TRENTON -- Three marathons in Wisconsin were canceled this month because of the heat, which is why Dr. Benjamin Wedro has picked "Consequences of Heat" as the topic for this week's Trentonian live-chat. Do you prefer to train in hotter or cooler weather? Do you know anyone who has suffered heat stroke during training or competition? Do you know what heat stroke is or how to avoid it? Join Dr. Wedro and The Trentonian with questions during the live-chat that starts at 11 a.m. Who is Dr. Wedro, who writes for WebMD, eMedicine and AskAmyDaily.com? In his mddirect.org blog bio at www.trentonian.com it reads, "Dr.Wedro is a straight talker like nobody else in the media. If you cover medicine, fitness, sports or health, put MDdirect's insight, analysis and facts to work for you. Get the "official" report, then ask Dr. Wedro. He'll give it to you straight."
Twist and Shout
Life is never straight (Joey Kulkin photo)
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Trentonian TV Production Notes: Tyrone Miller Show Episode 10
TRENTON -- What you see above is the official "Occupy" video by rapper Marcus Love and Brooklyn sax whiz Rogerst Charles. We'll explain why it's there as well as the connection Trenton native Tia Leonard has to the video in a few minutes.
But first ... my goodness, another excellent, funny, informative outing by Tyrone and, he became the third Trentonian TV host to bust into double figures with his 10th episode. He welcomed Tia Leonard (aka Suga GP) and Tashanna Ellis, and we'll start with Tashanna because her story is one of heartbreak and hope.
Tashanna Ellis. When she was 14 she was in and out of schools. Tried the Daylight/Twilight and Isles Youth Build programs. They didn't work. Ran the streets with what she called "a disobedient spirit" which made her "not want to listen to anybody." Tried to kill herself. Institutionalized. And, at 14, she had a baby. Trenton, My Trenton. Tashanna Ellis.
Tashanna Ellis the teenage mother named her daughter Emiija. She fell in love with God, and 9 years later Emiija's HOPE is the 23-year-old college graduate's daily reminder of why she was put on earth.
Emiija's HOPE is a mentoring program that caters to Trenton girls ages 13 to 18. The handful of girls meets every Thursday at Urban Promise on West State Street. Tyrone asked Tashanna what girls can expect by attending these meetings. "To be empowered, to grow," she answered. Girls fill out a survey so Tashanna Ellis can pinpoint where help is most needed. Indeed, Tyrone said, "You don't want to work on one thing when they're looking for something else." That's the beauty of Tyrone, he pays attention to his guests and complements their stories. "We want to work on issues that are issues to them," Tashanna Ellis continued." She takes the few girls utilizing Emiija's Hope to service events because "to be a great leader you must be a servant," and on her own dime she takes the girls out to dinner or to the movies. "They need help. We don't want to just say we're here, but show them we'll be here consistently."
Now, Tashanna Ellis said, Emiija's HOPE needs a little financial help. She is taking a leap of faith by expanding her program. The first step is June 7 during an community outreach to spread the word, and the first major Emiija's Hope event is July 7. To contribute to Emiija's HOPE call Tashanna Ellis at (609) 349-8120.
So, is it just me or does Tashanna Ellis have a Gladys Knight spirit and vibe about her?
But first ... my goodness, another excellent, funny, informative outing by Tyrone and, he became the third Trentonian TV host to bust into double figures with his 10th episode. He welcomed Tia Leonard (aka Suga GP) and Tashanna Ellis, and we'll start with Tashanna because her story is one of heartbreak and hope.
Tashanna Ellis. When she was 14 she was in and out of schools. Tried the Daylight/Twilight and Isles Youth Build programs. They didn't work. Ran the streets with what she called "a disobedient spirit" which made her "not want to listen to anybody." Tried to kill herself. Institutionalized. And, at 14, she had a baby. Trenton, My Trenton. Tashanna Ellis.
Tashanna Ellis the teenage mother named her daughter Emiija. She fell in love with God, and 9 years later Emiija's HOPE is the 23-year-old college graduate's daily reminder of why she was put on earth.
