As of 2004, however, the CBS affiliate KYTX CBS 19: The EYE of East Texas saw an over crowded local media market place in the Tyler/Longview area and cried "Me too!"
As my television is currently configured with only a cheap set of rabbit ears, I've been taking in a lot of the CBS local news, dubbed The EYE of East Texas. In honor of Mrs. Pingerly's and my old KLTV/KETK rivalry, I've decided to see how the new KYTX fits into God's plan for us.
Some insightful observations I have made:
1. They have a scarf-sporting pooch named Stormy who uses his eerie dog powers to help predict the weather. His detection signals range anywhere from urinating on B-Camera [fair weather ahead] to humping the coanchor's leg [severe]. Sure, the shaggy little weatherdog is cute enough, until one realizes that Stormy is but a cheap imitation. That's right. The idea of adopting a canine meteorologist originated with Houston's KPRC and Radar the Weather Dog. Why plagiarize so blatantly? Why not a movie-reviewing parrot or a sports cat? For shame. 
2. Another thing that may interest you during the 10:00 pm newscast is this guy: "Doc" Deason. Stormy's sidekick, "Doc" talks like a grizzled West Texas dirt farmer, yet looks like a homo-curious 38 year-old still living in his affluent parents' Malibu beach house dripping acid with an Old School DVD running on a continuous loop. Interestingly enough, in the late 90's "Doc" earned a special place in the hearts of many East Texas troglodytes as a DJ on both MIX 107.3 and KNUE 101.5.
3. In the never-ending free agency that is East Texas news, CBS acquired one of the most prominent East Texas news icons—Brian Houston—former long time anchor with Region 56 and briefly with Channel 7. They also picked up long-time KLTV backup weatherdude Scott Ferguson and the forgettable former KETK weekend sports anchor Brian Joyce. 4. And finally I leave you with the sweetest plum of all. CBS's bizarre new advertising campaign in which a deranged Stormy is set in front of the detonation mechanism to a semi-nuclear device hidden somewhere in East Texas. Tune in this week to see if Stormy pushes the button! is what they'd say.
And boy, how we tuned in.
12 comments:
You had a crush on Gillian Sheridan? Or was it that fished faced reporter, what was her name? Geez, where is Aaron when I need him, oh well.
Push the button Stormy.
I myself always sided with the people who REALLY knew what mid-market local TV news was all about, those loyal to KLTV. As for weather professional and SFA alum "Doc", or the Dease, as I call him in private, I saw him driving on the Loop on day a few years ago in a purple 1989 Camero with "DOC" vanity plates. I'm not making this up.
Gillian's cute enough but I've seen her in person and she's only about 4 feet tall. No joke.
Regarding the pooch, I'd love to see him latch onto Doc's jugular right around the 6:29 ad lib outro and see the local talent try to chuckle THAT into Inside Edition.
Believe it or not, I was driving somewhere today when the name of that KLTV female anchor of the mid-90's hit me: Jolene Devito. I'll have to pool my recollection with Jason, but I'm pretty sure we met her at a rally circa 1994 at some sort of political rally in Tyler. We definitely met at least two KLTV personalities and prodded for their autographs. I distinctly remember this because it was shortly after Hurricane Andrew and one of them wrote "...and quit naming hurricanes after yourself," as if I had something to do with all that. Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure Jolene (we were on a first name basis) was one of them. I guess I must make it my life mission to find that notebook and corresponding autograph.
I bring this up because of Trent's encounters with local television personalities. Aside from the afore mentioned, I've only had a couple of others. Around 1999, I was driving in Tyler and was pulling out of that little complex where the New York Bagel place used to be. For those familiar with the Loop-side exit to said complex, it is quite steep and difficult to see oncoming traffic. Anywho, a car pulled in way too fast and almost collided with the front of my car. Being the young hate-filled man of yesteryear I was, I immediately shot my middle finger into the air. As the driver had to back up in order to complete his turn, I got a very good glimpse of his face. It was TV's Clint Yeatts. True Story. I remember—for some reason—feeling repentant afterwards because of who he was. However, I imagine if it was some slack-jawed rando, I probably would have turned my car around to ram his in the parking lot. I don't know.
My only other experience was seeing Mark Scirto sing at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler.
Man, this was a gigantic post. Just goes to show you, once you start reminiscing about local TV celebrities, it's hard to stop. They do so much for us and ask so little in return.
Where to begin...
