Anchorman Shawn Patrick Dishes on Denver, Ditka and Drew

If you're up early on weekend mornings, it's likely you've watched Shawn Patrick in action. Patrick co-anchors NBC's weekend morning news along with new mom, Cheryl Preheim.

Ten years ago, Patrick, who is a Chicago native, was a budding broadcast journalism major from the University of Missouri, having graduated in the same class as yours truly. In fact, DCN and Patrick graced the campus at Columbia, Missouri at the same time and even lived in the same dorm!

Perhaps this is why Patrick agreed to such a pressing interview with a budding blogger 10 years later after they have last seen one another.

Whatever the case, DCN and Patrick are back in touch for this one-time only, exclusive hard-hitting interview.

Why did you come to Denver?
Patrick: I came to Denver for the job. It was nothing exciting. I just sent a tape, interviewed and moved.

Since you’ve been here, who has been the most famous Colorado celeb/personality you've met?
Patrick: In my two years here, I can't really remember bumping into any of the big names on a story yet, like Elway or someone like that. So don't laugh, but I'd have to say Kathy Sabine is probably the biggest local celeb I've met. I’ve witnessed how intense people became when she disappeared on maternity leave. When Kathy's not around, people wanted to know where she was and when she was coming back. Some people thought Kathy’s maternity leave was a conspiracy and that Channel 9 was hiding the fact that she was going to go to another station. Interestingly, Kathy’s bio on the Channel 9 website was one of the most read stories on 9news.com for months.

Besides Kathy, who is the most famous person you have ever met?
Patrick: Jay Leno

What are you favorite Denver area restaurants?
Patrick: I like the Cheesecake Factory for obvious reasons. Sam's No.2 on 15th is a great classic diner. I love that. And I like to go to Racine's for breakfast to get a good omelet.

Where are some of the popular hangouts for the Channel 9 folks?
Patrick: I'm not sure where most of the 9 people hang out, but a few of us frequent Gov's or Irish Rover. My list is limited, because I'm in bed usually by 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights for work.

Which Colorado celeb or personality would you most want to have lunch with? What would you ask them?
Patrick: I would like to meet Mr. Kroenke and talk with him about good 'ol Columbia, Missouri. I’d then ask him if I could get my hands on some Av’s season tickets, just because I’m a good guy. (DCN Note: Kroenke is a Columbia, Missouri native and University of Missouri graduate like Patrick and DCN. He owns majority share of the Avs, Nuggs, Rapids and Mammoth, and is part owner of the St. Louis Rams too. He’s also married to Wal-Mart heir and Columbia native, Anne Walton).

What Colorado news person do you most admire?
Patrick: It’s Adam Schrager hands down. Adam recently wrote a book about a Colorado Governor Ralph Carr for his true principal, defending Japanese immigrants during a difficult time in World War II. I think a lot of state and local politicians who spend time with Adam on his legislative beat would tell you that Adam is a man of great principal himself. No matter what the story or topic, Adam is always playing the devil's advocate. He sparks great discussions. He’s also a Chicago guy and a sports encyclopedia. Most important thing I'm learning about him: he's becoming a great father. He and his wife recently had a baby. He's truly an all around great human being.

Who is the biggest practical jokester at Channel 9?
Patrick: The biggest jokesters would have to be Nick Carter and Greg Moss. Carter is just a brilliant guy and never misses a beat with his wit and humor. The guy is just so much fun to work with because you never know where he'll take a conversation, even on live TV too. Makes for good laughs. But I also should say that two of the funniest guys in the building are photographers and work behind the camera: Scott Wright and Don Brookins. They just are never short of stories or jokes (some good, some corny) but they always, always make you laugh. In this line of work, laughter helps so much!

What's something surprising that people don't know about Bob Kendrick?
Patrick: I think a lot of people may know that Bob is just an athletic machine. I mean the guy not only skis a ton, but does marathons and workouts out each day before he comes to work. His workouts consist of at least two hours of running and biking. He's unbelievable. Behind all the lights and studio, he's just awesome to go to for help on a story or script. Bob is just so good with words and he comes up with a revision on such quick notice. That is a very hard skill to have.

Which member of the weekend morning anchor team spends the most time in hair and make up - you, Cheryl or Ashton?
Patrick: Cheryl spends the most quality time preparing, although she doesn't need much help. Me on the other hand, yikes, I just don't even want to think about HD sets at six in the morning where everyone can see the bags under my eyes.

