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H-Town Rock
Rock Talk, Vol. IX
The jovial traffic reporter, a familiar face to anyone who watched Channel 11 in the mornings, was given the pink slip this morning for reasons that are still unknown at this time. Douglas' smiling face was quickly removed from the staff page on KHOU's website, but his bio can still be accessed through a little Googling. His traffic blog is also still viewable on KHOU's website, but it's safe to assume that neither of those will be available for much longer. The native Houstonian attended the University of Houston and had been with the station for almost 13 years. [via HAIF]
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That hurts my heart. I've known Darby for a few years and he's a great guy. I always said that I wished I could put him in my pocket and take him everywhere with me. So much fun with such a great sense of humor- you just couldn't help but smile when he was around.
He would judge our costume contests for the now disbanded Krewe of Rex Arborius (Krewe of Kingwood) Mardi Gras ball and everyone loved him. He was the one person they always asked for.
I hope he moves on to do something really great.
-Ali Lastrapes
Umm, How do I say this? I am actually not shocked at anything that happens on news television. I felt that the same way most of you do a couple of years ago when KPRC-Channel 2 ousted their two best African American anchors, Linda Lorelle and Khambrel Marshall without explanation. So, how do they make up for it? By bringing Khambrel back as a weatherman and trying to put Linda as a weekend anchor which she didn't go for and just decided to leave. These news stations claim to know what the viewers want but they couldn't more clueless. If KHOU had half a brain, they'd bring Greg Hurst or Len Cannon down to the morning team and remove Arenas. That way you know you'd get serious new reporting in the morning.
Channel 11/Belo: WOW you idiots....letting Darby GO! What a stupid and idiotic move. Your ratings dropped when you added Vicente Arenas to the morning news. That move tanked your ratings-MOST DECIDEDLY NOT DARBY! Have any of you noticed VICENTE has sooo much difficulty reading the tele-prompter? Better yet, count how many times he states "I appreciate that." We even gave up on the evening with good ole NORMAN and the STUPID NORMAN NUMBER. Who needs a number for the day???? If I cannot deduce what kind of day tomorrow will be by watching the weather then I am a moron. That is the reason for going to Channel 13 in the evenings and now mornings. I don't want to hear the crap about Darby was not an employee of Channel 11. You all had a say and the SAY should have been swung to Vicente, I appreciate that. stammer, stutter Arenas! May your ratings TANK even more!
I've been wondering why Darby was not on-air. I thought he must be on vac. It didn't occur to me that you would let someone like him go. I regret that he was traded in for what I'm seeing. Looks like your thinking is consistent with the kind of thinking that got rid of Ron. I suspect your ratings may show an up-tick if your other viewers prefer "boobs" (both definitions) to personality, humor, on-air chemistry, ability to read well, mastery of English, and providing morning viewers with helpful information without being distracted by the lessened quality of the on-camera crew. I'll b checking back periodiacally to see if your quality improves. Until then, I'm lucky I can get the B/CS local affiliate on Channel 3.
Just went and googled Darby Douglas because we were trying to figure out what happened to him on the morning show. We are getting tired of enduring the terrible traffic women you keep putting on. They all talk to loud and too high. So we figue then.. you decided that a woman had to be in that position. Darby was the perfect morning guy and we loved his traffic reporting I even named my quaker parrot in honor of him... Oh well.. I hope he gets a better job. This really takes channel 11 down a notch in my eyes.
I onlt watched channel 11 for David Paul and Darby. Those guys are great together and got me going. When they replaced Rom, I had second thoughts. Now I just Pray David Paul gets out fast.
KHOU continues to go down the drain. This is just one more step in that direction. Not sure what they are looking for, but I am switching to Channel 13 - morning and night. If I were David Paul and Greg Hurst, I would head somewhere else - they certainly aren't what the station management is looking to keep - competent, quality, serious, capable news people!!
For Channel 11 to fire Darby Douglas is their downfall. When Vicente replaced Ron, I thought, ok, David and Darby are there to hold it together. Vicente is not worthy of his own show, but to fire Darby and replace him with a series of women is rediculious. I along with a host of other viewers now watch another channel.
When do you fire David Paul? He's the best you have in the morning. You don't have a good news team anymore.
