Mr. Orange-Power
02-21-2008, 06:38 AM
<H1>http://static.newsok.biz/article/20080221/3207000/hargismug_02-21-2008_MS6GOP3.jpg
Find out who will succeed Hargis on his final 'Flashpoint' episode
By Mel Bracht
Daily Oklahoman
In 15 years of working together on "Flashpoint," KFOR-4's Sunday morning news show, commentators Burns Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) and Mike Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON) have developed a close friendship, even if they are on opposite political sides.
"The truth is, we're like an old married couple," Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON) said. "We can finish each other's sentences."
Their TV "marriage," which has included friendly barbs between the former gubernatorial candidates, will end this morning when Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON)' final episode of "Flashpoint" is taped at KFOR.
The one-hour special edition, which will air at 9 a.m. Sunday, will include an appearance by Gov. Brad Henry (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Brad+Henry&CATEGORY=PERSON), video tributes to Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON), highlights from previous shows and the naming of Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON)' successor as conservative commentator. According to sources, former Oklahoma City mayor Kirk Humphreys (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Kirk+Humphreys&CATEGORY=PERSON) will succeed Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON).
Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON), 62, is leaving the show as he prepares to begin work as Oklahoma State University (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Oklahoma+State+University&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) president. Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) said he would leave his position as vice chairman of the Bank of Oklahoma (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Bank+of+Oklahoma&CATEGORY=COMPANY) no later than March 31.
"I think we started this show as acquaintances and ended up as very good friends," Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
"We always tried to disagree agreeably and behave civilly. If you get mad or be uncivil, it's uncomfortable for the viewer, and it's darn sure uncomfortable for us."
"He speaks from the head. I speak from the heart," said Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON), 58, a practicing attorney who is state chairman of Hillary Rodham Clinton (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Hillary+Clinton&CATEGORY=PERSON)'s campaign. "It's made for good conflict, but it's simulated conflict. "
KFOR first hired Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) and Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON) to provide commentary on the 1992 presidential campaign. The pairing worked so well the station turned the segment into a regular program the following year.
Kevin Ogle (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Kevin+Ogle&CATEGORY=PERSON), who succeeded Devin Scillian (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Devin+Scillian&CATEGORY=PERSON) as "Flashpoint" moderator in 1995, said the contacts of Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) and Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON) have been invaluable in scheduling guests.
"He (Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON)) could call and get about anybody we needed," Ogle said.
A glimpse at our history
Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) said "Flashpoint" has provided a good account of Oklahoma history the past 15 years.
Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) told of an appearance by former Oklahoma County District Attorney Bob Macy (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Bob+Macy&CATEGORY=PERSON) after Former Gov. David Walters (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..David+Walters&CATEGORY=PERSON) pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor campaign violation and eight felony counts were dropped.
"The Oklahoman (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..The+Oklahoma+Publishing+Company&CATEGORY=COMPANY) had editorialized that he had basically chickened out with David Walters (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..David+Walters&CATEGORY=PERSON) by accepting the plea. He came in and was very upset. He actually pulled his coat back and he was packing heat. I thought, 'I hope he doesn't get too mad at us.'"
Bob Ricks (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Bob+Ricks&CATEGORY=PERSON), now Edmond police chief, appeared in 1993 after the FBI (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Federal+Bureau+of+Investigation&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) raid on the Branch Davidian (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Branch+Davidians&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) compound near Waco, Texas, in which more than 80 people died.
Ricks (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Bob+Ricks&CATEGORY=PERSON) was the FBI (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Federal+Bureau+of+Investigation&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION)'s chief spokesman during the standoff.
"He had some of the bullets that were fired," Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) said. "He was visibly shaken by that whole experience."
Among other notable guests were President Bush (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..George+W.+Bush&CATEGORY=PERSON), Pat Buchanan (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Patrick+Buchanan&CATEGORY=PERSON), Tom Daschle (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Thomas+Daschle&CATEGORY=PERSON), special prosecutors Ken Starr (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Kenneth+Starr&CATEGORY=PERSON) and Lawrence Walsh (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Lawrence+Walsh&CATEGORY=PERSON), NBC (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..NBC+Universal+Inc.&CATEGORY=COMPANY) commentator Tim Russert (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Tim+Russert&CATEGORY=PERSON) and Clinton (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Hillary+Clinton&CATEGORY=PERSON) adviser James Carville (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..James+Carville&CATEGORY=PERSON).
Although this will be his final show as a regular, Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) is expected to occasionally appear on "Flashpoint" as a senior commentator.
Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON) said Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) is poised for success as OSU (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Oklahoma+State+University&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION)'s president.
"Hear me now and believe me later," Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
"Burns will be the greatest OSU (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Oklahoma+State+University&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) president in history. The three Bs line up perfectly: Burns is willing to serve, Brad Henry (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Brad+Henry&CATEGORY=PERSON) is very supportive, and Boone Pickens (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..T.+Boone+Pickens&CATEGORY=PERSON) likes Burns a lot."
ORANGE-POWER!!!
