OKC is known for having some memorable TV news personalities, many of which are known for the longevity and experience (Gary England/KWTV, Linda Cavanaugh KTVY-KFOR)

some are known for some seedy scandals that they got enveloped into: (Jack Bowen/KOCO)

some were just beautiful (Patti Suarez/KWTV *wink*)

one I remember was an newsanchor...I want to say his name is Anthony Foster, but Im not too sure... i believed he either worked for KOCO or KFOR......I want to say the latter.. This was about 10 yrs ago around 1999. He was a white man with black hair..say in his mid 30's, perhaps? He was on the scene reporting live from the All Sports Stadium where they were hosting a Smashing Pumpkins concert.

anyways..some enraged fans, who were obviously drunk, rushed right in front of the camera and began acting immature saying things like "wooo...party on!..rock on!"

Mr. Foster then broke from his professional reporting posture and dived into a rage of on-camera anger in retaliation at the fans and said something to the effect of "GET OUTTA HERE!!!...WE ARE BROADCASTING LIVE!!...GET LOST, PUNKS!"

Mr. Foster then proceeded to return to his reporting assuming his resumed pose as if nothing had even occured, although his face was beet-red. It was hilarious, and it was the final time I ever saw him again...he didnt go to work for another area station...he just vanished into thin air almost...like a mystery.

anyone else recall this memory, or have a memory youd like to share? :sofa:

I remember Bella Shaw from KFOR. She went on to greener pastures and anchored for CNN for several years in Atlanta and then became a co host for CNN's Entertainment segment in LA. I see where she is now a morning anchor for CNN/Times Warner at their local station in the LA area. Talk about a beautiful, stunning women. She gets better with age!

a lot of former OKC personalities are now here in DFW, such as Randy Mcilwain and Sophia Reza.

Theres a pretty asian anchor currently on one of the OKC affiliates, I cant remember which one, but I do remember my shot glass falling out of my hand and shattering on my friend's kitchen floor when I saw her., shes smokin hot.

Tony Clark...

Tony Clark...

who is that?

who is that?

He used to be a reporter at KWTV years ago, but went to CNN when it was first starting up. Back in the days when stations were still required to do public service programming, he had a show called "Newsbreakers", I believe. He used to have some seriously interesting folks on there.

a lot of former OKC personalities are now here in DFW, such as Randy Mcilwain and Sophia Reza.

Theres a pretty asian anchor currently on one of the OKC affiliates, I cant remember which one, but I do remember my shot glass falling out of my hand and shattering on my friend's kitchen floor when I saw her., shes smokin hot.

The greatest loss OKC had to Dallas was Sana Syed, formerly anchoring on FOX25. The first time I saw her, I ATE the shot glass! ;-)

As far as Asian anchors here in OKC, maybe you're either talking about JiaoJiao Shen or Jaclyn Schultz.

From the scandals-twenty-years-ago-or-so department, Jerry Adams was a very popular local news anchor who bounced among, if memory serves, all three local network affiliates over time, but then became embroiled in a cocaine scandal that effectively ended his career (although I think by the time it broke he was already fading from the market).

One of the saddest things I remember is a former anchor at KWTV (and this was YEARS ago) named Ralph Combs. He was gone from the station, and I remember one time seeing him working at a novelty photo booth inside JCPenny's at Crossroads.

Many here probably are too young to know that Gary England, who was the grandfather of harum-scarum Fear the Weather meteorology, got started at radio station KTOK back in the 70s before his reign of terror on KWTV started. Amazingly, he's mellowed considerably over that time.

I remember several older anchors from WKY->KTVY->KFOR, notably Ernie Schutlz, George Tomek (who still does the occasional hearing aid spot these days)...Channel 5 decided to get out of the ratings basement by building a fancy set that literally resembled the bridge of the starship Enterprise with viewscreen and arced anchor desk, with anchors Dave Gilbert and Jane Jayroe. Jayroe left for a time, then moved to KFOR before finally retiring some years later. Gilbert was also teamed up with someone named Mary Ruth Carlton. I think she was romantically linked with Barry Switzer at one point...

