mikemcguff.com blog

My Technology Bytes podcast is online

2009-11-20T11:31:00.002-06:00

I told you how I was filling in for the Houston Chronicle's Dwight Silverman on Technology Bytes this week (90.1 KPFT 8-10pm geekradio.com).

Well now the archived show is online so you can listen to me "make love to the microphone" in a Barry White voice off with Groovehouse. (Fast forward to hour two to hear this memorable moment). Guess what...I lost.

Another good moment was our interview with a representative from Nintendo about future games and why the company has been so successful. I came up with a new idea for the company during the interview.

LISTEN HERE

107.1 KGSR to move to 93.3, Todd and Don back on KLBJ

2009-11-20T10:26:00.006-06:00

107.1 KGSR is a popular adult alternative station in Austin that's been on for years. Now the station is moving down the dial to 93.3:

Emmis Austin Radio announces that effective Friday, November 20th at 5pm, award-winning, adult alternative station 107.1 KGSR, will begin simulcasting on 93.3 FM. KGSR will be heard on both frequencies on the radio dial for ten days. Then, KGSR will be broadcast exclusively on the 93.3 frequency effective Monday, November 30th. At that time Emmis Austin Radio will launch a new Spanish-language, Regional Mexican format on 107.1 FM.

The 93.3 signal is licensed to the city of Cedar Park and boasts one of the largest total coverage areas in all of Texas. KGSR’s unique blend of Texas, roots, and adult alternative music will now be available to potential listeners in areas of Central Texas that its previous signal did not reach.

The 107.1 frequency is licensed to the city of Bastrop and has superior signal coverage in Austin’s highest density Hispanic areas including those with those with the largest Spanish-speaking populations in Central Texas.

This new format, and signal transition will optimally allow the respective stations the ability to best reach the communities they serve.

The new station, whose name and line-up will be announced at 5pm on Monday, November 30th, will include personalities already familiar to Austin’s Spanish-speaking community, as well as dynamic, new talents. Advertisers will be able to reach the active Hispanic market of Central Texas beginning Wednesday, December 2nd via 107.1 FM. READ THE REST

That means Hot 93.3 is no more.

In other Austin radio news, the Todd and Don Show will return to 590 KLBJ-AM.

RELATED
Iconic Austin radio station moving down the dial

(Thanks Super Dave!)

Electrical fire forces NBC DFW off air

2009-11-20T09:33:00.001-06:00

NBC 5 KXAS in Dallas Fort Worth has such a hot newscast that the station actually caught on fire. The flames "interrupted" the show at 10:10pm. READ MORE

Talk about a scorcher of a sweeps month in DFW.

(Thanks Murdock)

VIDEO: Oprah anchoring WFAA 8's newscast

2009-11-20T08:33:00.017-06:00

Here is a rare chance to see Oprah Winfrey anchor a newscast. While in Dallas for the State Fair of Texas, Oprah anchored WFAA Channel 8's 5pm newscast with Gloria Campos from the Victor Park studios.

What a great post for today as Oprah announces she is leaving television. Enjoy her show while you can. She is moving to her soon to be launched cable channel called the Oprah Winfrey Network or OWN.

The industry trades say that the TV stations cannot afford to pay her what they do know if she had signed a new contract. Shows you the state of the industry I guess.

RELATED
Oprah causes big splash in Dallas

Best hand painting art ever

2009-11-19T14:21:00.004-06:00

These are photos of hands painted to look like animals and other things... SEE THEM

Dr Pepper Icee location in West U

2009-11-19T11:52:00.003-06:00

The folks from the Eating Our Words blog at The Houston Press notified me that we have a new Dr Pepper Icee location and it is in West University:

Burger, fries and a Dr. Pepper Icee at the new Little Matt's in west u square

VIDEO: Megan Fox starring in ABC sitcom

2009-11-19T10:54:00.003-06:00

I had to laugh when I read that a 19-year old (at the time) Megan Fox was in the ABC sitcom Hope and Faith. You probably wouldn't recognize Fox because it appears she is wearing a blonde wig.

