KHOU 11 News Reporter Doug Miller has covered everything from the cop shop to Capitol Hill during more than 30 years in the news business. He's worked as a police reporter, a NASA correspondent, a newspaper editor and a Washington bureau chief.
Now he's a senior reporter for KHOU 11, the CBS affiliate in Houston. Miller broke into broadcasting at age 16, hosting a Watergate-era radio talk show in El Paso. After attending the University of Houston, he reported for a number of news organizations, including KTRH Radio and the Houston Business Journal. As managing editor of the Houston Business Journal, Miller broadcast daily business reports during KHOU's morning newscasts. He joined 11 News full-time in 1993. His political reporting led to a tour of duty as KHOU's Washington bureau chief, where he covered the White House, Capitol Hill and various presidential campaigns. Miller has been a panelist on more than a dozen televised political debates among candidates for everything from mayor to governor to president.
Miller has won numerous awards for his work in three media—newspapers, radio, and television—including four Emmy Awards, three Katie Awards and two Edward R. Murrow Awards.
A curious footnote: In 1985, Miller became the first contestant selected from Houston to appear on the syndicated version of "Jeopardy." During four days on the quiz show, he won $16,000.
Getting to know KHOU 11 News Reporter Doug Miller
How long have you lived in Houston?
Since 1976. I moved here from El Paso to attend the University of Houston. My first home here was a grungy dorm room downstairs from Jim Nantz and Fred Couples, one of whom nearly killed me with a golf ball driven down an indoor hallway in Taub Hall.
What is your favorite mobile app?
MLB At Bat. Except when the Astros are losing. There's no app for that.
Where is your hometown?
My family moved all over the place - Missouri, El Paso, Albuquerque, New Orleans, Beaumont - but I consider Houston my home.
Do you have any pets?
Just the squirrels who raid my backyard bird feeders.
What is something you wouldn't leave the house without?
My iPhone.
What is your favorite part of working in television news?
The best part of working as a street reporter is meeting people from all over the city and telling their stories. After decades of doing this job, I feel like the whole city of Houston is my neighborhood.
If you could trade lives with someone for a day, who would that be?
Anybody who's aboard the International Space Station
What is your favorite movie in 2011?
Nothing I've seen at a theater this year beats the week I bough the DVD of "Lonesome Dove" and watched it all over again. Robert Duvall is to Texas what Lawrence Olivier was to Shakespeare.
What are your 3 favorite films?
It's a Wonderful Life, Citizen Kane, and the first two Godfather movies. Okay, that's four movies. I cheated.
What are you reading right now?
The latest Michael Lewis book about the economic crisis. I swear, that guy could sell his laundry list to a publisher.
What are your favorite books?
The Great Gatsby and Robert Caro's LBJ biographies. I hear the fourth LBJ book is coming out next May. I can't wait!
What are your favorite foods?
Red beans and rice from Treebeard's. Hold the cheese and onion.s
What kind of music do you like?
Jazz
Who is your favorite band?
Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto. They're the duo that recorded "The Girl from Ipanema."
What is always in your refrigerator you cannot live without?
Uhhh.....I dunno. Milk??
Coffee or tea or neither?
Either. I spent some time in London and got hooked on hot tea. But I can play it either way.
What is one thing you dream to do?
Orbit the earth. Or, see the Houston Astros win the World Series. I think I have a better shot at orbiting the earth.
What is one thing about you most people might be surprised by?
I'm a birdwatcher. Quit laughing.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Spring Training in Kissimmee, Florida. I ran into Cameron Diaz there last year. Unfortunately, she was dating a ballplayer.
Where was your last vacation?
South Padre Island and the Rio Grande Valley. I saw some birds as colorful as tropical fish.
What is your favorite soft drink?
Cherry Coke Zero
Do you have any siblings?
Three brothers, all of them older.
What else might we like to know about you?
I'm a Jeopardy champion, but I stupidly blurted out that Baghdad was in India. Alex Trebek set me straight.
What is your favorite pastime?
Reading
What is your favorite car model?
Anything that will get me there
Who is your hero?
Whoever wrote up this questionnaire. This is deep stuff.
If you had 1-million dollars, what would you do with it?
What makes you think I don't already have a million dollars? Stop looking at my shoes.
Did anyone inspire you in your life?
Quite often. Most recently, I sat on the front porch of James Byrd Junior's family in Jasper. His sister explained to me why their mother taught them they had to forgive his killers. Otherwise, she said, they would become just as hateful as the racist murderers. I am in awe of that family.
