The Ted Williams Story

Unless you have been busy living under rock this past week, or never returned to modern civilization from the New Year holiday, you have more than likely heard or seen the story of now newly famous, Ted Williams.

Ted Williams (More commonly known as 'Golden Voice') recently careened into the national spotlight, after being discovered while pan-handling near a Columbus, Ohio freeway by a videographer from the local newspaper (Who somewhat inadvertently broke the story).

According to reports, the videographer had been driving to work and noticed then homeless, Williams standing road side holding a sign, "I have a GOD given gift of voice, I'm an ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times. Please any help will be gratefully appreciated..."

Real Life Rags to Riches?
One could not help but feel inspired from such a fantastic story (As my good friend always laments, "Real Life Really Is Stranger Than Fiction"). Producers everywhere are clamoring for an interview, and more than likely someone has already purchased the rights to his story for a full-length feature film (Similar to The Pursuit of 'Happyness').

Moreover, Ted has received numerous offers from various corporate interests and media. Let's take inventory of the known/confirmed employment offers (Aside from the numerous monetary gestures of a generous few):

• An offer of a full-time announcing job with Cleveland Cavaliers
• Voice Over gig with Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
• A gig with cable channel MSNBC's Lean Forward campaign (Thank you, TV Squad!)
• New house (Mortgage paid by a loan company)
• Numerous Websites dedicated to Williams
• Numerous television appearances (CBS, NBC)

All of the recent media attention has brought into question a number of considerations of concern.

First, are said companies merely jumping on the 'Ted Williams Story' bandwagon simply for good PR, and would said companies even give the light of day to an average person (Meaning, those without a platform) who may have had similar run-ins with the law? Not certain there would have been the same gesture for the person on the street that is in desperate attempt to turn his/her life around.

Many Other 'Ted Williams Stories' Are Out There...
Personally, I have been involved with a number of causes and have been actively involved with my own brand of vigilant efforts to impact homelessness. Hearing this story was immediate reason to bring the issue of homeless back into the national spotlight and I would strongly recommend that Ted take up the cause (Once settled). As a former member of the community, he would have far greater impact than someone in the media (Yours Truly).

What's Your Talent?
More important, it returns the question of just how many other similar stories are out there? Every person homeless or not, certainly has a skill/talent or as Ted writes, "A GOD given gift of_______", it's just a matter of finding the right vehicle to exploit a possible opportunity, or in this case, a second chance.

I live in a town filled to the virtual brim with talent (And, often not) and each and every day, droves of the inspired aspire to being discovered for something that will translate into their, "Big Break".

The strange and unusual thing is that ANYONE can become famous - someone just needs to tell these people...

Best Wishes, Ted and we will see you at the top!

Not So Good Jay...

Not Good...

Less than six months after Jay Leno returned to hosting The Tonight Show, the show's ratings are the lowest they've been since 1992, Variety reports.

In the second quarter of this year, the average total audience declined from 5 million viewers last year to 4 million viewers. This time last year featured a number of high-profile episodes, including an interview with President Barack Obama, Leno's final night and Conan O'Brien's debut as host.

America's Got Viewers...

“America’s Got Talent” helped NBC take Wednesday night last week, it also took the coveted 18-49 demographic by a slim margin over FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Although the show is experiencing notable ratings, really, the show has not been the same since the departure of David Hasselhoff.

"Hoff" was the over-the-top personality that show and audience members had grown to know and love. Howie is a great guy (Despite being an unrelenting acclaimed germaphobe), but something about the show is simply remiss.

We are not big fans of boy host Nick Cannon and would have preferred someone as host a little more mature and experienced. Further, it is not necessary to constantly 'plug' Mariah Carey's music every season. Please, a little more tact would be appreciated here...

But, then again, the lackluster season could be the level of talent this year. (Photo/ Courtesy of NBC Universal)

Goodbye!

This week there are a number of shows that will be A) Ending their season or B) Ending their life on network television.

First, a few shows have already ended their season:

1. America's Next Top Model: Krista White was named America's Next Top Model. Quite honestly Krista was the most interesting in appearance and personality - happy to hear that she won.

2. Celebrity Apprentice: Brett Michaels was announced the hired Celebrity Apprentice. We are thrilled that Brett won - he's a great guy all around. Now then, we do want to see Brett without all of the makeup, hair extensions, bandannas, fake tan, and all of that Arizona man jewelry.


Now, for the shows that have ended their life (Really, it's about time):

1. 24 (Fox)
2. Lost (ABC)
3. Law & Order (Dick Wolfe)


Meanwhile and speaking of Scripted Drama, the latest installment of The Bachelorette (ABC) began this week (Sort of) and so far, we can say that this season's offerings (The men) are somewhat generic and unappealing (Not as cute as Jake).

Where are the models on this fake dating show?! Also, on a special note to the casting department: Where is the diversity - very disappointing.

Primetime Fallon

“Late Night” host Jimmy Fallon has been summoned to host the 62nd Prime time Emmy Awards (NBC)

Reportedly, Fallon (35) won out over fellow “SNL”-alum Amy Poehler, who also stars on an NBC series, “Parks and Recreation.” It was also rumored that Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake (Yeah, that choice would have been majorly lame) were in the running, thanks to their moderately silly, bathroom humor “SNL" skein.