Even though you’re a Chicago native, what do you like about living/working in Denver?
Patrick: I like Denver because there are so many creative people out here. There's no shortage of characters to make a great story, and it's not just Boulder, but this area seems to be filled with whacky events at times and plenty of whacky individuals.

What do you do in your free time?
Patrick: In my free time, it's all about running, lifting weights, and watching way too many sports on TV.

Speaking of sports, are you a Colorado sports fan now?
Patrick: Since I've moved here, I have jumped on the bandwagon for the Avs and Rockies. I love hockey and it's hard not to like the guys on that team for their intensity. I was lucky enough to go to one of the World Series games for the Rockies. Well, I guess, maybe not so lucky to witness that, but still, it was fun to watch a team grow with players that truly love the game, and I hope that doesn't change when the dollar signs tend to get bigger for star athletes.

Do you still follow Chicago sports teams?
Patrick: I still keep a close eye on the Chicago Bears and Cubs. However, watching the Cubs, I usually have my hand covering my eyes, and peeking in between to avoid being hurt every season.

Who's sports knowledge are you more impressed with - Dan Roan (WGN – Chicago) or Drew Soicher?
Patrick: Soicher is a real historian; he has a great knack for putting the day-to-day games and highlights in context, and he remembers events and places so well. Dan Roan's style is one that I respected a lot growing up because I watched him on WGN for years. He's nobody's mouthpiece and he will call you out for not hustling on a play or having some bad games. He's not afraid to criticize coaches or teams, and that's rare these days from sportscasters because so many are afraid of burning their bridges with athletes.

What's better: Ditka's Steakhouse or Elway's Steakhouse?
Patrick: Gotta go with Ditka's. I have to meet him one of these days and get him to sign my Ditka bobblehead. He could still run for mayor of that town and win.

What do you miss most about your hometown, Chicago?
Patrick: I was about to say I miss the sports the most from Chicago, but I'm realizing how much I love following Colorado teams. Yes I'm loyal to my Bears, Cubs and Bulls, but I was swept up in the Rockies World Series run and I'm hooked now on the Avs because I love hockey, especially playoff hockey.

What is your most memorable interview and why?
Patrick: My most memorable interview would have to be a collection of the people I met in New Orleans right after Hurricane Katrina. They just had such a tremendous perspective on life. It was depressing because some of them had nothing or very little left, but they had to keep reminding me that it was going to be okay because they had their families and they were still living. Life would go on. There were some really strong people.

Since you’re from Chicago, do you know anyone who wants to buy DCN’s condo in Elmhurst, IL?
Patrick: I will ask around next time I'm talking with friends back there. (DCN: Thanks Shawn, I need all the help I can get!)

Oh, and in case you were wondering if this handsome and soft-spoken journalist is on the market - well - he says he has a girlfriend. Sorry ladies.

New Anchorwoman Joins CBS4

Today CBS introduces to Denver its newest secret weapon, Anchorwoman Karen Leigh (pictured), in an effort to close the gap on NBC's huge ratings lead. Leigh joins the starchy-but-likable Jim Benemann to co-anchor the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 10 p.m. news broadcasts. This Little Rock native is a seasoned anchorwoman, having spent the past four years anchoring the news at CBS in Minneapolis.

DCN has also learned that CBS is revealings its new set today - and that the station has a new HD capability. CBS4 will be the only Denver station able to broadcast live (from the scene of the story) in HD.

KOA Going Down Under; KHOW’s Boyles Back to Border

DCN has gotten the scoop from a source at KOA that Steffan Tubbs (pictured right), co-host of KOA’s “Colorado’s Morning News” program, will be broadcasting live from Melbourne, Australia next week, April 23-25. Tubbs will be accompanied by six Colorado WWII veterans to celebrate ANZAC Day (which is Australia/New Zealand’s equivalent to Memorial Day). The veterans will be guests of honor at several events, including a 95,000+ Australian-rules football game.

In other Denver radio news, DCN has learned that KHOW’s controversial and popular morning drive-time radio host, Peter Boyles (pictured below), is planning a return trip to the Arizona/Colorado border. KHOW fans will recall when Boyles broadcast from the Arizona/Colorado border in 2006 where he uncovered several disturbing stories of illegal border crossings.

Boyles is not new to talking about illegal immigration issues, which he strongly opposes. Wikipedia says that this divisive radioman “is highly critical of lack of enforcement of immigration laws at the federal, state, and local levels, and what he considers tacit government encouragement of illegal immigration.”

Congrats to CBS’s Ericka Lewis

Weekend morning anchor, Ericka Lewis, is seeing pink these days. Earlier this month, Lewis and her husband welcomed a new baby girl to their family.

