The guy has presence, and presence is what you need as a TV anchor. Sure, Tracy Rowlett has more than that. For one, he has responsibility: He's the managing editor, the big man of the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. He's ringmaster of the newsroom circus at KTVT. But behind the desk, with the camera on him, you see a guy who's forthright yet relaxed, even-handed yet authoritative. He's able to distance himself from the news. You'll never catch Rowlett putting on the grave face to report--oh, no!--another middle-class white woman missing. He treats every story with a detachment that respects not only the story's subjects but the people watching it. Finally, Rowlett just exudes Dallas. The way his suits hang, the way he parts his hair, that stentorian voice--it's as if it's Tracy Rowlett's destiny to anchor a newscast in Dallas. By comparison, his competitors look like shaky transplants from Yankeeland.
Readers' Pick
Gloria Campos WFAA-Channel 8