I THINK WE SHOULD ALLLLLLLLLLLLL PROTEST THIS BY SWITCHING CHANNELS UNTIL DARBY IS BROUGHT BACK. DAVID AND DARBY WERE THE ONLY REASON LEFT TO WATCH 11 IN THE MORNING. THE NEWS ANCHORS THERE CANT HOLD MY ATTENTION,BORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRINGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!
I WILL TURN THE CHANNEL AS SOON AS I WATCH DAVID PAUL AND NO LONGER WATCH CHANNEL 11. YOU PEOPLE ARE NUTS, YOU DONT KNOW A GOOD THING RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE. YOUR RATINGS WILL GO DOWNNNNNNNNNNNNNN HILL FAST. BRING DARBY BACK ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so shocked that Darby has been let go. He and David were such a bright spot in the morning. I have enjoyed this team for years and don't know if I can continue to watch 11 News now that Darby is gone(even though David is the best weather reporter in Houston). I don't know what is going on with the management at this station, but someone needs to give them a pink slip!!!
You people are seriously surprised by this? Really? Are you freaking kidding me?
Hey, Darby seemed to be a great guy...but come on. He read traffic reports and passed it on to us. He reported exactly what you or I could glean from Houston Transtar. It's not like this was rocket science.
And if you haven't noticed, the other news stations have women with large breasts doing traffic, wearing blouses that are a size or two too small. I really am surprised he lasted as long as he did.
That's not to say it's RIGHT. I think it was a crappy move on Channel 11's part, to demote the intelligence of their viewership to present a couple of helium-filled funbags attached to a woman with obviously zero self esteem and no qualms of showing off her 'assets' to get ahead in the world. Thanks so much, Channel 11, for following the other news lemmings down the highway of idiocy and contributing to the growing stupidity in the land. You should earn a reward for this.
I was sad when Debra left, but I get it. She got her own show. Perfect. But replacing Ron with Vicente??? That was embarassing. Seriously, KHOU - what was the point of that? Ron has personality and wit. Vicente? He has bad hair, a bad cough and a creepy, lecherous look on his face. But getting rid of DARBY? Come one, KHOU. You guys were the last bastion of what we love about Texas - real people telling us what we need to know so that we can go do what we need to do every day. Bad call Khou. I won't be watching you any more. You should really be ashamed of yourselves.
I can't believe you let go of Darby. I thought he was just on vacation. Goodbye to KHOU morning news. I will switch to another channel.
I have never felt the need to comment on any personnel changes at the local media stations. However, I too will miss Darby Douglas. I have watched Channel 11 morning show for years and really loved David Paul and Darby Douglas. I agree that Vicente is very poor at delivering the news and the new traffic ladies are awful. I will be watching another station from now on, until the KHOU improves its anchors in the morning. I wish Darby the very best and hope to see David Paul & Darby on another station, as they are excellent and KHOU is on the downslide.
What a loss! I too thought Darby was on Spring Break but when he didn't return I searched the entire web site and found this blog. It seems the management at Channel 11 prefer looking at women dressed like hookers!
Whatever happened to dressing like a professional? The evening anchor looks like she must go straight out to walk the streets when she leaves the broadcast and this new morning traffic person is even worse!
I wish Darby the very best. Does anyone know where he's going? I'll watch his new channel. I'm definately never watching 11 again!
I can't believe he was let go. David Paul and Darby Douglas were the reasons we watched the morning show. We were upset when they moved Ron to noon but we kept watching for David and Darby. I hope Darby finds something better - Good Luck Darby! We Miss You!
I can't believe Darby was let go either. KHOU is definately going down hill, I will watch CNN, or FOX NEWS or Headline News,
All good things must come to an end?? Not really. I like to see some intelligence on the news and you definitely are not heading in that direction. Darby was great with that little Irish sense of humor. When Ron was pulled off the news desk....mistake number two. Vicente has his place but just not on the main desk as well as a couple of the girls. If you're looking for viewer confidence, someone blew it. It is just so obvious some of these guys just don't know what they are talking about.
After years of watching KHOU in the mornings at 5 a.m., I am switching to another channel. That buffoon Vicente Arenas is so offensive, I found myself cringing instead of hearing the news. But the last straw is this new traffic person in the tight shirts. No expression in her voice or her face, other than her come-hither look. I don't know who I miss more, Ron or Darby. Debra got her own show, and her replacement isn't up to Debra's standard, but compared to her co-anchor she's a jewel--if she'd just dress professionally.
