost leave ABC Big 2 News KMID Odessa/Midland

Samantha Smerechniak and Karsen Buschjost have both left ABC Big 2 News KMID Odessa/Midland.

UPDATE MAY 2023
Garrett Hottle joins KMID Big 2 News Odessa as evening anchor

Smerechniak was the "Good Morning Basin" anchor on KMID and KPEJ FOX 24 News.  Buschjost was the KMID weeknight evening anchor with Madalyn Bierster on the station's 5, 6 and 10pm newscasts.

"I wanted to say thank you to all the loyal viewers who let me into their home each morning," Smerechniak posted to Facebook.  "I feel so honored to have started the day off with so many of you, and I’ll definitely miss the town where I began my anchoring career. This isn’t a goodbye but a see you later west Texas! Thanks for all the amazing memories and lifelong connections."

"West Texas will always have a special place in my heart (especially the tacos at Taqueria Reynosa)," Buschjost posted on Facebook.  "Thank you to everyone who watched our newscasts and came up and said hi to me while I was out and about.  I’m thankful for my amazing coworkers, especially Madalyn Bierster who was a phenomenal coanchor and friend. For now you can catch me in San Diego where I’m pursuing different opportunities in life." 

Buschjost joined KMID in January 2021.  Smerechniak joined the sation in March 2021.  Both anchors came from KRNV News 4 Reno, Nevada.

Smerechniak is from Queens, NY, attended the "Fame" school - Fiorello H. Laguardia High School and graduated from Boston University. She interned with 7 News WHDH Boston and CBS News London. 

Buschjost graduated from Colorado State University and earned his master's degree from Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. He interned with KDVR Denver and News 4 San Antonio WOAI. 

Now I am no TMZ, but I think it's safe to say these two are a couple or at least have been.  The photos on Smerechniak's Instagram of the duo anchors holding hands on vacation and kissing kind of clue us in I guess. Plus when Smerechniak posted about her KMID hiring, she added "And even more excited about the cute evening anchor I’ve got my eyes on at the station @karsenbuschjost."

I contacted Smerechniak on social for verification, but never heard back. 

Stay tuned for what is next...

Cathy Hernandez and Brittany Jeffers new KPRC 2 weekend morning anchors?

KPRC 2 Houston weekend morning newscast viewers saw Cathy Hernandez and Brittany Jeffers behind the news desk Sunday, and from what mikemcguff.com understands, this is the new permanent 2023 "KPRC 2 News Today" weekend morning anchor team along with longtime meteorologist Khambrel Marshall.  

UPDATE APRIL 2023
Cathy Hernandez and Brittany Jeffers make it official

Hernandez and Jeffers apparently are not just fill-in anchoring as they have been off and on (with a mix of other KPRC talent), after Sofia Ojeda left the newscast last summer.

No word on which newscast Sabirah Rayford, who was hired to anchor the KPRC 2 News Today weekend morning news in 2021, will anchor from this point on.  Either way, she will still be a reporter during the week based on her normal schedule.

Hernandez joined KPRC as a temporary reporter from KDVR and KWGN Denver in 2015.  

RELATED
The time I interviewed Cathy Hernandez's mother!

The Houston native was made a full-time reporter in 2016. The University of Houston grad got her TV start as channel 2 associate producer, later moving on to KTSM 9 News and CBS4 Local KDBC El Paso. 

A former Houston Texans cheerleader, Hernandez recently returned to her NFL cheerleading duties for an alumni performance. She recently gave birth to her second daughter.  

Jeffers joined KPRC as a reporter in 2018 from CBS 11 KTVT Dallas - Fort Worth (now known as CBS News Texas as of February 2023). 

A finalist in the Miss America competition as Miss Nebraska, Jeffers previously worked for FOX23 KOKI-Tulsa, OK and KLKN Channel 8 in Lincoln, NE.  

Jeffers gave birth to her second child, a baby son, in 2021.

Hema Mullur is pregnant

Hema Mullur, CBS Austin KEYE 42 anchor, is expecting.

UPDATE JUNE 2023
Hema Mullur leaves CBS Austin

UPDATE 2022
Hema Mullur gives birth

Here is what the expecting Mullur posted on social media about her baby news!

"Breaking news!  Our Bundle of joy expected March 2022."

Mullur married Bryan Ashton in October 2020.

Before joining KEYE in 2014, the Plano raised University of Texas at Austin grad (Plan II Honors and Broadcast Journalism), anchored/reported for KDVR/KWGN Denver, Colorado.

The award-winning journalist also worked in such Texas television markets as an anchor/reporter for KFOX El Paso, and morning anchor/reporter/producer for KWES Midland/Odessa. Huma interned at FOX 7 KTBC Austin.

