mikemcguff.com blog

Austin TV anchor quits Home Depot, KXAS changes and more

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:02:00 PST

MORE VIDEOS
- This Is Awkward
- Rangers Pitcher Delivers the Weather on WFAA
- KUSA Anchor Attacked by Rescued Dog During Morning Newscast

News anchors Campos and McCaa hope to join sports anchor Hansen in continuation of WFAA8's longstanding "Big Three"
Anchors Gloria Campos and John McCaa, both of whom joined WFAA 8 in 1984, say they are hopeful of signing new deals -- with salary reductions as part of the bargain.

Cantu leaves hardware job for better TV offer
Beloved Austin TV news guy Fred Cantu has left his job in the hardware department at Home Depot. He’s been given a steadier offer at KEYE-TV.

NBC5 has new sports reporter, with Rontina McCann out
NBC5 KXAS confirmed Wednesday that its sports staff has added David Watkins and parted ways with Rontina McCann.

KHKS Dallas' Kelli Rasberry raises ire with anti-marriage equality comment
An anti-gay marriage on-air comment by Kellie Rasberry, co-host of the syndicated Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show based at Clear Channel top 40 KHKS (Kiss-FM) Dallas, has created a firestorm of backlash.

Big WOAI changes: A.M. man Avila to weekends; new guy hired
After eight years of getting up before dawn, WOAI morning co-anchor Jaie Avila now can sleep in.

Former WFAA8 anchor Macie Jepson and the station reach undisclosed settlement on her discrimination claim
Three and a half years after being laid off, anchor Macie Jepson and WFAA8 have written the last chapter in their relationship with the settlement of her discrimination suit against the Dallas-based station.
- Former WFAA anchor Macie Jepson lands at WEWS Cleveland

Austin Weather–Sunny and Bright
Modern Equipment Means No More Glass Cleaning for Veteran KEYE-TV Chief Meteorologist Troy Kimmel

Programmer Tracy Austin exits KHMX Houston
Twenty-year programming veteran Tracy Austin is out at CBS adult top 40 KHMX (Mix 96.5) Houston.

Hearst Corporation announced new leadership at Houston Chronicle
Hearst Corporation announced new leadership at its leading Texas newspaper the Houston Chronicle.

Fox 7’s Jenni Lee finds true love on the job
You never know where the love bug will strike. For Fox 7 news anchor Jenni Lee, it happened while on the job back in 2002.

Who was laid of at Houston PBS
Houston PBS Channel 8 KUHT host Patricia Gras was laid off from the station recently. She lists the other folks let go from the station as a tribute in her blog.

McNairs to Headline ESCAPE 2012 Celebrity Serve Benefit
Among the 2012 Celebrity Servers will be: KTRK-TV Sports Director Bob Allen, KTRK-TV News Anchor Tom Koch, who will serve as emcee/auctioneer KHOU-TV Reporter Courtney Zubowski, Stylist Todd Ramos, “LiveWell Network ‘Deals’ Host Katishia Cosley, KPRC Radio Host Michael Garfield, “Mirror/Mirror” TV Host Rebecca Spera, FOX 26 TV/ 650 CBS Radio Host Cleverley Stone and Stylist Edward Sanchez.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Mike McGuff on KTRK 13's Good Morning Houston 1987
- Mike McGuff's post blogging art career
- Houston TV news from snow storm 12/22/1989
- Mungo to WFAA, where is KHOU's Triarsi? and Muddaraj pregnant
- 102.1 The Edge KDGE EdgeFest 22 FC Dallas Stadium

102.1 The Edge KDGE EdgeFest 22 FC Dallas Stadium

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:31:25 PST

102.1 The Edge KDGE FM announced EdgeFest 22 will be held on Sunday, April 22, at FC Dallas Stadium. This double staged, day-long concert event will feature:

The Black Keys
Evanescence
Garbage
Cage The Elephant
Cake
Blue October
Arctic Monkeys
Neon Trees
Civil Twilight
Switchfoot
The Ting Tings
Foxy Shazam
The Features
Aranda
Dead Sara
Chomsky.

For more than 20 years, Edge fans have been gathering together for this legendary concert event in Dallas.

“This is the show I’ve been waiting to put together for years,” said Josh Venable, Program Director, 102.1 The Edge. “This year’s line-up is a combination of the best core Edge artists and from shows like Old School Edge, Adventure Club and Local Edge.”

Tickets will go on-sale on Friday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. via all Ticketmaster outlets. Complete show details are available at www.KDGE.com.

Mungo to WFAA, where is KHOU's Triarsi? and Muddaraj pregnant

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:16:54 PST

Bonjour. I literally got off an 11 hour flight from Paris, France yesterday at 2pm and was already getting tips on Carolyn Mungo's new job as WFAA news director (more on that below). I'll have some videos and photos of my trip in the coming weeks by the way.

It seems like returning to America was like returning to a new world when it concerns TV stations. I normally like to call TV stations The Fortresses of Solitude, because much like Superman's getaway, info from the inside can hardly penetrate the outside walls. Meaning, without third party blogs, we never know who is coming and going as far as personnel.

