Bull Butter
07-07-2007, 12:22 AM
Without a doubt the most famous newsman in Houston, probably in the state of Texas............ Still on the air despite being nearly 86.
Get well soon, Marvin!:thumbsup:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4946641.html
Channel 13's Marvin Zindler on the air despite cancer
By MIKE McDANIEL
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
Profile: The loudest man on TV (archive) Legendary Houston newsman Marvin Zindler is suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Zindler, who turns 86 on Aug. 10, said in a report filed for Thursday's 6 p.m. newscast on KTRK (Channel 13) that the cancer has spread to his liver, calling it "a serious, serious problem."
But with 50 years in the news business, 35 at KTRK, Zindler vowed to continue his on-air reports, honoring a lifetime contract he's had with Channel 13 since 1988. He told viewers Thursday to look for his weekly "rat and roach" restaurant report on tonight's newscasts.
Zindler, wearing his signature white wig and blue sunglasses, spoke about being honest with his viewers, something he has done, he said, whenever he has had a health problem.
He said he was feeling bad over the weekend, enough so to prompt a visit to his regular hospital, Methodist, and his regular physician, Dr. John McKechnie.
"I thought it was my heart," said Zindler, who has endured heart bypass and prostate cancer operations, not to mention countless plastic surgeries.
Instead, McKechnie discovered the tumor. Zindler has already started chemotherapy.
"I don't want anybody to feel sorry for me, because I'm almost 86 years old," Zindler said, and he noted that many people don't live that long.
As for why he chose not to go the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, one of the world's best cancer hospitals, he admitted to some "superstition."
"All my health problems have been solved here at Methodist Hospital," said Zindler, who was surrounded by Methodist support staff. "I'm a little superstitious and afraid if I leave here, something serious might happen."
But he allowed that he would accept any help that he can get, a statement repeated by Channel 13. "We will support Marvin in his battle any way we can," the station said.
Zindler's career may be marked by odd appearances and "slime in the ice machine" slogans, but he's the reason the La Grange "chicken ranch" closed in 1974, and he's the inspiration behind the play and film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
That gave him fame and a bully pulpit, and he has used both to the advantage of thousands of everyday people with everyday problems. He isn't a white-wigged dandy, either; no one has come out of a one-on-one with Zindler without realizing he is made of stern stuff.
"Marvin understands this current battle will be a tough one," said KTRK anchor Dave Ward.
It is the fourth most common cancer in men in the United States, and it has a habit of being aggressive. The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only 4 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.
Another beloved Houston newsman, Sylvan Rodriguez, died of pancreatic cancer in April 2000, after announcing on the air in December 1999 that he had the disease.
Get well soon, Marvin!:thumbsup:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4946641.html
Channel 13's Marvin Zindler on the air despite cancer
By MIKE McDANIEL
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
Profile: The loudest man on TV (archive) Legendary Houston newsman Marvin Zindler is suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Zindler, who turns 86 on Aug. 10, said in a report filed for Thursday's 6 p.m. newscast on KTRK (Channel 13) that the cancer has spread to his liver, calling it "a serious, serious problem."
But with 50 years in the news business, 35 at KTRK, Zindler vowed to continue his on-air reports, honoring a lifetime contract he's had with Channel 13 since 1988. He told viewers Thursday to look for his weekly "rat and roach" restaurant report on tonight's newscasts.
Zindler, wearing his signature white wig and blue sunglasses, spoke about being honest with his viewers, something he has done, he said, whenever he has had a health problem.
He said he was feeling bad over the weekend, enough so to prompt a visit to his regular hospital, Methodist, and his regular physician, Dr. John McKechnie.
"I thought it was my heart," said Zindler, who has endured heart bypass and prostate cancer operations, not to mention countless plastic surgeries.
Instead, McKechnie discovered the tumor. Zindler has already started chemotherapy.
"I don't want anybody to feel sorry for me, because I'm almost 86 years old," Zindler said, and he noted that many people don't live that long.
As for why he chose not to go the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, one of the world's best cancer hospitals, he admitted to some "superstition."
"All my health problems have been solved here at Methodist Hospital," said Zindler, who was surrounded by Methodist support staff. "I'm a little superstitious and afraid if I leave here, something serious might happen."
But he allowed that he would accept any help that he can get, a statement repeated by Channel 13. "We will support Marvin in his battle any way we can," the station said.
Zindler's career may be marked by odd appearances and "slime in the ice machine" slogans, but he's the reason the La Grange "chicken ranch" closed in 1974, and he's the inspiration behind the play and film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
That gave him fame and a bully pulpit, and he has used both to the advantage of thousands of everyday people with everyday problems. He isn't a white-wigged dandy, either; no one has come out of a one-on-one with Zindler without realizing he is made of stern stuff.
"Marvin understands this current battle will be a tough one," said KTRK anchor Dave Ward.
It is the fourth most common cancer in men in the United States, and it has a habit of being aggressive. The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only 4 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.
Another beloved Houston newsman, Sylvan Rodriguez, died of pancreatic cancer in April 2000, after announcing on the air in December 1999 that he had the disease.