Tons of sports anchors have rolled through...John Snyder was a very well-respected sports anchor at KWTV years ago...a weekend guy named Ken Broo was there for a while..along with a guy named Ted Lightner (sp)..and local pitchman Chris Needham worked there in sports as well....many here remember our mayor Mick Cornett's pre-toupee stint as a KOCO sports reporter/weekend anchor. Jerry Park was KOCO's main sports guy at the time....I also recall when Mike Treps did WKY sports, and he gave way to Bob Barry Senior..

KWTV used to have a morning show called The Early Beat with Lola Hall and Bill Hare, back when local TV was still heavily influenced by agricultural and stock reporting...Bill reported the "barrows and gilts" prices every morning, and sometimes Wayne Liles would sub for him. Lola was KWTV's "weather girl," and she moved to the "hostess" position on that show with Tom Mahoney as weatherman......Fred Norman was probably the most colorful, curmudgeonly weatherman in this market, on KOCO for a long time until he got a little too honest about the youth movement at the station which ultimately got him fired. Back when Jack Ogle was anchor, Jim Williams was WKY->KTVY->KFOR's weather man, and he's also local radio personality Danny Williams' brother....they used to have this completely dark/black set, with a spotllight only on the current segment's host. Little to no chitchat in those days.

Man, did I watch too much TV then or what...

another favorite local tv personality would be KOCO's, Ho-Ho the Clown.

everybody loved them some Ho-Ho. It was real sad when he passed away.

I remember when every single KOCO newscast ended with people making this hand sign with their fingers (your thumb and index finger forming an O, while the other 3 fingers are slightly arched around it)

The greatest loss OKC had to Dallas was Sana Syed, formerly anchoring on FOX25. The first time I saw her, I ATE the shot glass! ;-)

As far as Asian anchors here in OKC, maybe you're either talking about JiaoJiao Shen or Jaclyn Schultz.

yeah, i think it was jiao jiao shen. i googled her and it brought up KOCO's info page on her. JiaoJiao Shen - KOCO-TV News Story - KOCO Oklahoma City (http://www.koco.com/station/15589276/detail.html)

i love what is says towards the end of her bio page:..."If you see Jiao Jiao around town, please stop and hello. She loves meeting new people and making friends".

Yeeeaah..if I see her around any town, im taking it friendlier leagues further than a simple hello to her.

I remember when every single KOCO newscast ended with people making this hand sign with their fingers (your thumb and index finger forming an O, while the other 3 fingers are slightly arched around it)

O-tay!

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/3129/pdvd003tx6.png

One of the saddest things I remember is a former anchor at KWTV (and this was YEARS ago) named Ralph Combs. He was gone from the station, and I remember one time seeing him working at a novelty photo booth inside JCPenny's at Crossroads.



How is it sad? The man realized he had to do something to pay the bills.

What is really is sad is the people who lose a job and refuse to back to work unless it is the same job they had before or at least the same money they made at their former job. They will stay unemployed for an eternity while waiting for the dream job. In reality they could have done something else until the new job came along. I am not saying an investment banker should go work at McDonald's. However, they could land a job in the banking industry doing something less glamorous until another position comes open.

The greatest loss OKC had to Dallas was Sana Syed, formerly anchoring on FOX25. The first time I saw her, I ATE the shot glass! ;-)

As far as Asian anchors here in OKC, maybe you're either talking about JiaoJiao Shen or Jaclyn Schultz.


:ohno: Ah drumsncode, my favorite FoxNews Fren on this board........surely not her......

LOL

Many here probably are too young to know that Gary England, who was the grandfather of harum-scarum Fear the Weather meteorology, got started at radio station KTOK back in the 70s before his reign of terror on KWTV started. Amazingly, he's mellowed considerably over that time.

