KENS 5's Chris Marrou Offends...

[daypart]

This <a target="_blank" href=http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/columnists/jjackle/stories/MYSA011306.1P.jakle.1a6ef2d5.html>Jeanne Jakle column</a> from today's San Antonio Express-News discussed how veteran KENS 5 anchor Chris Marrou offended the gay community with some on-air ad-libs about the movie "Brokeback Mountain."

Apparently, Marrou suggested that a Best Actress award might be an appropriate award for one of the male leads in Brokeback Mountain.

After weather anchor Bill Taylor expressed puzzlement over how Heath Ledger could be playing a gay cowboy in one current film and Casanova in another, Marrou turned to the camera and informed the viewers that it was possible because Ledger "plays it both ways."

A letter-writing campaign ensued and an on-air apology was given. KENS 5 ND Kurt Davis also issued a policy through the newspaper column.

 

[Slambang]

> This Jeanne Jakle column from today's San Antonio
> Express-News discussed how veteran KENS 5 anchor Chris
> Marrou offended the gay community with some on-air ad-libs
> about the movie "Brokeback Mountain."
>
> Apparently, Marrou suggested that a Best Actress award might
> be an appropriate award for one of the male leads in
> Brokeback Mountain.
>
> After weather anchor Bill Taylor expressed puzzlement over
> how Heath Ledger could be playing a gay cowboy in one
> current film and Casanova in another, Marrou turned to the
> camera and informed the viewers that it was possible because
> Ledger "plays it both ways."
>
> A letter-writing campaign ensued and an on-air apology was
> given. KENS 5 ND Kurt Davis also issued a policy through the
> newspaper column.
>
Who cares, it seems like everyone whos hates this flick or has an "unkind" word about any aspect(from local stations to Gene Shallet from Today), has been bullied and called every dirty word in the book by the GBLT community. Frankly, I think the film stinks, not because of the sexual overtones, but the fact its long, overdrawn and quite boring. I know quite a few people in the GBLT community who've seen it and they tend to agree with my views as well.

 

[bpatrick]

> > This Jeanne Jakle column from today's San Antonio
> > Express-News discussed how veteran KENS 5 anchor Chris
> > Marrou offended the gay community with some on-air ad-libs
>
> > about the movie "Brokeback Mountain."
> >
> > Apparently, Marrou suggested that a Best Actress award
> might
> > be an appropriate award for one of the male leads in
> > Brokeback Mountain.
> >
> > After weather anchor Bill Taylor expressed puzzlement over
>
> > how Heath Ledger could be playing a gay cowboy in one
> > current film and Casanova in another, Marrou turned to the
>
> > camera and informed the viewers that it was possible
> because
> > Ledger "plays it both ways."
> >
> > A letter-writing campaign ensued and an on-air apology was
>
> > given. KENS 5 ND Kurt Davis also issued a policy through
> the
> > newspaper column.
> >
> Who cares, it seems like everyone whos hates this flick or
> has an "unkind" word about any aspect(from local stations to
> Gene Shallet from Today), has been bullied and called every
> dirty word in the book by the GBLT community. Frankly, I
> think the film stinks, not because of the sexual overtones,
> but the fact its long, overdrawn and quite boring. I know
> quite a few people in the GBLT community who've seen it and
> they tend to agree with my views as well.
>
No comment on the movie itself; I haven't seen it. But look,
Heath Ledger is an ACTOR. I don't care what his sexual preference
is, he SHOULD be able to play different parts.

As for Chris Marrou, I'm disappointed in him. He's always been
my favorite anchor in San Antonio, but I think his remark is
WAY out of line (by the way, I'm straight, but I see a touch
of narrowmindedness in what he said).

