Doug Johnson of KPRC has died

Beloved former KPRC 2 weatherman Doug Johnson had passed away at the age of 79


It's with sad news I pass on the news that one of Houston's most popular weathermen, KPRC's Doug Johnson, 79, has died, his former station is reporting.

I can still remember sitting in my grandmother's living room watching her TV friends Ron Stone and Doug Johnson on the "Scene at 5" just having a friendly conversation on the channel 2 newscast. Years later, I watched a clip of those two again and it was amazing how effortless they made it look compared to today's more scripted fare.

RELATED
Video: KPRC 2 remembers Doug Johnson

I would guess that was the appeal of Johnson, he really was like someone you knew in real life. He also helped pioneer television news while covering some dangerous Houston weather.

Johnson was also a fixture on 950 KPRC AM when the Hobby family owned both the television and radio stations, probably only making him more popular with Houstonians.

According to the Liberty County Vindicator newspaper, Johnson was born in the Houston Heights and was a fifth generation Texan. He attended Reagan High School, TCU, Alaska Baptist University and Alaska University.

His first radio job was at KBYR Anchorage, Alaska. He joined KPRC in 1962 and remained on the NBC affiliate until 1994.

Johnson returned to Houston morning TV after KPRC on what was at the time KNWS 51.

In KPRC's excellent story on Johnson's life, the station featured the infamous clip of Wilma the Weather Chicken. Yes, there was a chicken before Radar the Weather Dog.

Johnson told Ernie Manouse on A Conversation on Houston Classic TV on Houston Public Media TV 8 KUHT in 2012 all about the clip which I have transcribed below.

"Ron Stone thought of millions of things over the years that would make my life miserable. And he always thought I needed help with the weather and Wilma the Weather Chicken was one of his inventions," "He presented it to me on the five o'clock show. And he told me to open up the lid, take the chicken out, and it would peck food from the bowl indicating the weather for the next day. We had a bowl called 'partly cloudy,' one called 'cloudy,' and one called 'clear.' So I reach in to grab the chicken, and I've seen chickens before, I had spent some time on the farm up in Franklin, TX, but I had never seen a chicken like this one before. It looked more like the cross between a buzzard and a dove. And it bit me as I was taking it out. And I enjoy sympathy so I wore a big bandage to work the next day. Anyway I set the chicken down and it took off. It didn't peck from any of the bowls, but flew up into the rafters after it landed on Bill Worrell's desk and defecated. But it stayed into the rafters for probably a week until they hired a wrangler to come out and get it."

VIDEO: KPRC's Doug Johnson recalls Houston's worst hurricanes

What is KPRC 2's Ron Stone without Doug Johnson?


We continue our look at classic KPRC 2 and Ron Stone videos this week that have recently surfaced on YouTube thanks to Houstonian Josh Burdick.

But how can you cover Stone without mentioning his partner in TV gold, weatherman Doug Johnson? In 1991, KPRC produced a still current staple in the Houston TV market, the hurricane special. The The Greatest Storm on Earth takes a look back on the big storms to hit our area like the Galveston storm of 1900, Hurricanes Carla and Alicia plus more.

I have to take a moment to mention, this show was totally sponsored by the Bob Lanier for Mayor campaign. And check out the hilarious Houston Post commercial before the show starts!

Channel 2 pulled out some great historical photos from the past, along with its vast video archive. In fact, check out how Alicia turned Johnson literally blue during the station's non-stop coverage.

Also featured our members of the KPRC weather team including Ted Shaw, Roland Galvan and Dave Dickson. Reporters and anchors who get some face time are Ken Fairchild, George Nelson, chief photographer Fred Edison, Dan O'Rourke and Bill Balleza.

RELATED
- WATCH: Ron Stone covers the 80s in 'So Long Urban Cowboy'
- What is KPRC 2's Ron Stone without Doug Johnson?
- VIDEO: KPRC 40 Years - A Houston Essay with Ron Stone
- WATCH: Ron Stone's last KPRC 2 newscast
- VIDEO: KPRC 2's Ron Stone and Doug Johnson sure had on air chemistry
- VIDEO: Classic Houston TV hosts talk about golden age

WATCH: Ron Stone's last KPRC 2 newscast

In September 1992, Ron Stone anchored his last KPRC 2 newscast


In September of 1992, one of Houston's greatest television news anchors retired and all this week we'll take a look at classic Ron Stone and KPRC 2, no make that Big 2, videos.