Why am I covering Denver on a Texas TV blog?

Denver TV news is becoming quite the topic on my blog lately!

I have noticed over the last months that Denver and Texas are swapping television journalists left and right and more and more Colorado-area folks are reading my blog.

Sure, we've seen Houston and Denver TV stations swap personnel over the years.  

We've watched Sally Mamdooh and Christine Noël join KPRC from the "Mile-High City." KHOU 11's general manager Robert Springer came here from Denver.  On the flip side, we saw KHOU 11 reporter Jacqueline Crea take off for Colorado.

At the same time we have to remember that Houston TV constantly hires and loses talent from/to all over the country at this point. 

But less than a month ago, practically on the same day, we saw:

- Britt Moreno leave CBS 4 Denver KCNC and join KXAN Austin

- Katie Orth, of ABC Big 2 News KMID/KPEJ Midland, join KWGN 2 Denver 

That was quickly followed a couple of days later by KVUE Austin reporter Luis de Leon joining 9News KUSA.

And finally this week, just because he still has a lot of fans writing in from his time at KHOU 11, I wrote about meteorologist Brooks Garner leaving FOX 31 KDVR - KWGN Denver for FOX 35 WOFL Orlando.

Brooks Garner joins FOX 35 WOFL Orlando

Erica and Brooks Garner back in their Houston KHOU days.

Brooks Garner, former KHOU 11 meteorologist, announced he is leaving FOX 31 KDVR and KWGN Denver for FOX 35 WOFL Orlando (FOX owned station).

RELATED SAME DAY POST
Tim Pandajis joins KHOU 11

"I’m pleased to share that I’m joining FOX 35 in Orlando as their weekday evening meteorologist, starting June 1st," Garner posted to Facebook. "I’m no stranger to Florida’s weather, as I’ve worked in Tampa TV and was born near Jacksonville. 

"I am delighted to return!  I look forward to bringing nearly 20 years of severe weather and hurricane season experience to the FOX 35 Storm Team. Thank you to everyone who has expressed such kind messages and well-wishes!"

Garner joined FOX 31 KDVR - KWGN Denver back in 2019.  Normally I don't remember what I was doing when I write blog posts, but for Garner's Denver gig, I actually do.  That day in July, I was in Las Vegas waiting to interview Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge. That's an interesting story for another time though. 

Back to Garner... his Houston television fans have been asking me to blog about TV Guide's "Sexiest Weathermen on Earth in 2015" current status, so here you go. 

Garner joined KHOU 11 back in 2013.

He previously worked for:
WFLA News Channel 8 Tampa
WIS Columbia, S.C.
KMEG Sioux City, Iowa.

The award-winning met is a graduate of Mississippi State University’s broadcast meteorology program and the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston.

FOX 35 WOFL viewers are apparently wondering what is happening to the station's personnel. 

Karsen Buschjost joins Big 2 News KMID Midland/Odessa

Karsen Buschjost is joining KMID Big 2 News Midland/Odessa, TX as the station's evening news anchor.

UPDATE APRIL 2023
Samantha Smerechniak and Karsen Buschjost leave ABC Big 2 News KMID Odessa/Midland

"I’ll be anchoring the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts alongside Katie Orth starting next week," Buschjost posted on Facebook.  "I’m really looking forward to continuing my career in the Lone Star State while indulging in some Tex-Mex. Thanks everybody for the support!"

Buschjost left News 4 - Fox 11 KRNV Reno, Nevada a few months ago.  

KRNV was Buschjost's first television job   He worked as a Multimedia Journalist or MMJ there since 2017 according to his KRNV bio. Collective Talent says he also worked as a morning reporter and anchor too.

Before starting professionally in TV news, Buschjost earned a Master’s degree in Sports Journalism from Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor's from Colorado State University. 

Buschjost interned at KDVR Denver and News 4 San Antonio WOAI. 

KRNV morning anchor, Jenee' Ryan, tweeted, "Big congrats to @KarsenKRNV for becoming a main anchor! We all miss ya here at @KRNV - but we can't wait for you to make us look good over in Texas!"

KMID evening anchor, Eddie Flores, who joined the station in 2018 after KGBT in the Rio Grande Valley, last posted on Facebook that he was battling cancer and had been on medical leave. His bio is no longer on the KMID website.

Brooks Garner joins FOX 31 Denver

UPDATE MAY 2021 
Brooks Garner joins FOX 35 WOFL Orlando

--ORIGINAL POST FROM 2019--

Former KHOU 11 meteorologist Brooks Garner is heading to FOX 31 KDVR Denver.

