I hear KTRK 13 reporter Andy Cerota's contract is up and he is most likely moving on from the Houston ABC owned station. But the talk does not stop there.
The BIG rumor is that Cerota could end up behind the anchor desk down the freeway at KPRC 2.
I contacted Cerota's agent Rick Ramage of N.S. Bienstock, Inc. about this potential "move across the street" as they say. Ramage told me Andy is currently weighing several job offers, but it is his policy to not comment on client contract negotiations.
Cerota has been at channel 13 since 2003. According to his bio, Cerota came to Houston from Los Angeles TV. Before that, he worked in Phoenix, Austin and Abilene. He graduated from the University of Northern Colorado and is originally from New York. One thing in his bio that sticks out is Cerota freelanced for NBC News and filed reports for The Geraldo Rivera Show.
In recent years it has not been common for Houston talent to jump from one local station to another but is has happened (much more common for behind the scenes folks as demonstrated on this blog).
Here are some names that are currently on Houston TV that come to mind though:
KHOU 11's Shern-Min Chow has also worked at KTRK and KPRC.
KHOU 11's Jeff McShan used to be a sports reporter at KTRK.
KTRK 13's Christi Myers worked for KPRC and KHOU.
Katishia Cosley has moved between KTRK and KIAH 39.
KTRK 13's Katie McCall used to work at KIAH.
KHOU 11's Vicente Arenas used to work at KTRK.
KHOU 11's Sherry Williams used to work at KIAH.
KHOU 11's Gene Norman used to work at KTRK.
KPRC 2's Frank Billingsley used to work at KTRK
Fox 26 KRIV's Ford Atkinson used to work at KPRC.
Fox 26 KRIV's Emily Akin used to work at KPRC.
Cerota declined to comment for this post.
UPDATE
I've been alerted that Cerota's bio has been removed from abc13.com.
It's an anchor, it's a reporter, it's Super-Andy Cerota!
When I first saw this photo of KPRC 2's Cerota in his homage to reporter Clark Kent transforming into Superman, I didn't know if he was really excited about the November sweeps ratings or participating in an art project.
Maybe it's both, but definitely the latter.
"As for his 'Superman' persona, I loved the old Clark Kent-as-newsman episodes and it struck me that Andy would make a great subject to bring back that timeless memory," Houston photographer Jay Rusovich told mikemcguff.com. "What made me want to photograph Andy was his willingness to put himself out there, to be who he is with confidence, pride and perseverance."
Rusovich's photos of Cerota are just one of many subjects he's featuring in an upcoming book on some of Houston's many fascinating people.
The local photographer says he has been busy creatively photographing Houstonians from athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, to everyday heroes who stand up for what they believe, often in the face of adversity.
"But most of all, the book is about people stepping outside of themselves, being silly, doing silly things that make us all human, who we are when we're not, in this case, on camera," Rusovich added. "This is a paradoxical city, and one most people on the outside simply do not understand. So I thought that a human road-map of sorts might prove helpful."
As for Cerota, he tells me he's been a longtime fan of the Man of Steel.
“Houston has been my home for almost 15 years, so I was thrilled to be included in a project that showcases and celebrates some of the people who make up the diverse fabric of our community," Cerota told mikemcguff.com. "Jay has such creative vision and was able to articulate his concept before and during our shoot."
Rusovich promises a beautifully crafted coffee table book, which will be introduced to the public next year. He says proceeds will be donated to charity.
To follow updates on the book, go to Rusovich's website.
I'm always interested in the intersection of art and media.
I’m teaming up with TXU Energy to help get the word out about the upcoming TXU Energy Turkey Trot benefiting Sheltering Arms Senior Services. The race takes place at Dillard’s near the Galleria on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012.
That means I'm also promoting the Houston media turkey calling contest (The contest will be 10am, Saturday, November 10th at the Houston Zoo - Butterfly Stage in the Children’s Zoo).
The media winner will have the opportunity to designate a public place to have a tree planted by TXU Energy and the Texas Trees Foundation.
KPRC 2 anchor Andy Cerota will be participating in the media contest this Saturday. Cerota talked with me about moving from one Houston TV station to another (KTRK 13 to KPRC 2) and his new anchor gig.
Mike McGuff: So how is it settling in at a station 'across the street?'