This all thanks to Houstonian Josh Burdick who must have quite the VHS collection because he's been unloading clips to YouTube in a mass frenzy.

In fact, Burdick just recently posted Stone's last newscast which was way more tribute than news. The clip features co-anchor Linda Lorelle, weatherman and co-hort Doug Johnson, Craig Roberts and more.

You know who went on to replace Stone the next day? That's right, current channel 2 anchorman Bill Balleza.

But wait there's more, even Stone's competitors like KHOU 11's Steve Smith and KTRK abc13's Dave Ward make appearances on Stone's last newscast. And oh yeah, in the other clip, Tom Brokaw says goodbye to Stone.

Come back tomorrow for more!

RELATED
- WATCH: Ron Stone covers the 80s in 'So Long Urban Cowboy'
- What is KPRC 2's Ron Stone without Doug Johnson?
- VIDEO: KPRC 40 Years - A Houston Essay with Ron Stone
- WATCH: Ron Stone's last KPRC 2 newscast
- VIDEO: KPRC 2's Ron Stone and Doug Johnson sure had on air chemistry
- VIDEO: Classic Houston TV hosts talk about golden age

WATCH: Ron Stone and KPRC 2 look back at JFK Assassination

KPRC 2 "The Scene At Five" 25th Anniversary of JFK Assassination


In 1988, KPRC 2's Ron Stone, Doug Johnson with reporters Ron Regan (now chief investigative reporter at WEWS in Cleveland) and Catherine Smith remembered the 25th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination.

This look back was done on channel 2's "The Scene at Five" and aired live from the Sam Houston Coliseum - the last place JFK made a major speech before his death.

RELATED
- WATCH: Ron Stone covers the 80s in 'So Long Urban Cowboy'
- What is KPRC 2's Ron Stone without Doug Johnson?
- VIDEO: KPRC 40 Years - A Houston Essay with Ron Stone
- WATCH: Ron Stone's last KPRC 2 newscast
- VIDEO: KPRC 2's Ron Stone and Doug Johnson sure had on air chemistry
- VIDEO: Classic Houston TV hosts talk about golden age

KPRC 2 remembers Doug Johnson

A week ago, we learned the sad news that former KPRC 2 weatherman Doug Johnson had died. The station wrapped up the coverage of its 70th anniversary with a tribute to Johnson, who was actually supposed to be there that day to appear on air.

VIDEO: KPRC 40 Years - A Houston Essay with Ron Stone

In 1989, Ron Stone produced a documentary that explored Houston's and KPRC 2's vast history


Ron Stone is back again, as all this week, mikemcguff.com celebrates recently uncovered videos from this iconic TV Houston newsman. Today, Stone brings us this classic documentary by KPRC 2 called 40 Years: A Houston Essay which covers the years 1949-1989.

The show proves Stone was more than just an anchor who read a teleprompter from behind a news desk, because he actually wrote and produced the whole thing with his son, Ron Stone Jr.

The documentary deftly intertwines KPRC's and Houston's history together, and as a native Houstonian, I even learned things from watching it!

Early on, the show addresses Houston haters and the Bayou City's early battles for respect that still linger today.

One of Stone's funniest lines is when talking about the construction of the Houston Ship Channel in the early 20th century. Some jealous Dallas folks were quoted as saying, "If those Houston people could suck as hard as they could blow, they wouldn't need a ditch, they could just pull the ocean in."

Stone also reminded us that an unnamed East Coast newspaper reminded its readers that, "Hell and Houston both start with an H." Even Pastor Billy Graham apparently said most Houstonians would spend eternity in Hell.

But, don't worry, along with the darker side of Houston's past, good things are spotlighted too. But these days, the good things about Houston are more prevalent in the news and that's one reason we might surpass Chicago in population eventually I guess. Although based on the reporting of that story, we have a ways to go with our image.