I remember watching the show and thinking the daughter was cute but never made the connection.

RELATED
Megan Fox is sly like one

Mike McGuff to be on Technology Bytes tonight at 8pm on 90.1 KPFT

2009-11-18T16:11:00.001-06:00

I've been tapped by Jay Lee to sit in for the mighty Dwight Silverman of the Houston Chronicle during Technology Bytes tonight at 8pm on 90.1 KPFT.

Not in Houston? Then listen at geekradio.com.

(Image courtesy of groovehouse)

Cute baby animal photos and the coming backlash

2009-11-18T15:15:00.002-06:00

Just because it is Wednesday...here is a dose of some cute baby animals!

- Pile o' Otter Babies
- Three kittens
- Gentle Rhino Nuzzling at Busch Gardens
- Jaguar Cubs at the Mesker Park Zoo
- Overworked

Jim Windolf writes in Vanity Fair that America is addicted to cuteness and there is a backlash coming. So wipe that smile off your face.

How Fox 26 KRIV's Isiah Carey lost weight

2009-11-18T13:30:00.008-06:00

Just in time for November television sweeps, Fox 26 KRIV lets us in on how Isiah Carey aka "The Insite" lost all of his weight. Here's a hint, it was the old fashioned way.

If you work in media the best way to lose weight is to quit your job. I dropped 10 pounds without trying after leaving KTRK 13. Think about it...reduced stress, no more free food or snack machines calling your name. Of course you could also insert jokes here about how if you quit, you'll have a lot less money to spend on food!

UPDATE
Isiah Carey said on Twitter I was wrong for saying this story ran on purpose during sweeps. But I don't see how I am wrong. Carey tweets, "The managers approached me and asked if I would do the segment."

OK, sounds like it was put on the old sweeps calendar to air in November. I don't get the problem.

Top 10 homemade remedies for what ails you

2009-11-18T11:30:00.001-06:00

I cannot vouch for these homemade remedies but would like to try some of them. The list includes honey for rough coughs, toothpaste for bee stings and even baby powder for greasy hair.

SEE THE LIST

Anyone have any experience with this type of thing? What a great November sweeps TV story as the month winds down.

Former KHOU reporter Johnathan Walton is chasing UFOs and more

2009-11-18T07:56:00.022-06:00

Last time the mikemcguff.com blog caught up with former KHOU 11 morning funny man Johnathan Walton, he was in LA pitching a TV show pilot and trying his hand at stand up comedy. Now he is literally chasing UFOs and a lot more. WATCH HIS LATEST VIDEO

Mike McGuff: So you are producing cable shows now...what have you worked on/working on now?

Johnathan Walton: Yes, I'm producing cable shows now. I just wrapped on a live action series for the Cartoon Network called "The Othersiders" it's kind of like a teenage ghost hunters type show. During the past 2 years I've produced 2 seasons of "UFO Hunters" for The History Channel and one season of "That's Impossible" for The History Channel as well.

MM: How did you land this?

JW: I got a job as a PA for a production company and worked my way up. Los Angeles, as I have learned, HATES outsiders. The mentality here is: If you don’t work in LA, you must not know anything. So even though I had 8 years of TV producing experience working at KHOU, KABB and WSVN, it meant nothing to the production companies here. So I had to start at the bottom as a PA… along with all the college kids.

Luckily I was able to move up pretty quickly because I had one major advantage over all the college kids: 8 years of TV producing experience at KHOU, KABB and WSVN.

MM: What are the differences for you between working cable and local TV?

JW: A lot of travel. I’ve traveled all over the world producing shows. My crew is usually 15 people. So that’s 15 plane tickets, 15 hotel rooms and 15 people I’m responsible for. It’s very stressful because things NEVER go according to plan.