But suddenly since I announce I'm slowing down this blog, I'm noticing that a bunch of stations have posted internal news on their own websites. It's like a major awakening has happened where TV stations realize they have websites where they can control their own messages, cutting out middlemen like myself.

Just last week I posted Fox 26 KRIV assistant ND Carolyn Mungo leaves station. Now WFAA.com reports that Carolyn Mungo has been named executive news director at WFAA channel 8 in Dallas. READ MORE

Next KHOU.com is reporting that new KHOU 11 weekend anchor Rekha Muddaraj is pregnant. READ MORE

Finally kiiitv.com is reporting that Dan Robbins is taking over as vice president and general manager of KIII-TV and new sister channel ME-TV. READ MORE

TV stations have no problem telling other people's business everyday, but they don't like looking inward for stories. The lack of transparency is why it is important there are blogs out there talking about these businesses who use our public airwaves. Remember, TV stations don't own the channel they broadcast on. This semi-openness is a step in the right direction for media outlets.

However, as one reader pointed out to me, where is reporter Allison Triarsi on KHOU 11's bios page? Guess we won't see a khou.com article on that.

UPDATE
I hear that Allison Triarsi just had a second child and is joining my world of stay at home parenting. She is also starting a business with her husband. Congrats to them.

Houston TV news from snow storm 12/22/1989

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:02:00 PST

Clips from the KPRC 2 midday show Nearly Noon from just before Christmas 1989 where the topic of the rare snowfall, cold temperatures and traffic tie ups are covered. Features Dan O'Rourke, Gail Anderson, Ted Shaw and Amy Huggins as well as an appearance from Santa Claus.

MORE HOUSTON TV STATION VIDEO FROM THAT DAY

KHOU 11 News at Noon Clips & Close, 12/22/1989
Brief montage of stories from the midday edition of KHOU's newscast, just before Christmas 1989. The top story this day, naturally, is the snow and ice slickened roadways around the Houston area. Features the late Sylvan Rodriguez, Meteorologist Mario Gomez and reporters Susan Starnes, Bill Jeffreys and John Getter.

KHOU 11 News at 6 Long Close, 12/22/1989
Here's the close to KHOU's 6 PM newscast from the Friday just before Christmas, 1989. It features a montage of scenes from around the area, mostly of people enjoying the rare snow fall and it's after effects at Hermann Park, specifically around the Miller Outdoor Theater. It's set to a version of "Let it Snow" performed by Leon Redbone.

KTRK 13 Eyewitness News 6PM Friday Close, 12/22/1989
Here's most of the close to the 6 PM edition of 13 Eyewitness News, featuring an instrumental version of "Winter Wonderland" as well as a montage of cold and snowy neighborhoods around town after the winter storm which had taken place earlier that day.

Mike McGuff's post blogging art career

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:02:00 PST

A few years ago I was digging up a broken French drain from my yard and I had a bunch of PVC pipes and nothing to do with them. I thought it was time to make some art. Much like Michelangelo would carve marble, I fit together PVC pipes.

My original muse was the recession. Then I thought and it only made sense to take pipes commonly used for drainage and make it TV related. My muse was channeled, and like a slap in the face by an executive news producer, I decided to recreate television color bars. It is both painted and lit to match what TV professionals use to set the correct colors for TV productions (although broadcast engineers will say the piece does not accurately recreate color bars - but it's art).

I'm thinking of calling it TV Color Delight or TV Color Deluxe.

When I finished my work, my two year old said it was "beautiful." I "premiered" the piece on my front lawn Halloween night. And no joke, trick or treaters actually walked up to it, observed it and said they liked it. The best was when someone drove up and took a photo (maybe it was the HOA looking to fine me - no bill received yet though).

So where do you display something so magnificent?

Naturally you would think it is a perfect fit for a TV station. I could loan it to the KTRK 13 pool area or maybe KPRC 2's weather garden. However, I really want it in the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH). If anyone has any connections, please let me know.

I have already been plotting my next piece with a totally different medium. However, I think there might be more PVC pipe magic on the way. This time though, there is no more pipes to dig up. I'll actually have to go to Home Depot and buy some.

Mike McGuff on KTRK 13's Good Morning Houston 1987

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:59:00 PST

Why did I want to work in TV news? I'm sure this 1987 appearance of mine on KTRK 13's Good Morning Houston was part of the reason. Take a look at Jan Glenn and Don Nelson in action!

McGuff out, '70s Dominique Sachse in

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:02:00 PST

After writing this blog for almost seven years, I am going to take a little break.

But plenty of posts will still be coming. So stay tuned.

In the meantime, make sure to friend me on Twitter, Facebook, Facebook page, Google+ or Tumblr for more media news when I start rolling again.

And just because I get such a spike in readership every time she is mentioned, here is KPRC 2 anchor Dominique Sachse (without fiance and businessman Nick Florescu this time) going back to the 70s.

See more of the Sachse photo session.