"In just a few weeks, I will join the FOX 31 and 'Colorado's Own 2' Pinpoint weather team as the morning meteorologist for FOX 31," Garner posted. "I am absolutely humbled at this rare opportunity to cover the uniquely extreme weather found only on the Front Range. I can't wait to teach my wife and kids how to ski, and introduce our dogs to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the country."

He is replacing Greg Dutra who is leaving Denver for another TV job the station reported.

“We are proud of the momentum behind the FOX31 Morning News,” said Joan Barrett, VP and General Manager of KDVR-TV and KWGN-TV. “Being able to add Brooks to our Pinpoint Weather team will continue to build on the most accurate forecasting that we’re proud of at FOX31, and we’re proud that Coloradans are turning to us on air, online and in the community.”

Back in 2013, Garner came to KHOU 11 from WFLA News Channel 8 Tampa.

Before Tampa, Garner worked at WIS Columbia, S.C. and KMEG Sioux City, Iowa.

The Emmy award winner is a graduate of Mississippi State University’s broadcast meteorology program and also has a degree from the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston.

He was named one of the Sexiest Weathermen on Earth in 2015 by TV Guide.

"I'm grateful to everyone in Houston who's followed me for the past six years and look forward to new adventures in Colorado," he added.

Jennifer Broome to leave KPRC's Houston Life

 Jennifer Broome, one of the original KPRC 2 "Houston Life" co-hosts, announced her departure on Facebook.

I guess Colorado Day is fitting to share my news.

In the words of John Muir, "The mountains are calling and I must go." In late August I'm returning to Colorado to base out of Denver.

First up is what I'm calling a "go find myself" road trip in September to UT, WY, MT, ID, and OR.

My brother's passing last year made me realize how important it is to follow your heart and to do what truly makes you happy.

So, I'll be embarking on an unchartered journey to follow my passions of travel, outdoors, adventure, and weather.

Broome and Derrick Shore arrived in town last summer to launch the show at the end of August.

No stranger to Texas, Broome returned to our state from FOX 31 KDVR Denver's Good Day Colorado.

Before that, she worked at WOAI San Antonio as a meteorologist.

No word on her replacement.

UPDATE
Courtney Zavala to host Houston Life on KPRC

UPDATE AUGUST 24, 2017
Jennifer Broome leaves Houston Life, KPRC and Texas.

PHOTOS: Houston Life debuts on #KPRC2 with a zombie

Houston Life debuts on KPRC 2 with a quick paced format


Just like a bunch of other Houstonians' first day today, the hosts and crew of Houston Life are starting out fresh, not in a classroom, but a brand new locally produced KPRC 2 lifestyle show.

Hosts Jennifer Broome (former WOAI San Antonio meteorologist, FOX 31 KDVR Denver's Good Day Colorado) and Derrick Shore (formerly of KCET Los Angeles) started the show by jumping out of a plane in a recorded segment (now doing that live would have been a technical masterpiece). I would imagine the skydiving stunt is a great metaphor for the first day launch of a new talk show.

After a catchy theme song (complete with lyrics), through the magic of TV, the next us viewers saw were the hosts live from their new studio digs at the swanky Houston Galleria expansion next to Nordstrom. The duo even got some cheers as they ran through the set door from the shopping mall crowd.


If you've ever worked in television, then you know soap opera fans are passionate. The ones who are still watching, even more so, as their viewing options are dwindling. Shore calmed tensions by quickly mentioning that Days of Our Lives was moving from 1pm to right after Houston Life at 2pm.

Like Sands through an hourglass, these are the days of our zombies? Yes, after a quick clip of the hosts skydiving again, a zombie was featured chained on set. I am not joking. Did not expect this. Turns out it was a quick segment about the Houston Escape Room game with what I'm guessing was a fake professor. I wonder if the show will ever let me come on the air dressed as a werewolf?


Houston Life doesn't seem to stay on anyone subject too long. Next, it was a whirlwind tour of places around the Bayou City. We saw a quick clip of the hosts at iFLY. Then a quick edited package segment of the hosts at Topgolf.

After the first commercial break, Chef Ronnie Killen was live in the studio doing one of the things he does best...barbecue and the sauces to go with it. From personal experience, if you want to eat at Killen's Barbecue in Pearland, get there early. The menu items go fast and once all the food is gone, the place shuts down for the day. This was the longest segment of the show so far.

After the second commercial break, the hosts appeared in a recorded segment participating in a beer bicycle tour to the Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Once at the beer HQ, they got a behind the scenes tour of the operation. And just to show that Shore has no fear, he went to the main beer hall full of customers and danced around interviewing people while wearing a lederhosen. I believe this was a Houston TV first for me.