Emiija's HOPE is a mentoring program that caters to Trenton girls ages 13 to 18. The handful of girls meets every Thursday at Urban Promise on West State Street. Tyrone asked Tashanna what girls can expect by attending these meetings. "To be empowered, to grow," she answered. Girls fill out a survey so Tashanna Ellis can pinpoint where help is most needed. Indeed, Tyrone said, "You don't want to work on one thing when they're looking for something else." That's the beauty of Tyrone, he pays attention to his guests and complements their stories. "We want to work on issues that are issues to them," Tashanna Ellis continued." She takes the few girls utilizing Emiija's Hope to service events because "to be a great leader you must be a servant," and on her own dime she takes the girls out to dinner or to the movies. "They need help. We don't want to just say we're here, but show them we'll be here consistently."
Now, Tashanna Ellis said, Emiija's HOPE needs a little financial help. She is taking a leap of faith by expanding her program. The first step is June 7 during an community outreach to spread the word, and the first major Emiija's Hope event is July 7. To contribute to Emiija's HOPE call Tashanna Ellis at (609) 349-8120.
So, is it just me or does Tashanna Ellis have a Gladys Knight spirit and vibe about her?
+ + + + +
Suga GP. A generation of Trentonians might remember the Trenton High grad from this:
That's when she was the Cream Beauty of the Month in October 2004. That's when her world was a whirlwind of excitement. Rapping. Traveling. Meeting people in all the right places. Living it up. Trenton girl on the rise. Then she came back down and "did the family thing" -- made 3 babies. "That settles you down."
And then she started GP Entertainment and began to manage and has become, in Tyrone's words, "an entertainment mogul" of sorts. She bought out Marcus Love, a rapper from Alabama who was having strong success with his mixed tape "True Prince of the South Vol. I" and helped him produce the second volume by bringing in guys like Jay Mills and Petey Crakk. These days she's putting together a reality show called "Rap/Music".
And then she started GP Entertainment and began to manage and has become, in Tyrone's words, "an entertainment mogul" of sorts. She bought out Marcus Love, a rapper from Alabama who was having strong success with his mixed tape "True Prince of the South Vol. I" and helped him produce the second volume by bringing in guys like Jay Mills and Petey Crakk. These days she's putting together a reality show called "Rap/Music".
In January Tia got Frankenstein, the famed music video director, to direct the official "Occupy" D.C. video performed by Marcus Love and Rogerst Charles the sax man from Brooklyn. For someone who grew up in the golden era of rap (1985 to '93'ish), I am cutthroat about rap/hip-hop. Most of it is utter crap. That's why I was (mostly) pleasantly surprised by the Occupy rap and video. There's some substance to it. Suga GP ought to be proud of herself for assembling that talent, which shows she's a smart businesswoman in an industry dominated by men. Tyrone steered the conversation that way by asking Tia Leonard of Trenton about being a beautiful woman and a power player. "It used to be cutthroat, but now it's easier. I had to get myself out there to sell myself, but now I've already sold myself. I've been doing it for a long time so I don't have to prove anything." Then there was the sex aspect. "The males want, you know how men are ... typical male things, rubbin' and touchin'." At this point of the chat I was pulling up photos of Suga with mega-stars such as Kid Rock, and Tyrone noticed and said "He's a good friend of mine." The rest of the conversation was herky-jerky in a good way because Tyrone would focus on pictures in the screen-and-screen and either react or get Suga's reaction. It was all very fun, and very funny. Tyrone is an entertainer. The parts -- like where he fishes for a compliment and gets it, and takes back a shout-out, and cops a feel at the end -- made me laugh.
As for Tia Leonard, she came back to The Trentonian at 5:30 to bring the Cream clipping. We talked for a few minutes while I scanned the page. She's a tender-sweet girl looking for Prince Charming. Her list of suitors is probably 30-deep, but she asked "What if none of those 30 are worth it?" Indeed, she's a savvy businesswoman, but the Trenton girl still believes in forever after. Something very reassuring about that.