Andy Cerota: Wow, it's been fantastic! I can't believe it's been almost 5 months! I hit the ground running from day one.
I've been afforded some great new opportunities at KPRC and I couldn't have asked for a smoother transition. I've never gone "across the street" before so for me, this is uncharted territory but I am so fortunate.
I went from working with a great group of hard-working, talented journalists to working with another great group of hard-working, talented journalists. It's a win-win situation. Everyone at Local 2 welcomed me into the family with open arms.
How is life as an anchor?
I'm thoroughly enjoying my new role. It's been fun and extremely rewarding on both a personal and professional level.
Lauren, Anthony, Jennifer, Daniel, our executive producer and Mia, our midday producer, made me feel comfortable from the get go. They gave me a big on-air welcome when I started and they've all treated me like a valued member of the team since day one. If it sounds like I'm laying it on thick, guess what, I am!
The days where we've got a lot of big, breaking news have been some of the best, especially during fluid situations that are changing by minute. There have been so many recently. I've grown so much as a journalist and as an anchor in the short time I've been at KPRC because of my colleagues and because of those moments.
------------------------------------------
Thanks Andy!
Also participating from KPRC will be morning reporter Mark Boyle. I'll have a full list of all the participants later this week!
Come by Saturday and see the fun. You can participate in a turkey calling contest too.
Auto Rickshaw, Mumbai Streets, Flower Wall! Bollywood Came to Town For LCA Houston International Mothers Day Soiree
Dr. Sippi Khurana, Andy Cerota KPRC Channel 2 Anchor and LCA Houston International Society News Editor and TV Host/ Founder of the International Mothers Day Soiree Ruchi Mukherjee
Rita Garcia and Award Presenter Rohit Vyas he is the Senior News Director of TV Asia and the face of Indian American North American television.
Rekha Muddaraj KHOU Anchor was one of our honoree this year. She walked the ramp with her two daughter Laxmi 5 and Lara 2.
The LCA Houston International Society News Magazine welcomed over 250 private guests to 2017 International Mothers Day Soirée held at the Asia Society Texas Center on May 11, 2017. Created and hosted by LCA’s Founder and Editor Ruchi Mukherjee, and now in its 5th year, the event highlights prominent and philanthropic mothers of Houston from various walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. The evening also saw the release of the 2nd edition of the LCA Houston print magazine.
KPRC’s Andy Cerota and Dr. Sippi Khurana served as the evening’s co-emcees. They introduced special guest, New York based TV Anchor Rohit Vyas who presented awards to the Honorees. Rohit Vyas is the longest serving Indian-American journalist in the US with 40 years of experience covering the entire gamut of international affairs, US politics, US-India relations, the infancy and growth of the Indian American community, and more. He serves as Senior Vice President, News Director, and English News Anchor for TV ASIA, and is a member of the United Nations Correspondents Association.
The night's honorees were some of Houston's most philanthropic wonder moms, often holding down full-time careers and society positions. all while raising kids and maintaining households. Each year the Soirée chooses a new set of women to honor, and to walk the ramp with their kids. This year's picks included:Merele Yarborough, Dr. Monira Kundi, Toni Tate, Denise O'Brian, Ishwaria Mohan Subbiah, Shabnam Shaikh, Jill Shull, Carrie Brandsberg Dahl, Brigitte Kalai, Jane Seam, Rekha Muddaraj and showstopper Y. Ping Sun.
LCA Houston also presented few special awards this year in celebration of their fifth year. Media Appreciation Awards were presented to Rita Garcia of FOX 26 and Clifford Pugh of Culturemap and special elite sponsors: Howard Tate, Rob Todd of Amplifies Solutions, Teresa Reading and Bashar Kalai of Amerapex Corporation.
Immediately after the Honorees walked the ramp, a very special surprise announcement stunned the crowd and the Host herself. Co-chair Shawntell McWilliams presented Ms Mukherjee with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from US Congressman Al Green honoring her, and LCA Houston, for Outstanding Service to the Community. Ruchi, a seasoned international journalist, has dedicated her career to social causes concerning women and the underprivileged.