Obviously the show is live, so after break three, the hosts checked back with KPRC 2 meteorologist Justin Stapleton for a quick weather update. Next up, an edited package segment of Shore and Broome getting batty at the Waugh Drive Bat Colony. A favorite of Houston TV feature segments. This was followed by an in studio interview with bat expert Suzanne Jurek.

Not related to the show, but during the next TV ads, I learned The Texas Hammer, attorney Jim Adler, is being joined by his son Bill, who is also a Texas Hammer. I never thought we would have two hammers.


Reporter Stephanie Gerry was up next in an edited package report from Houston Texans tailgating. The package went to black all of a sudden, then Gerry was in the studio with the hosts for more tailgating talk with Houston Pitmaker. Afterwards Houston Texans cheerleaders showed up talking about their new calendar! The cheerleaders displayed a proclamation from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner declaring today Houston Life Day.

After the break, was an in studio interview with the principal and students from the British International School of Houston with a few performances. This seemed to be one of the longer segments of the show.

The show ended with cake, confetti and champagne. The zombie stayed around for this too. Maybe he should have come back to help kill a little time (insert rim shot).

Broome and Shore appear to have good chemistry and are clearly comfortable doing this type of format.

Houston Life Executive Producer Don Graham who helped start and was in charge of KHOU 11's Great Day Houston for many years, clearly has lots of experience in the talk show arena. In fact, he even did time as the Executive in Charge of Production for the The Gayle King Show back in the 90s.

One thing Graham and the staff seem to want is to keep the attention of the Facebook generation. For the most part, the show moves at such a quick pace that viewers never really get too much of one thing. One could argue there might not be a lot of in depth information, but on the flip side, if anything gets too boring, viewers won't have time to flip the channel (or start browsing social media on the so-called second screen).

Outside of the one blank screen and time to kill at the end, the show seemed pretty error free. That's quite a feat since the show takes place live from a location other than an actual TV studio. The only other problem was with the channel 2 website. Online users were promised a livestream of the show but it wasn't there. Where the video player was supped to be was a graphic. I saw a complaint on the show's Facebook page too.

What are your thoughts on the new show?

UPDATE
Mike McGuff shares his thoughts on KPRC 2's Houston Life with Health Fitness Revolution

'Houston Life' show to debut on KPRC 2

UPDATE AUGUST 04, 2017
Jennifer Broome to leave KPRC's Houston Life

UPDATE AUGUST 22, 2016
PHOTOS: Houston Life debuts on #KPRC2 with a zombie

YOUR FIRST LOOK: Remember that KPRC 2 lifestyle show it was hiring for earlier this year? Well, 'Houston Life' is about to make its debut

LA's Derrick Shore and former WOAI San Antonio meteorologist Jennifer Broome to host Houston Life.

My blog post about KPRC 2 hiring for a new daily lifestyle and entertainment show was very popular. I assume that TV newsers are excited about more jobs in TV market #10 and the audience likes the extra local Houston coverage.

Well, KPRC 2 has started putting information out there about the new show. Hosts have been hired from out of state, producers are being hired from other stations and with all eyes on the NBC affiliate because of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, let's get started.

The show's title will be Houston Life and it will debut August 22nd. It will air weekdays at 1pm (replacing Days of Our Lives at that time slot).

Since KPRC 2 is currently building a new studio, it sounds like the show will be live from a big public place...maybe The Galleria?

The Houston Life hosts are in Houston now (or on their way). So who are they?

One is a familiar name to San Antonio TV viewers. Former WOAI meteorologist Jennifer Broome is coming into host from FOX 31 KDVR Deniver's Good Day Colorado.

Coming in from Los Angeles' largest independent public television station, KCET, is Derrick Shore. He's been a reporter for the station's news magazine SoCal Connected.

Stephanie Gonzalez who does video segments for the Houston Dash will be a reporter for the show.

I hear the show's website will be houstonlife.tv.

Stay tuned...I'm sure KPRC will have a lot more information coming...especially with all the viewers turning for The Olympics.

UPDATE AUGUST 22, 2016
PHOTOS: Houston Life debuts on #KPRC2 with a zombie


UPDATE 8/10/2016

Press release about Houston Life:

‘HOUSTON LIFE’ TO PREMIERE AUGUST 22nd KPRC2 DEBUTS NEW DAILY LIFESTYLE SHOW

Houston, TX, August 9, 2016: KPRC2 is bringing a new brand of live, local entertainment to afternoon television. Houston Life premieres Monday, August 22nd at 1pm with hosts Derrick Shore and Jennifer Broome. The Monday-Friday, hour-long lifestyle show will showcase what makes America’s fourth largest city a great place to work, live and play.

