Houston radio rankings and changes

We are seeing Walton and Johnson (now of 93.7 The Arrow KKRW) beating the station's former morning team, Dean and Rog who are now on 107.5 The Eagle KGLK. I am reading on the Internet that Hot 95.7 KKHH is beating Top 40 powerhouse 104.1 KRBE. Houston radio is changing.

- Look at Houston radio ratings
- KILT's new director has plenty on plate

Speaking of Houston radio, this weeks's post Jack is dead at 103.7 FM in Houston got a lot of attention. As I predicted based on all the questions I have received, lots of readers had noticed changes on Jack FM and are still confused about what's going on there.

RDG: Cafe Annie 2.0 opens in Houston

Goodbye Cafe Annie - hello RDG:

RDG has all but opened, and patrons anxious to be among the first to try it await word on whether it will be later this week or over the weekend (or early next week at the latest).

The three-concept endeavor is the latest for celebrated chef and restaurateur Robert Del Grande and the Schiller-Del Grande Restaurant Group. Their legendary Café Annie closed June 30 in anticipation of a July 15 opening of RDG, its “spiritual successor.” READ THE REST

Can you believe I never ate at Cafe Annie (Conan O’Brien did)? Guess you could if you looked at the price tag. I also have never eaten at Tony's. Again, no real surprise. If I eat there, something really good has happened to me...or someone else is paying!

When getting the foot in the door doesn't work in TV

Randy Tatano offers good advice on the tvnewsgrapevine blog about folks who apply for a job they don't want 'to get a foot in the door' at a television station. READ IT

Houston Hip-Hop documentary

There is a new DVD coming out about the Houston hip hop scene by filmmaker Ariel Santschi:

On Pitch Control 3 you will find the likes of Underground Kingz (UGK), Trae, ABN, Lil' Keke, Slim Thug, Bosshog Outlawz, Lil' Flip, Big Moe, Hawk, Mike D, Yung Redd and, of course, DJ Screw and the Screwed Up Click.

http://www.pitchcontroltv.com/pctv3

Poynter Online interviews KHOU about "Under Fire" investigation

Interesting read about KHOU Channel 11's Texas National Guard story in Al Tompkins Morning Meeting column for Poynter:

For two years, KHOU-TV's Mark Greenblatt has been investigating and reporting allegations that top officials in the Texas National Guard have discriminated against women. These were top ranking, highly decorated women.

The TV station's "Under Fire" investigation went beyond discrimination allegations to include widespread abuse of guard funds, which a female colonel had raised questions about. Eventually, the state's governor stepped in and removed several top generals from power. One of the new generals put in their place, by the way, is a woman. READ THE REST

KHOU's executive producer for investigations David Raziq is also interviewed.

90.1 KPFT schedule changes coming

The Houston Press says there are changes coming to the 90.1 KPFT schedule:

A major overhaul of KPFT's (90.1 FM) programming starts next week. Most significantly, the station is bringing back longtime Houston DJ Roark Smith to spin two hours of non-Arrow-like classic rock from 10 a.m. to noon weekdays. Several KPFT programs, including BBC News, Democracy Now! and its local news/public-affairs programming, are switching time slots. Rocks Off will have more in a few days. READ THE REST

Let's hope Jay Lee and the gang do not get moved around for Technology Bytes.

AUDIO: Unheard Apollo 11 conversations now available

I'm surprised TMZ.com didn't uncover the tapes and post them first, but yes, the unheard conversations of the first moon mission are now available to the public:

As Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins flew on Apollo 11 to a lunar landing in July 1969, the world heard communications between the crew and Mission Control live as they happened. But Earth did not hear the private conversations between Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins, although they were recorded aboard the Command Module Columbia and Lunar Module Eagle.

LISTEN HERE

WFAA talks to radio host Russ Martin about charge

I've been following the controversy in Dallas concerning radio host Russ Martin. He was arrested last year and recently received probation after pleading no contest to assaulting his fiancee last summer.

WFAA Channel 8's Janet St. James sat down and talked with the former 105.3 KLLI-FM and 97.1 KEGL host about the incident. It is the first time he has talked:

From his mansion in Collin County (complete with a statue of Jack Daniels and a signature Batman rock), Martin explained that last July's argument started when his girlfriend missed an IRS deadline over property taxes.
St. James: "Did you touch her in any sort of aggressive way?"
Martin: "No."
St. James: "You didn't touch her at all?"
Martin: "Again, you're talking about a year ago on a night that in my mind, nothing really happened except I was an ass, I busted her laptop, and I asked her to leave." READ THE REST

Beware: The Top 10 Grossest Ice Creams!