Congratulations, Tyrone, on your 10th episode. You're everything Trentonian TV was geared to be. Here are some production photos and below that the 22 minutes of goodness:
As for Tia Leonard, she came back to The Trentonian at 5:30 to bring the Cream clipping. We talked for a few minutes while I scanned the page. She's a tender-sweet girl looking for Prince Charming. Her list of suitors is probably 30-deep, but she asked "What if none of those 30 are worth it?" Indeed, she's a savvy businesswoman, but the Trenton girl still believes in forever after. Something very reassuring about that.
Congratulations, Tyrone, on your 10th episode. You're everything Trentonian TV was geared to be. Here are some production photos and below that the 22 minutes of goodness:
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| Tia's shoes and purse and Tyrone's shoes |
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| The Trenton Law Firm of Tia, Tyrone & Tashanna |
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| Tia's tatt |
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| Tia and Tyrone having a little fun |
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| Tashanna's shoes |
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| Tia in the Trentonian TV green room after her spot |
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| Tashanna talking about being 14 and pregnant |
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| Tashanna, Tyrone and Thompson |
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| Tashanna and Tyrone. Great interview. |
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| Tia watching the replay of the broadcast |
Monday, May 28, 2012
Trentonian TV Production Notes: Freedom Episode 14
TRENTON -- Those vials of lipstick, quad of eye shadow and bottle of gloss you see above? We're giving them away to the first person who finds out if Trenton Makes World Takes lore includes a cosmetics queen. There's a chance you might not find one, which would make Myrtha Nadine Jasmin the first one to put Trenton on the map for makeup with Nadege Cosmetics. Hold on to that thought for a minute.
This was an awesome show because of the guests. There was Joe Richardson, the retired Trenton cop talking about the Law Enforcement Officers Against Prostate Cancer Foundation and its annual "Prostate Awareness Gala" on June 2 at the Trenton Marriott. Ronald Lopez, a Trenton cop who died of prostate cancer in 2011, started the foundation with the help of his son, Lance Lopez, a New Jersey statie. "Ronnie's dream was that no other man suffers from the horrible disease and death by prostate cancer," Joe said. "We advocate and educate men about early screening for prostate cancer." Last April, Joe Richardson found out he had prostate cancer, which killed his father in 2001. "I was very pro-active, reading every day, on the Internet 24/7, and I opted to have surgery last November. Right now I'm cancer free." Proceeds from Saturday's gala go to pay for screenings and initial medication for uninsured men. If you'd like to attend the gala call (609) 424-3388 or go to www.leoapcf.org.
There was Elijah Aladin, 14, and Mekhi Holley, 13, both members of Trenton's B.O.Y.D. program. I think this is the first time in almost 5 years of living here where I saw or heard something "Trenton" and had a great feeling about the future. Bruce Boyd was on L.A.'s show a few months ago, and he talked up B.O.Y.D., but until you see an example in motion it's just chattering. Well, Elijah and Mekhi are beautiful examples of Trenton excellence in motion. Elijah is headed to Andover, Massachusetts, to attend Phillips-Andover Academy, which is one of the most prestigious prep schools in the world. And why not? His take on education? "It's vital. Without an education you're not going to be able to get a good job and not be able to support your family, and at that point you become just another number, and that's what this program (B.O.Y.D.) emphasizes, as well as education. It's shifting your paradigm." Moments later he responded to Freedom's question by saying "Don't let peers and what everyone else says about you make you feel less about yourself, feel like you're less capable because what this program has taught me is that with the right exposure, the right education and the right village to raise a child, the playing field can be level."