Culturemap says the reason Sachse went back in time was to help promote Lester and Sue Smith's Feb. 4 benefit for Texas Children's Cancer Center.

RELATED
- KPRC 2's Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu's new wedding plans
- KPRC 2's Dominique Sachse gets engaged in Rome
- KPRC 2 anchors use tablet for scripts on air

WFAA changes, Sachse back story and more

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:02:00 PST

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- Anchorwoman Arachnophobia News Blooper
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- Shelby Hodge takes on the divas
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- Ducking Woman Interrupts Reporter’s Live Shot

KTRK's Allen has soft spot for 2011 Texans
Bob Allen has seen practically everything that passes for sports mythology in Houston over the past 40 years, so I was surprised when he said this week that the team he has most enjoyed following was the 2011 Texans.
- KTRK 13's Bob Allen emptying his TV locker this year
- KTRK 13 sports director Bob Allen's Hollywood fame

WFAA8's next news director could be a first for D-FW market
WFAA8's ongoing search for a new news director may be nearing an end. Uncle Barky blogs that Kurt Davis, executive news director at CBS affiliate KENS-TV, has emerged as a leading candidate.
- Newsy items from the D-FW television news scene

WFAA anchors before they came to News 8
WFAA 8 dug deep into the vault to find footage of WFAA anchors John McCaa and Shelly Slater and meteorologist Pete Delkus before they made it to News 8.

The back story: Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu
KPRC anchor and fiance set a wedding date - Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu.
- KPRC 2's Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu's new wedding plans
- Dominique promotes heart health at Rockets game

Exclusive Holiday PPM Analysis: S.F., Dallas, Houston
Dallas' Lite gives Kiss the old heave Ho-Ho-Ho and KODA/HOUSTON turned in mirror-image growth to DECEMBER.

Rich Lord Survives Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Rich Lord of SportsRadio 610 KILT is recovering from surgery to repair a torn retina.

KDFW Reporter Peter Daut Joins WSOC-WAXN
Peter Daut, a reporter at KDFW, is leaving Dallas for a position as morning anchor at WSOC-WAXN in Charlotte.

Channeling Marvin Zindler
The Dallas Morning News remembers KTRK Action 13's Marvin Zindler.

WOAI may be making light side too light
WOAI-TV, which was thought of as San Antonio's no-nonsense news station for decades - even to the point of seeming too stodgy - has done a dramatic turnaround in the past year-and-a-half.

S.A. radio vet Chris Duel axed from sports show
It came as a shock to S.A. listeners: Veteran local radio personality Chris Duel has been fired from his afternoon sports talk show.

KVUE-TV Goes North Again to Find Newest Reporter
If you want to work at Austin’s KVUE-TV news, a good bet would be first to get a job at KCEN-TV, the NBC affiliate in Waco. With the hiring of reporter Ashley Goudeau, KVUE News Director Frank Volpicella has turned to his “farm club” for the fourth time in recent years.

All-Comedy Station Hits Dallas Radio February 1
February 1, George Gimarc, the man behind KZEW's late-great The Rock and Roll Alternative and The Edge, will take control of 1700 on your AM dial. And he will replace KKLF's current programming, nothing more than a KLIF simulcast, with his own: all comedy, all the time.

New morning show debuts on Austin’s Greatest Hits
Bo Chase is now helming the wakeup shift on 98.9 FM Austin’s Greatest Hits, a station focused on oldies from the 1960s and ’70s. He debuted today in the 6 to 10 a.m. timeslot.
- Comings, goings at KUT-FM

S.A. TV beauty, ex-beau on upcoming ‘Amazing Race’
San Antonio TV personality Vanessa Macias and her ex-boyfriend, a former Boerne bar owner, joined together to try and win the million-dollar prize on “Amazing Race.”

Activists want climate change on TV weather reports
The fight for hearts and minds when it comes to climate change has moved to a new battleground: your television set.

How Rick Perry helped America discover the Texas Tribune
The nonprofit news site already had the governor covered when he announced his campaign for president. The reward was record pageviews and new funding.

The New iHeartRadio Adds College Radio Stations
Rice University’s Rice Radio is one of those stations.

For 26 Episodes in 1966
WFAA Played Host to the Funkiest, Most Soulful TV Show in America

Belo expands Rentrak TV audience counting deal
Texas-based media owner Belo Corp has renewed its StationView Essentials local TV ratings contract with Rentrak, and expanded the agreement to cover channels in more markets.

MOVING
LaMar Holliday joins WANE in Fort Wayne as a multimedia journalist. He comes to Indiana from Texas, where he worked as a general assignment reporter for KBMT in Beaumont.

Kristen Guilfoos moves to WSAW in Wausau, WI, where she’ll be the weekday morning anchor. Most recently, Guilfoos worked at KFDA in Amarillo as a weekend anchor.