The baby girl, whose name is unknown to DCN at this time, joins big brother Joshua in their Boulder home. CBS has confirmed that Lewis will be on maternity leave for the next couple of months.

Lewis joins Cheryl Preheim (NBC), who just returned to work a few weeks ago after her maternity leave, and Dayle Cedars (ABC), who announced this week that she’s expecting twin girls in the fall, in Denver’s news industry’s baby boom. Interestingly, Lewis, Preheim and Cedars all anchor weekend morning news programs.

Matthew’s Mom is Back

You’ve probably seen the commercials teasing the return of this year’s Best Weathercaster, Kathy Sabine. Actually, they’re hard to miss if you ever watch 9News because they run over and over again.

Nevertheless, DCN welcomes Matthew’s mom back from maternity leave on Monday, April 14 - just in time for the nice weather to hit Colorado.

You can see the promotional commercial teasing Sabine's return courtesy of YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rl-YfIbt5e0. Warning - if you're female, have a baby, and have raging hormones, (DCN check to all!), you will either cry or get goose bumps.

Channel 7 is Seeing Double; Cedars and Wisner Expecting Girls

DCN has learned that several staffers at Denver’s ABC affiliate are expecting twins this year.

Glowing Weekend Anchorwoman, Dayle Cedars (pictured), has recently announced that she is expecting twins this Fall.

Cedars, who chatted via email with DCN said that she and her husband, Darrin Revious, Managing Director of Frederick Ross, a commercial real estate company in LoDo, are expecting all girls.

The Wash Park resident and Ponderosa High graduate said she has started thinking about preparing the nursery. She even attended the Mother’s of Multiples sale in Douglas Country last month to stock up on baby gear.

She commented to DCN, “We are preparing for our first and second. We are thrilled and a little terrified at the same time, which I am sure every mother can attest to.”

KMGH’s News Cast Director, Mark Wisner, and his wife Lori, are expecting identical twin girls any day now. Lori is just over 26 weeks along in her pregnancy. Wisner told DCN that one of the babies is having some complications so Lori has been camping out at the hospital in hopes of prolonging the pregnancy as long as possible. On a personal note, DCN wishes the Wisner family all the best and hopes they’ll share their good news with us!

After digging around the Channel 7 website, DCN also was able to glean that beloved Sports Anchor and Highlands Ranch resident, Lionel Bienvenu, has twin boys, Bryce and Quinn. And Weekend Anchor and Highlands Ranch resident, Theresa Marchetta, also has a set of beautiful identical twin girls.

And not to one-up one another, Wisner confirmed to DCN that Katie Trexler, who recently left her post as Morning Anchor at KMGH, also has twins – a boy and a girl.

Whew!

Wanna join the Channel 7 twin baby boom extraordinaire? Stop by the KMGH offices and take a sip from the water cooler.

‘Betcha Didn’t Know Colorado – Channel 2’s Parente Doubles as a Funny Guy

You know Chris Parente as the fun-spirited and energetic morning features reporter on Channel 2. But have you ever wondered where this larger-than-life reporter gets all his energy and chutzpah?

DCN, in an email interview with Parente, has discovered that Parente’s true passion is improvisation. He studied improv at the famed Second City in Chicago in 2000 under the legendary Second City director, Martin deMaat. deMaat taught the likes of Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Sean Hayes and Tina Fey.

While Parente has performed with improv troupes in Indianapolis, Chicago, and Louisville, KY, he has yet to make his mark in Denver’s improv scene, much to DCN’s disappointment.

Admittedly, however, Parente says he is “missing it more and more.”

Let’s hope he’s missing it enough that we’ll be able to catch Parente at the Impulse or Bovine theatres in Denver one of these days!

KOA Welcomes Back Morning News Co-Host

KOA's long-standing morning news co-host and Highlands Ranch resident, April Zesbaugh, returned to work last week after a three-month maternity leave.

Zesbaugh gave birth to a baby boy, Dashel Dillon, on December 10, 2007 at Sky Ridge Medical Center.

This radio maven and UNC alumna has allowed listeners to follow her mommy trials and tribulations during her time off through her baby blog at http://850koa.com/pages/BabyBlog.html. You'll be able to see some cute baby photos there too!

Welcome back April!

Kathy Springs Back - Sort Of

DCN made a quick call over to 9News to find out when Denver's most watched weather gal, Kathy Sabine, would be back to work after taking some time off with her new baby. A source at the station says that Sabine recently joked with staffers that she would return just in time for the first Spring snowstorm. Guess we'll be seeing you soon, Kathy!