I remember several older anchors from WKY->KTVY->KFOR, notably Ernie Schutlz, George Tomek (who still does the occasional hearing aid spot these days)..
...

Tomek is on the OETA Report.
As for England, I wished a twister gets him,he is annoying as hell.

How is it sad? The man realized he had to do something to pay the bills.

What is really is sad is the people who lose a job and refuse to back to work unless it is the same job they had before or at least the same money they made at their former job. .

Good gosh, oneforone, it wasn't anything more than a recognition that the guy had fallen on rough times, that's all. Do you mind if I recall having felt a little sympathy for the guy?

* sigh * sometimes......

Tomek is on the OETA Report.
As for England, I wished a twister gets him,he is annoying as hell.

A couple of years back one almost took out the station while following a Tornado that tracked from Bethany to Northwest Expressway to Wilshire and Kelly.

I remember the camera crew rushing with the staff to their Hidey Hole (sp). I remember the camera guy kept panning the crowd and stopping on Amy McRee. She then shot him the coldest look as if she could kill him with her stare. After that he stayed focused on Gary.

lol

> as if she could kill him with her stare.

I wouldn't bet against those eyes.
8^)

A couple of years back one almost took out the station while following a Tornado that tracked from Bethany to Northwest Expressway to Wilshire and Kelly.

I remember the camera crew rushing with the staff to their Hidey Hole (sp). I remember the camera guy kept panning the crowd and stopping on Amy McRee. She then shot him the coldest look as if she could kill him with her stare. After that he stayed focused on Gary.

Well, if you have to die, looking into Amy's eyes might just be the nicest way to go! I would much rather go that way than hearing "Talk to me Val" as my last memory! ;-)

> I would much rather go that way than hearing "Talk to me Val"
> as my last memory!

I'm thinking Val would agree
8^)

It would be nice to have an automated, very location-specific weather alert system, so that if a tornado was right on top of you, you'd get a recorded message from Amy with that warm sweet voice of hers, saying, "Thanks for watching me all these years, now kiss your butt goodbye!" ;-)

Where is innovation in broadcasting when you need it?! ;-)

Another WKY-TV alumnus is Ross Porter, who was the sports anchor in the mid 60s. He left OKC for the NBC affiliate in LA, then spent many years as radio PBP for the LA Dodgers.

Fred Norman was probably the most colorful, curmudgeonly weatherman in this market, on KOCO for a long time until he got a little too honest about the youth movement at the station which ultimately got him fired.

I remember his "walking weather" spots, where they'd shoot stop-motion animation on film of the national weather board, showing impending weather fronts moving across the country. Fred would then stand in front of a greenscreen and walk around as the film was superimposed behind him. A family friend was stage manager at KOCO (he was also HoHo's sock puppet "Pokey") at the time and helped shoot those segments; said they were very time consuming. Today with CG, everyone does this stuff in a few seconds, but in the late 60s-early 70s, it was actually pretty advanced stuff.



Back when Jack Ogle was anchor, Jim Williams was WKY->KTVY->KFOR's weather man, and he's also local radio personality Danny Williams' brother....they used to have this completely dark/black set, with a spotllight only on the current segment's host. Little to no chitchat in those days.

I met Jim Williams once, several years after he retired. Seemed like a super nice guy. Didn't know he was related to Danny, although I can see a bit of a resemblance. Never made the name connection, I guess.


Man, did I watch too much TV then or what...

No comment. I'm probably just as guilty :-).

If my memory serves me right was there two female news casters that were killed a short time apart. One being killed in a helicopter and another on NW 36th and Walker?

Let's not forget Mike Steely's ex-wife Suzanne! With her infamous 'FAT ... LIKE ME!!!' exposé. LOL

...a weekend guy named Ken Broo was there for a while...

LOL, small world! Ken Broo was the sports guy at WUSA-TV Channel 9 (Washington, DC) for about a minute back in the late 90's, I think.

