More Randomness

In my last post, I completely forgot about KDKA's weathermen. The reason could be that we, as Burghers, tend to not think of any weathermen other than Joe DiNardo. He is the mark that every other weatherman (or woman) will get measured by. No one comes close. But KDKA does have some damn good men in their Severe Weather Center:

Dennis Bowman - Smart man. Left WPXI and headed over to KD Country. Don't know why but a couple of times he's had some stubble like he forgets to shave or something. It works for him. He's also an accomplished ventriloquist, so, if he's not sure about the weather, maybe he can throw his voice on to someone else and blame them.

Jeff Verszyla - Chief Meteorologist. He came aboard KDKA in 1996. It's hard to believe it's been that long! He's not quite as Yum! as Jory, but certainly makes my weather watching more pleasant!

John Burnett - host of the former Evening Magazine and co-hosted Pittsburgh 2 Day with Patrice. He wasn't born in Pittsburgh, but he does so much for the community and has been here so long that we'll forgive him. I love how he always talks about his wife, Debbie. It feels like she's part of the KD Team as well.

In other KD news.....Jennifer Antkowiak Returns!!! Yay!! How cool is it that I had lamented over her leaving on my Sept 15 post and less than a week later she's back! I love Jen! She's had over 37 children (okay, it was only 5 but it seemed like she was pregnant a lot more than that). She'll be doing the morning anchor slot which may actually make me wake up earlier just to see her smiling face. Welcome Back, Jen!

The Men of KDKA

The men of KDKA. (No other introduction needed)

Jon Delano – I don’t like him. That’s all Im gonna say because he detracts from my KDLove.

Ross Guidotti and Ralph Ianotti-For the longest time I got these two mixed up. Noooo. They do not look alike. It’s just their names. But here is the lowdown on each: Ross plays and coaches hockey. Gotta love him for that right there. Next up, he served in the USMC. Semper Fi, dude, Semper Fi. He’s always on top of the reports. He also has the thickest head of hair I believe I’ve ever seen. Now Ralph, not so much the thickest hair. But what he lacks on top he makes up for in heart. He handles “Crime Stoppers” which, of course is another segment of KDKA I love. He’s one of the first on the scene of any major story. He’ll be in Washington county then BAM! he’s in Westmoreland.

Stacy Smith – The man had polio as a kid and couldn’t even walk until he was 3 or 4 years old. At one time he was virtually paralyzed from the disease and could barely move except for his eyes. Did he roll over and decide to collect SSI for the rest of his life? Never contribute to society? Hells NO! He’s on the board of directors for Harmarville Rehab and belongs to the 3 Rivers Council for Independent Living. What. A. Guy. Invincible.

David Highfield – The hometown boy. The boy next door. The boy who is not afraid to get wet and muddy during a flood to get the news out. He is Robin minus the lame tights.

Jory Rand – Yum! I don't even mind when he fills in for Bob Pompeani. Yum! Gorgeous and he played hockey growing up? ‘Nuff said. Did I mention Yum? If you don't have HD...get it. He looks even better in HD. I know that this section on Jory is not much other than me mooning over him, but YUM!

Dave Crawley – he makes everywhere KD Country. Every story has a cute little rhyme. I just love those segments.

Harold Hayes – He’s been on KDKA even longer than Patrice! 1979. He’s a staple of my KD viewing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen him doing a story standing in the rain with his glasses all wet and you know he can’t see a damn thing, yet he keeps reporting for us. He is rock solid.

Paul Martino – Has a band called “The Mystic Knights”. Paul covers everything but when there was political shit going down you just knew he would be there. I sometimes think he, Pompeani and Ken Rice are brothers separated at birth.

Bob Allen – This guy is just a great big teddy bear. You just want to hug him when you see that big smile. I just love when it’s snowing out and he wears that fedora. Many times you don’t get to actually see him when his story is on. You just hear his calm, reassuring voice. That's okay though. I can see his big smile through his voice.

Jim Lokay – Ok, I admit, Im not awake to watch him when he does the traffic in the morning. But if I did wake up in time to watch the tellie, I would turn him on. He’s also on during other segments and I have to say I like him. How could I not? He has a German Shepherd Dog.

Marty Griffin – I know he thinks he’s Clark Kent with those glasses and Im assuming Kristine thinks he’s Superman. Marty is on the lookout for us. He’s not afraid to get in somebody’s face when he investigates a case. You can just tell the bad guys hate him when he busts them. You never know when and where Marty is gonna pop up. So, if you’re doing something shady you better watch out! He’ll getcha!

John Shumway – I so very much miss the days of John and Larry Richert in the mornings. Those were the days I had to get up at like 6 am to get to work. These two made me wake up earlier just so I could watch their antics. John is still on the radio with Larry on KDKA in the mornings and I still listen, cracking up laughing the entire time (which anyone who knows me knows it is very hard to get me to even crack a smile in the mornings). Don’t let his good nature fool you though. He’s one of the best reporters on KD and can be all business when he has to be.

