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Best TV Personality

Ernie Manouse

Charlie Rose isn't the only PBS-head who can conduct intelligent, one-on-one, no-frills interviews with a variety of interesting personalities. Houston's Ernie Manouse, host of InnerVIEWS, has been doing just that for years. His diverse guests have included Molly Ivins, Calvin Trillin, k.d. lang, Isaac Hayes, Jamie Foxx and Anne Rice. Manouse asks smart, thoughtful questions and never tries to hog the camera or talk over his guests. His subtle, witty and sharp style has earned him a host of Emmy nominations and awards from the Press Club of Dallas, among others. If you haven't already, check him out and see how long it takes you to think, "Hey, this is pretty damn good."

Best Weathercaster

Anthony Yanez

You gotta love a guy who gets up in the middle of the night just so he can tell us Houston's weather is going to be hot. That's what KPRC-TV weatherman Anthony Yanez does: He wakes up at 2:30 a.m., is at work by 3 a.m. and is on the air by 5 a.m., giving up-to-the-minute forecasts (ah, it's going to be hot, hot and hotter?). In a field where bad news makes for great newscasts, Yanez is matter-of-fact, leaving the hysterics and hyperbole to his competitors. His professionalism and commitment to getting Houston the right information show that the weather desk is not just another stop on his career path, but his home. Yanez's first day at Channel 2 was a bit of a stormy start. It was July 15, 2003, and Hurricane Claudette was pounding the Gulf Coast. (Welcome to hell, Anthony.) Since then, the meteorologist has reported on deadly heat waves, swirling floods, twisting tornadoes and devastating storms, including hurricanes Katrina and Rita. All of it suits Yanez just fine, but then again, he vacations in Purgatory (the canyon in New Mexico, not hell).

Best White Elephant

Tien Tao Temple

Whether it is known as the Tien Tao temple or the Chong Hua Sheng Mu Holy Palace, this edifice certainly stands out in Kingsbridge Park, its typical southwest-side suburban neighborhood. This five-story pyramid-esque, vaguely Mayan-looking structure is topped by a 40-foot golden geodesic dome which is flanked by two smaller domes and two exterior staircases — the overall effect is something like a sawed-off Mayan temple of the sun. And this intended East Asian nexus is utterly empty — the leader was deported back to her native Hong Kong. Today, the structure seems a good fit only for its leader's return, or perhaps purchase by an aspiring supervillain in search of a World Domination Headquarters.

  • 12800 Ashford Point, Houston, 77082 Map

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