By the way, how Houston is this? I'm listening to ZZ Top's Tres Hombres as I write this post! Enjoy!

RELATED
- WATCH: Ron Stone covers the 80s in 'So Long Urban Cowboy'
- What is KPRC 2's Ron Stone without Doug Johnson?
- VIDEO: KPRC 40 Years - A Houston Essay with Ron Stone
- WATCH: Ron Stone's last KPRC 2 newscast
- VIDEO: KPRC 2's Ron Stone and Doug Johnson sure had on air chemistry
- VIDEO: Classic Houston TV hosts talk about golden age

WATCH: Ron Stone covers the 80s in 'So Long Urban Cowboy'

In So Long Urban Cowboy, Stone covers the 80s and notes, "Our redneck gets whiter, and our blue collar gives way to an image of suit and tie."


Well, I've certainly enjoyed looking back at legendary KPRC 2 anchor Ron Stone, and based on the reaction, I know you have too. Sites get criticized for throwing around words like "legendary," but in the case of Stone, I think the use is totally appropriate.

Today, we view Stone's 1989 documentary looking back at the so-called decade of excess. But for Houston, the decade should probably be called one of transformation.

In So Long Urban Cowboy, Stone look at the 1980s includes a great line, "Our redneck gets whiter, and our blue collar gives way to an image of suit and tie."

The biggest little Texas city was becoming international.

Stone opens with the rise and fall of Gilley's (Did you see the CMT documentary by the way? Good.) to a real cowboy, Bum Phillips, scoring with the Houston Oilers.

That gives way to young Houston singles living it up in the Colonial House apartments and the opening of the Wortham Center and The Menil Collection. Stone says the most famous convention center that resembles a ship at sea, the George R. Brown, was constantly being redesigned to save time and money.

And of course there are mentions of the Shamrock Hotel closing and Mayor Kathy Whitmire.

In "the more things change, the more they stay the same" category, Houston had big traffic problems with constant freeway construction back then and downtown would empty out after the business day ended (although the latter is changing now). There were also controversies with a rail system.

Enjoy! They don't make 'em like this anymore. Make sure to check out the 950 AM KPRC commercial at the beginning! And thanks to Josh Burdick who recorded this treasure, saved it all these years and posted it, along with the others, on YouTube.

RELATED
- What is KPRC 2's Ron Stone without Doug Johnson?
- VIDEO: KPRC 40 Years - A Houston Essay with Ron Stone
- WATCH: Ron Stone's last KPRC 2 newscast
- VIDEO: KPRC 2's Ron Stone and Doug Johnson sure had on air chemistry
- VIDEO: Classic Houston TV hosts talk about golden age

KPRC anchor Ron Stone passes away

Longtime KPRC Channel 2 Houston anchor Ron Stone has passed away KPRC reports:

Ron Stone, who anchored the news on KPRC TV for 20 years and was a Houston broadcasting legend, passed away from cancer on Tuesday, KPRC Local 2 reported.Stone, who turned 72 on April 6, spent more than 30 years on the air in Houston.He was a daily fixture for KPRC viewers from 1972 until he retired in 1992 and formed a production company. Prior to that, Stone worked at KHOU TV for 10 years. READ THE REST

I have known about his condition for about a week or so, but did not post it. I am sure the Stone family needed privacy during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

RELATED
- WATCH: Ron Stone covers the 80s in 'So Long Urban Cowboy'
- What is KPRC 2's Ron Stone without Doug Johnson?
- VIDEO: KPRC 40 Years - A Houston Essay with Ron Stone
- WATCH: Ron Stone's last KPRC 2 newscast
- VIDEO: KPRC 2's Ron Stone and Doug Johnson sure had on air chemistry
- VIDEO: Classic Houston TV hosts talk about golden age

Steve Smith, former KHOU 11 anchor, talks KPRC 2 newscast 'Scene at 5'

Former KHOU 11 anchor Steve Smith's guest mikemcguff.com post

1968 election night at KPRC with the late Ray Miller (News Director), the late Larry Rasco (Anchor), Steve Smith and Scene at 5 producer Bill Springer (courtesy Steve Smith).