“The show will be a celebration of what is happening each day in our dynamic city,” said KPRC2 Vice President/General Manager Jerry Martin. “It’s going to be jam-packed, high energy and a lot of fun to watch.”

Houston Life will be produced live, on location each day from The Galleria. The studio is on Level 1, adjacent to Nordstrom and across from LensCrafters. Shoppers and fans are invited to come by and be part of the experience.

“We will tap into fashion, pop culture, food, music, lifestyle trends and hot topics,” said Don Graham, Executive Producer of Houston Life. “And we will connect with viewers daily through social media so that they will have access to the show’s lively content
anytime, anywhere.”

Co-host Derrick Shore joins Houston Life from Los Angeles, where he was the host of SoCal Connected on KCET Television. He is an award winning journalist who has appeared on CBS News, NBC’s Today, ABC’s World News Now, Channel One News and Current TV. Derrick has also been cast in several scripted TV dramas and feature films.

Co-host Jennifer Broome comes most recently from Denver, where she was a meteorologist at KDVR-TV and KWGN-TV. She spent ten years in Texas as the Chief Meteorologist for WOAI-TV in San Antonio from 2000-2010. She is a self-described foodie and wine lover who loves adventure and has sky dived with the Army Golden Knights and flown a F-16 with the Air Force Thunderbirds.

UPDATE 8/1/2016

Looks like the Houston Life Galleria studio rumor is true:

Constructing something big! #staytuned pic.twitter.com/40UPcpVEUS

— HoustonLifeTV (@houstonlifetv) August 1, 2016

So exciting! We can't wait to share this show with you, #Houston! 😆📺🎥 #HoustonLife #HoustonLifeTV #KPRC2 #KPRC #NBC #NBCHouston #photoshoot #behindthescenes #Repost @houstonlifetv: ・・・ Look out for this power team! They're creating something special, coming soon to a screen near you. Houston Life premieres August 22nd on @kprc2. Thanks @EvinThayerStudios for a fun photo shoot!

A photo posted by Stephanie Gonzalez (@steph_g7) on Jul 16, 2016 at 9:46am PDT

KPRC 2 reporter Cathy Hernandez gets big holiday gift

Reporter Cathy Hernandez goes full-time at KPRC 2

Cathy Hernandez

We're starting off 2016 with a story of a Houston native done good.

 I've learned that KPRC 2 temporary reporter Cathy Hernandez can drop the temp part from her title, because she's going full time with the NBC affiliate.

"I couldn't be more excited to officially join the team," Hernandez wrote the news department in an email obtained by mikemcguff.com. "I look forward to working at KPRC for many years to come. I definitely have A LOT to be thankful for this holiday season!"

In a time when we see a lot of temporary reporters come and go, it's nice to see one stick around. Especially since she began her career with the station as an associate producer and has Houston roots.

Before Houston, Hernandez worked as a reporter for KDVR and KWGN Denver. The University of Houston grad got her turn in front of the camera as a reporter, anchor and producer at KTSM and KDBC in El Paso.

As I wrote when she came back to Houston in June of 2015, I first met Hernandez back in 2007. 

Back then as a lowly abc13 web producer, I was tasked with building a Houston Texans cheerleader section for the site. That year, we held a contest where our viewers got to choose the newest Texans cheerleader. Hernandez competed and eventually landed a spot on the squad! Now we can all cheer on the 2015 AFC South Champions!

So in honor of Hernandez's promotion, I'm headed to the channel 2 studios on the Southwest Freeway with Pom-Poms in hand to say this:

"Who rocks KPRC?
I said Cathy rocks KPRC.
And when the Cathy rocks KPRC,
she rocks it all the way to number 1!"

You can leave your own cheer for her in the comments below.

Cathy Hernandez joins KPRC 2

Cathy Hernandez joins KPRC 2 from KDVR and KWGN Denver

UPDATE JANUARY 04, 2016
Reporter Cathy Hernandez goes full-time at KPRC 2

Cathy Hernandez

KPRC 2 has confirmed to mikemcguff.com that Cathy Hernandez has joined the station as a temporary reporter from KDVR and KWGN Denver where she's been since April 2014 .

It's a return home for the Houston native.

In fact, I'm excited to report that Hernandez was on my blog way back in 2007. When I was just a lowly web producer, I was tasked with building a Houston Texans cheerleader section for abc13.com that included a contest where Hernandez and other contestants were vying for a spot on the squad.

She eventually made it, but left the bright lights of football stadiums for those of TV studios a few years later.

