Alarm terminates KXNT radio host’s slumber
KXNT radio’s new morning host Carlos Diaz had a wild weekend, and it had nothing to do with his wedding in Spain today.
Last Friday night, the former host of the syndicated news magazine “Extra” was at his Las Vegas home when he was awakened by the ear-shattering sound of his new security alarm.
He had fallen asleep on the couch while watching “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.”
It happened at the part in the film, he wrote in a Facebook post, where Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers his iconic line, “Hasta la vista, baby,” and blows away the other frozen Terminator (the T-1000), shattering it into a thousand little pieces.
The new alarm system comes equipped with sensors that hone in on the noise of breaking glass. And Diaz’s surround-sound speakers are blasting the sound of shattering glass.
A groggy Diaz hears a blaring voice warning him, “Glass break in the kitchen detected. You have an intruder in the house!”
His dog is barking like crazy, he wrote, “the alarm can be heard on the moon, and suddenly a human being’s voice comes over the speaker system.
“Mr. Diaz, we have received an alarm alert. Is everything OK?”
Diaz: “Yes, everything’s fine!
“But the movie is still playing, so you’ve got Edward Furlong (the kid in the movie) screaming, ‘Shoot it! Shoot!’ ”
Over the din of the blaring alarm and a barking dog, Diaz hears the security guy asking, “Is someone shooting at you, Mr. Diaz?’ ”
No, yells Diaz, “It’s Arnold Schwarzenegger.” He quickly added, “He blew away the T-1000 and that set off the alarm!”
Lucky for Diaz, the security man was a fan of the film and recognized the scene.
Diaz said his “safe word,” and normalcy returned.
His wife-to-be, Olga, was in Cartagena, Spain, getting ready for their wedding.
It was Diaz’s first week with the morning team of Nate Tannenbaum, who replaced Joe Gillespie as anchor, and Dayna Roselli.
KXNT has not officially announced the restructured morning team.
Diaz’s 20 years in the news and entertainment business includes a recent stint as an anchor with CNN.
Other media news
KSNV-TV, Channel 3, vice president and general manager Lisa Howfield on Thursday confirmed that veteran executive Bob Stoldal has retired.
“During his five years at KSNV, Bob played a pivotal role in fulfilling Jim Rogers’ vision to expand and deliver relevant content,” Howfield said.
“Bob’s contribution to News 3 and the broadcast industry is legendary. His passion for news, in-depth knowledge of both historical and current events, combined with a quick wit, will be greatly missed.
“We look forward to Bob’s ongoing contribution to our community through his board positions with the Mob Museum, The Nevada State Museum and the Las Vegas Historical Preservation Commission.” …
Former KSNV-TV, Channel 3, rising star McKenzie Warren is adding law school to her portfolio.
Warren appeared to be on a fast track after joining the NBC affiliate three years ago. She soon was spending five months in Carson City as the only full-time Las Vegas TV reporter covering the 2013 Legislature.
Warren’s rise continued when the former two-time NBC Nightly News intern was added to the anchor team for the 3 p.m. newscast.
Then last January, in a shocker, Warren was let go, reportedly after falling out of favor with former station owner Jim Rogers.
Sources say Warren hopes to continue her TV career but saw law school background as a strategic career move.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Las Vegas entertainment legend Wayne Newton will be my next guest on Dec. 14 on “Conversations With Norm,” a quarterly interview series on the stage of Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
Newton will share many of his Frank Sinatra stories in what will be the kickoff of a year of tributes for Sinatra’s 100th birthday. Sinatra would have turned 99 on Dec. 12. Proceeds of the event go to The Smith Center’s education and outreach programs. …
Former Nevada Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren and his wife, Sandy, are hosting their Nevada Day Open House for the 19th and final time this weekend.
Their quirky home of Nevada history will be open from noon to 5 p.m. both days. It has the designation of being an official Nevada Sesquicentennial event. A $15 donation will benefit the “Mid-East Memorial Wall.” Their home is at 4318 Ridgecrest Drive. Children under 12 get in free.
THE PUNCH LINE
“I want to settle everybody down. Let me put this in perspective for you. Your chances of catching Ebola are the same as the Jets chances of making the playoffs.” — David Letterman
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