Former KHOU 11 anchor Steve Smith wrote mikemcguff.com a guest post about the KPRC 2 newscast "The Scene at 5." This after I linked to a video clip of the show's re-birth on 4/4/1988 with Ron Stone and Doug Johnson. Hey look, that was 25 years ago today.

Steve Smith - 20 years ago

Smith is here to tell us about the original "Scene at 5" on channel 2 he created and anchored back in the late 1960s. I am honored to bring you Steve Smith to this blog:

"The Scene at 5 on Channel 2 started in either 1968 or 1969 (the memory goes first) when local TV talk personality Chris Chandler left KPRC to do other things.

Longtime Channel 2 News Director and Southwest TV News legend Ray Miller and Channel 2 GM Jack Harris gave that 5 PM half hour to yours truly, and told me to do something with it. I was already anchoring the 10 PM news at that point. The concept was ours...that is, mine, along with ace producers Bill Springer and Elsa Ransom, and later, director Bruce Bryant.

Steve Smith - current

We wanted to keep it light, with little hard news, and always wanted to include a little weather (and other business) chat with weatherman Doug Johnson at the end. I did the show for approximately five years before following the money and moving to an anchor job at KDKA TV in Pittsburgh in December, 1973."

Thanks Steve! Anchor Ron Stone took over the show at that point.

Houston TV news watchers will know Smith returned to Houston in 1976. He served as the main anchor of KHOU 11 for 23 years and retired 14 years ago this coming May. That's when current anchor, Greg Hurst, took over.

Smith still does voice work and writing through his company Anchor Communications, with some fishing and travelling mixed in. A Smith voice over that made news recently was his work in Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom.

VIDEO: KPRC 2's Ron Stone and Doug Johnson sure had on air chemistry

Before Tribune Company came up with the anchor-less NewsFix for KIAH 39, TV anchors mattered to television stations.

Look back at two Houston TV legends, Ron Stone and Doug Johnson, when they anchored the revived Scene at Five on KPRC 2 in the late 1980s. These two had a ton of on air charisma and chemistry. It is literally like watching two old friends. You don't get stuff like this outside of a morning show these days and even those newscasts are heavily formatted for the most part.

MORE VIDEO:
- KPRC The Scene at Five Premiere, 4/4/88
- KPRC Channel Two News at 10pm w/Sign Off

Remember KNWS 51? Anchor Michael Quinn's reunion stories

Michael Quinn

Remember KNWS 51? Back in 1993, it began as Houston's version of CNN's Headline News at the time. And come on, you can't get better call letters for an all news station!

The station had a loop of local news, tons of local sports coverage and a morning talk show with former KPRC 2 weatherman Doug Johnson.

Years later, the concept would serve as a blue print for Time Warner's News 24 Houston. Both eventually would leave the airwaves and cable lineup, but did usher in the era of MMJs which all the stations have now. Back then they were called one-man bands, VJs, backpack journalists...etc.

Former channel 51 morning anchor Michael Quinn has been thinking back fondly on his time with the all news station and making the rounds this month, catching up with his former news team.

Michael Quinn and Wendy Granato

He first got to catch up with KNWS anchor/news director Wendy Granato, who you will know now as the Vice President of News at abc13 KTRK.

"Wendy is like a sister to me, she's awesome, and look at her, she's as beautiful as the first day I met her in 1993," Quinn said.

Melanie Johnson and Michael Quinn

Quinn also met up with another person who he says was instrumental in his career, former 51 anchor and station owner Melanie Johnson.

"She is responsible for my television news career...period," Quinn added. "If there wasn't Melanie Johnson, Wendy nor Channel 51 would have been in my life or Houston for that matter."

Michael Quinn and Dave Ward

Also he wishes Dave Ward a speedy recovery. It was just by chance he visited channel 13 and got a selfie with the legendary anchor.

"Dave is a good man and the last of the original Eyewitness News anchors started by Al Primo in the 60's," Quinn said. "I interned under the legendary Bill Bonds at WXYZ-TV in Detroit. Dave told me he never met Bill (who is now gone), but they remind me of each other every day. I've been fortunate to have worked in two major Eyewitness News markets (Detroit & Houston). Dave always remembers me, is always kind and an honor to know."