 

[formeraa]

> > > This Jeanne Jakle column from today's San Antonio
> > > Express-News discussed how veteran KENS 5 anchor Chris
> > > Marrou offended the gay community with some on-air
> ad-libs
> >
> > > about the movie "Brokeback Mountain."
> > >
> > > Apparently, Marrou suggested that a Best Actress award
> > might
> > > be an appropriate award for one of the male leads in
> > > Brokeback Mountain.
> > >
> > > After weather anchor Bill Taylor expressed puzzlement
> over
> >
> > > how Heath Ledger could be playing a gay cowboy in one
> > > current film and Casanova in another, Marrou turned to
> the
> >
> > > camera and informed the viewers that it was possible
> > because
> > > Ledger "plays it both ways."
> > >
> > > A letter-writing campaign ensued and an on-air apology
> was
> >
> > > given. KENS 5 ND Kurt Davis also issued a policy through
>
> > the
> > > newspaper column.
> > >
> > Who cares, it seems like everyone whos hates this flick or
>
> > has an "unkind" word about any aspect(from local stations
> to
> > Gene Shallet from Today), has been bullied and called
> every
> > dirty word in the book by the GBLT community. Frankly, I
> > think the film stinks, not because of the sexual
> overtones,
> > but the fact its long, overdrawn and quite boring. I know
> > quite a few people in the GBLT community who've seen it
> and
> > they tend to agree with my views as well.
> >
> No comment on the movie itself; I haven't seen it. But
> look,
> Heath Ledger is an ACTOR. I don't care what his sexual
> preference
> is, he SHOULD be able to play different parts.
>
> As for Chris Marrou, I'm disappointed in him. He's always
> been
> my favorite anchor in San Antonio, but I think his remark is
>
> WAY out of line (by the way, I'm straight, but I see a touch
>
> of narrowmindedness in what he said).
>
A TOUCH of narrowmindedness?!?

I remember being in shock hearing the small talk between Chris, Dan Cook, and Albert Flores...

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

>
> I remember being in shock hearing the small talk between
> Chris, Dan Cook, and Albert Flores...
>
OH it was better with Chris, Dan and Jud Ashmore. Jud got so controversial he was suspended. then he refused to come back for a couple of weeks. The mail poured in bombarding the station for Jud. Of course it helped that he had a morning radio show with Ricci Ware on KBUC that helped fuel the mail volume. KENS made a bit story about his return,but 2 years later things blew up again and Jud walked,but this time KENS didn't blink so Jud had to sit out a no compete at KSAT Ch.12 while radio co-host Ricci did the weather. This arrangement lasted 2 years then Jud retired.
On Chris: He is a broadcast legend in SA. He left briefly to anchor the news in Boston at WRKO. The Bostonians hated him,he was even robbed at gunpoint up there ,so he high tailed it back to Ch.5 He had news director Bob Rogers fired who created the "Eyewittness" success at Ch.5 so he could assume that position. He always packs a pistol since that day he was robbed BTW. Chris likes living in the "high circles" and thumbs his nose at the middle class,who strangely enough make up his core audience.That's San Antonio for you however. His co anchor then was Debroah Knapp whose Husband was a former staffer at Ch 5, Henry Bonilla . Yep US Congressman Bonilla -Republican. Chris got KENS in trouble with the FCC 10 years ago when he allowed Spots for Bonilla's campaign to be produced at Ch.5. The problem was,it wasn't reported to the FEC,as a campaign contribution ,etc. KENS paid the fine. Chris BTW was Henry's Campaign manager, Lastily Chris never allowed during the campaign(s)Henry's opponents to have air time on the 5p, and 6p news only small 30 sec bites scattered at 10p. Nothing like impartial reporting.

 

[formeraa]

> His co anchor then was Debroah
> Knapp whose Husband was a former staffer at Ch 5, Henry
> Bonilla . Yep US Congressman Bonilla -Republican. Chris got
> KENS in trouble with the FCC 10 years ago when he allowed
> Spots for Bonilla's campaign to be produced at Ch.5. The
> problem was,it wasn't reported to the FEC,as a campaign
> contribution ,etc. KENS paid the fine. Chris BTW was Henry's
> Campaign manager, Lastily Chris never allowed during the
> campaign(s)Henry's opponents to have air time on the 5p, and
> 6p news only small 30 sec bites scattered at 10p. Nothing
> like impartial reporting.
>
I guess that explains why Deborah didn't slap him, although maybe Sarah Lucero could have slapped him on the later newscasts. As San Antonio's only female Hispanic (on English-speaking TV) primary anchor, you could just see the headlines if KENS tried to fire her.