NATIONAL
- PAT SAJAK: I Was Drunk on 'Wheel of Fortune'
- Fox To Launch U.S. Hispanic Broadcast Net
- Amidst Rape Allegations, Greg Kelly Takes a Leave of Absence from WNYW
- A Year Later: Comcast Walked Its NBC Talk
- Police: Teens broke into CNN newsroom to check Facebook pages
- Local TV Stations Rally to Oppose Media Transparency

DIGITAL
- How ABC News built a top social media presence with a small dedicated team
- Local Online News to Get TMZ Slant in L.A.
- Multicasters: Stations Leave Millions Behind
- How CNN’s iReport verifies its citizen content
- Alt Weeklies Mine Roots To Drive Web Rev

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- DFW reality TV show follows 'American Pin Ups'
- Mix 102.9 KDMX lands Khloé Kardashian Odom
- NBC 5 Program Nominated for GLAAD Media Award
- Telemundo Houston KTMD hires Antonio Hernandez for morning news
- KPRC 2 hires Chris Best as assistant ND from KTVT-KTXA
- Where has KTRK 13 anchor Sharron Melton been?
- Fox 26 KRIV assistant ND Carolyn Mungo leaves station

Where has KTRK 13 anchor Sharron Melton been?

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:33:00 PST

Lots of emails coming into this blog asking where KTRK 13 morning news anchor Sharron Melton has been?

Don't worry Melton fans, she will be back. Here is what Melton wrote on her Facebook fan page:

"Sorry I've been away for so long. But, for those of you who do not know I have a painful back injury. As soon as I get past this, I will be back on the air. Thank you to all who have sent words of encouragement and prayers because I really do appreciate it."

Melton is not the only KTRK anchor disappearing from the channel 13 airwaves lately. Longtime anchor Dave Ward injured himself after a fall while heading to the news desk to anchor the 10pm news a few weeks ago. He is currently recovering from surgery.

RELATED
- PHOTOS: KTRK 13 morning show promo shoot
- New KTRK 13 morning anchor Sharron Melton

(Image courtesy of Girl Scouts of San Jacinto)

Fox 26 KRIV assistant ND Carolyn Mungo leaves station

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:48:40 PST

UPDATE
Carolyn Mungo named news director at WFAA channel 8 Dallas

It was in 2005, that Carolyn Mungo left the glitz and glamour of the Houston TV reporting world an entered the rough and tumble, often political world of TV news management. (That's enough of my noir writing experiment.)

Simply put, Mungo was a reporter at KHOU 11 and moved over to Fox 26 KRIV to be the managing editor about seven years go. In 2009, she ascended to the assistant news director role at the Fox owned and operated station.

I was alerted last Friday that it was Mungo's last day at KRIV.

"I can say I am very excited about my future," Mungo mysteriously told mikemcguff.com.

While Mungo is remaining mum for now, sources tell me her contract and non-compete were up and she is moving on from KRIV. To where, I don't know yet, but I understand she has several opportunities out there.

According to her old channel 11 bio, Mungo started at KHOU in 1999 and picked up a ton of awards while there such as 12+ Emmys, the Texas Associated Press' "reporter of the year" in 2001, a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for best documentary and two Gold World Medals from the New York Film Festival. It says she began her career in Austin and worked in Minneapolis and Phoenix before moving to Houston.

UPDATE
Carolyn Mungo named news director at WFAA channel 8 Dallas

KPRC 2's Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu's new wedding plans

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:03:28 PST

After the engagemnt of KPRC 2 anchor Dominique Sachse and businessman Nick Florescu was my number one post in 2011 in terms or reader traffic, you know I will follow up on this one. In fact, Sachse is clearly so popular in Houston, that I should be posting about her everyday!

Shelby Hodge of Culturemap is back with an update on the couple's upcoming wedding:

Copyright © 2011 Michelle Watson. All rights reserved.

Yes, Dominique and Nick Florescu will tie the knot in mid-May in Houston, having abandoned the early romantic idea of a wedding in Rome. ( Too many complications with family, children and orchestrating the perfect across-the-Atlantic nuptials.)

They will be wed in a private ceremony, family and intimate friends only, in the Memorial area home of John and Becca Cason Thrash. READ THE REST

Hodge has more details on the ceremony including the DiSanto gown Sachse will be wearing.

KPRC 2 hires Chris Best as assistant ND from KTVT-KTXA

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:32:03 PST

Chris Best via Twitter
@CBS11BestEP

KPRC 2 has hired the Best candidate for its open assistant news director position. Well at least the guy has the Best name.

Chris Best from CBS stations KTVT 11/KTXA 21 in the Dallas-Fort Worth TV market, is taking the Houston TV management gig (I'm sure Chris likes stuff like this as much as I like Crime Dog talk).

According to an internal KTVT memo about his new gig, Best is passionate, very good at breaking news and incorporating technology into the newscasts. It says he has been the driving force behind TXA21 News.

Best joined KTXA as managing editor in 2007 from WKMG Orlando where he was the assistant news director.

Best’s last day in DFW TV will be February 17th. As you might imagine, he is getting well wishes from the Metroplex TV community including former KHOU 11 reporter (now WFAA 8) Jason Whitely.

Best replaces Rick McFarland in the assistant news director role. McFarland is now the senior executive producer in charge of the areas like special assignments, the investigative unit, scheduling and sports.