LCA Houston’s Founder, and the event’s host, Ruchi Mukherjee focused on a Bollywood theme for this year’s Soirée. The Asia Society was adorned with Indian elements including an auto-rickshaw photo space and a wall size image of the streets of Mumbai. Guests were treated to Indian street foods and a Bollywood-inspired dance by the Sunrise International Dance Company. Sari-clad models, a live henna station, spinach and feta samosas were a few of the things that filled the upstairs lobby of Asia Society for the perfect Indian-inspired evening. Kiran's Restaurant, Raja Sweets, Ginn’s Gourmet, and Radio Milano were the food and drink sponsors for the evening and kept guests full with a number of East-meets-West concoctions. Every guest in attendance came dressed to impress, many even sported their finest Indian regality while others came in stylish cocktail attire.
Since it first began in 2013, the International Mother's Day Soirée has become a staple of the Houston society event scene. Decked in the finest Bollywood looks were: Staci and Quan Henderson, Sobi Qazi, Ella Markovsky, Kanchan Singh, Logan Lester, Rebecca Brinkley, Sameera Faridi and Anas Ahmad, Farida Abjani, Dr. Vanitha Pothuri, Dinah Lin, Keith and Shawntell McWilliams, Mehrnaz Gill, Donatella Bendkenstein, Mika Rao, Robert Tijerina, Rita Garcia, Janine Iannaelli, Mario Gudmundsson, Maha Rasheed Khan, Yasmine Haddad, Sharron Melton, Shaila Patel, Anika Jackson, Michael Pearce, Melissa Rascon.
(This post was taken from a release sent to me by LCA Houston)
I hear that Andy Cerota has joined the KPRC 2 news desk.
In fact, he could be at his new station as early as next week.
Cerota will be both an anchor and a reporter for the Post-Newsweek station.
At the end of May, I reported how Cerota was leaving KTRK after nearly a decade and possibly going across the street to Houston's NBC affiliate. An apparent surprise to many of my readers.
Click here to see a list of other current Houston TV faces who have jumped ship to another local station.
Last call for KTXD-TV's The Broadcast
After a little more than two years as a mid-morning, locally produced alternative to WFAA 8’s long running Good Morning Texas, KTXD-TV’s (Ch. 47) The Broadcast breathed its last with Friday’s one-hour show.
Crisco Kidd Gets Hot In Dallas
CUMULUS Top 40/Rhythmic KLIF (HOT 93.3)/DALLAS lands KCAQ/OXNARD-VENTURA night jock CRISCO KIDD and THE CRISCO KIDD BLOCK PARTY for afternoons.
KDMX Names EJ For MD/Night Duties
iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KDMX (NOW 102.9)/DALLAS-FT. WORTH PD JAY SHANNON announces the addition of sister Top 40 KHFI/AUSTIN night talent EJ for MD/night duties.
Yoga helps anchorwoman Gina Gaston stay focused with busy schedule
So on a rainy day, when the yoga studios at the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa were filled to capacity, Gina Gaston showed off her yoga skills in the club's courtyard as raindrops fell on her fresh makeup and hair.
Nefertiti Jaquez Out at WCAU
Former KPRC 2 reporter Nefertiti Jaquez is out at the NBC owned Philadelphia station WCAU.
Houston on the Cheap — with Amy Davis
Discovering Houston on the Cheap, a series highlighting ideas for cheap dates, cheap meals, Houston’s best-kept secret and more — all from the perspective of local chefs, media personalities, athletes, and folks in local business.
Wayne Dolcefino – A public discussion on public corruption
It is clear that Wayne had two jobs during his time at Channel 13: (1) investigative reporter and (2) Pseudo-Public Integrity Chief for the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District and the local district attorney’s offices, including Harris County.
Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider selected for a prestigious fellowship in Germany
Houston Public Media’s News 88.7 business reporter Andrew Schneider has been selected by the Radio Television Digital News Foundation (RTDNF) for a prestigious fellowship in Germany this summer as part of their German/American Journalist Exchange Program. Schneider will have the opportunity to meet with top-level German and business leaders, international journalists, European Union and NATO officials.
Sexy S.A. TV personality takes Miami job
You’ve seen her big smile and sexy figure all over San Antonio — on local TV, in fashion spreads and commercials, not to mention at nearly every red carpet event here. Now, Miami television has Rita Verreos.
S.A. TV panic! Where are missing anchors?
It never fails. When viewers notice their favorite anchors have been missing from their usual newscasts for days on end, they push the panic button.
