The 53rd season of the television show debuted in early September with Sauceda taking viewers on a journey from West Texas back east to his hometown of La Porte, allowing Texans to see more of the personal story behind the new host and a wide swath of the Lone Star State.
“It felt incredible to be considered for this opportunity,” Sauceda said. “There are lots of opportunities in media, but this job in particular is so unique. For it to be attached to something going on for so long but has endeared itself to people in the way [former hosts] Bob and Kelli [Phillips] have, is amazing.”
The backstory
Sauceda’s resume is a collection of highlights and experiences centered on the Lone Star State and its ethos. Many viewers may know him as the creator of the Texas Humor Instagram account, but Sauceda’s time in the visual arts space began when he was involved in his theater department at La Porte High School. These roots eventually led him down a path of documentary film work, professional photography and entrepreneurship.
Taking on the role of host for such a long-running show, Sauceda said he wants to make sure people understand who he is and what he values without making the show about himself. Selecting the La Porte High School theater arts department—specifically the focus on longtime matriarch Sonja Angelo—gave Sauceda the opportunity to share with the audience more about one of the important formative experiences in his life.
“One of the best pieces of advice that Bob gave ... was that this show has always been about the people we feature,” he said. “The host is a vehicle and the champion of the audience, but it’s about the people.”
The chance to meet that audience where they are is an opportunity for Sauceda, who realizes viewers today want to interact with the news differently and on multiple platforms at various points of the week. For example, he is active on the show’s social media channels; if fans send a direct message, he’ll likely read it.
“I want to use a bit of my experience in media distribution to help make sure we’re taking the TCR product, which is these stories, and packaging it in ways that doesn’t take from the depth of relationship we build between viewers and subjects,” Sauceda said. “We want to make sure they have connections to the brand throughout the week.”
The creative process
While story ideas for the long-running show focused on the state’s back roads can come from myriad sources, Sauceda said the perfect TCR episode includes three components: it’s always about a person; there must be visual interest; and there has to be a positive human element.
“We’re interested in human stories, not PR fluff,” Sauceda said. “Those people exist everywhere if you dig for them. ... When we have all three legs of the stool, we feel like we have a really great TCR story.”
The ability to tell those stories visually got an upgrade this season: the Texas Monthly team made an investment in new equipment akin to studios like Netflix and Paramount to make a visually beautiful show and pay homage to the state’s culture and landscapes.
“It’s the way to do justice for Texas,” Sauceda said. “It’s important to tell stories that do justice to being there in person.”
As far as the types of stories featured on upcoming seasons go, Sauceda said he hopes to continue the show’s legacy while bringing in a new network of sources and story ideas, building on the type of storytelling Bob perfected. His experience as a pilot and his affinity for chili culture may play into future episodes as well.
Sauceda’s penchant for “no fluff” on the show also comes down to the way he prepares the quintessential Texas meal.
“I serve [chili] straight up, no beans,” he said. “I do provide chopped onion and sharp cheddar and sour cream; not a lot of fluff.”
How to watch
Texans can tune into TCR by checking local listings; watching on RFD TV; or checking out the website seven days after the original airdate for the latest episodes. Fans can also follow the show on Instagram.
