Chris Burrous Left Big Shoes To Fill at KTLA-TV

Los Angeles, CA--While TV news is dying nearly everywhere, the late KTLA-TV weekend morning anchor, Chris Burrous found better ways to reach the audience. 

What made Burrous rock was his fearless attitude about broadcasting his way, always departing from the routine.  He was a TV Maverick that truly knew how to have fun.  

Burrous has proven his news reporting chops on so many high profile stories.  But there was always so much more for him to deliver to the audience! 

Rather than accept reality that few newsworthy things happen on the weekend, he used exceptional creativity to fill a five-hour show! 

Burrous often, brought the normally unseen weekend KTLA production crew into the studio.  

Burrous encouraged everyone connected to the show to simply relax and show his or her human side.  

There was much more on display than sterile anchors and a plastic studio set to see.  Burrous gave viewers real warmth as he made his own vulnerabilities acceptable! 

With Burrous there was real interaction with viewers as he merged their, e-mails, photos, tweets and fun into the broadcasts.  

Burrous really deserves a posthumous star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame! 

Broadcasters that try to copy Burrous will fail.  They should take a cue from him and many of the successful Internet vloggers that simply refuse to follow the very stale TV template of Murrow and Cronkite.  They need to create their own brands.

Let me say that the rest of the weekend morning show talent has likewise always delivered their fair share to the show.  

The void of Burrous leaves KTLA  is huge.  However, the show must go on!  

I expect great things from KTLA-TV News Director, Jason Ball.  Please let the unpredictable adventure continue. 

I always say, being number one is never enough.  

Apparent Drug Overdose Fells Popular and Talented Los Angeles KTLA-TV News Anchor.

Chris Burrous, 43

Glendale, CA—Yesterday afternoon fire and police officials responded to the Days Inn Motel here after being called.  Reportedly KTLA-TV newsman, Chris Burrous, 43 was found un-responsive in a room there.  He was present in the room with a currently unidentified man that supposedly had unsuccessfully performed CPR on Burrous. 

Glendale Police and the LA County Medical Examiner are investigating this death as a potential accidental overdose.  It will take perhaps several weeks to obtain the results of toxicological tests that will identify any drugs involved.  

This death has shattered KTLA-TV, their workers and viewers to the very core. All are mourning the loss of a very unique and bright TV personality of this or any market.

Is this yet another tragic example of the Opioid Crisis?  Who supplied the drugs and how will this shake out in the Criminal Justice System?  

Will we learn the name and history of Burrous’ afternoon rendezvous and motel male roommate?  

Burrous leaves behind a beautiful wife and pre-teen daughter. They will have to deal with the shame involved with the apparent illicit conduct of a husband and father.  Los Angeles society has managed to somehow legitimize Gay sex and drug abuse so that stigma will be reduced.

Undoubtedly his family may also suffer financially over their loss.  I, for one want to morn the loss of his very likable public persona rather than his failings.  

The lesson here is, that his family, co-workers and television viewers really loved this fellow.  He let them all down and lost his charmed life apparently due to bad choices.  

Using drugs properly prescribed by physician caries a genuine risk. Ingesting or injecting drugs from criminal sources always invites poverty, pain and death. 

Recreational drug abuse now kills more people that both automobile accidents and gun related deaths combined.