Look, I know it is hot out there right and some ice cream might sound like a good idea right now. But whatever you do, stay away from the top 10 grossest ice cream flavors!

SEE THE LIST

I know if you are hot Chicken-Fried Steak Ice Cream or Ox Tongue Ice Cream might not sound that bad, but you have to keep your senses.

(Thanks Brian!)

Mike McGuff goes from TV dude to newspaper man

Somehow I have moved from making TV to writing for a newspaper!

That's right, I USED TO WRITE LIKE THIS...WITH WEIRD ELLIPSES BREAKS PUT INTO THE COPY...TIME CODES AND TRTs but now I can go back into sentence case.

It is not a usual transition.

But make sure to catch my first newspaper article in the Houston Examiner Newspapers which cover the Bellaire, West University, River Oaks and Memorial areas. Wow, some wealthy folks will read my first words!

The piece is a longer version of my blog post on HISD's media manager Norm Uhl and his rocking/bluesy ways! He plays keyboards/harmonica in the Houston band Brother 2 Brother which landed on the Grammy ballot.

If you don't live in the above areas, make sure to read the article online here.

Snuggie check surprise

You might have seen the SOS I put out on my Twitter/Facebook stream for Snuggie users. Action 13 Consumer Reporter Jeff Ehling needed to talk to some owners for a KTRK television story in Houston. Thanks to all that replied.

Here is the story.

Guy Fieri gets a taste of Houston

Honestly I don't really know who Guy Fieri is. I recognize him as the dude who did the TGI Friday's commercials. Well his show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network dropped by Houston:

Local favorites, according to producers, included chicken hash at Lankford Grocery, corned beef at Kenny and Ziggy's, lamb shank at Niko Niko's and armadillo eggs at T-Bone Tom's in Kemah.

“There are so many unique aspects to Houston,” he said. “We've seen some great people and talked to people who love food. We should take a month to shoot all the places that have been recommended to us.” READ THE REST

590 KLBJ Austin hosts suspended for racial remarks

Some controversy is brewing in Austin as the two hosts from the "The Todd and Don Show" have been suspended from talker 590 KLBJ-AM. More from KXAN 36:

Station managers on Wednesday said Todd Jeffries and Don Pryor are suspended without pay after Pryor, a co-host, used a derogatory term several times during a discussion about what to call immigrants during a Tuesday morning show. Undocumented workers and illegal immigrants were among the terms used as common examples in the media. READ THE REST

Pryor is a famous name in Austin.  Don's father is Cactus Pryor who is a radio legend in Austin. Todd Jeffries also happens to be the news director of 590 KLBJ.

RELATED
- Show page
- Todd Jeffries bio
- Don Pryor

KEYE 42 in Austin to get 4pm newscast

The Austin Business Journal is reporting that KEYE is getting a new 4pm show:

KEYE's Ron Oliveira and Judy Maggio will anchor the show, which "will focus on all things Central Texas," according to a statement from KEYE. That means a mix of news and highlights of local events, people and places around town. READ THE REST

The show will be an hour long and will debut in September.

What Fox 26 KRIV anchor Mike Barajas drives

Isiah Carey aka "The Insite" always "ambushes" his coworkers in the Fox 26 KRIV Houston parking lot to see what they drive. Then he posts it on his blog. I like the segment. This would not have been allowed at my old station.

In the latest entry he catches up with main anchor Mike Barajas who drives a 2010 Chevy Camaro. Next Isiah needs to photograph Erik Barajas' ride.

(Image courtesy of UH)

Jack is dead at 103.7 FM in Houston

It appears to me that Jack has been dumped at the 103.7 KHJK frequency in Houston. Yes the station's Web site still has Jack logos all over it, but the name is missing on air. Lots of people have been asking me what's going on at the station and I have no answer.

Seems like it is slowly transitioning away from the Jack format to "103.7 FM Adult Alternative." Not the most exciting name, but at least you know what you are getting I guess.  I've been listening to the station on 104.1 HD2 (KRBE is the Cumulus sister station) since it comes in clear as a bell compared to the real 103.7 La Porte frequency.

