The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

As someone that has worked so many different sides of the media there are times when I question why I watch TV and still even like certain people on TV.

What is it that makes me unable to fall asleep at night unless I get a last minute peek at Don Shelby?

I had lunch with a buddy of mine recently and asked him if there was ever a person he admired and respected for their TV work.

He told me about an encounter with Wolf Blitzer of CNN at a basketball game.  My friend said he walked up to Mr. Blitzer and commended him for his long hours on CNN and told him it was nice to see him take some time off to enjoy a basketball game. He did not attack him, grab him, interrupt him, follow him--none off that crazy stalker shit--just a simple compliment coming from one of his devoted viewers.

In a nutshell, Wolf's' response to his compliment was a few obnoxious words under his breath followed by the big "I am too good for you" look. This really hit a chord with me because I have never understood why there is this giant pedestal for people who choose to put themselves in front of a camera and then bark at the people who watch them and butter their bread.

I told my tall and handsome friend that he should have said back to him, "Hey shorty pants when are you going to retire? The make up is not working on the age spots anymore," but my friend is far more mature than I am.

Back to the topic of who is your favorite TV Star and why. My favorite Local TV STAR is....DON SHELBY.

Here is why:

Don is a passionate journalist by trade who isn't afraid to let his audience in on both the confident man in the stylish pin stripe suits as well as being honest about his years as an alcoholic, or his health scare. My favorite part about Don Shelby is his zest for crazy outdoor adventures that would probably never be attempted by most men half his age.

I like that Don does the one thing I was told never to do in journalism (gives a personal opinion) during his "In the Know" segments. Don's middle name is Gilbert (love that name.)  I like that he has worked hard to get his current Project Energy going,

I like his afternoon show on WCCO radio, and that he gave up a premier anchor spot to Frank Vascellaro so that Frank and Amelia could delight us with their husband and wife anchor team at 6 p.m. and than comes back on at 10 every night wearing (yes I am going to say it) "his sexy suits" and that teeny little stud earring that keeps him as hip now as when I was a little Melinda.

But, hands down, what separates Don Shelby from the many people who make a living being in front of the camera is that what you see is what you get. You would think that's simple, but, in the TV business, many on-camera talents let their egos get the best of them and complain about being recognized when that little red light goes off.

I ask you to remember one thing that dawned on me as I was writing this story at a downtown Caribou Coffee and ran into Frank Vascellaro: Being humble and yourself is what really does separate the TV star from a TV STAR.  Frankie your next!

As the media industry changes and the power of people on camera could change too, I can only hope that the next group of TV icons will take Shelby's lead and remain down to earth and remember who butters their bread.

You never know who could be walking in with the next fresh loaf.