According to her bio, Herenandez first started in the TV news biz at KPRC as an associate producer.

Before Colorado, Hernandez worked as a reporter, anchor and producer at KTSM and KDBC in El Paso.

She is a gradate of the University of Houston.

Texas job changes across the state & the San Antonio shakeup

A big San Antonio TV shakeup and more!

Fox4 adds meteorologist Ali Turiano
Dallas-based Fox4 has filled its weekend meteorologist vacancy by hiring Ali Turiano from Orlando-based News13, a cable station servicing the greater Central Florida region.

Chris Henao is KSAT 12 San Antonio's new assistant news director. He comes from KNBC LA where he was the investigative producer or the last two years. His other Texas stops include a role as both a photojournalist and later producer in the KHOU 11 investigative unit. Before that he was a photog at KXAN Austin and KGBT Harlingen in the early 1990s. Outside of Texas he also worked at KCTV and WXIA.

WOAI-TV losing its weatherman
John Gerard, WOAI-TV’s chief meteorologist for the past four years — and the man who helped birth the station’s signature “4 Zone Forecast” — is leaving San Antonio for a weather post on the CBS affiliate in Miami.

Stacey Cameron to Join WOAI
Stacey Cameron has announced he’ll be joining San Antonio NBC affiliate WOAI.

Ashlei King to Join San Antonio FOX affiliate
Ashlei King is set to join San Antonio FOX affiliate KABB.

Meteorologist Adam Caskey Heading to KSAT
Meteorologist Adam Caskey is leaving Washington, D.C. ABC affiliate WJLA for San Antonio ABC affiliate KSAT.
- With the Addition of Adam Caskey, Steve Browne to Scale Back at KSAT

Fox 26 KRIV associate producer Trina Adger announces that after nearly four years, she is heading to KBTX Bryan/College Station as a reporter.

KIAH 39 Director of Marketing Theressa "T" Virgil leaves Houston after six years to work as senior director of creative services for UP TV in Atlanta.

Houston native Cathy Hernandez moves from anchor/reporter at KTSM and KDBC El Paso to reporter at KDVR & KWGN in Denver.

Meet DBR's New Regional Editor-In-Chief
Pulitzer Prize winner and two-time Pulitzer Prize juror George Haj will join ALM on April 21 in the new role of regional editor-in-chief for Florida, Georgia and Texas. Haj comes to ALM from the Houston Chronicle, where he is senior editor of local news.

Former talk show host John Harris joins Texans’ media properties
Former KGOW (1560 AM) and Yahoo! Sports Radio talk show host John Harris will join the Texans as a contributor to the team’s television and radio shows and its website.

KGSR hires new program manager
There’s a new addition over at 93.3 KGSR-FM. Haley Jones has been named program director for the 23-year-old station.

Popular traffic reporter returning to Austin's airwaves
Joe Taylor, who most recently worked at Time Warner Cable News and, before that, at 590 KLBJ-AM, has been hired to provide traffic updates several times a day for four local radio stations.

KCEN-TV gets news director
Jim Hice is leaving Louisville, Ky., to become the news director at KCEN-HD, the local NBC affiliate, NBC has confirmed.


As I've said before, I'm not clairvoyant. Please let me know of any other personnel changes hitting the Houston media scene.

Interested in working in Texas TV news? Go to my Texas TV jobs page.

KTRK shooting update, 2 Houston news anchors back after leave and more

MORE VIDEOS
- Montrose apartment fire video tops YouTube
- Houston TV chopper crash coverage
- Canadian Weathermen Swept Away by Blizzard
- LA News Reactions to Earthquake
- Wheel of Fortune Contestant Solves Impossible Puzzle With First Guess
- CNN: Did a Black Hole Make Flight 370 Disappear?
- Yvonne Nava's big announcement
- The FOIA Training Video That the Pentagon Redacted
- Tracy Rowlett Comes Out of Retirement for Promo
- WFAA Image 2014: Since The Beginning 30
- WFAA Image 2014: We Don't Just Report 60
- WFAA Image 2014: Share 60

Documents detail bizarre behavior of woman who allegedly fired shots at TV news station
In a probable cause court hearing Friday, a judge raised the bond for the woman who allegedly fired shots into a KTRK abc13's studio.
- Images from KTRK abc13 shooting
- Alleged TV Channel 13 Shooter Wrote of People "Exploiting Me Nude," and Other Bizarre Stuff

Dave Ward back on the air after painful shoulder surgery
Like any number of crafty veteran baseball pitchers at this time of year, KTRK (Channel 13) anchor Dave Ward is on the mend after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Jose Grinan returns to Fox 26 KRIV mornings
Fox 26 KRIV morning anchor Jose Grinan is back on TV after recovering from neck vertebra surgery.

