Remembering the Don Nelson and Lisa Trapani years at ABC-13

Thursday, February 26, 2015
Don Nelson's second TV wife
Lisa Trapani could barely stop laughing as Don's second TV wife in their studio home.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- From day one, Don Nelson and Lisa Trapani made each other laugh hysterically. And from early 1991 when she joined him on good morning Houston until the show ended in 1993, the co-host barely stopped laughing as Don's second TV wife in their studio home.

"TV husband for sure," Trapani said. "It really was from the minute I met him and I can explain why. Maybe because we had a house, had people over. We cooked and played dress up."

He called her the Mensa to his Densa. He said she was the brain.

"I always did write loved to write," Trapani said. "Don was more unscripted."

"I had crayons," Nelson said. "I had a box of crayons."

But they had matching quick wits. When Lisa showed her ultrasound on the show, Don showed his: A fake shot of his stomach.

"We did this thing in the art department, a slice of pizza, hot sauce, and she said you're not having a baby, you are having a picnic," said Nelson.

They excelled at live TV, from their morning show to political conventions and breaking news. They also covered station events like Share Your Holidays and Caring Cradles. Don, says Lisa, always had the viewers in mind.

"Never forgetting who's on the other end of this at home," said Trapini. "He really is the the person you see, warm and funny and friendly and he's never met a stranger in his entire life."

And she remains one his best friends and biggest fans.

Are you Don Nelson's biggest fan? Then we want to hear from you! Let us know your favorite memories of Don and why you're his biggest fan. Send your videos to news@abc13.com or use the #abc13eyewitness hashtag on Twitter or Facebook.