I remember telling one of my cousins who works in Seattle about some stupid remark that Chris made several years ago. He was shocked that they would let the anchors make such pointed comments.

I am just sorry that Chief Met Bill Taylor was involved in the banter. I always thought more highly of him.

I just did a internet search on Jud Ashmore. Here is a link with people commenting on the infamous Dan Cook and Jud Ashmore exchanges:
http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives/002189.html<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by formeraa on 01/15/06 11:07 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[daypart]

> I remember telling one of my cousins who works in Seattle
> about some stupid remark that Chris made several years ago.
> He was shocked that they would let the anchors make such
> pointed comments.

I've only been in SA for 3 years, so hearing his history is interesting. I've been amazed at some of Chris's judgmental comments within stories, but I've always assumed he must have tenure to get away with them. He's quick to point out any perceived foolishness in the behavior of the subject of a far-off story or in accused local criminals. I assume it makes him feel superior. I wish the station would let him do editorials, so he can sound off in a more appropriate venue and I can know when to stop paying attention.

Stylistically, it's my favorite local newscast, though.

 

[formeraa]

> > I remember telling one of my cousins who works in Seattle
> > about some stupid remark that Chris made several years
> ago.
> > He was shocked that they would let the anchors make such
> > pointed comments.
>
> I've only been in SA for 3 years, so hearing his history is
> interesting. I've been amazed at some of Chris's judgmental
> comments within stories, but I've always assumed he must
> have tenure to get away with them. He's quick to point out
> any perceived foolishness in the behavior of the subject of
> a far-off story or in accused local criminals. I assume it
> makes him feel superior. I wish the station would let him do
> editorials, so he can sound off in a more appropriate venue
> and I can know when to stop paying attention.
>
> Stylistically, it's my favorite local newscast, though.
>
I never minded the comments when they were specifically directed toward some bizarre story. I just didn't like the comments with racial or sexual preference overtones.

I usually watched KENS in the evenings, while I watched WOAI in the mornings. I left before the new KENS am team arrived. I hope they are doing better in the mornings. Fred and Cindy (along with a cranky Bill Taylor before he moved to the pm newscasts) used to put me back to sleep.

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

> > > I remember telling one of my cousins who works in
> Seattle
> > > about some stupid remark that Chris made several years
> > ago.
> > > He was shocked that they would let the anchors make such
>
> > > pointed comments.
> >
> > I've only been in SA for 3 years, so hearing his history
> is
> > interesting. I've been amazed at some of Chris's
> judgmental
> > comments within stories, but I've always assumed he must
> > have tenure to get away with them. He's quick to point out
>
> > any perceived foolishness in the behavior of the subject
> of
> > a far-off story or in accused local criminals. I assume it
>
> > makes him feel superior. I wish the station would let him
> do
> > editorials, so he can sound off in a more appropriate
> venue
> > and I can know when to stop paying attention.
> >
> > Stylistically, it's my favorite local newscast, though.
> >
> I never minded the comments when they were specifically
> directed toward some bizarre story. I just didn't like the
> comments with racial or sexual preference overtones.
>
> I usually watched KENS in the evenings, while I watched WOAI
> in the mornings. I left before the new KENS am team
> arrived. I hope they are doing better in the mornings.
> Fred and Cindy (along with a cranky Bill Taylor before he
> moved to the pm newscasts) used to put me back to sleep.
>
IN the 60's Chris was the weekend weather man at WOAI-TV, then he came up here to Dallas and worked at WFAA. The original eyewitness news anchor at Channel 5 was Gene Tuck and his brother Mike Tuck was a reporter. They both were hired by CBS News. Both of them before channel 5 worked as news reporters on KTSA when McLendon owned it.Mike stayed with CBS News,Gene Returned to SA and was hired to save KSAT CH.12's ailing newscast where he was reunited with Jud Ashmore. They made overtures to Dan Cook to join them,but Dan was employed by the SA Express-News, which used to own Channel 5 and he had been doing sports on that station since 1960. So he stayed out of loyality at Ch.5.Where Gene and Mike are at today I don't know. I heard some story that one of them is dead. Whenever I visit SA and watched the newscasts I feel glad I moved to DFW many years ago. They are so bad they are good to watch for a chuckle,especially KSAT CH.12 with Channel 12 lapel pins and KSAT logos on the blazer Pockets.Good grief they did that in 1963.SA's media has pretty much trailed the rest of the country for years.