Darby Douglas and David Paul are the only reason I watched channel 11 in the mornings. They were a great team. Darby has a wonderful sense of humor and I always enjoyed listening to his traffic report. I too thought he must be on vacation. I really miss him. It's not like you found a great replacement for him either. The new traffic reporter isn't in his league - she doesn't even compare to him. One thing is for sure-you'll lose lots of viewers over this one. I'm switching to channel 13.
Contace channel 11 and tell them how you feel about Darby Douglas being gone. I can't stand to watch the mornings there anymore. Better to have the TV off.
I am very disappointed in KHOU. I want the original morning team back - they were the best: Debra, Ron, David and DARBY. I was ok when Debra moved to Great Day Houston - she is great where ever she is, but then Ron also disappeared and now Darby is gone too. The only reason I still watch in the morning is to see David Paul. The rest of the "new" cast just is too stiff for me. They are boring, "readers" and they lack the sense of humor that the original cast had. If KHOU gets rid of David Paul, that will be the end of me watching. KHOU, you had something great with Debra, Ron, David and Darby...they just "clicked" better than any other news cast, but now, now you are just boring like every other channel (except for the weather).
Why was Darby let go? Does anyone know? I want my Darby in the morning! Would also like to have Ron back and you'd better not ever get rid of David Paul or that will be the end of me watching.
I called KHOU and was told that he left to pursue other interests; typical answer for a station that's in trouble. 11 News this morning is at an all time low with Vicente and Christine. He can't even read a sentence without a mistake, and keeps butting in with stupid comments screwing everything up. And that "Just In" segment with that other woman (who thinks she's important) is about as corny as it gets. Darby's "corn" was the real thing; something we all can use that early in the day. He's pretty funny and we need more of that these days. Thumbs down again to KHOU.
I called KHOU and was told that he left to pursue other interests; typical answer for a station that's in trouble. 11 News this morning is at an all time low with Vicente and Christine. He can't even read a sentence without a mistake, and keeps butting in with stupid comments screwing everything up. And that "Just In" segment with that other woman (who thinks she's important) is about as corny as it gets. Darby's "corn" was the real thing; something we all can use that early in the day. He's pretty funny and we need more of that these days. Thumbs down again to KHOU.
my wife and I couldn't agree more with all the comments. We have watched 11 news every morning for years and while unhappy about Ron leaving we held faithful to the team of Darby Douglas and David Paul.
We no longer watch 11 news changing today after finding out Darby won't be back. We're trying 2 and 13 to see if anyone comes even close to their chemistry. That's not likely but it won't take much to do better than the current anchor Vincente and big boobed replacement jokes for Darby WE MISS YOU DARBY David stay with him ok?
You all should send your comments to web@khou.com. I found this on the khou website and sent an email that I wanted Darby and Ron back and I actually got a reply ...from Vicente! He said he would forward my email to the news director. The next morning, he was not on...interesting. Send your comments to web@khou.com and maybe we can get Darby and Ron back!
Darby and Ron were the best along with David Paul. The news team today can't do a newscast without messing up. christine Haas is a joke and Vicente can't talk without messing up. Please bring Darby and Ron Back
I have watched KHOU for many years. I moved away for a few years and when I found out I was moving back home, I was excited to see Darby and David Paul in the morning. They made me smile and brightened the start of my day!I don't know the circumstances behind this, but I can tell you it is nothing like it used to be. Darby will always be at the top of my list and I wish him the best. I would like to tell KHOU that not all the viewers want what they have put on the air in the morning. I prefer a smile and some humor to start my day!!!!
I too am very disappointed with Channel 11 morning news. I have watched your show for years and found the whole team to not only give quality news but relate a sense of really enjoying what they do and working together. They brought professionalism, experience and laughter to what at times can be less than good news. Debra Duncan leaving was bad enough, but then Ron Trevino and now Darby. Really, if David Paul goes you might as well take the show off the air.
Check out Channel 13. Those folks have been around forever, might have a few gray hairs but their work is quality. I don't know why Channel 11 would sell out to this theory that younger looking and acting is better. I grew up with Huntley and Brinkley, talk about old, but their news, good or bad, brought a sense of confidence to the TV views.
I ask you Channel 11, where is your loyalty? Why fix something that isn't broken.
This is the last straw. I'll watch Fox26.