Tuesday I had to check the calendar since I heard Steve Robison DJing alternative music in afternoon drive. It was like I was in the 1990s listening to 107.5 The Buzz all over again (it wasn't always on 94.5 you know). This is another reason Jack must have been killed off. The Jack format doesn't have DJs. I always wondered if CBS would have flipped the 95.7 The Wave to Jack if Cumulus hadn't flipped Rock 103.7 KIOL first.

Next thing you know David Sadof will be back on the air with Lunar Rotation Sunday nights. I hope that happens! David what's going on? Should I start a petition now or later?

Here are some of the songs the station played Tuesday night:
I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight Artist: U2,  Karma Police Artist: Radiohead, Blue On Black, Artist: Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Drops Of Jupiter Artist: Train, Unglued Artist: Stone Temple Pilots, Even Flow Artist: Pearl Jam, Everyday Is A Winding Road Artist: Sheryl Crow, Airstream Driver Artist: Gomez, Under The Milky Way Artist: Church

RELATED
- 103.7 KIOL will become Jack FM
- Donna McKenzie is on 103.7 JACK FM KHJK
- Steve Robison to be new program director on 103.7 Jack FM KHJK
- David Sadof talks to the Mike McGuff Blog
- David Sadof flies again with Lunar Rotation
- 93.3 KDBN The Bone in Dallas flips to Quality Rock

John Wayne has one last film coming out

Yes, John Wayne's movie career is not over just yet:

Any fan of old westerns would probably say that the 1976 movie, The Shootist, was John Wayne’s last film.
They’d be mistaken, according to Dave Burleson.
Burleson, who played minor parts in more than 70 westerns and was friends with Wayne, is releasing an independently produced film that contains Duke’s final unseen performance.
The film, a science-fiction western entitled Thunder Riders of the Golden West, was produced by Burleson in 1984, and includes footage that Wayne filmed before his death in 1979. READ THE REST

Vince the ShamWow guy gets remixed for Slap Chop Rap

Vince the headset wearing pitchman is now advertising the Slap Chop and the commercial has been remixed with auto tune and beats:

DJ Steve Porter didn’t intend to necessarily stir things up when he threw “a bunch of Auto-Tune” on an informercial hosted by pitchman Vince Offer. Rather, “Slap Chop Rap” was born out of boredom. “I became slightly disenchanted with the electronic and dance music scene,” Porter explains. “I reached a point where I wanted to try something different.” READ THE REST

WATCH THE VIDEO

WATCH THE ORIGINAL

RELATED
- VIDEO: Bill O'Reilly temper dance remix
- Christian Bale goes off on Terminator set REMIX

(Thanks Brian from Luxurata)

KHOU nominated for The 30th Annual Emmy® Awards

The 30th Annual Emmy® Awards nominations are out for News and Documentary. Guess what? KHOU Channel 11 in Houston got a nomination.

This is not the regional Lone Star Emmys - this is the national one. Here is an explanation I got on Facebook from Misti Torres of the Lone Star Chapter:

"Regional winners in the investigative and breaking news category are eligible to submit their regional EMMY-winning entries for consideration in the News and Doc. Awards. Those submissions go through another round of judging and nominations are announced. They are not, however, statue eligible at the national level. The winner gets a plaque."

Congrats to Channel 11.

SEE FULL LIST OF NOMINATIONS

Future of Facebook and its war with Google

Great article on the future of Facebook and its war with Google from Wired Magazine - Great Wall of Facebook: The Social Network's Plan to Dominate the Internet — and Keep Google Out. READ IT

KDAF 33 hires Chace Crawford's sister/Miss Missouri

Uncle Barky tells us how KDAF 33 in Dallas has hired former Miss Missouri USA Candice Crawford as its high school sports reporter. Name sound familiar? Well, she is also the sister of Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford. READ MORE

Why would a station hire a 22-year-old (according to Barky) in a top 10 market? Why not hire a seasoned sports journalist?
Why would they want a former Miss Missouri USA for on air talent?
Why would a station that airs Gossip Girl want a sister of one of its hot stars on air?
Why do I ask such stupid questions?

Insane rollercoasters rated!

Brian must be thinking about getting his adrenaline rush on when he sent me the following links. These are countdowns of the ultimate theme park thrill rides. Some I would never ride, others I would be very excited to climb aboard. Like this one (watch the video included through the link).

