Identity Crisis

Many of you have written to ask, among other things, who the hell we are (or words to that effect). Recognizing that we are relying on our second SNL reference in as many days, let us just say that we do not hold broadcasting degrees from any accredited institution of higher learning; we're just enthusiastic youngsters with sixth grade educations and an abiding love for all of God's creatures.

Interactive TV for kids (and no we're not talking about channel surfing)

Best Of Google TV Series

We all love the holidays, but it’s always a challenge to entertain the kids, especially when the excitement of gift giving has died down. A popular way to keep them occupied is in front of the TV, but this often leads to endless channel surfing, the occasional cry of “I’m bored,” and a high likelihood that your kid will end up watching “whatever’s on.”

While we can’t guarantee that your kid will choose to watch the most educational content every time (we’re partial to YouTube EDU), we are sure you’ll find that Google TV helps in many ways.

The least that Google TV can do is to end the era of mindless channel surfing. Using Google’s search functionality, your kid (or my nephews) can find the show or movie they are looking for immediately, whether it’s on TV or the web. A search for “Santa” just brought up 24 movies and 30 episodes on TV and services such as Amazon Video On Demand or Netflix. Once my nephews are through with those, we can get started on all the great Santa-related web videos on YouTube, Vimeo, and the rest

If your kids want truly interactive TV (who can blame them?), then Google TV can really help out. There are great websites optimized for the TV suited for the kits in our Spotlight Gallery. Some of the most kid friendly sites are:

  • MeeGenius: Read your kids beautifully illustrated books (a huge array of classics and more modern tales). You can customize some of the content to make it more personal and the app will then read the story out loud, with the relevant words highlighted on screen for you kids to follow along.
  • Fraboom: There is so much going on at Fraboom (from educational videos to games) that they are right to describe it as a museum. Look out for the battle against Baron Von Boredom.
  • PBSKids: A really simple interface means that kids can navigate around their favorite videos of PBS KIDS shows like Curious George and Dinosaur Train.
  • Cartoon Network: Quickly and easily find all your favorite shows from Cartoon Network.
Posted by Peter Sherman, Marketing Team

The Screaming Attorney Twist

Yeah, um, about that attorney who was yelling at the Channel 6 photographer for getting footage of his alleged child molester client shuffling out of the courthouse: It turns out, according to two OMAnews readers, that this fine barrister's name is Joseph Howard and he is engaged to Channel 7 reporter Trisha Meuret. Which one of these two do you suppose is more embarrassed? Or are attorneys

Bredow

We've received more than a few emails asking why mumble-mouthed meteorologist Andrea Bredow has disappeared from KETV's morning program. We had figured that word was out and we didn't need to dance on that grave, so we didn't even mention it. Obviously we were wrong.But the reason is simple: she quit to take a job at Creighton.No word on what kind of job she took, but let's hope it's not one

Jimmy Thiedlecki Word of the Day

accessories (ak-THETH-er-ethe)

Weekend Notes

• In a move that could have a significant impact on local TV news ratings, ABC is almost certain to end its 35-year run as THE place to see football on Monday nights. While it's been talked about for months, it now seems all but a done deal. [TV Week]• Are we the only ones who are more than a little creeped out every Sunday at 10:25 or so when Ross Jernstrom teases for his "Sunday Sports Extra"

WOWT Gas Leak?

Is someone pumping nitrous oxide into the WOWT studio every night around 10:30, or is everyone in the room smoking weed during breaks?We're asking because it would explain the imbecillic giggling that breaks out every night at the end of WOWT's 10 o'clock newscast. The slightest twitch, look, or remark sends the entire anchor team into a fit of hysterical laughter. To a lesser degree the same

Monday Must Be Payday at Channel 6

Why else would part-timer and aspiring retiree Pat Persaud be sitting at the WOWT anchor desk on a Monday evening in what appeared to be a pink rain slicker? Our guess is that management caught her trying to sneak in the back door to collect her check and then tossed her into the studio, locking the door before she could escape.Luckily, Pat's razor-sharp wit and sophisticated sense of humor are

Counterprogramming Against Pat's Retirement, Step 2: Have Julie Talk About Sex AGAIN

The series on abstinence, "WAIT Training," (get it?) started Sunday evening. Part 2 airs Monday night.

Patton Mentioned in Report on KKK Trooper

KMTV weekend anchor Devon Patton is mentioned in the arbitration decision released Friday by the Nebraska Attorney General's Office. The decision addresses the firing of a member Nebraska State Patrol who is alleged to be connected to the Ku Klux Klan. In fact, it appears that Trooper Robert Henderson's interactions with Patton indirectly led to the Patrol's discovery of Henderson's KKK

You Can't Spell KDUH Without DUH

Check out the brainiacs who can't even keep a job at Scottsbluff station KDUH. Is there a station lower in the food chain for these two to land at? Seems unlikely, but you never know. Does Benkelman, Nebraska have a station?KDUH Reporters Arrested For Erasing Video Tapes

KPTM Hires Weekend Co-Anchor

In his "Media Notes" column in this week's Reader, Sean Weide reports that that KPTM has hired Scott Patterson from Albany, NY to fill the weekend anchor chair next to the divine Amanda Mueller. Patterson is a grad of Syracuse University and has worked in print journalism as well as several stations in Albany. According to the story, he'll start in the next couple of weeks.

Sweeps Droppings

It appears that Channels 6 and 7 are picking up ideas rejected during February sweeps and running with them now. What else could explain WOWT's dispatching Rebecca Kleeman to investigate "Mega-Sized Fruits and Vegetables!"? Or KETV's decision to have Carol Kloss don her leather coat to find out why Baker's Supermarket rejected some woman's $400 check?So flabbergasted were we by the Channel 6