We live outside of Houston. Lake Livingston Area. For years we have relied on 11 news in the morning. After moving away for a few years, I was excited to return to see the network team who always seemed to click. Ron, David, and Darby....What Happened?...Ron, we miss you....Darby, I remember when you first started, I wasnt too sure about you, but you quickly grew on me, and are irreplaceable in my book...David, you are so professional, and the only reason I continue to occasionally switch back to 11. Not sure what management was thinking on this one...
SHAME ON YOU KHOU!!! What are you thinking? Darby, Ron and Paul were like Bacon, eggs and hash browns, they all worked together as one awesome team. What are you thinking?
My wife and I have been wondering "Where's Darby?" for a long time. And after reading these comments, now we know. NOT !!! Really KHOU, if you have a legitimate reason to let Darby go you better say so because your rateings are going to the dumps. My family and I used to love getting up in the morrnings to watch your show. Not any more! We will switch unless you give the public a good reason for your desicion to make this seemingly rediculous change. We're waiting ! ! !
My wife and I have been wondering "Where's Darby?" for a long time. And after reading these comments, now we know. NOT !!! Really KHOU, if you have a legitimate reason to let Darby go you better say so because your rateings are going to the dumps. My family and I used to love getting up in the morrnings to watch your show. Not any more! We will switch unless you give the public a good reason for your desicion to make this seemingly rediculous change. We're waiting ! ! !
I have written to KHOU several times about this... I was not happy when Debra left (but understand - her own show), then we lost Ron in the morning - boo, now Darby! KHOU, are you listening to your followers? NO! I keep turning back to channel 11 to see if Darby has returned and promptly change the channel when I see the replacement who cannot even report what she says she is going to report in the tease. Bad move KHOU! Run, don't walk to BEG Darby to return.
I am just sick about KHOU letting Darby Douglas go. He and David Paul were the only bright spot left in the early morning news with their fun personalities and sharp reporting. The crew on there now make me tired and they are boring. Also, please do something with Lucy Noland's completely nonprofessional looks! I am sure she is probably a nice lady but she looks like a reject from the 70's with that long hair hanging around her shoulders. No class and no comparison to Dominique! I'm movin on to another station.
This is the letter I wrote to the station:
Management,
I have never taken the time to write to a TV station. Hopefully it's not a waste of my time. Mornings are the only times I watch the news regualrly. I do watch it in the evenings occasionally. I am 40, and I've watched Channel 11 since I was probably 10 or younger considering this is the channel my parents watched. I thought I would let you know that I have been a little disappointed in the changes that have been made lately. First, I can't really follow Vicente. He seems like a good guy and all, but I have a tough time watching him for some reason. I've stuck it out until now. My biggest disappointment is the disappearance of Darby Douglas. It is my opinion that he and David Paul made that team work. Darby was great to listen to in the morning because he is always positive. Anyway, I will tune in occasionally to see if he returns. Until then I will painfully watch Channel 2. Not a big fan of theirs, but for now, they are working. I am left wondering what in the world could Darby Douglas have done to be let go. I realize he works as a contractor for another company, but he seemed to fit right in that spot very well. There must be a lot more to the story because if this change was made just to make a change or to attempt to raise ratings, I can't see how it will work. The ratings just fell by 1. For Channel 11's sake, hopefully more viewers like the change than hate it.
Sincerely,
Tom
I have listened to Darby Douglass since he was reporting traffic with 1430 KCOH. He was a joy to watch in the mornings on 11 and was rather surprised when he didn't return after a couple of weeks. Apparently Belo Subsidiary does not care about its rankings because they just lost another viewer. The morning news crew is terrible! Rosa Flores is an absolute JOKE... She stumbles over every word and is definitely not a good journalist.. Vicente Arenas, not only is his reporting skills wack, but his hair cut is not conducive to news anchorman. I recently saw Sherh Min Chow reporting from the newsroom, is she not an anchor anymore?
OMG... I realize I'm kinda late here - but I was missing Darby too. I, like everyone else, thought he was on vacation. Then I started thinking he maybe moved to the evening news. So, today I googled Darby Douglas and this is what I find!!! I really do not enjoy watching 11 news anymore and the only reason why I have watched them up til now is because I was waiting for Darby to return. But without a doubt - now that I know Darby is not coming back - neither am I. Good-bye channel 11. I truly use to think of the morning news group as family members. Now that my morning family is gone (except for David Paul - whom I love)I cannot watch you anymore. Time for me to move on and find another morning family news group!!! Very Sad!!!
