Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2009 > March > 10 > Entry
The TV blog e-mail bag explodes!!
Thanks for all the wonderful calls, e-mails and online comments about my American-Statesman and Austin360 finale.
I’ve always said the TV column and the TV blog have the best readers in Texas. There were a few nasties, of course …
“Thank God you’re leaving,” chirped one caller.
“Your column today had a misplaced comma,” another caller whined.
Yeah, well … bite my tongue!
Fred Cantu and Michelle Valles gave me a little shout on their KEYE morning show. That was sweet. Thank you. And a few other local TV newsies, past and present, sent very nice words. Much appreciated.
Former reporter/news director Jim McNabb wrote a lovely, thoughtful piece in his online newsletter.
Kevin Benz, news director of News 8 Austin, topped off his sweet farewell e-mail with the following, which I thought was hilarious (newsworthy, but funny nonetheless in the farewell context):
“Thank goodness you are still working long enough to get this in the paper! News 8 has been awarded the national Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Reporting. I’ve forwarded the official press release below. This is the third time News 8 has been so honored by USC Annenberg and is outstanding acknowledgment of our commitment to serving the community through our journalism. The award is given only every 2 years, coinciding with national elections.”
News 8, which indeed always has lots of good election coverage, won in the category for “local cable station,” with the judges praising the “Voters’ Voices” series as “a refreshing approach to political coverage.”
Congrats, News 8. Well-deserved.
And thank you, readers. I’ll keep pecking through the responses through Friday!
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Comments
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By Marty M
March 14, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this
Yes Michelle certainly did give you lots of diva drama that I was surprised you choose to repeatedly put out there in celebrity gossip style. But you said it brought you more readers so I certainly understand your willingness to spice it up!
Otherwise your work has remained as being the best source in Austin for everything TV. You will certainly be missed. The best to you in your retirement? Change? Enjoy yourself whatever you do.
By Michelle Valles
March 12, 2009 8:38 AM | Link to this
I'm happy I gave you lots of content to work with over the past year. Best of luck to you as you open a new chapter in your life.
Change is always exciting, you never know what's around the corner. Take Care and God Bless!
HOLLOWAY RESPONDS: Thanks, Michelle. You certainly found change exciting ... it's great to see you and Fred doing so well on KEYE!! Cheers to change!!
By David
March 11, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this
Your taste has always been spot on. Hill Street, Cheers, Wonder Years, Simpsons & 24 would all make my list. I always heard good things about the others on your list. I'm surprised Northern Exposure didn't make the cut, but isn't that the way it is with subjective lists. The mourners gradually succumbing to laughter at the antennas sticking out of the casket of the boyfriend whose body could not be separated from the satellite that struck him is my favorite scene, part of the joke being that the character's boyfriends had an annoying habit of dying.
By David
March 10, 2009 9:42 PM | Link to this
I've enjoyed "lurking" reading your blogs for several years now. I trust your fall season TV preview guide to help me pick what to TiVo (and what not). I am sad you're not going to be with the Statesman anymore!
Couldn't find you on Facebook even though you said you were on there in your vlog, but I couldn't find the right Diane Holloway...are you sure your privacy settings aren't too tight?
By LMJ
March 10, 2009 7:34 PM | Link to this
I agree with BC. Not a good day. Who's going to remind me when new shows start, or confirm (sometimes a little late) when a show jumps the shark, and so on? I looked forward to reading your blog every day it was published, even if it was about Idol, because it was so well written. Rats, piffle, rotten stinking @#$%%$##@%. Good luck in your retirement. No doubt you've earned it!
By austinights
March 10, 2009 6:43 PM | Link to this
Aw Nuts Diane...that did it! We are going to start sending Nuts to AAS and get the season extended. It worked for Jericho - so let's get nuts!!!!
By Gary Hyatt
March 10, 2009 6:10 PM | Link to this
Jeez, I hope you have been training a replacement!;) We will miss you, your takes and reviews! Have fun with whatever you get into next!
All the best,
Gary
(Just an old South Austinite that still reads dead wood!)
By BC
March 10, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this
First, the drought. Then Laura Skirde leaves. Then, the *%$# stock market. Then the drought again PLUS Rush Limbaugh. And today, Diane Holloway announces retirement [grumble, sigh, and pout...]. Best wishes, DH, and thanks for the memories. You're the best!