KPRC 2 Houston celebrates 75th anniversary

KPRC 2 celebrated its 75th anniversary as the first TV station in Houston on January 1, 2023.

The station signed on at 9pm way back in 1949 as KLEE-TV.  In 1951, KLEE became KPRC as a reference to Houston's industries of Kotton Port Rail Center.

Back when KPRC celebrated its 70th anniversary, the station featured lots of coverage of its massive history.  In 2018, the station sent me a press release heralding the many firsts of KPRC 2:

· The first Houston television station to hire female reporters

· The first Houston television station to use weather radar

· The first Houston television station to go “live” from the scene

· The first Houston television station to hire African-American reporters

· The first Houston television station to hire female sportscasters

Here are more highlights of KPRC's history from its 70th anniversary and beyond:

- KPRC 2 remembers Doug Johnson

- Jan Carson remembers her times at KPRC 2

- Linda Lorelle remembers her time at KPRC 2

- Bob Nicholas remembers times at KPRC 2

- Craig Roberts remembers times at KPRC 2

- Phil Archer recalls being stabbed in the 1978 Moody Park riots

- Fmr Houston TV reporter Napoleon Johnson remembers times at KPRC 2

- From KPRC 2 to NBC News

- Sara Lowrey: Houston TV news trailblazer

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

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- Canadian Weathermen Swept Away by Blizzard
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- 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
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KENS-TV anchor Knapp engaged
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WOAI-TV ex Broome shocked by graphic news slip
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S.A. Confidential: Alanna Sarabia, 'Living' co-host/WOAI entertainment buff
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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
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Austin-based owner of KXAN sold for $1.6 billion
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Bob-FM back atop Austin radio ratings
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96.3 RnB adds Suga Rae to DJ lineup
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New York Times names Jake Silverstein as Magazine editor
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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

KPRC 2 10pm newscast May 10, 1985

What was happening in Houston TV news on 5/10/1985?
Thanks to the magic of YouTube uploaders who apparently pulled out the old VHS on that day, we can find out.
Houston TV History has uploaded this complete KPRC 2 10pm newscast from the mid 1980s.
The "2 News" anchors were Jan Carson, Bill Balleza in for Ron Stone, weather with  Doug Johnson and Sports Director Ron Franklin.
You'll see reports from Rick Nelson, Bob Nicholas and Ford Atkinson.
Oh, and the original commercials are still in!

KPRC 2 latest sports hire Chester Pitts?

If you tuned into KPRC 2 Monday evening, you saw former Houston Texan and football analyst for Sports Sunday Chester Pitts was sitting in Randy McIlvoy's chair! Did the broadcasting student overtake the teacher?



Turns out Pitts was just keeping the seat warm for McIlvoy while he was live from Reliant Stadium. Ahhh, sweeps month. Remember when KPRC brought back Ron Stone and Doug Johnson for sweeps?

KPRC 2 70 anniversary wrap up

Last week, it was great going back to revisit some of the greats that took to the airwaves of KPRC over the years as channel 2 celebrates its 70th anniversary.

Here are links to the on air coverage and Facebook Live videos I found.

- KPRC 2 remembers Doug Johnson

- Jan Carson remembers her times at KPRC 2

- Linda Lorelle remembers her time at KPRC 2

- Bob Nicholas remembers times at KPRC 2

- Craig Roberts remembers times at KPRC 2

- Phil Archer recalls being stabbed in the 1978 Moody Park riots

Houston classic TV host come together on KUHT 8

I was pretty happy to see this email from the folks at KUHT 8 Houston PBS. Producer/host Ernie Manouse will sit down with such beloved Houston personalities as Joanne King Herring (The Joanne King Show), Warner Roberts (The Warner Roberts Show), Jan Glenn (Good Morning Houston), Harold Gunn (Captain Harold's Theater of the Sky), Jim Bernhard (The Greenroom) and Doug Johnson (KPRC News) to share stories and memories from the golden age of Houston television.

The show called A Conversation on Houston Classic TV will air 8pm on November 18 on KUHT 8. The show as produced as a local complement to the national, four-part PBS series, American in Primetime, which looks at today’s popular programs through the lens of classic television shows.