Guess I'm a bit late also. I sort of figured out that Darby was gone but kept hoping. Today I decided to see what I could find out. Couldn't find out anything on KHOU so googled his name and came up with this. I'm so glad to see that there are others with my feelings. Darby was such a joy to listen to in the morning. He and David Paul made the morning show. I was really upset when they went to the Early Show at 7 am since that was the time I primarily watched. Now I turn it on right before to catch David Paul's last report and endure the Early Show. I live in Sugar Land and see Ron Trevino at the grocery store. He is a class act and I miss him. I've met Debra Duncan and am happy for her in her new role but I want the morning show back.
What are you thinking BELO, Darby and David were 2 of the reasons I watched 11 before I started work...NOW just forget watching the plastic couple, who I am convinced, have people working them from behind !!! Vicente have you thought of accounting or something OTHER than trying to read the news...forget those 2 they are pityful, makes oatmeal look pleasing, you have LOST a faithful viewer, I would rather listen to NPR because the other channel folks NOOOOOOOOO thanks..
BRING back Darby the 2 Yahoos that think they are relaying the news are a joke, they are plastic people worked from behind....Oh! poor David he has to listen to them...and that "JUST IN" woman HELP !!! sorry Belo another nurse who USED to enjoy pre-shift work with Darby and David is turning to the radio, because the alternatives on 2 nd 13 channels are just as bad, and that Dominique (plastic) person...scrapping the barrel obviously
This was such a really sad move for your station. Why in the world would you mess up such a fine professional team on the morning news. Deborah Duncan moving on to something better is understandable, but WHY???? Ron. He was fantastic and knew what he was doing. Then Darby let go. What is wrong with your "powers that be?" Darby and David made it so compatible and informative. The "news" couple is a pretty poor replacement for Ron and Debbie, but WHERE IN THE WORLD did you dig up the so called TRAFFIC WOMEN??? Especially the one who thinks she should wear the tight shirts with the obvious attempt to look sexy. Guess she's proud of the boob job??? What sorry excuses for Darby. You really are scraping the bottom of the barrel and you have lost another person as a devoted watcher in the early morning, to go along with all of these other people who have taken the time to give you and ear full..
I HOPE you are listening, BELO.
It took me a while to get over Debra leaving (a long while), then Ron (another blow to the heart), and now Darby. I too was in fantasy land thinking Darby was on vacation and then found this site and my heart sank. Other than David Paul, I have no other reason to continue watching Ch. 11. My husband and I always loved how they (Debra, Ron, David, and Darby) worked together. You could tell that they were real people who actually liked working together. Since then, we've just been trying to stomach the new team. I don't think I can do it anymore.
Same feeling here. David Paul and Darby sure could pick on each other but they made the show. You need to bring Darby back and we can once again have confidence in the traffic reporting!
Hated to see Debra go, but good for her on her own show. Crushed when Ron was no longer there. He was not only professional, but had a great dry sense of humor. When Darby was no longer there, I just didn't get it. As like Ron, what a great sense of humor to be paired with an obvious knowledge of the Houston metropolitan traffic. I had seen Vincente before as a fill-in but whomever is responsible for selecting the news anchors for this station reached in to the same pool and plucked Christine out. Christine and Vincente are a perfect match. Neither of them can communicate a complete sentence without screwing up. It has provided my husband and I many moments of "lol" in the mornings as they fumble their way thru the news each day. So now, I usually turn on my TV to catch David's weather and to see if my travel will be interrupted and then switch to the Animal Planet channel so my dog can watch TV while she eats breakfast.
I know Daby Douglas. He is my best friend. I just got an email from him. Yes, it was very hard on Daby for KHOU to fire him to put a woman in his place. I am glad to know he has sooo many fans out there supporting him. I am going to send him this link so he can see for himself how much he is missed, but don't worry he will be back somewhere! He isn't giving up! I am going to say thank you on his behalf. I know he is touched by all of your support.
I am so sad to hear that Darby is no longer on channel 11. I kept thinking he was maybe out sick or something. What a waste for channel 11and the viewing audience! Darby, David Paul and Debra had so much to offer to the audience. Channel 11, I don't think you realize what you have done to your morning show with the removal of Darby. He offered so much personality to the viewer's morning. Now your traffic report is just that; a boring traffic report. We teach children to write with personality and to the audience. Darby provided all of that for his audience. What a loss channel 11!