 

[grantchester]

> IN the 60's Chris was the weekend weather man at WOAI-TV,
> then he came up here to Dallas and worked at WFAA. The
> original eyewitness news anchor at Channel 5 was Gene Tuck
> and his brother Mike Tuck was a reporter. They both were
> hired by CBS News. Both of them before channel 5 worked as
> news reporters on KTSA when McLendon owned it.Mike stayed
> with CBS News,Gene Returned to SA and was hired to save KSAT
> CH.12's ailing newscast where he was reunited with Jud
> Ashmore. They made overtures to Dan Cook to join them,but
> Dan was employed by the SA Express-News, which used to own
> Channel 5 and he had been doing sports on that station since
> 1960. So he stayed out of loyality at Ch.5.Where Gene and
> Mike are at today I don't know. I heard some story that one
> of them is dead. Whenever I visit SA and watched the
> newscasts I feel glad I moved to DFW many years ago. They
> are so bad they are good to watch for a chuckle,especially
> KSAT CH.12 with Channel 12 lapel pins and KSAT logos on the
> blazer Pockets.Good grief they did that in 1963.SA's media
> has pretty much trailed the rest of the country for years.
>
Chris was only on KMOL about 6 months. He moved to Dallas to work at KRLD.
Bob Rogers was the anchor when Eyewitness News began. Chris inherited #1 at 6 and 10, from Gene Tuck, and at one point in 1980, hit a 50 share with the 10pm. Later that year he went to WBZ-Boston; about the same time Debbie Knapp went to KYW in Philadelphia. Henry Bonilla went with her, and worked at WABC in New York. Both were back a year or two later, making it uncomfortable for Bob Salter and Lynn Russell, their replacements.
Frank Guerra, another KENS employee, managed Henry's first congressional campaign.
Best memory from KENS News was the night Jud was talking about rainfall totals, and said "Alice got 7 inches." Dan let out a guffaw, and Jud turned red and broke up.
Dan was the first sportscaster on KENS TV, shortly after the Huntress family bought it. That was about 1955. They owned the Coke franchise, and of course the Express/News. Dan didn't stay out of loyalty. After KMOL made a run for him, his new contract called for him to be sent to every superbowl, every heavyweight championship, every kentucky derby, and other sports events. He also went to Benson Chevrolet each year, and was given his choice of any car on the lot.
Do you remember 12 STAR FINAL? Tom Ellis anchored when they were number one in the '60's. Always seemed like they were sponsored by Porter Loring mortuary. They used to string together film of all the days car crashes, and play them with orchestra music underneath. HA!
g

 

[formeraa]

I forgot about Tom Ellis' SA connection! I watched him in Boston during the 80's on WNEV/WHDH when I went to school there. I remember a Saturday newspaper headline in the late 80's: "Tom Ellis, Fired at 55!" I was talking to some friends in Boston last week and they said that Tom was still anchoring on weekends on New England Cable Network.

Why does Jud Ashmore's name sound so familiar? Did he go anywhere outside of Texas? Was there a national reporter with a similar name?