Counting current gig, this will be Fallon’s fourth big hosting gig, as he also hosted the 2001 and 2005 MTV Movie Awards and the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.

Bring On The Betty!

Last Week 88-year-old Betty White made her much anticipated debut as host of Saturday Night Live (NBC) and thanks to Facebook fans, there was no disappointment.

Which proves my point, 'Hey Networks, Social Media rules!' - They were laughing at one point about all of this Social Media 'stuff' - NOW who's laughing, baby!

Some of the highlights of the episode included a death metal version of the Golden Girls theme-song (Liked it), Betty’s role as a muffin chef on NPR, and her ability to have fun with her age, even getting a little raunchy at times (A little uncomfortable)

Ah, it's a great time to be Betty White...Banner year. (Photo/ Associated Press)

The Coco Speaks

After Months of Waiting, former The Tonight Show host Conan O'Brien Opens Up About The NBC Debacle.

In a recent interview, O'Brien told 60 Minutes that he decided to leave NBC because the "relationship" was clearly "toxic."

First, break-ups are always uncomfortable and as one reader stated, "Coco now has the opportunity to move away from the D-Bags". Well said. However, remember that everything is a business proposition and according to NBC (Jeff Zucker), The Tonight Show was allegedly losing money (Although presumably, Jay Leno at 9 PM was THE biggest money loser).

The business decision was made somewhere along the lofty ranks of NBC to reduce The Tonight Show by 30 minutes and return Leno back to the original time slot. Sounded like a great plan to CYA. Only one slight inconvenience - Mr. O'Brien did not go along with said plan. As luck would have it, Leno was aptly available to back stab replace or as he termed in a recent interview, "...Both got screwed".

Right, who would guess these days, "...Got screwed" means once again getting your own show after miserably failing from another in a curious programming experiment that created such a contentious environment that forced someone else out of their job/livelihood? Ah, life is good.

On a lighter note, O'Brien is on a nationwide comedy tour, "Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television", which kicked off earlier this month as TBS announced that it had signed the comic for a late-night program set to bow in November. (Photo/Reuters)

The Fey-Palin Network

Tina Fey returned to Saturday Night Live last week garnering record ratings. Fey brought her famous Sarah Palin impression as well as tween heartthrob, Justin Bieber.

According to those who actually watched, Palin played her famous Palin routine, a Palin-esque black leather jacket, and an American flag pin, to tout a fake Sarah Palin Network. The networks programs included “Tea Party Wheel of Fortune”, “Are you Smarter Than a Half-Term Governor”, “Dateline: To Catch a Levi Johnston”, and “Hey Journalist, I Gotcha!”, which used re-edited news footage to show Palin outsmarting Katie Couric.

SNL is milking this get-up for all it's worth. Hilarious. (Photo/People)

The Late-Night Late Night

Onward & Upward Kev!
Oh No! Has it been 6-weeks already? Former Late Night Show/The Jay Leno Show Band Master Kevin Eubanks has confirmed that after 18 years (Really?), he's ready for a change and will be leaving in May.


Meanwhile....
Although publicly banned from being funny (?), Conan O'Brien is bringing his late-night act to Time Warner-owned cable network TBS, breaking off talks with Fox and making plans to move to cable in November. Allegedly, the show will be opposite of Jay Leno's Late-Night time slot....Let the Games Begin!



(Photos/ NBC Universal, AP)

Boo Hoo Jay

Last week, Jay Leno sat down with Joy Behar (The View, The Joy Behar Show) on The Tonight Show.

In a brief backstage pre-show interview, Leno claims both he & Conan O’Brien “got screwed” by the NBC. Leno added, “Conan was treated terribly and he was also treated terribly and they had to make a decision.” This statement arrives long AFTER the now since forgotten late night debacle in which Leno was reinstated as host of The Tonight Show when his prime time gig, The Jay Leno Show, failed.

Our best advice, get rid of Jay's contract (Which at this point would be null and void - but, we're not lawyers) and hire Rosie O'Donnell - to be clear, not fans, but this IS a business of ratings and s/he who has the most wins...Next!

Minute to What?

New Game Show, Minute to Win It debuted last week on NBC. Former Food Network personality Guy Fieri hosts contestants who perform questionably simple, but moderately difficult, tasks within one minute.

First, um no, that's not Val's voice heard during the competitions. Secondly, we are not super fans of Guy Fieri (Don't know why, but many have said that maybe it's the personality or his oddly distracting appearance -?). According to some, Minute is an 'Americanized' similar format of British Game Show, The Cube (Dropped by Fox) and even replicated down to similar terminology used during the game.

Nonetheless, tasks during the show (A few of which are posted on the NBC site for prior practice) often include knocking things over or stacking things for the 'Money Prize Ladder'. Hey, remember when Game Shows used to give out actual non-cash prizes (Ala Wheel of Fortune - shop for products (aka Prizes) provided by Sponsors)? Ah, those were the days...