I believe it was Jolene DeVito. I don't remember actually meeting her myself, but the autograph inscription rings a bell in my distant subconscious. She was at a political (if we're thinking of the right girl), because i specifically remember one Mr. Ross Harkins checking her out there.
"She's pretty cute."
I now imagine Drew going for his neck like Pooch and the Doc.
But a question for you: are you confusing the rally with the set of autographs that Trent's Wife got for you at the now defunct Eishenhower Golf Classic? I remember getting scribbles from Chuck McD and Mr Elz, while you were sporting Yates and Scirto. And presumably DeVito. Is that where the cutesy autograph came from?
One more news tidbit. I know for years we've all wondered what announcer made that memorable call when Steve Guttenburg's motley bunch of misfits toppled the Knights in the 1995 classic "The Big Green." It was KLTV's own wanna-be Jeremy Butler.
Thank you, Stephen Parr, for the memories.
Hard to say until I find the evidence.
Speaking of Sara getting us those autographs, she was in pretty tight with the world of local television personalities. Remember when she snuck us into David Smoak's tent at the fair? That's when I asked him to sign the under-bill of my White Sox hat and when he said he didn't want to ruin a perfectly good hat, I replied, "No, I insist."
Oh man, I always thought it was Chuck McDonald that bore the wrath of your finger-waving. That's too bad cause he's the one who deserved it. You should track him down and give him the bird just to make sure. And is he on KYTX now? I didn't see him on their website, but KYTX's Wikipedia entry lists him as one of their "Weekend Legends." That seems only fitting.
I may have told a version of the story with the recipient being Chuck McD because I would have been hardly remorseful—if at all—for sticking it to him. Like you said, he deserves it.
Lest we forget, Chuckles McD and one John Adams both started out on KLTV. It was probably around 1990. One night they were on 7, the next night, 56. They were running ads saying, "We made the switch to Region 56."
A week later, my brother Todd actually called Channel 56 during a newsbreak to see if they could ask Chuck to give his classic farewell: "Glad we could get together." Alas, the line was too much associated with his former employer.
Those were the golden days of Region 56. I'm afraid they have never recovered from the addition of the Elzner Excellence Awards.
Aaron and I once spotted Joe Terrell at Hastings. Oddly enough when we saw him, he was perusing the "special interests" section. When he saw us staring at him and looked up to see what section he was in, he began to look very guilty and he bolted from the store without even renting anything. True story. I still have a blurry photo taken of him with my camera phone.
As long as we're reminiscing about run-ins with local TV talent, I too have had a run-in with the aforementioned middle-finger recipient, Mr. Yeatts. I was working at Grace at the time, which is where his daughter recieves the bulk of her education, I would imagine. Anyway, it was talent show day in the K-5 class she was a part of, and being the dutiful parent he is, showed up to support her. I recall it was a rainy and somewhat gloomy day, as most of mine were then. I remember walking around outside pretending to work when I saw him and his child trying to start his truck. I walked over a asked him if he needed help, which he replied he did. I proceeded to find a set of jumper cables and gave the poor anchor a jump. True story. Now what truely sticks out in my mind is that fact that Mr. Yeatts' choice of automobile was far below the standards of what you would expect from someone of his stature. It was a late 1980's or early 1990's model Isuzu pickup. Shocking, even as I recall it now. At least it was an extended cab.
I also had a run-in with Mark Scirto during my job interview there last November. I walked into the studio before him, and proceeded to hold the door open. He said something and I responded. I don't remember what was said, but I do remember that he laughed and this made a huge impression on me as my immediate thought was, "Wow! I made Scirto laugh!"
I've seen Chuck McD on the CBS 19 news co-anchoring with an old lady who reminds me of someone's crazy old grandmother. Has anyone else noticed that? It's really rather sad to see and East Texas legend such as Chuck relegated to weekend mop up duty with Grandma McCrazy. I think I've actually seen her anchor in a mu-mu...
I can't stop saying "anchor in a mu-mu".
Blatent Rip-off!:
I have gathered the evidence to the plagiary of KYTX. In this picture you can clearly see the resemblance of the two dogs, sans the gay scarf. Also, Radar is a Wheaten terrier mix. Stormy is also some sort of terrier. What is it about terriers that give them the ability somewhat accurately prognasticate the forecast? And groundhogs too for that matter.(ask Jeeves when I get home) In THIS picture, you shall see radar also use a button to activate his canine powered weather machine.
Shame shame, KYTX...Why do giant eyes allways have to be evil?
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