S.A. radio talk host gets sax-y
Most know Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo as a San Antonio talk show host whose political leanings are well to the right, but there’s a whole other side to radio pundit Pags...
The Fringe becomes Classic 105.3
Previous Format: AAA “105.3 The Fringe” K287FG/KTXX-HD4 to New Format: Classic Hits “Classic 105.3.”
KRHD Bryan/College Station stops local newscasts
Just got word that KRHD Bryan/College Station stopped producing local newscasts in January. The station is airing sister station KXXV's newscasts out of Waco. The BCS staff was laid off.
Going batty in El Paso
The morning news crew at KFOX in El Paso had a studio visitor yesterday morning. Former KTRK abc13 anchor Stephanie Guadian was the anchor.
Lubbock TX Radio: Alpha To Acquire Four From Wilks
Alpha Media of Portland, Oregon has announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to purchase four radio stations in the Lubbock, TX market from Wilks Broadcast Group LLC.
97.1 THE EAGLE ANNOUNCES BFD 2015
97.1 The Eagle (KEGL FM) today announced BFD 2015, its annual concert, on May 31st, 2015 at Gexa Energy Pavilion. BFD 2015 will feature Rob Zombie as the headliner, with a strong active rock line up including Breaking Benjamin, Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, In This Moment, All That Remains, Sons of Texas, and We Are Harlot. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Friday, March 27at 10 a.m. through the Live Nation mobile app, LiveNation.com, the Belk Box Office at Gexa Energy Pavilion and by phone 800-745-3000. Fans can listen to 97.1 The Eagle to 'Win It Before You Can Buy It,' beginning Monday, March 23, through Friday March 27, 2014. Complete show details are available at www.kegl.com .
Former News 92 web manager Kristy Gillentine moves to Drive West Communications.
Former Fox 26 KRIV sports producer Scotty Spiegel has joined KPRC in the same position. He worked at FOX for two years. Before that he worked at KHOU for almost three years.
KING OF THE MORNING: KTRK abc13 morning TV producer Michael King moved to the web side of the station.
REMEMBERING
Shane Media CEO Ed Shane Has Passed Away
Everyone at ALL ACCESS is deeply saddened to report the passing of SHANE MEDIA CEO ED SHANE, following a short battle with colon cancer.
Before I could even write the post "Where is Bill Spencer?" the missing KPRC 2 Houston investigative reporter returned to work.
Tuesday, anchor Andy Cerota broke the news on Instagram, "BREAKING NEWS- BILL SPENCER IS BACK! Welcome back Spence."
The KPRC 2 Investigates team recently won a duPont-Columbia Award. And after seeing the "welcome back" signs in honor of Spencer's plaid-fueled triumphant return, they may be in line for another award (see below).
I recently started receiving inquiries from Channel 2 viewers about Spencer's whereabouts.
They told me he had been off the air since early 2025, which matches up with his last story on the station's website.
Spencer joined KPRC in 2013 from WXYZ Detroit's "Call for Action," where he had worked since 1998 as Chief Consumer Investigative Reporter.
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)
KHOU-TV's Chita Johnson, KTRK-TV's Andy Cerota, KHOU-TV's Courtney Zubowski, Event Co-Chair Joan Schnitzer Levy, KUHT-TV's Ernie Manouse, KTRK-TV's Miya Shay, KTRK-TV's Tom Koch (emcee and head auctioneer) and kneeling is KTRK-TV's Casey Curry at the 31st Annual ESCAPE Celebrity Serve Benefit at Tony's.
Who let the toys out? Houston media personalities were out “toying around” as Barbie Doll, Sesame Street and Toy Story characters at Tony’s for the 31st Annual “Toy Box” ESCAPE Celebrity Serve Benefit Sunday night. But the monies raised meant serious business for the ESCAPE Family Resource Center, whose mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect before a child is hurt. No “play money” here: corporate and individual sponsorships, topped by a high-bidding “live” auction and limited edition raffle, generated a whopping $323,000 for ESCAPE coffers.