The White Hot Betty

At 88, Betty White might just be having her best year ever.

With a 65 year career in the Entertainment biz, Betty White has definitely become Hollywood’s renewed interest and now she’s even been booked to appear on Saturday Night Live (Thanks to a roaring Facebook campaign) and has now landed a new gig, Hot In Cleveland (TV Land).

Friends at NBC for the SNL said that White signed on a couple of weeks ago. Reportedly, right now, the plan is for former SNL star Molly Shannon will host the show with White in May.

Aside from Bea Arthur (Who will always be the Golden Girl), we Love Betty!

All Hail Queen Martha

Martha Stewart has teamed up with Mark Burnett again for the new reality series called Help Me, Martha!

The new series will follow the Domestic Queen and a cast of other home and lifestyle experts as they help ordinary people tackle difficult tasks at home and in the workplace.

The project is Stewart’s third with Burnett. They first worked together in 2005 on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart (NBC) and currently he produces her syndicated daytime talk show The Martha Stewart Show.

Hello, Oprah....

Olympic Sized Complaints

Many people tuned in over the last two weeks to watch the Olympics in Vancouver....But...

Coverage? What Coverage? If you were looking around to find live coverage of the Olympics, you would have noticed that many people were disgusted with NBC’s non-live coverage. Well, we noticed this little inconvenience two years prior when the Olympics were live from Bejing, China. Absolutely, ridiculously controlled and the coverage of the games were relegated to their network broadcast schedule. I was more than disgusted with the entire event and have since pledged to never waste time watching the Olympics. Olympic broadcast: FAIL.

Out with Old Leno and In With Old Leno....

Who? The return of Jay Leno to The Tonight Show (NBC) has been a largely unmentioned, but his list of guests will be rather topical "subjects".

Reportedly, Leno’s first two weeks will feature an impressive lineup as the network tries to revive the show and Leno’s image - It's been a bumpy ride...

The host will welcome former Alaska governor and Tina Fey look-a-like Sarah Palin (For a woman who despises Hollywood, she seems to be hanging around here a bit too much...), the cast of MTV’s hit show Jersey Shore (No Comment), outgoing American Idol grouch judge Simon Cowell and gold medal-winning Olympians Lindsey Vonn, Apolo Anton Ohno, and Shaun White.

Well, nothing like hanging out with popular people to boost one's popularity...

(Photo/ Courtesy of Associated Press)

Fallen Idol

Earlier this week, Fox’s ratings behemoth American Idol fell from the No. 1 Wednesday evening position (After 6 years). The top spot went to NBC, whose coverage of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics was helped thanks to several of favorite athletes who competed on Wednesday, including Shaun White, Lindsey Vonn and Shani Davis.

Reportedly, audience numbers, 30.1 million Americans tuned into NBC at the 9 PM hour, compared to Fox’s 18.4 million 10 hour American Idol show (I kid)...(Photo/ NBC Universal)

Tina Sarah Palin Fey

Tina Fey is scheduled to host Saturday Night Live in April and, yes, you know what that inevitably means...Sarah Palin.

For a long time, I was deeply confused between the real Sarah Palin and Tina Fey. Every time Palin appeared on television, I would burst in uncontrollable laughter upon seeing her face - it was the oddest subconscious juxtaposition I have ever experienced.

Fey’s spot on impersonations of the former Alaska governor (and one time Republican vice presidential candidate) lightened up the 2008 presidential campaign and some would argue created an influence on the outcome - which I am quick to refute - Sarah Palin would have lost either way, come on now...

The Kevin Eubanks Prime Time Tonight Show Band

Jay Leno might be returning to The Tonight Show on NBC come March (Matter remains questionable), but his long time bandleader and sidekick, Kevin Eubanks has decided on a departure.

Kevin recently announced that he is leaving his seated position with The Tonight Show Band (Also known as the Prime Time Band), after a transition period beginning March 1.

Maybe all that sitting down, finally got to Kev...idk.

Hit The Road Leno

Tuesday evening was the last episode of 'Das Experiment' - Jay Leno's move into a time slot that no mere mortal could ever conquer.

View as you will: Malicious fabricated hoax or one of the most grossly misguided calculations with hugely embarrassing consequences ever seen in Television history (I am sure there will be others), not one was certain of the outcome of this debacle. As for Leno, it's disappointing that he would claim to be the 'Victim' all the while in cahoots with the perpetrators (NBC). I would have simply taken the guy off the air entirely - no retread or network back peddling required. (Photo/Herbert/AP)

Jimmy does GLEE

Ha, Jimmy and his crew are taking on my favorite show, Glee in a new “series” Studio 6-Bee.

On Tuesday night’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon the show’s writers, director and a cross-section of actors parodied Glee, as Jimmy rallied the crew to raise $375 so he could get some cue cards. “SECTIONALS: $380,” read a conveniently placed sign in the studio and Jimmy’s brillant plan was born. The group would enter sectionals with a rendition of Bon Jovi’s 90's hit, “Living on a Prayer”.

Remember, Fallon replaced Conan (Suggestion to Fallon, keep it creative).