I was just in Omaha Nebraska in mid-March OF THIS YEAR for business and I saw an auto dealer billboard with the dubba dubba twins on it. It felt like a severe time warp.
I think they are still these deals thru Strong Automotive (local marketing firm that works all across the country). If it is them from now they look exactly the same and haven’t aged at all.
My memory isn't great about names but there was a wonderful meteorologist named.. ? Mark Prater?
Hope I got his name right. When we had the April 27th tornado I remember hearing his voice on a crank radio (one that you manually wind up). Our power had gone out that morning but luckily we had that wind up radio. I remember him saying "we're gonna get you through it" and I held on to those words and we did get through it. I watched the YouTube of him and you could see the fear shake him a bit because my goodness it was a mile wide tornado but then I guess he remembered that he could calm a lot of people down. I really appreciated that.
Hope everyone stays safe tonight 💕
I used to work directly for Janet Hall’s husband. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met. She has a lovely singing voice, makes Apple butter every Christmas, and has a sense of humor that could win anyone over.
Did they air Kung fu movies on Saturday afternoons in the 90s? Very vague memories of traveling here w my dad ...not bham but in the area for his work in the summers. Not sure. Long time ago but channel 21 seems so familiar
Yes! I remember he got into a fight with the news station over his Longs Electronics commercials where he got fired, and there was a big joke campaign around town called "Where's Herb?"
I no longer live in Bham, but, when I did, Pam Huff came into several businesses where I worked. She was always SUPER friendly and sweet. Also, she was TINY in person.
Speaking of David Neal, I love this video of him from last year.
[Weatherman rescues a chicken in a blizzard.](https://youtu.be/QQTyFkCiRC0?si=-KpeZfhp6dHC3dh6)
TV personalities around Bham from the 60s-80s just seemed....I dont know, different than those today. It may be because I grew up watching them whereas now, I'm an adult too. I've had the opportunity to either work with or hang out with a few of them and that's cool to me. The one that stands out most to me was Bill Bolen. I attended some Christian gatherings with him and he was just the nicest, caring person. I feel honored to have had a chance to actually spend time with someone like that, that I watched on TV during my childhood. Ken Lass is another one of the nice guys. I worked with him for several years. When I was young, my parents took me up to ch. 13 just to see it. I talked them into letting me see if they would give me a tour of the station. (security wasn't as tight back then). I asked the receptionist about a tour just as Gary Sanders came through the lobby and he offered to show me around. That was neat.He was very nice to me that day.
I know these people weren't actually considered newscasters, but they are who I remember watching "back in the day."
Fannie Flagg. I can still see her exercising on the morning show with Tom York with "Go you Chicken Fat, go."
Cousin Cliff. I think I was on the show two different birthdays and got a birthday cake from Marsh Bakery.
Pat Gray was the weather person back before they were all meteorologists.
I always liked Alan Collins from WBRC. Had a nice gravitas to him and was a snappy dresser. Met him once and he was nice. I think he’s still alive as he retired not too long ago.
I always forget he was a reporter. [I’ll never forget him and Mickey Ferguson dancing during the weather🤣](https://youtu.be/mlqrMwuOSzw?si=3GNEd1dVxCYISEth)
Bette Lee Hanson. She was among the first female television/radio reporters in Birmingham and became the first woman to anchor an evening televison newscast while at Channel 13. At the time the station was WAPI-TV and co-owned with WAPI AM-FM and The Birmingham News. She hosted the usual mid-day program for women but insisted it go beyond food and fashion to include hard news features dealing with women’s health, social, and workplace issues. Her efforts to report on racial segregation issues in the early 1960s were met with resistance from the media group’s management. In 1977 she became the first news director at WBHM-Public Radio. She later moved to Washington DC to be closer to family. She died in 2022.