If my memory serves me right was there two female news casters that were killed a short time apart. One being killed in a helicopter and another on NW 36th and Walker?

I remember the stunt airplane one, the other i have no clue then again i was out of pocket for 2 yrs in cali.

Was watching Dan Threlkill(sp?) during the May 3'rd tornado coverage when in his excitement he said "don't fart around with this thing folks".

Stan

Was watching Dan Threlkill(sp?) during the May 3'rd tornado coverage when in his excitement he said "don't fart around with this thing folks".

Stan

He is now the Chief Meteorologist at KJRH Channel 2 up in Tulsa.

http://www.centralmediaserver.com/KJRH/kjrh_talent/danthrelkeld.jpg

Dan Threlkeld | KJRH.com (http://www.kjrh.com/content/aboutus/bios/story/Dan-Threlkeld/_3um3KgcwkWOLAbyZVwRgA.cspx)

Let's not forget Mike Steely's ex-wife Suzanne! With her infamous 'FAT ... LIKE ME!!!' exposé. LOL

I was in high school when that aired. She actually showed up to a basketball game in her fat suit and walked by a group of girls I knew and of course they started pointing an laughing. Of course she used this as proof of fat people being discriminated against.

One of the girls later told me they weren't laughing at her because she was fat but it was obvious that she was wearing a fat suit and a wig. The girl told me her face was very thing and they thought she was part of a half time skit.

I was in high school when that aired. She actually showed up to a basketball game in her fat suit and walked by a group of girls I knew and of course they started pointing an laughing. Of course she used this as proof of fat people being discriminated against.

One of the girls later told me they weren't laughing at her because she was fat but it was obvious that she was wearing a fat suit and a wig. The girl told me her face was very thin and they thought she was part of a half time skit.

Yeah, they should have got a real life fat person and a hidden camera for that exposé. If I remember correctly, she walked into a Braum's dressed that way and some teenage employee started laughing and Suzanne's after the fact voiceover assumed the employee must have been laughing at her because she was fat. Then a few businesses threatened lawsuits over the story and the whole thing got dropped on air. Of course its been remembered many years later. LOL

If my memory serves me right was there two female news casters that were killed a short time apart. One being killed in a helicopter and another on NW 36th and Walker?


I remember the stunt airplane one, the other i have no clue then again i was out of pocket for 2 yrs in cali.

Kathy Jones was the plane crash; Lee Evans was the car crash.

(God bless Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KFOR-TV#Former_On-Air_Talent).)

...Back when Jack Ogle was anchor, Jim Williams was WKY->KTVY->KFOR's weather man, and he's also local radio personality Danny Williams' brother...

Heh heh. I worked with both men at Ch.4 back in the day, and no, they're not related.

Jim was a real weather geek, whose meteorological skill put Gary England to shame. Gary was the better self-promoter and more colorful personality though.

Mitch Jelniker (sp?) was an anchor on channel 9, I think. He married another anchor on the station. He now is in Denver still doing the news. I dont recall his wife's name or if she is still doing news.

One other thing is my wish to remember the news reporter back in the 1970's who gave one of the classic lines of all time. There was a large apartment fire that had broken out in a complex, the anchor led the story and then switched to the female reporter who said, "Thats right ***, the fire is currently confined ONLY to the buildings that are burning!" I remember sitting in the dorms at OU laughing so hard I spilled my beer.

Mitch Jelniker (sp?) was an anchor on channel 9, I think. He married another anchor on the station. He now is in Denver still doing the news. I dont recall his wife's name or if she is still doing news.


Mitch married the daughter of Ch. 9's GM.

Heh heh. I worked with both men at Ch.4 back in the day, and no, they're not related.

Jim was a real weather geek, whose meteorological skill put Gary England to shame. Gary was the better self-promoter and more colorful personality though.

magicchord - I hate to tell you this but Gary England is regarded nationwide as one of the best broadcast metorologists out there. He may get pretty excited when the tornadoes come calling, and he may be a little more folksy than you like, but in that 2-3 times in a lifetime situation like the monster tornado of 1999, he probably saved the lives of hundreds.