“Since its inception, television has served as a lens on American society. Outside of the big networks, communities across the nation, like Houston, often found their own voice in local television shows,” says Emmy-award winner Ernie Manouse. “Not only was Houston home to the first educational television station (KUHT), some of the local shows garnered national attention (The Joanne King Show), and often beat the national competition in the ratings.”

A Conversation on…is an award-winning series of specials produced by HoustonPBS. In addition to the episode featuring classic television personalities, the station will also present, A Conversation on Art and Film, a discussion on the importance of cinema with local and national producers and filmmakers participating in the Cinema Arts Festival Houston. The show will air at 8pm, Friday, November 11 on HoustonPBS/Channel 8.

For more information, visit www.houstonpbs.org.

Behind the scenes of Big 2 News KPRC Houston - 1978

Let Ron Stone and Big 2 News take us back to 1978 when microwave signals and videotape were new to TV news, and the tape deck and camera were separate units.

Stone highlights the latest in electronic news gathering at the time and how Channel 2 got the news on air every evening.

The KPRC 2 Houston mini-doc from decades ago, just posted by the Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI), features Cindy Martin, George Caldwell, Ray Miller, Larry Weidman, Doug Johnson, Phil Archer, Jack Cato, Jon Burkhart, and Steve Long. 

- The Eyes of Texas December 14, 1985 VIDEO
- KPRC Channel 2 documentary from 1965
- Mike Capps: From KPRC to WFAA, ABC and CNN

The History of Houston Broadcasting 1919–2019

The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park just emailed out this event. If you read my blog, then you might want to attend. Sure wish I could!

Here is more from the society's email:

Noon Lecture
The History of Houston Broadcasting 1919–2019
by Phil Stewart
Thursday, August 15, 2019
12:00–1:00 p.m.
The Heritage Society Tea Room
Free for members, $5 for non-members

Phil Stewart has worked in in all facets of the broadcasting industry for over 35 years. He will discuss the beginnings of Radio in Houston, from the granting of licences in the early 20’s to the development of television in the 50’s. Along the way, he will discuss Houstonians who were responsible for the development and innovations that affected broadcasting around the world. These would be Jesse Jones, Ross Sterling, William P. Hobby, Oveta Culp Hobby, Oscar Holcomb, Glen McCarthy, Howard Hughes and many more. He will also discuss the personalities along with tapes of their work including Ron Stone, Doug Johnson, Hudson and Harrigan, Paul Boesch, Bill Young, Dan Rather, Jessica Savitch, Steve Lundy, Larry Kane, Stevens and Pruett, Marvin Zindler, Bill Bailey and many more. Most of these recordings are over 50 years old and he will include brief programs of the 40th and 50th anniversaries of Houston television stations.

Five years ago, Phil went into semi retirement and became a certified professional tour guide and joined the Professional Tour Guide Association and eventually became the organization’ s Vice President and eventually President. He currently serves on the organization’s board of Directors. He is a historian and Houston native. He purchased Discover Houston Tours and currently conducts tours of Houston, NASA, the San Jacinto Battleground, etc. Please join us for this exciting lecture.

If you would like to reserve a lunch, please contact Sheryl Tyler at styler@heritagesociety.org or 713-655-1912.

https://www.heritagesociety.org/

Anthony Yanez KPRC return promo video

This is the promo with me carrying a cardboard version of @AnthonyNBCLA around the station. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤣 pic.twitter.com/OYahxJhE0B

— Owen Conflenti 📺 (@kprc2owen) August 27, 2021

Anthony Yanez is on the verge of returning to KPRC 2 on 9-1-2021 (UPDATE: I am told by a station representative Yanez will not be on air that day), and the Houston station is already rolling out the promo welcome matt.

"The time has come to say goodbye. This weekend [was] my last at @nbcla," Yanez tweeted. "One final hike to the Hollywood sign. See you in September Houston."

When Yanzez left channel 2 and Houston for KNBC Los Angeles in 2015, the staff joked "the bromance" between Yanez and morning anchor Owen Conflenti was coming to an end.  Now it's returning as the promo shows.

Yanez and Conflenti have been compared to previous KPRC duos, anchor Ron Stone and Doug Johnson.