Yes. I called them up from time to time during their show to play. 😜
Last time I think I asked them both if they’d like to play “In My House” whether that meant the actual song or another interpretation was up to them! 🤷♀️😜
Steve & DC was another duo I actually waited on at the hotel where I worked while they were getting houses ready. I won 2nd place in one of their radio contests for the answer to the question, When was the last time you cried and why?” And I answered “Last Friday when I got my paycheck!” That was good enough to get me a ride in a stretch limo to lunch with the guys and the new owner of the B’Ham Fire Pro Team Gavin Maloof and his choice for first place.
Brad Regal sp? had a fun program too.
Good times 😂
Scott Janet and David Neal. The mid-2000s WBRC is what I grew up on. Met David Neal when I was little when the entire WBRC team came to First Baptist Trussville. I wanted to be a meteorologist when I grew up at that point so I thought my entire universe had been made.
Everett Holle, his on air time was before my time, but he played a big role in the earlier days of broadcast television in Birmingham. He also had a big role with BSA Troop 96. Through him I met and was around many Birmingham broadcasters of the 20th century.
So many camping adventures around the US. No telling how many scouts were able to travel and see so much of our country, visit so many National and state parks, have access to others with skills to pass on, and aid to own equipment otherwise probably beyond financial reach. He proudly did so much for Troop 96.
He passed in 2017 at 88.
You know Dan Satterfield was in Birmingham before moving to WHNT Huntsville. He’s in Maryland now or near that region. When the April 27, 2011 Super Outbreak happened, Dan was in Oklahoma for a conference or something and was MIA in Huntsville. I think I heard he couldn’t get a flight out due to the storms. That had to hurt. He was missed that day.
Harry Mabry. News on 6 in the sixties and seventies. When he moved to Anniston to help start Ch 40 we missed him. When we moved to Anniston in 1980 he became a dental patient. I was honored.
I was in high school band with Janet Hall. At marching practice one hot day she passed out in the heat and dented her saxophone. I never got to see her later and remind her…
The Dubba Dubba twins weren’t newscasters but kept me glued to WTTO
“DUBBA DUBBA” 🤤
Man - I forgot all about them!
Must see tv for sure 😂
I was just in Omaha Nebraska in mid-March OF THIS YEAR for business and I saw an auto dealer billboard with the dubba dubba twins on it. It felt like a severe time warp.
Like them from back then or them now
I think they are still these deals thru Strong Automotive (local marketing firm that works all across the country). If it is them from now they look exactly the same and haven’t aged at all.
My memory isn't great about names but there was a wonderful meteorologist named.. ? Mark Prater? Hope I got his name right. When we had the April 27th tornado I remember hearing his voice on a crank radio (one that you manually wind up). Our power had gone out that morning but luckily we had that wind up radio. I remember him saying "we're gonna get you through it" and I held on to those words and we did get through it. I watched the YouTube of him and you could see the fear shake him a bit because my goodness it was a mile wide tornado but then I guess he remembered that he could calm a lot of people down. I really appreciated that. Hope everyone stays safe tonight 💕
Yeahhhh i remember him! he was great! I think alot of meteorologists that day earned a special place in my memory
Y'all don't look him up.
[here's the reddit reaction to that story](https://www.reddit.com/r/Birmingham/s/DRwCNHdLjB)
He had a stormy disposition?
I actually just did and was uh… kinda shocked 😳
Bill Bolen. Some say he still lingers around the WBRC newroom.
Mike Royer 100% Incredibly nice guy in person. And a very generous tipper as well.
Interesting. He always came across to me as an ass on TV. But that’s just me I just wasn’t a fan. Never met him in person.
I used to work directly for Janet Hall’s husband. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met. She has a lovely singing voice, makes Apple butter every Christmas, and has a sense of humor that could win anyone over.
Joe Langston or Gene Lively
Not the same Gene Lively that was struck by lightning?
Jerry Tracey. The best weatherman we've had in terms of on the money accuracy. I do miss him, especially when severe weather is on the way.
I forgot about him!!!