Also, has anyone made a comparison between Chris Marrou and KHON's (Honolulu) Joe Moore? They both have that anchorman's voice and a pretty quick (sometimes non-PC) wit? And they've both been anchoring the news forever.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by formeraa on 01/16/06 08:34 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

> Chris was only on KMOL about 6 months. He moved to Dallas to
> work at KRLD.
> Bob Rogers was the anchor when Eyewitness News began. Chris
> inherited #1 at 6 and 10, from Gene Tuck, and at one point
> in 1980, hit a 50 share with the 10pm. Later that year he
> went to WBZ-Boston; about the same time Debbie Knapp went to
> KYW in Philadelphia. Henry Bonilla went with her, and worked
> at WABC in New York. Both were back a year or two later,
> making it uncomfortable for Bob Salter and Lynn Russell,
> their replacements.
> Frank Guerra, another KENS employee, managed Henry's first
> congressional campaign.
> Best memory from KENS News was the night Jud was talking
> about rainfall totals, and said "Alice got 7 inches." Dan
> let out a guffaw, and Jud turned red and broke up.
> Dan was the first sportscaster on KENS TV, shortly after the
> Huntress family bought it. That was about 1955. They owned
> the Coke franchise, and of course the Express/News. Dan
> didn't stay out of loyalty. After KMOL made a run for him,
> his new contract called for him to be sent to every
> superbowl, every heavyweight championship, every kentucky
> derby, and other sports events. He also went to Benson
> Chevrolet each year, and was given his choice of any car on
> the lot.
> Do you remember 12 STAR FINAL? Tom Ellis anchored when they
> were number one in the '60's. Always seemed like they were
> sponsored by Porter Loring mortuary. They used to string
> together film of all the days car crashes, and play them
> with orchestra music underneath. HA!
> g
>
Grant.Ch.4 wasn't KMOL until 1974 (approx) Chris did the weather on the weekends
in late 1968-1969 and wore glasses. The "7inches" comment was a classic. I remember that one! Dan told me at his famed "Timeout" club on Austin Hiway. (The parking lot was painted and striped like a football field,and may be considered one of the first sports bars)he stayed at Channel 5 because"quote"I am sure ch.12 would hire me,and possibly ch.4 but an old fart like me wouldn't stay at either"He went on to say the only Mexcian TV station KWEX ch.41 asked him to comment on boxing. He asked the only thing I could say in spanish was "Pow" Ugh" El-Knockout"He also didn't want to commute from the newspaper bldg to a new station when he could just walk.

KONO(KSAT)..12 STAR FINAL with a film montage of car crashes,waterskiing acrobatics by women,politicians,with each segment shown in " each point of a star" as fireworks loomed in the background and a music march that Strauss would love as the opening. Tom Ellis, Bill Kelso on Weather(and TV bingo) and many short term sports reporters from KONO-AM.You forgot one major sponsor "Pearl's BOCK Beer"/HEB was another with Texas Goldstamps. I thought they had the most frightening weather bulletins(as a kid) the program would be interupted, a logo appears in bold letters WEATHER BULLETIN on top of a photo of a tornado and a lighting bolt shattering a tree. Their lead story was always car crashes. They couldn't get enough of them. Thats why it took years to live down the title of "Blood and Guts 12". Bob Rogers in the late 60's (1968-1970)was their sports director then Ch.5 made the offer to him. Pat Boyette,Jerry Zimmerman(weather )were leaving and they wanted a new direction.Ch.4 had Gene Lively as News Director,and he caused some controversy when he didn't renew the contract of anchor Mike Henry due to age. It got so bad they did a story on it with Gene visiting Mikes home. Mike was given a nice sum and told the audience he "wanted to do something different but would like to still be doing the news at Ch.4"Gene was taken back by that live on camera. Gene also told "Gene" Tuck about the anchor job in Houston (KHOU?) when Eyewitness news was becoming Number 1 for awhile. He wanted Gene Tuck out of the way. Gene's brother also ran a little suburban newspaper,that caused a problem with A Local High School ( John Jay) about the use of the word"Hell" in a Cheerleader routine. He objected to it, students,teachers and local advertisers stopped reading his paper . He sold it,it folded. He left town.