CHECK OUT BRIAN'S LINKS
- Theme Park Rides That Pushed the Limits of Common Sense
- Thrill to the world's tallest, fastest and longest rides

RELATED
- My Astroworld tribute page
- VIDEO: Astroworld's last days
- Houston Astroworld full coverage

VIDEO: Creepy weatherman fan

Do Frank, Gene or Tim have to deal with this kind of fan when they make public appearances? Here is what Funny or Die calls the Creepy Weatherman Fan. It is creepy.

WATCH IT

If the guy is acting, he is very good. Give him an Oscar for web video sites. At first I wasn't sure if it was real because why would a crew start a live shot out with the meteorologist signing something? Odd. But Warren Dean of Global Television in Saskatchewan is a real weather dude.

(Thanks Ed!)

Troy Kimmel returning to KEYE TV 42 Austin

Troy Kimmel might be one of the luckiest men in TV news.

 He seems to float from Austin station to station and never have to leave his home.

 He now is back at KEYE 42 as a meteorologist. READ MORE

Bruno: A look behind the curtain

Bruno was number 1 at the box office, but it does not look to have much staying power. Here are some links that give you a look at Sacha Baron Cohen and behind the scenes of his movie making process:

- 'Bruno' and Universal pull back the curtain
- Who is the real Sacha Baron Cohen?
- Sacha Baron Cohen appears as himself on 'Letterman' talks about terrorist interview
- The Sacha Baron Cohen Interview No One Will Ever See
- No Laughing Matter: Brüno Re-sued for Emotional Damages

Now as you might imagine, the crew must shoot a ton of footage and obviously only use what they deem to be screen worthy.  Here is what eyewitnesses and in some cases security cameras captured during Bruno shooting:

- Bruno Movie Crashes Catwalk During Fashion Show
- Bruno Movie backstage at Milan Fashion Week
- Bruno Movie Filming at Prop 8 Rally Sacha Baron Cohen
- Surveillance Video of Bruno Movie Filming in Kansas
- Bruno Movie Filming in Kansas
- Bruno's Set Crashing Secret Revealed!
- Behind the Scenes Bruno Movie

This movie looks to be shot like a reality TV show.  Not expensive by movie standards.  The cost is Cohen and marketing.  Expect more flicks like this one.

(Image courtesy of Flickr user Cine Fanatico)

Swearing makes pain more tolerable

Television newsrooms rejoice! Everyday employees around the country are making the pain go away:

"Swearing has been around for centuries and is an almost universal human linguistic phenomenon," said Richard Stephens of Keele University in England and one of the authors of the new study. "It taps into emotional brain centers and appears to arise in the right brain, whereas most language production occurs in the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain." READ MORE

(Thanks Will-E)

VIDEO: Teen freaks after mom cancels Warcraft account

Oh to be a teenage boy. Catch the video of this guy freaking out after he supposedly learns his mom cancelled his online Warcraft account! You won't believe it.

WATCH IT

Is the video real? I say yes. I bet if someone cancelled my Blogger account I might act like this!

ABC stations called out for not entering video sharing agreements

I've been talking about how TV station news departments are sharing video with each other in local news sharing agreements across the country. One station owner has been absent from those posts and now an analyst calls ABC out:

Pali Research analyst Richard Greenfield blasts ABC in a report for not partaking in cost-cutting content pools in markets where it owns a station. "Why Do ABC's Stations Want to Have the Highest Cost Structure in Local News?" is the title of Greenfield's report, issued this morning.

With local news viewing and revenue in decline and the sector seeing increased competition from the likes of new local sites from ESPN and Huffington Post, Greenfield says partnerships such as the Local News Service (LNS) between Fox and NBC and, in some markets, others, makes abundant sense. READ THE REST

RELATED
- TV stations are becoming buddies and sharing
- Dallas-Fort Worth TV news stations now sharing video

Houston crime maps

The city of Houston has opened a new crime stats Web site that lets you view crime in your area on a map. It is a good effort. However after clicking through disclaimer after disclaimer you might find the interface a little confusing.

SEE THE SITE

HPD + GIS = hours of looking up your address and seeing burglaries.

Longtime NBC 5 KXAS reporter Brett Johnson dies

Brett Johnson who has been a reporter at NBC 5 KXAS in Dallas-Fort Worth since September 1996 lost his battle with pancreatitis and other complications. He was 48.

- Brett Johnson: 1960-2009
- NBC5 reporter Brett Johnson dies at age 48
- NBC5 reporter Brett Johnson dies
- News man Brett Johnson has died
- NBC5 reporter Brett Johnson dies from complications of pancreatitis
- KXAS reporter death

(Thanks Murdock)