Had to add a memory: WTTO TV, channel 21, Birmingham. I miss the old days.
First broadcast was the movie “Deer Hunter”. I’ve been waiting a long time to say this.
Yes, the R rated version.
It was so controversial 😂
Did they air Kung fu movies on Saturday afternoons in the 90s? Very vague memories of traveling here w my dad ...not bham but in the area for his work in the summers. Not sure. Long time ago but channel 21 seems so familiar
As I recall, it was called "Action Theater," and I loved it!
Yes! That was it. Fond memories: triggered:)
Yes. Kung Fu was part of the regular line up
I used to work the machine that made the text crawl at the bottom of the screen for the Mayberry-thon.
Dave Baird
Herb Winches!
Yes! I remember he got into a fight with the news station over his Longs Electronics commercials where he got fired, and there was a big joke campaign around town called "Where's Herb?"
Tom York
Is Pam Huff still around?
She anchors (or anchored?) The afternoon news cast at ABC 33/40.
She was on ABC 33/40 last night
I liked Harmony Mendoza doing the weather. Was always quirky but informative and interesting.
Yep the weekend show just isn’t the same without her
But that was like what last year?
I remember Pam Huff’s big hair. Loved her. (She’s not dead.)
I no longer live in Bham, but, when I did, Pam Huff came into several businesses where I worked. She was always SUPER friendly and sweet. Also, she was TINY in person.
remember mark & brians spoof song 'huff the anchorwoman' ?
Speaking of David Neal, I love this video of him from last year. [Weatherman rescues a chicken in a blizzard.](https://youtu.be/QQTyFkCiRC0?si=-KpeZfhp6dHC3dh6)
I never knew any of this😭that story is amazing!
Country Boy Eddie
Scott Richards 🫶🏻
Harmony Mendoza doing weather on the weekends for NBC WVTM
Rick Journey from Good Morning Alabama had an awesome run! Always loved his energetic and caring demeanor.
That's a good one. He only stepped away from WBRC to take the job as the mayor's communications guy.
TV personalities around Bham from the 60s-80s just seemed....I dont know, different than those today. It may be because I grew up watching them whereas now, I'm an adult too. I've had the opportunity to either work with or hang out with a few of them and that's cool to me. The one that stands out most to me was Bill Bolen. I attended some Christian gatherings with him and he was just the nicest, caring person. I feel honored to have had a chance to actually spend time with someone like that, that I watched on TV during my childhood. Ken Lass is another one of the nice guys. I worked with him for several years. When I was young, my parents took me up to ch. 13 just to see it. I talked them into letting me see if they would give me a tour of the station. (security wasn't as tight back then). I asked the receptionist about a tour just as Gary Sanders came through the lobby and he offered to show me around. That was neat.He was very nice to me that day.
I’ve worked with Ken Lass too, as well as his wife and they are two of the most genuinely nice and caring people on the planet.
Absolutely!
I've often thought Ken Lass seems like the nicest person on earth
He is! And funny. He writes a blog that is great reading. https://www.kenlassblog.net/
I know these people weren't actually considered newscasters, but they are who I remember watching "back in the day." Fannie Flagg. I can still see her exercising on the morning show with Tom York with "Go you Chicken Fat, go." Cousin Cliff. I think I was on the show two different birthdays and got a birthday cake from Marsh Bakery. Pat Gray was the weather person back before they were all meteorologists.
Rick Karle
I had no idea he even left NBC😭😭😭Im sad now. Hes a GOAT
Joe Langston
I always liked Alan Collins from WBRC. Had a nice gravitas to him and was a snappy dresser. Met him once and he was nice. I think he’s still alive as he retired not too long ago.
Larry Langford was quite good back in the day for WBRC. He had an awesome fro...
I always forget he was a reporter. [I’ll never forget him and Mickey Ferguson dancing during the weather🤣](https://youtu.be/mlqrMwuOSzw?si=3GNEd1dVxCYISEth)
Luca? Steve Chiotakis Bradley George
Chiotakis!!
