Why KIRO's Steve Raible lost his moustache

Why KIRO's Steve Raible
lost his moustache

Because you may need water cooler banter, Seattle's P-I breaking news reporter Casey McNerthney made a call about a subtle but obvious change to the Northwest television landscape:

Steve Raible in 1990 at KIRO/7 (P-I file)

This really isn't a news story, and Steve Raible will be the first to tell you that. But his moustache – the one that has become as well known around Seattle as Dan Lewis' hair or John Keister's bald head – is gone for the first time in his career at KIRO/7.

"It's the first time I haven't had it in 35 years," said Raible, 53.

Raible, a former Seahawk who has been with KIRO/7 since 1982, said he shaved his moustache Friday night after the 11 p.m. news. The station recently began broadcasting in high-definition, and with those cameras, every stray hair looks magnified, Raible said.

"I didn't want to come across looking like a muskrat," he joked. "I just decided to see what it was like without it."

Raible's wife of 27 years, Sharon, had never known him without the moustache. But she approves.

"She said I look younger," he said. "If she said to grow it back, I'd grow it back."

Steve Raible in 1976 as a Georgia Tech tight end (P-I file)

Raible's new no-'stache look isn't the only change that debuted Monday on KIRO/7. Former KING/5 meteorologist Rebecca Stevenson began as the chief meteorologist, taking the spot of former KIRO/7 weatherman Andy Wappler.

Wappler, the son of legendary KIRO/7 meteorologist Harry Wappler, left the station on Feb. 15 to work in public relations for Puget Sound Energy.

"I miss Andy, whether he was doing weather or not," said Raible, his co-worker for 14 years. "I think he's got a niche over there that fits him like a glove.

"Rebecca is terrific. She works hard and she fits right in. She has gotten to know a lot of people right away."

So, what's do you think? Do you think Raible looks best with or without his mustache?

Posted by Monica Guzman

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/archives/134582.asp