One of my most difficult shoots to date was for a UFO Hunters episode. My crew and I had to hike up a 10,000 foot mountain range in the dead of the night. I had about 90 lbs of gear on my back. I nearly fell off that mountain 1000 times. We had an 18 person crew that day. Two people in our crew never made it up the mountain. One fell during the climb, tumbled down, tore his clothes, cut up his face, arms, legs and F-ed up his ankle. The other one just freaked out when the oxygen concentration in the air dipped and he couldn't go any further. Somehow I was able to push through. The air was so thin. It was hard to breathe. I was literally crawling on my hands and knees for 4 hours while loose rocks fell all around me. I wanted to quit. But I was in the middle of nowhere Nevada, hundreds of miles from anything. I begged God almighty to give me strength to finish in one piece. It was treacherous. If something did happen, like me tumbling off the mountain, no one could have rescued me. Thankfully I got what I needed content-wise and the show turned out great. I will NEVER do anything like that again though. Unless the money's right.

MM: Last time we talked you were attempting a stand up comic career, is that still on or have you moved on to TV show producing permanently?

JW: I still do stand up. But lately in my spare time I’ve been mainly focusing on producing webisodes for “Some Stupid Show” It’s my opus. I’m trying to develop a web following so when I get the opportunity to pitch the show to the right exec at the right network it’ll be obvious it can work. Just go to the website somestupidshow.com for the hijinks.

MM: What do you predict you will be doing next?

JW: Producing another TV show.

MM: Do you miss TV news?

JW: Yes and no. I was so fortunate at KHOU. During my 5 year tenure I was able to witness 11 News This Morning go from the 4th rated morning news show to the number one rated morning news show. I remember during my final days at Channel 11, the station actually threw a party to celebrate being number one in the morning. It was the first time in station history that KHOU’s morning news was ever number one. I’m so grateful to have been a part of that. It was a wonderful and magical experience. But I don’t miss waking up at 3am.

MM: What about Houston?

JW: I miss Houston a lot. For starters, Los Angeles doesn’t have an HEB. I literally have to go to 3 different markets to get everything I want… when HEB used to have everything under one roof. No plug intended. There are no Taco Cabanas here either. Finding a good breakfast burrito in LA is like locating water on the moon.

I miss my Houston friends a ton. I miss the Art Car parade, the Water Wall, the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Houston is an amazing city and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

MM: Anything else you want to add?

JW: Life is beautiful. Camryn Manheim. Not so much.

RELATED
- Former Channel 11 reporter Johnathan Walton's new videos
- Johnathan Walton stops by the mikemcguff.com blog
- What Johnathan Walton formerly of KHOU is up to

Millions will have to repay part of tax credit

2009-11-17T21:19:00.000-06:00

Bob Martin aka "The Accountant to the Stars" lets us in on the bad news.

KTRK 13 and ABC sites update Web look

2009-11-17T19:05:00.002-06:00

My old stomping grounds abc13.com, the Web site for KTRK in Houston has altered the look of its Web site. This goes the same for the other ABC owned and operated stations.

I looked at it for just five minutes and it is a VAST IMPROVEMENT. It really couldn't get much worse than the previous look with that huge video player scrolling through the top. The part I hated most about the old site was how when you went to click on the news headlines, they would move to reveal a story tease. Getting your news on that site was like playing Whac-A-Mole! That's not a fun game when you are simply trying to read a story about the latest murder or crime spree in Houston.

The story level pages have also been upgraded with a smaller video player. I like this look too.

Overall the pages are laid out better, it appears things are easier to find and I'm sure advertisers will be happier too. Great job. Like I said before, it would have been hard to make things worse. Have fun.

abc13.com

In other TV Web site news, I mentioned Twitter/Facebook earlier today that WFAA.com relaunched today. I had mentioned previously that other Belo sites have already flipped to the new look. My question is...what happened to Belo Interactive who used to power the sites? Now the sites are done by Broadcast Interactive Media. I like the look of the new Belo sites much better than the old look too.