End of days for KTXD's The Texas Daily
The Texas Daily, a flagship KTXD-TV (Ch. 47) news program aimed at baby-boomers, is being canceled.

WFAA enters content partnership with Fort Worth Star-Telegram
WFAA and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram announced the two companies have agreed to form a content partnership to better serve news consumers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Conan sets guest list for Dallas shows
Conan O’Brien has his guests locked in for the March 31-April 3 Conan shows from Dallas.

So long to CW33 reporter Doug Magditch
Doug Magditch, a reporter at Dallas-based CW33 for the past three years, is leaving the station for another line of work.

KVIL names Jay Michaels PD
Michaels was most recently at Clear Channel's KDMX-FM and KDGE-FM, also in Dallas, where he was PD

Ex-KLIF Afternoons Kurt Gilchrist On The Prowl
Onetime CUMULUS MEDIA Top 40 KLIF (i93)/DALLAS-FT. WORTH afternooner KURT GILCHRIST is "exploring new opportunities".

#6 Houston-Galveston TX
February 2014 Portable People Meter
- Zierlein back at No. 1 in latest radio ratings

Judge reinstates fraud lawsuit against KCOH station operator
Former longtime KCOH radio host Michael Harris' fraud lawsuit against the station's operator has been reinstated, and he will be asking the court to appoint a receiver to control the corporation's assets.

Ted Johnson moving to KILT afternoon drive show
Ted Johnson joins KILT’s (610 AM) afternoon drive talk show and Brien Straw and Paul Gallant will co-host the station’s nighttime show.

A day at Great Day Houston
Jennifer Chang gives us a behind the scenes look at Great Day Houston on KHOU 11.

Comcast won’t purchase struggling CSN
Comcast said it will not enter a bid to purchase Comcast SportsNet Houston out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, throwing more uncertainty into the 5-month-old saga over the future of the Astros-Rockets-Comcast partnership.
- The CSN Houston Bankruptcy Clown Show Just Keeps Clowning Away

Look inside KSAT-TV’s new world!
Isis, Steve, Ursula and other anchors, reporters and the behind-the-scenes crew at KSAT have settled into their ultra-modern new digs.

S.A. TV host relates prison past
Solis, who is on KABB’s “Daytime @ Nine” four days a week alongside host Kimberly Crawford and also serves as correspondent for WOAI’s “Living,” spoke of his checkered past which includes an arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon as well as a conviction for DWI.

PHOTOS: KENS 5's Sarah Forgany, Karen Grace model 35th annual Style Show
The Salvation Army Woman's Auxiliary hosted its 35th annual Style Show and Luncheon Saturday. Local TV personalities, including KENS 5's Sarah Forgany and Karen Grace, modeled gently-used clothing items that were auctioned off during a silent and live auction.

S.A. anchorwoman expecting first baby
KABB’s “Fox News First” co-anchor Monica Taylor is pregnant with her first

KENS-TV anchor Knapp engaged
If you’ve noticed that KENS-TV anchorwoman Deborah Knapp has been looking even more radiant than usual, there’s a reason.

WOAI-TV ex Broome shocked by graphic news slip
S.A. viewers of video — showing a Twitter pic of a penis that accidentally made it on to a Denver newscast — may have recognized a familiar face amid the stunned and embarrassed visages of the KDVR morning team: former WOAI-TV meteorologist Jennifer Broome.

S.A. Confidential: Alanna Sarabia, 'Living' co-host/WOAI entertainment buff
She has the daunting task of keeping up with impossibly vivacious Shelly Miles on “San Antonio Living” at 10 a.m. weekdays on WOAI. That's only one of the TV challenges faced daily by rotating lifestyle show co-host Alanna Sarabia, 25.

Ex-KLRN chief: Last days with dad ‘precious’
Mario Vazquez, who recently left the highest position at San Antonio’s public TV station to care for his ill father, called it “the best decision I have ever made in my life.

Missing Plane MH370 Graphic Epically Messed Up By KXAN News
Spelling and geography - two things pretty crucial to a graphic on a news show. Tell that to Texas’ KXAN news who managed to misplace both with this epic fail...

Austin-based owner of KXAN sold for $1.6 billion
Austin-based LIN Media, owner of local NBC affiliate KXAN and dozens of other stations across the nation, is being acquired in a $1.6 billion deal,

Bob-FM back atop Austin radio ratings
Bob-FM is back atop the Austin radio ratings, according to the latest data from Nielsen.

96.3 RnB adds Suga Rae to DJ lineup
Suga Rae has joined the DJ lineup on 96.3 RnB, holding down the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift.