Mekhi's spirit was infectious. He talked about how attending a black male symposium opened his eyes to a world of great achievements by black men. He talked about how "common sense isn't really common sense -- it's what you learn from it". He talked about the achievement gap between white society and black society and how upset he was by having to learn from schoolbooks that were published in 1994, whereas white kids learn new things in new books published in 2012. "My book didn't even have the latest president -- the first black presdent," he said. "We're learning stuff that happened a while ago, but I want to learn about new stuff. Every year it's like we're repeating. The school system is very particular toward race. I think it's unfair." He talked about the pressure of growing up in Trenton. These days if a kid beats you up in school, your first reaction is to come back the next day and kill him because everyone will make fun of you if you don't. "Why can't you program yourself to walk away?" Mekhi said. "I don't like to fight. I stay my ground, do my schoolwork then go home and relax." He wants to be in front of the group, not in back, a leader, not a follower, and thanks to the New Jersey Seeds Program he's headed to a new school next year that will push his mind to greater heights. "Hopefully I'll get those new schoolbooks," he said with a laugh. Freedom asked Mekhi what he wants to be when he grows up. "I want to be an engineer or forensic scientist," he said. "But for now I want to pass the 7th grade. That's my goal." Great kid, as is Elijah. Great futures.
There was Dawn and Daniel Applegate. Daniel, 9, has Evans Syndrome, just one of 350 or so in the United States (about 1,000 worldwide) with the affliction, and I'll write more about him and the family's plight during the next week. Daniel is sponsoring a Tricky Tray Sweepstakes fundraiser July 14 at the Bordentown Elks. Proceeds will help find a cure for Evans Syndrome.
So, about that makeup ... there was Myrtha Nadine Jasmin touting her cosmetics line. She appeared on the Tyrone Miller Show last Tuesday to talk up her product. I don't know makeup from Adam, but Nadege Cosmetics seems like the real deal. Myrtha said she has spent 2 years developing the lipsticks and eyeliners and shadows and foundation and glosses while mapping out her business plan and short- and long-term goals. She took Freedom to task when he suggested Trenton females, especially Trenton's black females, cake themselves in makeup by 1) disagreeing with his statement and 2) explaining why the application of makeup with more than necessary during certain times of the month. It's actually the first time anyone has thrown something back in Freedom's face, which was nice to see. Anyway, back to the Trenton Makes World Takes in relation to cosmetics queens ... could Myrtha Nadine Jasmin become the first Trenton woman to market a cosmetics line on a global scale? Help us find out and we'll give you all of the things in the picture.
Here are some photos, and below them the episode:
This was an awesome show because of the guests. There was Joe Richardson, the retired Trenton cop talking about the Law Enforcement Officers Against Prostate Cancer Foundation and its annual "Prostate Awareness Gala" on June 2 at the Trenton Marriott. Ronald Lopez, a Trenton cop who died of prostate cancer in 2011, started the foundation with the help of his son, Lance Lopez, a New Jersey statie. "Ronnie's dream was that no other man suffers from the horrible disease and death by prostate cancer," Joe said. "We advocate and educate men about early screening for prostate cancer." Last April, Joe Richardson found out he had prostate cancer, which killed his father in 2001. "I was very pro-active, reading every day, on the Internet 24/7, and I opted to have surgery last November. Right now I'm cancer free." Proceeds from Saturday's gala go to pay for screenings and initial medication for uninsured men. If you'd like to attend the gala call (609) 424-3388 or go to www.leoapcf.org.
There was Elijah Aladin, 14, and Mekhi Holley, 13, both members of Trenton's B.O.Y.D. program. I think this is the first time in almost 5 years of living here where I saw or heard something "Trenton" and had a great feeling about the future. Bruce Boyd was on L.A.'s show a few months ago, and he talked up B.O.Y.D., but until you see an example in motion it's just chattering. Well, Elijah and Mekhi are beautiful examples of Trenton excellence in motion. Elijah is headed to Andover, Massachusetts, to attend Phillips-Andover Academy, which is one of the most prestigious prep schools in the world. And why not? His take on education? "It's vital. Without an education you're not going to be able to get a good job and not be able to support your family, and at that point you become just another number, and that's what this program (B.O.Y.D.) emphasizes, as well as education. It's shifting your paradigm." Moments later he responded to Freedom's question by saying "Don't let peers and what everyone else says about you make you feel less about yourself, feel like you're less capable because what this program has taught me is that with the right exposure, the right education and the right village to raise a child, the playing field can be level."