 

[texasskywatcher]

RE: Who cares

> > This Jeanne Jakle column from today's San Antonio
> > Express-News discussed how veteran KENS 5 anchor Chris
> > Marrou offended the gay community with some on-air ad-libs
>
> > about the movie "Brokeback Mountain."
> >
> > Apparently, Marrou suggested that a Best Actress award
> might
> > be an appropriate award for one of the male leads in
> > Brokeback Mountain.
> >
> > After weather anchor Bill Taylor expressed puzzlement over
>
> > how Heath Ledger could be playing a gay cowboy in one
> > current film and Casanova in another, Marrou turned to the
>
> > camera and informed the viewers that it was possible
> because
> > Ledger "plays it both ways."
> >
> > A letter-writing campaign ensued and an on-air apology was
>
> > given. KENS 5 ND Kurt Davis also issued a policy through
> the
> > newspaper column.
> >
> Who cares, it seems like everyone whos hates this flick or
> has an "unkind" word about any aspect(from local stations to
> Gene Shallet from Today), has been bullied and called every
> dirty word in the book by the GBLT community. Frankly, I
> think the film stinks, not because of the sexual overtones,
> but the fact its long, overdrawn and quite boring. I know
> quite a few people in the GBLT community who've seen it and
> they tend to agree with my views as well.

Chris is Chris and he will always be an egotistical maniac; however he is still better than half of parent WFAA's anchors.

 

[sanantonionews78]

12 Star Final Theme

Is this the theme you were referring to?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk5ZbxSyNUY&feature=youtu.be

> IN the 60's Chris was the weekend weather man at WOAI-TV,
> then he came up here to Dallas and worked at WFAA. The
> original eyewitness news anchor at Channel 5 was Gene Tuck
> and his brother Mike Tuck was a reporter. They both were
> hired by CBS News. Both of them before channel 5 worked as
> news reporters on KTSA when McLendon owned it.Mike stayed
> with CBS News,Gene Returned to SA and was hired to save KSAT
> CH.12's ailing newscast where he was reunited with Jud
> Ashmore. They made overtures to Dan Cook to join them,but
> Dan was employed by the SA Express-News, which used to own
> Channel 5 and he had been doing sports on that station since
> 1960. So he stayed out of loyality at Ch.5.Where Gene and
> Mike are at today I don't know. I heard some story that one
> of them is dead. Whenever I visit SA and watched the
> newscasts I feel glad I moved to DFW many years ago. They
> are so bad they are good to watch for a chuckle,especially
> KSAT CH.12 with Channel 12 lapel pins and KSAT logos on the
> blazer Pockets.Good grief they did that in 1963.SA's media
> has pretty much trailed the rest of the country for years.
>
Chris was only on KMOL about 6 months. He moved to Dallas to work at KRLD.
Bob Rogers was the anchor when Eyewitness News began. Chris inherited #1 at 6 and 10, from Gene Tuck, and at one point in 1980, hit a 50 share with the 10pm. Later that year he went to WBZ-Boston; about the same time Debbie Knapp went to KYW in Philadelphia. Henry Bonilla went with her, and worked at WABC in New York. Both were back a year or two later, making it uncomfortable for Bob Salter and Lynn Russell, their replacements.
Frank Guerra, another KENS employee, managed Henry's first congressional campaign.
Best memory from KENS News was the night Jud was talking about rainfall totals, and said "Alice got 7 inches." Dan let out a guffaw, and Jud turned red and broke up.
Dan was the first sportscaster on KENS TV, shortly after the Huntress family bought it. That was about 1955. They owned the Coke franchise, and of course the Express/News. Dan didn't stay out of loyalty. After KMOL made a run for him, his new contract called for him to be sent to every superbowl, every heavyweight championship, every kentucky derby, and other sports events. He also went to Benson Chevrolet each year, and was given his choice of any car on the lot.
Do you remember 12 STAR FINAL? Tom Ellis anchored when they were number one in the '60's. Always seemed like they were sponsored by Porter Loring mortuary. They used to string together film of all the days car crashes, and play them with orchestra music underneath. HA!
g