With Co-Chairs Joan Schnitzer Levy and Gerald Franklin at the helm and Janice and Bob McNair, founder, chairman and CEO of the HOUSTON TEXANS, as the “Hometown Superstar” headliners, the colorful, fun-filled dinner was destined for “To Infinity and Beyond” success. Tony’s was transformed into a virtual toy box, with curly-Q and toy-animal balloons and play toys as centerpieces and local media celebrities and personalities decked out in creative Toy Box togs and ESCAPE aprons. The celebs’ mission: to sell “Buzz Lightyear” specialty drinks, limited edition raffle tickets and various trinkets and candies to support ESCAPE’s bottom line.
Longtime, deeply committed ESCAPE supporters Kristi (who previously worked in radio and had a mini reunion with News 92 FM Radio’s Lanny Griffith, a celebrity server) and John D. Schiller Jr., (Executive Committee member of ESCAPE), whose Energy XXI company was the top (“Starship”) sponsor of the benefit, were the high bidders on more than one “live” auction items, including an NFL Football autographed on-the-spot by Bob McNair, and a spur-of-the-moment package offered up by actor Lee Majors and his wife, Faith. -- dinner for six with the Majors! The Majors, who are new Houstonians, were table guests of Joan Schnitzer Levy and husband Irvin. Majors is famous for his role as TV’s “$6 Million Man.”
Restaurateur Tony Vallone welcomed an overflow crowd of 300 ESCAPE supporters who filled the entire restaurant. Guests raved about the exquisite menu complemented by wines generously donated by Becker Vineyards. In addition to the 25 or so media celebrities lined up by Celebrity Chair Kim Padgett and make-believe action figures like G.I. Joe (Stylist Todd Ramos) and adorably made-up Toy Soldier Edward Sanchez, there were some very real-life action heroes in the house, namely NASA astronauts Gene Cernan (and wife, Jan), and Walt Cunningham (and wife, Dot). KHOU-TV anchor Chita Johnson, KHOU-TV Reporter Courtney Zubowski, KTRK-TV Meteorologist Casey Curry and KUHT-TV Host Ernie Manouse (who assisted KTRK-TV Anchor and Emcee Tom Koch with auctioneer duties) were centers of attention in their Barbie Doll, Woody (sans “Buzz Lightyear”), Candyland and Ernie (sans “Bert”) personas. Other Celebrity Servers on tap: Buzz Lady Roseann Rogers, KTRK-TV reporter Andy Cerota, KIKK/FOX 26’s Cleverley Stone, Absolutely! Memorial’s Lara Bell, Shara Fryer, The 9-5-0 Radio’s Michael Garfield, Houston Chronicle Society Writer Lindsey Love and KTRK-TV Reporter Miya Shay. Susan Farb Morris, a.k.a. the PR Fairy, came dressed as a PR Fairy Princess, complete with a tiara.
According to Lidya K. Osadchey, CEO of the ESCAPE Family Resource Center, the Celebrity Serve Benefit is a major annual source of funding for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is held in April as part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. For more info about ESCAPE, call (713) 942-9500, ext. 14, or go to http://www.learntoparent.org.
This post was written by guest blogger Susan Farb Morris.
KPRC 2 expands mid-day newscast from 11am to 12:30pm with only hour and a half block of news in Houston
Thanks to one of my eagle-eyed blog commenters, we learn that KPRC 2 has launched a new noon newscast today with anchor Andy Cerota and meteorologist Britta Merwin.
That means the Houston NBC affiliate now has an hour and a half news block for the mid-day slot, since it already has an hour long 11am show.
KPRC now leads the mid-day news war in terms of amount of news offered.
As far as the rest of its television schedule, KPRC now airs:
- The Insider at 12:30pm.
- Days of Our Lives remains in the 1pm slot
- The Meredith Vieira Show moves to 2pm.
- Dr. Phil stays at 3pm.
- Then comes more news with KPRC 2 News at 4.
So how long till the other Houston stations copy this news increase? It might be hard to offer a news counter since the other stations could be more constrained by their particular network schedule and demands.
That's a wrap folks! 1st @KPRC2 noon newscast with kprc2 Britta Merwin is in the history books. #kprc2
Posted by KPRC2 Andy Cerota on Monday, March 30, 2015
The expanded newscast will air from 3 to 4pm with Andy Cerota and Rachel Briers while Caroline Brown is on maternity leave, replacing the Entertainment Tonight rerun that had occupied the 3:30pm half-hour.