Mekhi's spirit was infectious. He talked about how attending a black male symposium opened his eyes to a world of great achievements by black men. He talked about how "common sense isn't really common sense -- it's what you learn from it". He talked about the achievement gap between white society and black society and how upset he was by having to learn from schoolbooks that were published in 1994, whereas white kids learn new things in new books published in 2012. "My book didn't even have the latest president -- the first black presdent," he said. "We're learning stuff that happened a while ago, but I want to learn about new stuff. Every year it's like we're repeating. The school system is very particular toward race. I think it's unfair." He talked about the pressure of growing up in Trenton. These days if a kid beats you up in school, your first reaction is to come back the next day and kill him because everyone will make fun of you if you don't. "Why can't you program yourself to walk away?" Mekhi said. "I don't like to fight. I stay my ground, do my schoolwork then go home and relax." He wants to be in front of the group, not in back, a leader, not a follower, and thanks to the New Jersey Seeds Program he's headed to a new school next year that will push his mind to greater heights. "Hopefully I'll get those new schoolbooks," he said with a laugh. Freedom asked Mekhi what he wants to be when he grows up. "I want to be an engineer or forensic scientist," he said. "But for now I want to pass the 7th grade. That's my goal." Great kid, as is Elijah. Great futures.
There was Dawn and Daniel Applegate. Daniel, 9, has Evans Syndrome, just one of 350 or so in the United States (about 1,000 worldwide) with the affliction, and I'll write more about him and the family's plight during the next week. Daniel is sponsoring a Tricky Tray Sweepstakes fundraiser July 14 at the Bordentown Elks. Proceeds will help find a cure for Evans Syndrome.
So, about that makeup ... there was Myrtha Nadine Jasmin touting her cosmetics line. She appeared on the Tyrone Miller Show last Tuesday to talk up her product. I don't know makeup from Adam, but Nadege Cosmetics seems like the real deal. Myrtha said she has spent 2 years developing the lipsticks and eyeliners and shadows and foundation and glosses while mapping out her business plan and short- and long-term goals. She took Freedom to task when he suggested Trenton females, especially Trenton's black females, cake themselves in makeup by 1) disagreeing with his statement and 2) explaining why the application of makeup with more than necessary during certain times of the month. It's actually the first time anyone has thrown something back in Freedom's face, which was nice to see. Anyway, back to the Trenton Makes World Takes in relation to cosmetics queens ... could Myrtha Nadine Jasmin become the first Trenton woman to market a cosmetics line on a global scale? Help us find out and we'll give you all of the things in the picture.
Here are some photos, and below them the episode:
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| Joe and Freedom |
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| Joe and Freedom 2 |
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| Elijah Aladin and Freedom |
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| Elijah and Freedom 2 |
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| Packed green room |
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| Mekhi and Freedom |
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| Mekhi and Freedom 2 |
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| Daniel, Daniel and Freedom |
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| Myrtha and Freedom |
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| Myrtha and Freedom 2 |
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Trentonian TV Production Notes: Words2Action Episode 7
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| Ken and Kellie |
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| Girl diamonds and boy diamond |
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| Tay Walker |
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| FP, Hunter, Robin & Kellie |
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| Baseball and the Trenton girl |
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| FP watching Ken and the Trenton girl |
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| FP and the catcher |
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| FP and the A's guy |
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| FP, and the pitch ... |
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| Robin Parker the funny esquire |
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| Chicks |
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| FP and the A's pitcher |
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| Kellie thinks something is funny |
And here is the 55-minute episode, the last one ever produced at Trentonian TV:
Trentonian TV Production Notes: A Gentleman Interviews Gentlemen
TRENTON -- I believe this is the second occurrence of tier 3 community engagement because L.A. Parker interviewed city activist Freedom Green, then Freedom became a Trentonian TV host and interviewed 30th Gentlemen's Ball Chairman Jun King Walker, and based on that interview last week Walker was asked to host for this 83-minute special. I'd love nothing more for the one of today's guests to take on a show to become the first tier 4 guy.