Best did not get back with me for a comment.

Telemundo Houston KTMD hires Antonio Hernandez for morning news

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:02:00 PST

Former Univision 45 KXLN anchor Antonio Hernandez is returning to Houston TV after a few years out of the industry. This time Hernandez is moving up the television dial to Telemundo Houston KTMD.

"I left Univision almost five years ago because I opened a Real Estate company," Hernandez told mikemcguff.com. "I missed TV and started to produce infomercials and commercials, but that was not enough."

The call back to television for Hernandez came in the form of a new morning show for Telemundo Houston. Hernandez serves as both the morning anchor and assignments director.

"I love the daily contact with our Hispanic Community and the great opportunity I will help to help inform, educate and motivate Houston Latinos every morning," Hernandez said. "I enjoy working on human stories that motivate others to achieve their own goals."

Hernandez told me becoming a TV journalist has been his goal since age 14 while working as a migrant worker in South Texas.

"I would be working the potato and tomato seasons, but my mind would be on my goal of becoming a journalist," Hernandez remembered. "TV was my window to get away from the poor reality I was living, I never lost hope.

"Now I want to take that message to the Hispanic youth of today, 'Never lose hope, never.'"

NBC, the company that owns Telemundo, announced in August it would be adding a local version of Buenos Dias Houston by January 2012 featuring a format modeled on Buenos Dias Los Angeles” The format includes local, national and world news, weather and traffic reports and special segments tailored to the unique interests of Houston’s Latino community.

The new morning newscast, which is labeled on TV Guide as Noticiero Telemundo Houston, just started this Monday. It runs from 5 to 6am.

RELATED
- Telemundo 47 KTMD to launch morning news; weekend newscasts with KXTX Dallas

KTRK 13's Bob Allen emptying his TV locker this year

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:02:00 PST

Bob Allen with Laura and Dave Ward

What is Houston sports without KTRK 13 sports director Bob Allen? According to Allen's bio, he's been with the ABC station since 1974 (it also says he has the longest tenure of any major market sports anchor in the country).

Tuesday night on the channel 13 10pm newscast, we got our first glimpse into a future without Allen helming the Eyewitness Sports desk. That's because Allen told the audience he is leaving KTRK by the end of the year.

"It's something I've thought about for a while and those close to me know that I've been kicking it around for a few years," Allen wrote. "I am not -- repeat -- am not retiring; it's just that after 38 and a half years of sharing Houston's sports news with all of you at this station, and over 40 years of covering Houston sports, I want to do some other things while I can."

Some of those other things he says include possible public speaking, writing a book and possible duties with his alma mater of Stephen F. Austin State University. Overall it appears he wants a change of course, but is not ruling out a future role in television.

Allen actually had expressed some of these wishes to me the last time I saw him a few years ago.

Another thing he told me was a story about his early love of television - a story anyone who has been bitten by the TV bug will appreciate.

Allen told me as a boy he used to ride his bike to the KHOU 11 studios when they were located in the Texas Medical Center. In fact those very studios were just demolished this month. Allen told me in those days security was not what it is today and he could basically walk in, observe and learn. Clearly that education paid off considering his tremendous television career.

One thing Allen can always fall back on is his movie acting.

Naturally thoughts of Bob Allen lead to longtime anchor Dave Ward. As you probably know, Ward injured himself after a fall while heading to the news desk to anchor the 10pm news more than a week ago. He is currently recovering from surgery.

RELATED
- KTRK 13 sports director Bob Allen's Hollywood fame
- Bob Allen lives a double life in Lone Star
- KTRK 13 hires fmr. KVUE sports dir. Hugh Lewis

Mix 102.9 KDMX lands Khloé Kardashian Odom

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:49:16 PST

Mix 102.9 KDMX in Dallas has just landed a big asset for its mid-day lineup. That's right, new Dallas resident Khloé Kardashian Odom. She's in the Metroplex because her husband, Lamar Odom, is a recently traded Dallas Mavericks player now.

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s MIX 102.9 – KDMX -FM announced today that, Khloé Kardashian Odom will be the newest member of the on-air staff. The Mix Up with Khloé Kardashian Odom on MIX 102.9 takes over DFW from 12 noon – 1 pm CST starting Monday, January 30.

The Mix Up with Khloé Kardashian Odom on MIX 102.9 is a daily, one hour, commercial free show where Khloé will take requests, chat with her celebrity friends and more, during Mavs season while she's with her husband. “Khloé has the perfect mix of personality and sincerity that will fit right in on MIX 102.9,” stated Operations Manager, Patrick Davis.

Khloé, star of, ‘Khloé & Lamar’, ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’, co-designer of Kardashian Kollection and other projects will now add daytime radio host in her new hometown of Dallas to her list of credits.

“We embark on a new era where our on-air talent is also an international star,” says Program Director, Jay Michaels; “I am excited to see how this unfolds on-air and the entertainment it will offer our listeners.”