New York Times names Jake Silverstein as Magazine editor
Texas Monthly editor-in-chief Jake Silverstein has been hired to serve as editor of The New York Times Magazine.

MOVING

Jarrod Carroll used to be "Allen Parkway" on the radio telling us about clogged freeways - if you're from Houston, no doubt a great radio traffic name. Carroll took a decade detour into the world of TV assignments (KTRK, News24Houston), but is back on the radio doing traffic under his real name on News 88.7 KUHF. Catch him weekdays from 5 to 10am.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Ron Trevino returns to KHOU 11, addresses DWI arrest
- Houston TV anchors celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2014
- Culturemap vs Houstonia Magazine
- Ford Atkinson retires from Fox 26 KRIV
- Ashley Johnson joins Fox 26 from PHL17 in Philadelphia
- Keola Lui-Kwan gets Hot 95.7 afternoon shift and more
- Brian Collister to leave KTRK abc13
- News 88.7 KUHF cleans up at Texas Associated Press Broadcasters awards
- KHOU 11 reported on Montrose apartment night before big fire
- Elliott Wood takes over 94.5 The Buzz afternoon drive, program director duties
- Hilary Whittier sneaks into Fox 26 after WPIX NY
- Art Rascon to be honored at Sylvan Rodriguez Scholarship Gala
- KTRK abc13 studios shot at again; suspect in custody

Bob Goosmann is NewsRadio 1080 KRLD's new chief met

Local broadcasting veteran Bob Goosmann has been named chief meteorologist for NewsRadio 1080 KRLD, effective immediately.

“Bob lives and breathes North Texas weather, and greatly respects KRLD’s commitment to accurate and dependable forecast information every ten minutes” said Bruce Gilbert, Vice President of News/Talk/Sports Programming for CBS RADIO Dallas-Fort Worth. “NewsRadio 1080 KRLD listeners can rely on him, not only for accurate forecasts, but also for the information they need to stay safe when severe weather strikes.”

Goosmann is an award-winning meteorologist with twenty-six years’ experience in radio and television. Most recently, he was chief meteorologist for KDAF-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth. Prior to that, he held the same position at KDVR-TV in Denver. He also served as chief meteorologist for KRLD’s sister CBS Television station KTVT (CBS 11) in Dallas-Fort Worth for nine years. In addition, he has worked at stations in Providence, Rhode Island and Richmond, Virginia.

Goosmann’s work has been recognized with awards from the Associated Press, the Colorado Broadcasters Association and the Press Club of Dallas. He holds a Bachelor of Science in meteorology from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and the AMS Seal.

(This post is from a release sent to me by CBS Dallas)

KPRC 2 hires anchor Phillip Mena from KTSM/KDBC El Paso

UPDATE APRIL 15, 2015
Phillip Mena leaves KPRC for ABC News



Early last week, KTSM/KDBC (and KVEO Browsville) anchor Phillip Mena officially signed off the El Paso stations, had some cake and left for new opportunities.

Phillip Mena

Friday evening, we learned on his Facebook page that Mena is heading to Houston and KPRC 2. Mena will be co-anchoring the weekend news with  attorney Irika Sargent.

"While I'm saddened to leave my hometown of El Paso, I'm excited about living in Houston and working for such a storied station at KPRC," Mena told mikemcguff.com. "I look forward to becoming very involved in the Houston community and telling its stories. I'm also excited that I'll be arriving just in time for the crawfish boils and the Astros games."

According to his bio, while attending Arizona State University, Mena wrote sports articles for The Arizona Republic and worked at the local ESPN radio affiliate as a producer. During summer breaks, he would also write sports stories for The El Paso Times. He interned at FOX 10 KSAZ-TV in Phoenix. After college, Mena continued to write for The Arizona Republic and worked as a producer for a sports show on Fox Sports Radio in Phoenix.

In April 2010, Mena returned to El Paso as a TV news reporter.

Mena says he starts at KPRC 2 April 23rd.

The El Paso TV world (Market 91) is full of people making big market jumps. A quick scan of my blog shows that three KFOX El Paso TV folks made big jumps in the last few years - KNBC 4 Los Angeles' Jacob Rascon, Hema Mullur of KDVR in Denver and Derek Shore of Sacramento's CBS owned KOVR. As for the big move from El Paso to Houston, the only other person that comes to mind is KTRK 13 anchor Elissa Rivas who also came from KFOX.

The lesson here is: College TV journalism majors, go work for KFOX. It is either a really good station or there is something in the water there.

UPDATE APRIL 15, 2015
Phillip Mena leaves KPRC for ABC News