Bob Pompeani - Man knows more about sports than anyone else in the world. National, International or Local. He knows his stuff. At the same time, he got an award from PBA in 1998 for their Professional Image Award. He got an award from a beauty school? I recently saw him and his family on the Subway 5 Dollar footlong commercial and I almost peed my pants laughing. I only saw it once and haven’t seen it again. I think it should be played at least every hour. He deserves a superhero name all his own, and he already has one: The Pomp.

And then there is my man….

Ken Rice – Let’s face it…no other man can have eyebrows like that and come off as sexy as he does. Ken is always the consummate professional, but with a human touch and a great sense of humor. I think he is on KDKA all day long and never sleeps. Hometown High-Q is better than Jeopardy. He can deliver some of the funniest quips and never crack a smile, which just makes it all the more hilarious. Recently, during the shootings at LA Fitness, he was the man. You could tell he was furious with the shooter and the senselessness of the violence. At the same time he looked heartbroken for the victims and their families. Yet he stayed professional. Gave us the news as it broke but cautioned us that all details were not verified and not to jump to conclusions. It was some of the best work I’ve ever seen and I was so proud to be a KD watcher even though my heart was breaking at the tragedy unfolding. He is Batman. Not just my opinion. This is the truth. He really is Batman!

The Women of KDKA

Following up on my post from almost a month ago (I've been busy and I'm a procrastinator, what else can I say?) here are some of the reasons I love KDKA. We'll start with the women:

Brenda Waters – “Have a Positive Day.” That’s her signoff for her weekend reports. How many times have I watched a segment of hers and busted out crying?

Mary Robb Jackson – We won’t fault her for having started off at WPXI, now will we? Mary Robb more than made up for it when she used to do Weekend Magazine-I miss that show! Yet another breast cancer survivor who is a leading woman in Pittsburgh and continues to do her part to raise awareness about the issue. Honorary Chairperson of the Pink Ribbon Roundup this year which will benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation, http://www.pinkribbonroundup.org/friday.html

Alison (with one L) Morris – she’s a newbie having only been at KDKA for four years. Once a Wall Street reporter for CNBC, she got smart and moved to Pittsburgh. Perky, blonde, cute, marathon runner, ugh! The fact that she’s a huge hockey fan makes up for these last few faults. She’s got that rough, sultry voice that will have many a men tuning in.

Jennifer Antkowiak - Why, Jen? Why did you leave? I'm still hurt!!!!

Trina Orlando – the newest of the newbies. I wasn’t sure about her at first, but Im starting to like her. Another local girl from Westmoreland County who made her way back home. She’s covering her home beat as the Westmoreland County Bureau Chief now that Mary Berecky has left us. She’s not just another bit of fluff and I can see her being on KDKA for years to come.

Kristine Sorensen – one half of the KDKA sweethearts. She and Marty Griffin are married and have 2 little, mini reporters running around their house. Hope they are being groomed for a future at KDKA. She has those all-American girl next door looks but don’t be fooled! She’s as accomplished as they come. She’s now anchoring Pittsburgh Today but can also hold her own with Ken Rice when needed in the evening. She has such an open, honest smile, I can’t help but trust her.

Yvonne Zanos – she’s looking out for all of us with her consumer reports! I’ve been tempted to buy many TV infomercial items, but when Yvonne asks “Does it really do that?” and then tells me “NO!” I stay away. She’s not just trying to save us money, but looking out for our safety as well. I love, love, love, her segments.

Dr. Maria Simbra – if Yvonne is looking out for our safety, Dr. Maria is looking out for our health. It’s easy to see why Fred Honsberger is stalking her. She has looks that are unique but she’s not just window dressing. For goodness sakes! How many degrees and accomplishments does one woman need? Doctor (Neurologist with degrees in both biology and chemistry), reporter, teacher, wife, new mother, charity volunteer….Im tired just writing about her! It’s too bad she’s a neurologist because I want Dr. Maria as my family doctor!

And I’ve saved the best for last:

Patrice King Brown – My God! The woman hasn’t aged a day since she started in 1978. Did you get that??? 1978!!! Thirty one years ago! She looks younger than I do! We should all want to hate her for it, but she is so good and pure that you just can’t. Matching her ageless face is her timeless style. You could dress her in a dirty sack and with her poise I would want to dress like her. She’s Catwoman, Superwoman and Wonderwoman rolled all into one. She’s the most trusted newswoman in Pittsburgh. On at 4-6-and 11. I missed her terribly when she was off recovering from surgery on her Achilles tendon. Be careful, Patrice! She's not the only person in the biz from her family. Her brother, Dave, is the host and marketer of QVC. Brother, Brett, is the senior VP of the WB. With these connections and her talent, she could have gone anywhere, but NO!. She's a Pittsburgh girl and stayed right here where we need her the most. I want to be just like Patrice when I grow up.

Next up, and hopefully soon, I will post the Men of KDKA.