“I have always loved doing radio! The best part is connecting with the callers and I'm so excited to get to know the Dallas audience,” stated Khloé.

In addition to her new role in Dallas as hostess of The Mix Up with Khloé Kardashian Odom on MIX 102.9, you can find Khloé active in her different business ventures, engaged in her charity work and filming.

Tune in Monday, January 30 at 12 noon for the debut of The Mix Up with Khloé Kardashian Odom on MIX 102.9…..the voice that will become DFW’s source of entertainment.

DFW reality TV show follows 'American Pin Ups'

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:02:00 PST

Dallas based network news producer, Derik Lattig (also formerly of KTVT 11 and KTRK 13), tells me he is embarking on a new project and it involves women and reality TV. Sounds like it a winning formula in that world!

It's called American Pin Ups and follows pin-up models and a photographer in Fort Worth:

Safari Productions presents the new original real-life series "American Pin Ups," which follows two Texas pin up models and a photographer who are hoping fame and fortune are just one click away. A “pin up” craze is sweeping the country and this trio hopes their photographs, costumes and attitude will propel them into the national spotlight. The soon to be shot 10-episode half-hour series is currently being shopped to several major Networks.

Each episode of "American Pin ups" dives into the fun but competitive world of retro pin up photography. Watch as these nationally published professional’s juggle their day to day lives and battle for the chance to land a cover or spread in major magazines. The show begins featuring Lorelei Lee and Flossie Carmichael who appear to be everyday wives, moms and homemakers. Appearances can be deceiving though as a phone call can transform this pair into sexy rock and roll gals from days gone by or elegant fur clad models. The man behind the camera is Rene Soliz, who has his own magazine “Delicious Dolls”. He too works to balance his “real job” as an engineer with his love of photography. It’s a rock and roll filled half hour show illustrating the rollercoaster life of a pin up.

From pesky garage workers on location to conflicts with other models to the truly bizarre, these models do what it takes in hopes of reaching the top. The high-stakes race is on as they set out to get that perfect picture, and any setback can cost big bucks.

From shooting in freezing cold temperatures in front of Texas landmarks to dark damp warehouses, no shoot is too hard for these professionals to handle. Lorelei Lee has been featured in numerous magazines, films and commercial TV over the past several years and clearly has a knack for the business. She always manages to keep a smile on her face and makes the best of adverse situations both in front of and behind the camera. Flossie Carmichael may be slightly newer to the pin up world but is no rookie. She’s about as tough and competitive as they come. She has participated in dozens of shoots since 2009. Whether at work in his historic Deep Ellum studio in Dallas or on location Rene Soliz is a true professional whose photographs and magazine have received a lot of attention.

www.Americanpinups.tv

NBC 5 Program Nominated for GLAAD Media Award

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:52:55 PST

NBC KXAS 5 sent me a release about how one of its shows has been nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. The station says it is the only local TV station nominated for this national award:

NBC 5’s “NBC 5 Spotlight,” a locally-produced program for and about North Texans, has been nominated by The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) for their annual GLAAD Media Awards, which recognize and honor media for outstanding images of the GLBT community.

“NBC 5 Spotlight: GLBT in Texas” is nominated in the Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine category and is the only local television station to earn a nomination among any of GLAAD’s 116 nominees across 25 English-language categories.

The 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media from across the nation for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.

“NBC 5 Spotlight: GLBT in Texas,” a thirty-minute program, originally aired in February 2011 on NBC 5 and DFW Nonstop, NBC 5’s 24/7 digital channel. The program tells the stories of local people in touching reality: the first Dallas Police Department officer to transition gender during her career with the department; a Fort Worth lesbian couple successfully adopting an at-risk youth into the family; and, a video essay on the Dallas Diablos Rugby Football Club who openly include both gay and straight team members.

NBC 5 anchor/reporter Kristi Nelson hosted and reported in the nominated episode and NBC 5 executive producer Reginald Hardwick produced the program.

The GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies will be held in New York on March 24, in Los Angeles on April 21 and in San Francisco on June 2.

Goofy TV news videos, Dave Ward update and more

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:02:00 PST

MORE VIDEOS
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- All The Crazy Faces Made By the American Idol Judges in 30 Seconds
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Dave Ward fans flood KTRK with well wishes after fall takes Houston TV icon off the air
Dave Ward of KTRK Ch. 13 took a small, but nevertheless nasty, fall on set Friday only minutes before the evening newscast. Noted local media blogger Mike McGuff reported a mysterious change of venue and personnel during Friday night's KTRK broadcast, as Melanie Lawson went through the day's events from the newsroom rather than the typical desk area viewers know and love.
- Dave Ward recuperating, hopes to return to Channel 13 newscasts in early February

NBC Sports seeks incentives to put studio downtown
The NBC Sports Group is seeking about $2 million in state and local support to bring a major production studio and 135 jobs to downtown Houston.

