I have bad news for people who like their morning news served with a heavy dose of slapstick!
Last week, KFOR’s Lucas Ross – the longtime class clown of the OKC morning news media – announced he’s taking a break from fake laughter and stunt falls and leaving KFOR to focus on an “expanded role” with the American Banjo Museum.
Here’s what he wrote on Facebook about it:
After nearly 19 years I’ll be stepping away from KFOR/KAUT.
Over the years, I’ve made lifelong friends, met heroes, and been incredibly fortunate to play a small part in this station’s legacy. From comedy sketches and promos to interviews with legends like Bob Dotson and Weird Al— working with the bests in the business: Linda Cavanaugh and Kevin Ogle—I’m deeply grateful to everyone who gave me the chance to create, laugh, and have fun in this arena.
Wow. It’s hard to believe Lucas spent nearly 19 years at KFOR. For all the people who watched his act and worked with him, I’m sure it felt much, much longer. Zing!
Okay, I’m just joking around.
From everything I’ve heard, Lucas is a pretty swell guy, regardless of what fake rumors are started about him. He should be proud of his time spent in the cutthroat world of TV news. I wonder what he’s doing next?
Recently, my role with the American Banjo Museum has expanded, and this feels like the right time to step aside and make room for others at KFOR. I am excited to have more time with my family and am eternally thankful for my wife, Aubrie's patience and support through all these years.
I’ll still be around—through museum projects and promotion, performance work in TV and film, the Oklahoma Opry, and with Disney’s The Muppets Studio.
Most of all, thank you to the viewers for your kindness and support through the years.
Please continue supporting local journalism and the people who work every day to tell important stories, hold leaders accountable, and celebrate the resilience and generosity that make Oklahomans so special.
Yep, that’s right. We’ve reached that stage in the collapse of modern journalism where working as a banjo museum guide and unemployed actor provides better career prospects than being a morning news host. What a time to be alive, huh?
Although Lucas said we’ll still be able to see him around town at the Oklahoma Opry and on TV and in film, he didn’t explain what effect this will have on his alter ego – Nadienne Chitwood:
Nadienne hasn’t been active on TikTok since last year, when she filmed the TikTok below.
@nadiennechitwood Easter + Billie = myfavoriteholidays 💜 🐇 🪺 crossword xoxoooxooxoxxx #easter #hehasrisen #bugsbunny #heiscomingintheskyonthebackofarabbitwhoisheiswhoishehewhoridesrabbit
♬ original sound - Nadienne
Who knows? Maybe being freed from the restraints and expectations of TV news will finally allow Lucas to dig Nadienne’s wig and tracksuit out of the closet, and get to segueing around town again.
Either way, congrats to Lucas on a long run at KFOR. Nineteen years in local TV is no small feat, and we wish him well in the next chapter.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