The expansion comes three years after KPRC 2 first launched its 3pm newscast. The half-hour KPRC 2 News at 3 debuted on September 11, 2023, replacing Dr. Phil in the afternoon lineup.
The original 3pm team included anchors Andy Cerota and Lisa Hernandez, along with meteorologist Justin Stapleton, who has since moved to the station's morning newscasts.
ABC13 KTRK debuted 3pm news in 2018. The Channel 13 3pm news remains a half-hour.
And one thing for sure, my inbox will get a lot lighter, because believe you me, channel 2 viewers have been asking me about any potential baby news for the TV meteorologist.
Here is a transcription of the above video:
Andy Cerota: Welcome back. We have a very special announcement and this is breaking news. You are hearing it for the first time right here on KPRC two News at noon. Our KPRC two family is growing. Caroline, take it from here.
Caroline Brown: I have been so excited to share this announcement. So let's show you that mid range forecast coming up. And I am forecasting a baby boy coming February next year. My husband and I are so overjoyed that we're having a baby boy, a seventh generation Texan. We posted this photo on social media about our little pumpkin coming very, very soon. Many people might have noticed, and now we're just overjoyed to let everybody know. Another KPRC baby coming.
Cerota: And we are so thrilled for you and Jack starting a family. Have you picked out a name?
Brown: We have picked out a name, so he's going to be Jack junior. The plan is to call him JJ. So baby JJ.
When Mike asked me to post to the blog during his excursion to Scotland, he suggested I use this space to ruminate on my retirement from Channel 13.My contract actually ended at Midnight Sunday, so I’m just beginning to get used to not being a member of the working Houston media.The cliché is that all who work in the print and broadcast worlds are members of the Houston “Media Fraternity.”Actually, aside from the weekly paddling sessions that some of us choose not to attend, it’s not a fraternity at all.Or a sorority.It’s a group of people who work in a highly competitive industry all racing to see who can connect first and most effectively with readers, viewers or listeners.To that list I suppose we now add surfers.
The part that can be compared to a social club is the part where, after the information has been passed on to the masses, everyone gathers over drinks or food or poker chips to compare stories and curse the collective tyranny of big city media management.“(My boss said I could cover the Super Bowl, but I’d have to buy my own ticket!”“Well I worked on a story all day and it got killed for a police chase.)”
I bring this up because for the past few weeks, as I neared the date of my departure, I spent lots to time talking about the great people I’ve worked with for over 30 years at KTRK-TV.I’m asked “what’s Dave Ward really like?” or “Does Tom Koch ever sleep?”But, no-one asks about folks I’ve known and respected on other channels.
Consider for a moment:If you watch a live report from the newsroom of any local station, all of the television sets in the background will show programs from that station or its affiliated networks.It’s a rule you do not break.If Andy Cerota(13) were to appear at a desk in the newsroom with Dominique Sachse (2) on a screen behind him, someone would get yelled at.But, the truth is every station watches every other station every day all day long.Just because none of those screens behind Bill BallezashowsIsaih Carey, don’t assume that Channel 2 is not watching Channel 26. And 11 is watching 2. 13 is watching 26. 26 is watching 39, etc.Over the years, at home and at work, I’ve seen some great people on the screens of other stations.
Some of them are people I worked with at 13 who, for various reasons, went “across the street”.That’s broadcast jargon for “went to work for a competitor.”Alan Hembergerand Frank Billingsley are two prime examples.When I am with either of them we pick up where we left off on a conversation that started years ago when we worked together.Shern-Min Chow, Jeff McShan, Deborah Duncan, Vicente Arenas and others who helped make Channel 13 a powerhouse went across the street to Channel 11.There are others.People I’ve never worked with but I consider “colleagues.”
I’ve watched Phil Archer, Doug Miller, Randy Wallace, Mary Bentonand dozens of others so many times that, even though I rarely see them in person, they still seem like close friends.That sensation is even greater when it involves weather people from other stations.I can swap stories with Dr. Frank, Cecilia Sinclair and Mario Gomezabout negative feedback after a blown weekend forecast.Mike Iscovitz and David Paul and I share the experience of being asked about the weather wherever we go.It’s something weather people can relate to.