Teresa Woodard leaving KTVI to work at WFAA in Dallas, her hometown
Popular KTVI (Channel 2) reporter and co-anchor, Teresa Woodard, is leaving the station to go back home to Dallas where she has lined up a job as a reporter at WFAA 8, the ABC affiliate.
- WFAA to Welcome Home Teresa Woodard

Hansen re-ups at WFAA8
WFAA8 sports anchor Dale Hansen's three-year extension of an ongoing contract requires him to take a 32% pay cut

Reporter Julie Tam Leaving KXAS in Dallas
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Sarah Lucero's new bundle pays first visit to KENS 5 newsroom
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KEYE-TV, KXAN-TV Short Staffed; Anybody Notice?
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Sarah Frazier Named SVP/Market Manager For CBS Radio Houston
SARAH FRAZIER has been promoted to SVP/Market Manager, CBS RADIO/HOUSTON, it was announced today by CBS RADIO Pres./CEO DAN MASON.

Houston Christian non-com KSBJ pays $2.1M for Liberman's KNTE-FM (96.9)
It will soon be "adios" to KNTE-FM's current Spanish contemporary format.

Girl, Wanted, by Texas Watchdog’s Steve Miller, nominated for Edgar Allan Poe award
Texas Watchdog reporter Steve Miller has been nominated for the prestigious Edgar Allan Poe Award.

Radio consultant Bob Cohen strengthens ties with Gow Broadcasting
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MegaTV Channel 55 in Houston, Texas Reveals Its 2012 Upfront Plans
Spanish Broadcasting System Inc., plans to hold its Upfront presentation for advertisers in Houston, Texas at 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 at the MegaTV Channel 55 Broadcast Center.

Spurs will remain a Clear Channel property on WOAI
The San Antonio Spurs will remain on WOAI 1200 and the Rampage and Silver Stars will be aired on KTKR 760.

KUT’s John Aielli thanks listeners for their support
KUT’s John Aielli, 65, suffered a heart attack Jan. 4 and was off the air nearly two weeks while he recuperated at an area hospital.

Dallas company buys DFW area TV station
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DIGITAL
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- David Sadof joins Third Rock radio at NASA.gov
- Weatherman's bet with KHOU 11's Gene Norman did not cost his job
- Daniella Guzman IS NBC5 WMAQ bound from KPRC 2
- VIDEO: KHOU 11 promotions for Shern-Min Chow and more

VIDEO: KHOU 11 promotions for Shern-Min Chow and more

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:20:00 PST

Here are three new KHOU 11 promos just released.

KHOU 11 News Anchor Shern-Min Chow speaks her mind about Houston. Find out why she loves living and working in this city.

KHOU 11 News (Then & Now)
A look back at how KHOU 11 News has brought you breaking news coverage over the years, and how our commitment to breaking news coverage continues today...

KHOU 11 News - Halfway Across...
Whether it's halfway across the world, or halfway across town... KHOU 11 News is committed to bringing you the best coverage of news that affects your life!

Daniella Guzman IS NBC5 WMAQ bound from KPRC 2

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:54:25 PST

Earlier today I blogged how longtime Chicago media reporter Robert Feder was taking time out to report that KPRC 2 weekend anchor Daniella Guzman was getting hired in the Windy City.

Feder reported Guzman would jump to weekday mornings at NBC owned and operated NBC 5 WMAQ:

After more than five years at KPRC-TV in her native Houston, Guzman is the odds-on favorite to succeed Zoraida Sambolin as anchor of NBC 5 News Today. Sambolin signed off last November to join CNN as co-anchor of Early Start with Ashleigh Banfield.

Well Guzman told me earlier this evening the deal is actually done and she is leaving her birth city for the bigger TV market.

"I'll be heading to NBC 5 in March," Guzman told mikemcguff.com. "Opportunity knocked and I opened the door. I will miss Houston very much!"

RELATED
- KPRC anchor Daniella Guzman gives birth
- KPRC 2's Daniella Guzman to NBC 5 WMAQ???

KPRC 2's Daniella Guzman to NBC 5 WMAQ???

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:51:47 PST

UPDATE
Daniella Guzman IS NBC5 WMAQ bound from KPRC 2

Longtime Chicago media reporter Robert Feder is reporting that one of our Houston anchors could be going to the Windy City. It's none other than KPRC 2 weekend anchor Daniella Guzman too. Feder reports she's up for the big morning gig at NBC 5 WMAQ.

I know many of my male readers have a crush on her. At least TV stations have websites where you can watch video from afar now.

Here is Feder's report:

Daniella Guzman, a reporter and weekend news anchor from Houston, soon could be the new face of mornings at NBC 5 in Chicago.

After more than five years at KPRC-TV in her native Houston, Guzman is the odds-on favorite to succeed Zoraida Sambolin as anchor of NBC 5 News Today. Sambolin signed off last November to join CNN as co-anchor of Early Start with Ashleigh Banfield.

If all goes as planned, Guzman could start at NBC 5 in early March, insiders said. It’s not clear whether she’ll co-anchor with Rob Elgas or be part of a reconfigured talent lineup from 4:30 to 7am weekdays. There’s talk of shifting Elgas off the morning show to anchor duties later in the day. READ MORE

It seems all I write about lately are posts about Houston TV news people leaving town!