26 Apr 2003 (Dallas Morning News, April 28 issue)
Ralph Eugene COMBES died.

COMBES, RALPH EUGENE passed away April 26, 2003, at his home in Rowlett, TX. He was born in Counsil Grove, KS, to Eugene and Georgia (MORGAN) COMBES. He was a member of the National Television & Radio News Directors Assoc. and worked as newscaster/journalist at WKY Radio/TV, KWTV, and KOCO TV in Oklahoma City, OK, before moving to Texas. He volunteered reading books on tape for the blind and volunteered for the National Kidney Foundation. He served honorably in the Navy...

Does anyone remember Bob Thomas the weatherman on WKY-TV?

Does anyone remember Bob Thomas the weatherman on WKY-TV?

Yes, do you remember Harry Volkman before him? He is supposed to be the first weatherman to ever issue a tornado warning.

Ralph Combes did NOT go straight from TV down to Texas, where he passed away. He worked with us as our newsguy at KXY, until Nate Webb joined us a year or two into our show. Ralph was hysterical, and knew everything! Sadly, he was also the most pesimistic man we'd ever met, and didn't care what he said to those in power. With all he'd been through, can't say as I blamed him, either! We loved him, but every day became an excercise in negativity!
One day, Ralph called me in the afternoon, and said, "Somebody stole my lawn!!!".
He lived over by 122nd and May, and sure enough, while he was at work with us and nobody was home, somebody had backed their truck up in his driveway, and proceeded to roll up the fresh turf lawn he had just paid to have installed a few days before!! All he had left was a dirt front yard!!
And no, Gary England never worked at KTOK, another place I worked at...and we worked closely with Gary for years, before he decided he didn't want to wake up early anymore. I STILL miss working daily with Gary, and he's not only brilliant, but a really nice guy, too!

Gary England never worked at KTOK...
Rick Tasetano was the weatherman at KTOK for years.

...not sure if this belongs in this thread. Anyone remember 'cable auction'? I did an on-air gig for a couple of weeks (all it took -- haha). Do I qualify as a past personality? {;+Þ

... not sure if this belongs in this thread. Anyone remember 'cable
auction'? I did an on-air gig for a couple of weeks (all it took -- haha).
Do I qualify as a past personality? {;+Þ
Cable Auction? I remember a classified billboard.

Cable Auction? I remember a classified billboard.

Cable Auction will premiere Thursday in the Oklahoma City area -- 1998 (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_19980401/ai_n10119180/)

Cable Auction will premiere Thursday in the Oklahoma City area -- 1998 (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_19980401/ai_n10119180/)
It appears Amazon took over that niche in the market. LOL

It appears Amazon took over that niche in the market. LOL

...wish you could've seen some of their 'wares'. It was a riot though!

...not sure if this belongs in this thread. Anyone remember 'cable auction'? I did an on-air gig for a couple of weeks (all it took -- haha). Do I qualify as a past personality? {;+Þ

Cable auction was HILARIOUS! We even had a bidder number, lol. We'd kick back a few adult beverages, then about midnight, we'd call and start bidding on the crap that they had. We actually bought a vacuum cleaner that we went and picked up at their warehouse/studio off of I-35 service road. Too funny that you would mention Cable Auction. Btw, where did they get the crap that they sold on there?

Cameron, I may remember the cable auction, but I'm not sure if its the same one. There was many different items on tv and remember calling in (maybe something about bids?) on some things. We picked them up at a big building on the east side of I-35.

Does anyone remember the black lady at KFOR killed in a wreck after the 10pm newscast? She was on her way home. I can't remember her name.

I recall that cable auction and its warehouse on I-35. Crapola items or not, the made elsewhere drill I purchased still functions after all these years.