Looks like things in the TV web world are heating up! Now I look forward to a change in the Fox owned and operated station sites. Never have been a fan of that look for some reason. One time a Fox station called me about a job and I honestly told them what I thought of that look. I couldn't hold back.

Former Fox 26 anchor Anna Davlantes lands new gig

2009-11-17T18:07:00.000-06:00

Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune reports that former Fox 26 KRIV anchor Anna Davlantes has a new gig. You might remember I reported back in July how she left NBC-owned WMAQ Channel 5 in Chicago.

Now she's back at Fox at owned and operated WFLD-Ch. 32 as a contributing anchor and reporter for the Fox-owned station's 9pm news:

Davlantes grew up in Chicago and earned degrees from Lane Tech and Northwestern University. After beginning her broadcast career at Chicago public television station WTTW-Ch. 11, she spent three years at Fox-owned KRIV in Houston before Channel 5 bosses Larry Wert and Frank Whittaker brought her back home. READ MORE

The five most common Facebook Fails

2009-11-17T15:39:00.001-06:00

Oh, the stupid things people mindlessly post on Facebook:

Thanks to Facebook, mobile devices and impaired judgment, we're only a few seconds (and clicks) away from staining our entire extended social network! That's peace of mind in your pocket. SEE THE FAILS

In reality it is what makes the Net fun. How can TV and radio compete with this?

Former Channel 11 reporter Johnathan Walton's new videos

2009-11-17T14:16:00.000-06:00

The "Save the Earth" campaign sucks! - watch more funny videos

Last time we visited former KHOU Channel 11 funny man Johnathan Walton, he was pitching a TV show to the networks and working on a stand up comedy routine. The above video is from his Web site somestupidshow.com.

Come back Wednesday for my interview with Walton and read about the big TV shows he's in command of now!

RELATED
- Johnathan Walton stops by the mikemcguff.com blog
- What Johnathan Walton formerly of KHOU is up to

KENS 5 names Jeff Vaughn as new anchor

2009-11-17T13:03:00.000-06:00

The speculation is over. It turned out not to be Jeff Brady (former WFAA 8 anchor) or ABC newsman Jim Avila to take over KENS 5 anchor Chris Marrou's gig but Jeff Vaughn of KSHB-TV Kansas City:

KENS 5 has named Jeff Vaughn, an award-winning broadcast journalist, as its new evening news anchor, KENS-TV President and General Manager Bob McGann announced Tuesday morning.

Vaughn, who most recently has been the morning news anchor for KSHB-TV, the NBC affiliate in Kansas City, Mo., will succeed Chris Marrou, the veteran KENS 5 news anchor who is retiring from the station after 36 years on the air.

"We are elated to have a journalist of Jeff's caliber joining the KENS 5 team," McGann said.

Prior to his work in Kansas City, Vaughn was a weekend morning anchor and general assignment reporter at WDIV-TV, the NBC affiliate in Detroit. Vaughn has Texas roots as an anchor and reporter at KCBD-TV in Lubbock and as a reporter at KMID-TV in Midland. Vaughn is a graduate of Kansas State University.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to join KENS 5 and deliver the news to San Antonians," Vaughn said Tuesday. "I'm happy to be coming back to Texas, and my wife and I can't wait to move to San Antonio and get immersed in the culture."

Vaughn has been recognized for outstanding broadcast journalism work. He won a regional EMMY Award in 2005 for anchoring WDIV's weekend morning newscast. He also has been honored by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, the Texas Associated Press and the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.

"As we turn the corner on a new era in KENS 5 television, I am extremely pleased and excited about Jeff joining our team as we look forward to our 60th year on the air," said KENS news director Kurt Davis.

Vaughn will begin appearing on air in January. READ IT

H-Town's 11 Best barbecue joints

2009-11-17T11:28:00.001-06:00

I am a barbecue lover and a few years ago did my ratings of the best Houston and Texas barbecue joints for abc13.com.

