mikemcguff.com blog

Top 5 Holiday Hangover Cures

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:06:00 PST

Jane Catherine Collins of The Houston Press offers the top 5 holiday hangover cures. SEE THEM

Stay safe out there tonight!

The Top 100 Videos of 2009 in Less Than 3 Minutes

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:26:00 PST

Things move fast in the Internet video world, why not showcase it that way?:

Between pranks, sports, tech, video games, singing, dancing, and television— there was a lot to choose from. These are the top 100 videos that became famous on the web in 2009, all in less than three minutes. WATCH

(Thanks Brian)

Top mug shots of 2009

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:24:00 PST

Why would I post this on New Year's Eve? OK, it totally makes sense. SEE THE LIST

(Thanks Brian)

Top 10 national TV developments of 2009

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:23:00 PST

Uncle Barky ranks the top 10 national TV developments of 2009:

Icons dying off. Major players signing off or shifting venues. Scandals, buyouts, additions, subtractions. And that doesn't even include Tiger Woods, whose year-ending travails have yet to play out and technically aren't a television story per se.

So we're going to leave Tiger out of this TV year in review -- along with the White House State dinner-crashing Salahis and Palin family scourge Levi Johnston. Let the TV rag mags have at 'em -- again and again and again. SEE THE LIST

Top Mike McGuff abc13.com photo assignments 2009

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:02:00 PST

You won't see much of these anymore since I left abc13.com KTRK, but enjoy some of my photo assignments from 2009. I got to flex my photo skills (and sometimes Flash work) in what I considered to be the favorite part of my job.

PICS: Body Art Expo Houston (tattoo photos)
This was like taking photos while balancing on a tight rope! I worked for a family friendly site, not The Houston Press. There was a lot of stuff around there that wasn't necessarily family friendly! Don't worry, I think I pulled it off.

Houston Texans Cheerleader tryouts part 1-4
Every guy (and maybe some girls) enjoyed my week of award winning Houston Texas cheerleader tryout photography. The web traffic doesn't lie my friend.

X-treme skaters and BMXers
I went out to Magnolia High School and photographed some extreme sports dudes who have participated in the X Games (including Koji Kraft (Chicago, Illinois), Jay Eggleston (Denver, Colorado), Trevor Meyer (St. Park, Minnesota), Anthony Furlong (Tampa, Florida), Jay Stevason (Toronto, Canada) and Marc Englehart).

Buffalo Bayou Houston pictures
I took a history boat ride down Buffalo Bayou and discovered a hidden view of Houston. It's where nature meets urban life. We went only miles from downtown Houston, but from the photos you'd think we were in the middle of nowhere.

Historic Texas maps
One of my personal projects for abc13.com involved restored historical maps of Texas. That includes an early 1900s map of Houston and a late 1800s map of Harris County! If you love Texas history, you should like this.

Spring break on Galveston's beach
We saw how the Houston Chronicle was doing this and no doubt raking in the page views.

Remembering the Shamrock Hotel
For St. Patrick's day I decided to put together a multimedia project for abc13.com about the Shamrock Hotel. My parents used to take me there for dinner. Or at least we went once and I can remember looking out at the massive pool and diving boards. It was a special time. I gathered interviews with Tom Horan who was the PR guy, raw video and photos of the giant Houston hotel.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo photos
Always a fun time shooting the carnival and rodeo. I was down on the floor of Reliant Stadium and got some great action shots for not knowing what I was doing. Carnival photos | Rodeo photos

Houston Auto Show Pictures
I had the pleasure of taking photos of the Houston Auto Show at Reliant Center. It's always fun seeing the new car, concept and classic cars that fill the massive floor.

Chevron Houston Marathon 2009 photos
It became a yearly tradition for me to wake up at 3am and head downtown for the epic work day. Was it a marathon for the runners or for me when I left work at 7pm each time?

Mike McGuff on 950 KPRC today at 9am

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:07:00 PST

Just want to let you know I will be on "The World According to Garf" on 950 KPRC (listen live online at the950.com) to talk about my Top Houston media moments of 2009 (also recently featured on CultureMap.com by Caroline Gallay). Tune in around 9:20am to hear this big event.

Do you think Garfield will want me to talk about my Top Houston media moments of 2009 PART 2?

Top 10 bonehead broadcasting decisions and trends of the decade

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:28:00 PST

Randy Tatano offers the top 10 bonehead broadcasting decisions and trends of the oughts:

We've seen the biggest changes in the history of the business, bigger than when we went from film to video, from tape-to-tape to non-linear. TV News will never be the same, and if anyone is trying to predict what it will look like in the next ten years, well, fuhgeddaboudit. Meanwhile, time to look back at the decade, and we're going to start with the worst decisions of the past ten years.

SEE THE LIST

The 10 Biggest Non-Bummers Of The Decade In Houston

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:26:00 PST

A more positive follow up to yesterday's bummer post. SEE THE LIST

Top 11 Houston Restaurant Openings of the Decade

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:59:16 PST

Robb Walsh of The Houston Press breaks down the top 11 Houston restaurant openings of the decade. SEE THEM

Top Houston media moments of 2009 PART 2

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:16:00 PST

A thing I saved for this week was the fact that Michael Garfield aka "The High Tech Texan" moved into all kinds of new endeavors this year.