Was "Cable Auction" the one that came on late at night, was shot in a large warehouse with various piles (or "lots") of junk and featured a couple of girls who seemed as if they might have been sampling some cannabis off camera? It sure doesn't seem like it's been over ten years since I last accidentally surfed onto that program a few times . . .

Cameron, I may remember the cable auction, but I'm not sure if its the same one. There was many different items on tv and remember calling in (maybe something about bids?) on some things. We picked them up at a big building on the east side of I-35.

Does anyone remember the black lady at KFOR killed in a wreck after the 10pm newscast? She was on her way home. I can't remember her name.

You're thinking about Lee Evans who died in an automobile wreck in 1997.

You're thinking about Lee Evans who died in an automobile wreck in 1997.

Thank you. I did a search and was relieved to find out that Lee was only her nickname.

Lisa Carol "Lee" Evans

I do not even remember that name one bit, but I remember the pretty black lady. It happened when brother and I was in Checotah (two weeks in Summer) with dad (and his parents).

http://image2.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2004/196/9079446_108987477317.jpg

http://image1.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2009/179/38876042_124630832400.jpg

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=sh&GRid=9079446

Just notice Scott Padgett this morning on GMA. He is the former chief met from KOKH (Fox 25). He now does the morning weather in Miami, as well as apparently filling in on GMA during the weekend. He's apparently not doing too bad since getting out of the OKC market.

...not sure if this belongs in this thread. Anyone remember 'cable auction'? I did an on-air gig for a couple of weeks (all it took -- haha). Do I qualify as a past personality? {;+Þ

Hahahah, my cousin also did quite a few shows, lasted a couple of months I think.

Anyone remember a Bill Allen that used to be on Ch 5? he used to come and watch his kids at wrestling tournaments and would sometimes show footage from there on his telecast.

I've mentioned this on one of the threads in the nostalgia area but some of you may remember "Ida B" from KOCO back in the late 50s thru 70's (various incarnations) of "The Ida B Show." She did celebrity interviews, a cooking segment, and lots of local interest topics. About 10yrs ago she was the spokesperson for Nu-Sound hearing aids (not to be confused by Waiva lol).

I've mentioned this on one of the threads in the nostalgia area but some of you may remember "Ida B" from KOCO back in the late 50s thru 70's (various incarnations) of "The Ida B Show." She did celebrity interviews, a cooking segment, and lots of local interest topics. About 10yrs ago she was the spokesperson for Nu-Sound hearing aids (not to be confused by Waiva lol).

Yes. Her real name is Ida Blackburn. I don't know if this has been mentioned before in this thead and I not going to go back through all of the posts to find out, but how many remember Lola Hall? She was the Channel 9 "Weather Girl" in the middle 50s and was a pioneer for women in local broadcasting. She also worked for other local stations.

Yes. Her real name is Ida Blackburn. I don't know if this has been mentioned before in this thead and I not going to go back through all of the posts to find out, but how many remember Lola Hall? She was the Channel 9 "Weather Girl" in the middle 50s and was a pioneer for women in local broadcasting. She also worked for other local stations.

I remember Lola. I didn't get to work with her when she was a weather girl. I came along when she was doing movie reviews. She once gave a buddy and me a couple of passes to a showing of a new movie that she didn't think she'd care for. The movie was "Animal House". LOL Also, for what it's worth, Ida B's son, Dr. Bob Blackburn, is the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Historical Society.

You're thinking about Lee Evans who died in an automobile wreck in 1997.

Yes that was Lee Evans....she was also on a local am station before moving on to KFOR. The wreck happened around nw 36th and walker and i believe a drunk driver was involved. Not sure what happened to the drunk driver.
Very tragic.

I remember the stunt airplane one, the other i have no clue then again i was out of pocket for 2 yrs in cali. There was a friend of my sister's that was killed in a helicopter crash and I think she worked for KTOK. Her name was Tricia Lundeen.

I remember him. I used to laugh all the time because he would laugh at the Jax Beer commercials. It was almost impossible for him to keep a straight face after those commercials.