Now KHOU.com 11 is getting into the act by taking votes for the top Houston BBQ restaurants. SEE THE LIST

RELATED
- Houston's top barbecue joints
- Top barbecue joints in Texas

(Image courtesy of Flickr user Val Ann)

40 Seriously Funny Print Ads

2009-11-17T10:10:00.005-06:00

Webdesigner Depot has the 40 seriously funny print ads for your viewing pleasure. SEE THEM

VIDEO: Clumsy best man makes waves during wedding ceremony

2009-11-17T09:12:00.002-06:00

Clearly the newlyweds find it so entertaining that they are now selling extra video!

MoJos, VJs The New Reality Of TV News

2009-11-17T08:07:00.000-06:00

Jim Barthold of TVNewsCheck has a nuts and bolts story on the one man band station costs. Guess what? It's a lot cheaper than a $40,000 to $50,000 pro camera:

Broadcast and cable news outlets seem be taking as many different approaches to equipping MoJos as there are cameras at the NAB and CES.

"For as little as $10,000 and as much $22,000, a station can outfit a multimedia journalist with all the tools that they need to gather content," said Jerry Gumbert, president-CEO of Audio, Research & Development (AR&D), a Dallas-based local media consulting firm.

That includes a camcorder (an SD unit at the low end of the range, an HD at the high end), a laptop with a lot of processing power and editing software. READ MORE

One expert interviewed for the piece suggested stations going to Best Buy or the Apple store to shop for equipment. Wow have things changed.

I think MoJos at a station make sense, but should be one part of an overall news gathering operation. There is still an argument for two person crews.

VIDEO: Cat climbs ticket writing cop like a tree and Bud Adams saluting

2009-11-16T23:46:00.002-06:00

Taylor Police Officer Keith Urban caught one of the strangest incidents of his career a few weeks ago on his police unit's video camera. During a traffic stop, a cat climbed him like a tree as he was writing a ticket.

BONUS
Commenter UR posted this video link of Titans owner Bud Adams giving a two-finger salute to the Bills. He was fined for this you know. (NSFW)

New 'TXA 21 News: First in Prime' anchor Keith Garvin debuts

2009-11-16T16:16:00.001-06:00

I told you in October that former ABC network reporter and Washington DC's NBC O and O WRC-TV anchor Keith Garvin was joining KTXA 21's prime time news.

Well guess what? He starts this evening:

Garvin, who grew up in Bryan-College Station, returns to Texas from Washington, D.C., where he was an anchor and reporter for the NBC affiliate. He also worked as a correspondent for ABC News and anchored World News Now/World News This Morning.Garvin says he is enjoying his escape from Washington Redskins territory. READ THE REST

Is Steven Tyler in Aerosmith or not?

2009-11-16T14:07:00.000-06:00

Sirius XM host Eddie Trunk spent time with Aerosmith Joey Kramer over the weekend who told him this about the Steven Tyler situation:

Joey explained to the audience that there are issues for sure between the band and Steven Tyler. The biggest issue is simply that Tyler wants to take 2 years away from the band, and the band does not want to stop working. Its as simple as that. They will not sit on the sideline for 2 years and fully plan to move on with a new singer. Now this does not mean it will still be called Aerosmith. Its unknown as to who the singer will be or what they will call it. Maybe a new band, maybe Aerosmith, who knows at this point? Its clear that the other 4 members of Aerosmith are very united in staying together and if Steven continues to persue interests outside of the band and building "brand Tyler" they are fully prepared to keep going without him. Its also clear that Steven's surprise appearance on stage with Joe Perry last week in NYC did not help issues at all. Apparently not even Joe knew this was happening until Tyler walked out. I also heard he entered Irving Plaza holding a ticket to the show, then got on stage, did a song, made his statement, and left. Again, from all indicators, this only tossed more gas on the fire. I'm not taking sides at all on this. I understand both sides to be honest. Aerosmith wants to work and do a new album, and Tyler has been in a 40 year old marriage and wants to take a break to try something else for a couple years with different people. READ THE REST