First he went Monday through Friday on 950 KPRC from 9-11am.

Then he became a Houston Chronicle City brights contributor.

Now he is writing for CultureMap.

How does he find the time to do all of this? Don't forget his Saturday morning show which he graciously lets me appear on from time to time.

RELATED
- Top Houston media moments of 2009
- VIDEO: The view of a radio talk show host from 950 KPRC Houston
- AUDIO: Mike McGuff on 950 KPRC
- AUDIO: Mike McGuff's appearance on 950 KPRC
- Michael Garfield talks about marketing yourself with Mike McGuff

Twitter's Top 10 Tech Trends of 2009

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:13:00 PST

The Twitterati have spoken:

Throughout 2009, a few tech topics got so much attention that they managed to make Twitter's trends. Google Wave was one of the most notable of these, obviously, but what were the other subjects of such interest to Twitter-using geeks? Twitter released a list of the top 10 technology-related trending topics of the year; here's what tweeps have been talking about.

SEE THE LIST

D-FW television's list of 2009 departures

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:25:00 PST

Uncle Barky lists the television news departures of 2009 from the Dallas-Fort Worth TV market:

For now, though, we say a last goodbye and wish all of these people well. This alphabetical list of 2009's evictees, either by choice or force, is of on-camera personalities only. It is not meant to downgrade or diminish the efforts of the many who work behind the scenes to make these people look good.

In the end, though, readers of this site invariably want to know what's happened to the people who come into their homes. Some became quite famous during their stays here. Others were much less visible to viewing audiences. But virtually everyone built a following of some sort. So here's where they were -- and what they're doing now if information is available. READ THE REST

The 10 Biggest Houston Bummers Of The Decade

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:23:00 PST

Richard Connelly of The Houston Press gives us a dose of reality when it comes to the last decade:

A lot of great things happened in Houston in the ten years of The Oughts, but a lot of bad things happened too. It's called "life," people. SEE THE LIST

Top 5 Houston grocery store openings and closings of the decade

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:16:00 PST

Katharine Shilcutt of the Houston Press takes a look at how the grocery store scene has changed over the decade in Houston. She's right, Randall's is not the same.

Top 5 Grocery Store Openings of the Decade

Top 5 Grocery Store Closings of the Decade

10 Best Movies of the Decade

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 06:19:00 PST

These are the 10 that deepened with time and dug their way into your head and heart. SEE THEM

(Thanks Brian!)

The 15 Funniest Local News Reports Of 2009

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 06:19:00 PST

I haven't seen most of these, but we'll take buzzfeed's word for it. SEE THE LIST

(Thanks Michael P.)

Top Houston media moments of 2009

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:56:00 PST

2009 was a wild year in the Houston media world. We saw top anchors leave television stations and big time radio DJs jump ship! I went through my blog to showcase some of the moments I thought were worth remembering. Click on the links to read the posts.

Where is KPRC's Wendy Corona?

Sam Malone of KRBE, KHMX talks to Mike McGuff

950 KPRC gets Chris Baker back, Walton and Johnson to 93.7 The Arrow KKRW

Mike McGuff's web sections win first and second place in the Texas AP awards

New Houston TV anchors...sort of

Where is Darby Douglas on Channel 11 KHOU?

Valet of KPRC Channel 2 skips out of Houston

Zakk United leaves 94.5 KTBZ The Buzz in Houston

Houston Chronicle layoffs coverage

CBS Radio in Houston appoints Purdy as VP/Market Manager

Giff Neilsen leaves Channel 11 KHOU

KLOL and KHMX are with CBS

Former Houston Chronicle fashion guy Clifford Pugh lands new gig

Mike McGuff wins an Emmy part 2

Dean and Rog on The New 107.5 The Eagle KGLK

Moving on from abc 13

Tom Doerr named Fox 26 KRIV news director

Pat Gray leaving Houston's 700 KSEV for Glenn Beck

KPRC and KIAH's Keith Northon and Ray Fisher leave their respective channels

Jack is dead at 103.7 FM in Houston

KTRK 13 Houston reporter Eric James carjacked/kidnapped

Lanny Griffith leaves Fox 26 KRIV Houston

Mike McGuff talking social media on Houston 8 KUHT PBS

KHOU 11 announces new early morning newscast at 4:30am

KPRC 2 Launches 4:30am newscast

KTRK 13 quietly debuts 4:30am show

Mike McGuff's 4am show pitch to Houston TV stations

39 KIAH Houston adds new newscasts

KPRC 2 and KRIV Fox 26 to share helicopter

Fox 26 KRIV adds more morning news

Mo' Bounce leaves Hot 95.7 Houston for Z100 New York

John Lopez leaves 790 KBME The Sports Animal, joins 610 KILT mornings

Will Dr. Phil return to Houston TV after 2011?