The fraternity extends well beyond Houston.While at 13 I met Geraldo Rivera, Jerry Springer and Hillary Duff.(Actually, they still seem like strangers). Charlie Gibson was pretty down to earth. Like anyone who was fortunate enough to meet Peter Jennings, I will never forget him.
Maybe if I’d stayed longer, I’d have met Bruce Tonioli.Or, my favorite network reporter, Miguel Marquez, who covered fires and trials from LA for CNN and is now at ABC.Maybe.Someday.
Drum roll please...it is the Houston Chronicle/CBS Radio's Anna-Megan Raley! She won the Houston media turkey calling contest which took place last Saturday at the Houston Zoo (see photos of all the Houston media participants above).
As you probably know by now, I have teamed up with TXU Energy to help get the word out about its TXU Energy Turkey Trot benefiting Sheltering Arms Senior Services. The race takes place at Dillard’s near the Galleria on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012.
Raley will have the opportunity to designate a public place to have a tree planted by TXU Energy and the Texas Trees Foundation.
Brittany Jeffers' television agent company announced that she has been promoted to a KPRC 2 News at Noon Houston anchor.
I contacted Channel 2 on Monday afternoon for more information, but did not hear back.
So just like you, I am wondering is Jeffers an addition to the 12pm newscast? Will she remain as a weekend morning anchor with Cathy Hernandez and only anchor on the noon news for three days a week?
KPRC 2 is rallying Houstonians to come together for a powerful day of community support and hurricane preparedness on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
KPRC 2 Cleanup Day will spotlight local areas devastated by recent floods and tornadoes, while looking ahead to an active upcoming hurricane season.
The day culminates with KPRC 2’s annual Hurricane & Flood Survival Guide, a 30-minute special airing that night at 7 on KPRC 2 and streaming live on KPRC 2+.
In the hard-hit River Plantation neighborhood of Conroe, hundreds of homes were destroyed by catastrophic flooding, and debris still lines the streets. KPRC 2's Andy Cerota and Bill Spencer will be live on the ground, documenting the aftermath through gripping personal stories. A local junk removal company has generously stepped up to donate trucks to help this resilient community clear away debris that could pose a danger when another storm strikes.
One homeowner caring for her husband with dementia put it, "This is make or break time with the upcoming hurricane season."
Just miles away in Cypress, Lisa Hernandez and Justin Stapleton will report live on the scope of the damage from a recent tornado touchdown. Hernandez will also share a special story shining a light on the pets and animals displaced by the deadly storms.
In addition, KPRC 2 will host a phone bank in its Grand Lobby with the American Red Cross for viewers to call in and make donations. Contributions will go toward supporting flood and tornado victims. Impacted families will join in person to courageously share their powerful stories of perseverance in the face of adversity. Major sponsors with the American Red Cross will donate checks live on KPRC 2 to support the ongoing recovery.
Representatives from the Houston Fire Department will also participate, providing critical expertise on hurricane preparedness and how to keep families safer when the next storm strikes.
The day will end with KPRC 2’s annual Hurricane & Flood Survival Guide at 7 p.m., which will also be on the KPRC 2+ Livestream. It's a day to unite, rebuild, and reinforce our unshakeable community bonds.
Mike McGuff admits, he really is just a turkey - gobble, gobble
You might remember me talking about the TXU Energy Houston Media Turkey Calling Contest a few years ago on the old blog. Well this year I'm competing in it. The goal...to knock Grego (last year's champion) off his perch.
The event promotes the upcoming TXU Energy Houston Turkey Trot, which helps Neighborhood Centers, Inc. deliver services to thousands of Houston-area children and seniors.
The winner of the media contest gets a tree planted in their honor thanks to TXU.
It all goes down at 10 a.m. on the Butterfly Stage in the Children’s Zoo at The Houston Zoo.
And if you are so inclined, you can come on down and jump on the stage too. If you are a real turkey, then you could win some prizes.
Here are the folks I'm trying to out turkey (more media types might be added):
Ron Trevino - KHOU-TV (CBS)
Doug Miller- KHOU-TV (CBS)
Craig Hlavaty - Houston Chronicle
Cowboy Dave - The New Bull @ 100.3 KILT
Todd Freed - KUBE-TV
Grego - NewsFix/CW39
Brien Straw - SportsRadio 610 KILT
Basically my plan is to watch Grego's performance from last year and copy him. That outlaw is going down!