Mr. OP
</H1>
Find out who will succeed Hargis on his final 'Flashpoint' episode
By Mel Bracht
Daily Oklahoman
In 15 years of working together on "Flashpoint," KFOR-4's Sunday morning news show, commentators Burns Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) and Mike Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON) have developed a close friendship, even if they are on opposite political sides.
"The truth is, we're like an old married couple," Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON) said. "We can finish each other's sentences."
Their TV "marriage," which has included friendly barbs between the former gubernatorial candidates, will end this morning when Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON)' final episode of "Flashpoint" is taped at KFOR.
The one-hour special edition, which will air at 9 a.m. Sunday, will include an appearance by Gov. Brad Henry (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Brad+Henry&CATEGORY=PERSON), video tributes to Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON), highlights from previous shows and the naming of Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON)' successor as conservative commentator. According to sources, former Oklahoma City mayor Kirk Humphreys (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Kirk+Humphreys&CATEGORY=PERSON) will succeed Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON).
Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON), 62, is leaving the show as he prepares to begin work as Oklahoma State University (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Oklahoma+State+University&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) president. Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) said he would leave his position as vice chairman of the Bank of Oklahoma (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Bank+of+Oklahoma&CATEGORY=COMPANY) no later than March 31.
"I think we started this show as acquaintances and ended up as very good friends," Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
"We always tried to disagree agreeably and behave civilly. If you get mad or be uncivil, it's uncomfortable for the viewer, and it's darn sure uncomfortable for us."
"He speaks from the head. I speak from the heart," said Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON), 58, a practicing attorney who is state chairman of Hillary Rodham Clinton (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Hillary+Clinton&CATEGORY=PERSON)'s campaign. "It's made for good conflict, but it's simulated conflict. "
KFOR first hired Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) and Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON) to provide commentary on the 1992 presidential campaign. The pairing worked so well the station turned the segment into a regular program the following year.
Kevin Ogle (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Kevin+Ogle&CATEGORY=PERSON), who succeeded Devin Scillian (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Devin+Scillian&CATEGORY=PERSON) as "Flashpoint" moderator in 1995, said the contacts of Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) and Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON) have been invaluable in scheduling guests.
"He (Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON)) could call and get about anybody we needed," Ogle said.
A glimpse at our history
Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) said "Flashpoint" has provided a good account of Oklahoma history the past 15 years.
Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) told of an appearance by former Oklahoma County District Attorney Bob Macy (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Bob+Macy&CATEGORY=PERSON) after Former Gov. David Walters (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..David+Walters&CATEGORY=PERSON) pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor campaign violation and eight felony counts were dropped.
"The Oklahoman (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..The+Oklahoma+Publishing+Company&CATEGORY=COMPANY) had editorialized that he had basically chickened out with David Walters (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..David+Walters&CATEGORY=PERSON) by accepting the plea. He came in and was very upset. He actually pulled his coat back and he was packing heat. I thought, 'I hope he doesn't get too mad at us.'"
Bob Ricks (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Bob+Ricks&CATEGORY=PERSON), now Edmond police chief, appeared in 1993 after the FBI (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Federal+Bureau+of+Investigation&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) raid on the Branch Davidian (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Branch+Davidians&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) compound near Waco, Texas, in which more than 80 people died.
Ricks (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Bob+Ricks&CATEGORY=PERSON) was the FBI (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Federal+Bureau+of+Investigation&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION)'s chief spokesman during the standoff.
"He had some of the bullets that were fired," Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) said. "He was visibly shaken by that whole experience."
Among other notable guests were President Bush (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..George+W.+Bush&CATEGORY=PERSON), Pat Buchanan (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Patrick+Buchanan&CATEGORY=PERSON), Tom Daschle (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Thomas+Daschle&CATEGORY=PERSON), special prosecutors Ken Starr (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Kenneth+Starr&CATEGORY=PERSON) and Lawrence Walsh (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Lawrence+Walsh&CATEGORY=PERSON), NBC (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..NBC+Universal+Inc.&CATEGORY=COMPANY) commentator Tim Russert (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Tim+Russert&CATEGORY=PERSON) and Clinton (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Hillary+Clinton&CATEGORY=PERSON) adviser James Carville (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..James+Carville&CATEGORY=PERSON).
Although this will be his final show as a regular, Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) is expected to occasionally appear on "Flashpoint" as a senior commentator.
Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON) said Hargis (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Burns+Hargis&CATEGORY=PERSON) is poised for success as OSU (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Oklahoma+State+University&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION)'s president.
"Hear me now and believe me later," Turpen (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Mike+Turpen&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
"Burns will be the greatest OSU (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Oklahoma+State+University&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) president in history. The three Bs line up perfectly: Burns is willing to serve, Brad Henry (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..Brad+Henry&CATEGORY=PERSON) is very supportive, and Boone Pickens (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CAN..T.+Boone+Pickens&CATEGORY=PERSON) likes Burns a lot."
ORANGE-POWER!!!
Mr. OP
</H1>