I contacted Guzman, but have not heard back from her yet.

UPDATE
Daniella Guzman IS NBC5 WMAQ bound from KPRC 2

RELATED
- KPRC anchor Daniella Guzman gives birth

Weatherman's bet with KHOU 11's Gene Norman did not cost his job

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:31:50 PST

The Baltimore Sun's TV critic David Zurawik writes that WMAR weatherman Justin Berk's bet with KHOU 11 chief meteorologist Gene Norman did not cost him his job.

Let me start from the beginning now. TVSpy first wrote Friday how Berk and Norman made a bet about the Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans game. The website said the terms of the bet were Berk’s crab cakes against Norman’s barbecue sauce, which the loser must eat on the air in the opposing team’s gear.

Turns out that was the last day for Berk on air.

Zurawik blogs that the rumor for Berk's departure was the bet with Norman, but the station denied that. You can read more about Berk's dismissal here.

TV prank calls, KDFW Twitter and more

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:12:50 PST

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ABC-13 faces critical ratings period without Dave Ward as he recovers from fall
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Oops! KUSA’s Drew Soicher Says On Twitter He’s Going to KDFW, Then Takes It Back
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Mary Benton, TV news reporter
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Behind enemy lines
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Wrapping up bowl ratings
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UH School of Theatre & Dance Lending Talents to CBS' '48 Hours'
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Photog blogger Turdpolisher writes first novel
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Nick and Artie Show jumped out of the gate in 2012
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Southbound Food returns to Houston market on NewsRadio 740 KTRH
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'The Prison Show' Helps Texas Inmates Find Escape
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Social Embed Makes Houston News Stickier
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KXAN’s Jim Swift Still Spinning Yarns After 34 Years
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New KVUE Crime & Courts Reporter Returns Home to Texas
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Houston, We Have a Problem: Let's Talk Radio in Houston
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The Live Well Network Adds Two New Shows to Winter Schedule
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KRIS Files Complaint with FCC against Time Warner
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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- KHOU 11's Mark Greenblatt joins ABC News

David Sadof joins Third Rock radio at NASA.gov

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:40:00 PST

I told you in December how NASA.gov gets alternative online radio through RFC Media. What this means is Pat Fant, the guy who created Rock 101 KLOL and 107.5 The Buzz KTBZ, is behind it.

Fant has just hired a well known music guru to join the online venture, former Lunar Rotation and Exposure host David Sadof.

David Sadof with Tori Amos

The mission of NASA’s Third Rock Radio is to explore new worlds of music and present the best of those discoveries for the enjoyment of audiences everywhere. Such an assignment calls for the most inspired among us to take the first watch.

RFC Media has tapped noted music explorer and expert discographer David Sadof to join the programming team of Cruze and Donna McKenzie in the creation of the infinite playlist that supplies NASA’s Third Rock – America’s Space Station with a continuous source of New Rock/Indi/Alternative.

Sadof and RFC Media’s Pat Fant first connected over a spinning turntable in 1986 at Houston’s Rock 101/KLOL where Sadof’s specialty program Lunar Exposure became Houston’s radio launch pad for unheard of bands like Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins.

David Sadof, Fant and Cruze first came together as a trio when they kicked off Houston’s alternative rocker KTBZ, The BUZZ in 1995. Now, a full rotation later, the band is back, along with Her Highness Donna McKenzie, to make more atmospheric waves around Radio Powered by NASA.

Welcome to David Sadof, now in residence at RFC Media, Houston, Texas.

Houston-based RFC Media, LLC, designs, produces and executes private label radio stations enabling brands to stream custom content live online and across the mobile broadband networks. The firm brings a rich history of broadcast management, programming and media marketing to private enterprise in the development of on-demand media.

KHOU 11's Mark Greenblatt joins ABC News

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:46:44 PST

I heard KHOU 11 investigative guy Mark Greenblatt was going network. I asked him to confirm but never heard back. Now we know. ABC News fills us in:

Mark Greenblatt joins ABC News as a correspondent in New York and will file for all platforms. He comes to us from KHOU-TV where he worked for seven years as an investigative reporter, winning many awards including the duPont-Columbia, Peabody, National Headliner, National Emmy and two National Murrows.

Over the course of his career, Mark’s investigative reports have led newscasts at WBBH-TV in Fort Myers, FL; KOAA-TV in Colorado Springs, CO; and KOMU-TV in Columbia, MO.

Mark credits his considerable reporting gifts to his parents. His late father spoke 16 languages fluently, and worked in military intelligence before retiring to the civilian sector. His mother worked as a paralegal for much of her professional career and always kept her teaching license because of her love of English and writing.

While in Houston, Mark spent significant time volunteering with arts organizations and speaking to children about making a difference. He enjoys road cycling and recently completed the MS150, a 180-mile two-day ride from Houston to Austin. A native of Denver, Mark is an avid Boston Red Sox fan and looks forward to rooting for his team even when he lands in the Big Apple. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri's School of Journalism.