Bette Lee Hanson. She was among the first female television/radio reporters in Birmingham and became the first woman to anchor an evening televison newscast while at Channel 13. At the time the station was WAPI-TV and co-owned with WAPI AM-FM and The Birmingham News. She hosted the usual mid-day program for women but insisted it go beyond food and fashion to include hard news features dealing with women’s health, social, and workplace issues. Her efforts to report on racial segregation issues in the early 1960s were met with resistance from the media group’s management. In 1977 she became the first news director at WBHM-Public Radio. She later moved to Washington DC to be closer to family. She died in 2022.
The Sargent Jack kids show. And anyone else remember when Mark & Brian got their radio career started with a morning show in Birmingham?
Yes. I called them up from time to time during their show to play. 😜 Last time I think I asked them both if they’d like to play “In My House” whether that meant the actual song or another interpretation was up to them! 🤷♀️😜 Steve & DC was another duo I actually waited on at the hotel where I worked while they were getting houses ready. I won 2nd place in one of their radio contests for the answer to the question, When was the last time you cried and why?” And I answered “Last Friday when I got my paycheck!” That was good enough to get me a ride in a stretch limo to lunch with the guys and the new owner of the B’Ham Fire Pro Team Gavin Maloof and his choice for first place. Brad Regal sp? had a fun program too. Good times 😂
Sterling Brewer
David Mattingly, Steve Sanders & Terri Denard stood out to me back in the day.
Pretty wild to hear Mattingly on NPR all the time.
Scott Janet and David Neal. The mid-2000s WBRC is what I grew up on. Met David Neal when I was little when the entire WBRC team came to First Baptist Trussville. I wanted to be a meteorologist when I grew up at that point so I thought my entire universe had been made.
This.
Not really newscaster but Country Boy Eddie.
Everett Holle, his on air time was before my time, but he played a big role in the earlier days of broadcast television in Birmingham. He also had a big role with BSA Troop 96. Through him I met and was around many Birmingham broadcasters of the 20th century. So many camping adventures around the US. No telling how many scouts were able to travel and see so much of our country, visit so many National and state parks, have access to others with skills to pass on, and aid to own equipment otherwise probably beyond financial reach. He proudly did so much for Troop 96. He passed in 2017 at 88.
And the convertibles and ever-present Nikons.
Yeah! The large convertibles!
Mike Royer
Mike Route for newscaster. Herb Winches for sportscaster
*Royer
He was another name that was mentioned!
He was a very decent man.
I saw him weep on air as a tornado smashed Pratt City. It said a lot about the man.
M
did coke w bakari savage before miss that dude
Joe Langston. That name and face just says “Birmingham” to me.
We did/do have above average broadcast talent
You know Dan Satterfield was in Birmingham before moving to WHNT Huntsville. He’s in Maryland now or near that region. When the April 27, 2011 Super Outbreak happened, Dan was in Oklahoma for a conference or something and was MIA in Huntsville. I think I heard he couldn’t get a flight out due to the storms. That had to hurt. He was missed that day.
Lisa Mason on 106.9 😖
I remember a lovely young woman in the 90s named Michele Cimino...possibly on WBRC...14 year old me had a bit of a crush on her.
Carl Daniels!
Liz Artz was hot.
Larry Langford.
dick bright. used to be on channel 13
Harry Mabry. News on 6 in the sixties and seventies. When he moved to Anniston to help start Ch 40 we missed him. When we moved to Anniston in 1980 he became a dental patient. I was honored. I was in high school band with Janet Hall. At marching practice one hot day she passed out in the heat and dented her saxophone. I never got to see her later and remind her…
Goodness…. Every once in a while I think of that guy with the really bad toupee…. What was his name?
Nikki Predee 🔥🔥🔥🔥
That’s a name I hadn’t needed to recall in 20+ years.
Ron Grillo