Houston Chronicle society columnist Shelby Hodge exits

Darby Douglas' near death experience, plus life after KHOU 11

KHOU 11 makes Net news for Wii traffic remote

KPRC Local 2 reporter Elizabeth Scarborough exits

Texas Tribune to debut in realm of nonprofit journalism

Houston is now on the Culturemap - Web site that is

KIAH 39 reporter Dennis Spellman leaves station

KTRK 13 reporter missing from TV

610 KILT's Matt Jackson and Adam Wexler are new 790 KBME morning show

KPRC 2 reporter Alana Gomez Dong leaves Houston for new job

A photo of Santa Claus in your living room

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:45:34 PST

I told you about catch-santa.com/tonight last week and wanted to remind you about it for tonight. This site lets you insert a photo of Santa Claus right in your living room! CLICK HERE

It's the proof your kids want to see! I will make a percentage off your purchase if you use the above link.

KPRC Local 2 Loses Family Member

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:09:27 PST

KPRC Channel 2 reports that it lost one of its newscast directors:

Anthony Harris, 42, was a director at KPRC for many years.

Anthony suffered a heart attack on his way home from work Tuesday night. READ THE REST

Houston radio and TV transmitters poking through the clouds

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:44:00 PST

I was on a plane and saw the Houston radio and television transmitters sticking through the clouds. These are the Missouri City sticks.

I promise this is a real photo. The only thing I photoshopped was the color because the photo was taken through a window on a dreary day.

VIDEO: Come to Houston

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:30:00 PST

The Greater Houston Convention and Visitor's Bureau produced a great video about all things Houston. You might actually want to come to visit one day after seeing it.

Sharpstown Mall gets new name

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:12:00 PST

Nancy Sarnoff of the Houston Chronicle has a name check for an old Houston mall:

After nearly five decades, Sharpstown is going away. Not the mall, just the name.
The owner of Sharpstown Center, one of Houston's oldest regional shopping malls, is renaming the property PlazAmericas as part of a $10 million rebranding and revitalization project. READ THE REST

Former DFW meteorologist Kristine Kahanek writes children's books

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:35:00 PST

Former KTVT and WFAA meteorologist Kristine Kahanek is now a children's book author reports the Plano Star-Courier:

Written and published by veteran broadcast meteorologist Kristine Kahanek, the “Katie and the Magic Umbrella” series is designed to teach children ages 4-10 about the science behind weather to help them overcome their fear of storms.

Using her family as inspiration, Kahanek began writing her first book, “Katie and the Magic Umbrella: A Stormy Adventure,” which she published in September 2008. In the book, Grace and Alex are afraid of storms. Katie, their guardian angel, appears and uses her magic umbrella to take them on an educational journey into a storm. The book teaches about cloud types, rain, lightning, thunder, hail, tornadoes, and where to go and what to do to stay safe.

Kahanek’s character, Katie, is inspired by the daughter she lost 10 years ago, proving that one can triumph over tragedy and provide hope that can help others. READ THE REST

http://www.kristinekahanek.com/

The day the Laffter died in Houston

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:28:00 PST

Houston comedy club The Laff Stop has closed down according to Dusti Rhodes of The Houston Press:

The Laff Stop is closed ... forever. On Saturday, the legendary club -- that gave rise to national names such as Sean Rouse, Brett Butler and Ralphie May -- ended it's nearly-three-decade run of comedy in Houston. In other words, it's now The Laff Stopped. (What? Too soon?) But seriously folks. READ THE REST

This was the club located off West Gray for a long time that recently moved.

RELATED
- La Strada on Westheimer closes
- Hollywood Video splits from Tower Theater in Montrose

Matt Lavine talks about KHOU 11 gig

mike@mikemcguff.com (mikemcguff) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:12:00 PST

As I told you Sunday, Matt Lavine (former Fox 26 KRIV morning meteorologist) was back in Houston on KHOU 11 this weekend doing the weather. He told me earlier this year (after filling in at KHOU) that he was moving to Seattle. Here is what Lavine said to me via email about his TV work this past weekend:

"Yes, as you can see I'm back on the air at KHOU. What can I say...I love working at Channel 11!

News director Keith Connors and Chief Meteorologist Gene Norman invited me back while visiting family and friends in Texas. I'm having a blast celebrating my 20 years "on air" in Houston, and

I really enjoy working with KHOU anchors Allison Triarsi and Shern-Min Chow as well as the entire Channel 11 staff.

I can't say much more than that, but I will say that you can take the boy out of Texas, but you can't Texas out of the boy. I love living in Seattle, but I still proudly call Texas home."

Well based on all of the Web surfers looking for information on you this weekend, some Houston weather watchers love themselves some Matt Lavine!

RELATED
- Matt Lavine resurfaces on KHOU 11 in Houston
- Matt Lavine back on Houston TV...for now
- Weatherman Matt Lavine on Channel 39 KIAH
- Matt Lavine, formerly of Fox 26 KRIV gets a blog and more
- What happened to Matt Lavine formerly of Fox 26?