Minus a few set difficulties -- like when the chair Gerald Truehart used kept sinking -- the show by and large played out the way I wanted it to. Jun's a cool cat with Barry White depths to his voice, and he facilitated the conversations well. He interviewed class of '84 honoree and Trenton School Board member Gerald Truehart and Gerald Truehart III (a Gentleman and the son of a Gentleman) before letting father interview son, who is a senior at the Solebury School in New Hope, Bucks County. He is headed to Morehouse College to major in anthropology. Jun interviewed '05 honoree Jerell Blakeley, the "Most Likely to Succeed" Trenton High whiz who graduated from Howard University and is studying to earn his Master's in education at Rutgers. Two weeks ago, Jerell was named one of six Eagleton Fellowship recipients. Jerell's going to be the mayor of Trenton is 10 to 12 years, maybe sooner. Jun said he teases Jerell for being so serious all the time, and I got a strong dose of that seriousness during a 15-minute chat before everyone else arrived, when we talked about the merits of Tony Mack and Doug Palmer. I think people of influence will help smooth out Jerell's rough edges during the next few years, but by all means the kid is going to run this town. He might be governor of New Jersey in 15 to 20 years. He's crazy for politics -- his political perspective runs back to Tamany Hall 100 years ago, and even beyond. He's a super-intelligent kid with opinions, and he isn't afraid to espouse them, although I took him to task in the middle of his chat with Jun when I wote something on the back of a cue card after he ripped The Trentonian for showing black people in a negative light all the time while never showing black people in a positive light. Never, huh?
A couple of Ewing High Gentlemen from the class of '12 -- Stormin' Norman Hamilton and Anthony Logan -- shared some nice moments with Jun, as did class of 2001 Gentleman James Edwards, who graduated from South Hunterdon High then West Virginia Wesleyan College. The final Gentleman was Steven Cooke, class of '89. He graduated Hamilton High and Elizabeth City State University, and he's been the emcee at the Gentleman's Ball for several years. He and Jun displayed their terrific rapport, especially when I pulled up photos of Jun's Gentleman's Ball in '84. Jun softened up while talking about the picture of him and former Trenton mayor Art Holland, and when he described the picture of him with Gentlemen's Ball creators John Couch Sr., Paul Pintella Sr. and Edith Savage-Jennings.
I think Jun can carry his own show, and I hope he accepts Trentonian TV's invitation to do so, and then I hope one of his guests one day becomes a tier 5 person. And so on and so on.
Here are some photos from the broadcast, and below them is the 83-minute episode, which was the 73rd production in Trentonian TV history.
Minus a few set difficulties -- like when the chair Gerald Truehart used kept sinking -- the show by and large played out the way I wanted it to. Jun's a cool cat with Barry White depths to his voice, and he facilitated the conversations well. He interviewed class of '84 honoree and Trenton School Board member Gerald Truehart and Gerald Truehart III (a Gentleman and the son of a Gentleman) before letting father interview son, who is a senior at the Solebury School in New Hope, Bucks County. He is headed to Morehouse College to major in anthropology. Jun interviewed '05 honoree Jerell Blakeley, the "Most Likely to Succeed" Trenton High whiz who graduated from Howard University and is studying to earn his Master's in education at Rutgers. Two weeks ago, Jerell was named one of six Eagleton Fellowship recipients. Jerell's going to be the mayor of Trenton is 10 to 12 years, maybe sooner. Jun said he teases Jerell for being so serious all the time, and I got a strong dose of that seriousness during a 15-minute chat before everyone else arrived, when we talked about the merits of Tony Mack and Doug Palmer. I think people of influence will help smooth out Jerell's rough edges during the next few years, but by all means the kid is going to run this town. He might be governor of New Jersey in 15 to 20 years. He's crazy for politics -- his political perspective runs back to Tamany Hall 100 years ago, and even beyond. He's a super-intelligent kid with opinions, and he isn't afraid to espouse them, although I took him to task in the middle of his chat with Jun when I wote something on the back of a cue card after he ripped The Trentonian for showing black people in a negative light all the time while never showing black people in a positive light. Never, huh?
A couple of Ewing High Gentlemen from the class of '12 -- Stormin' Norman Hamilton and Anthony Logan -- shared some nice moments with Jun, as did class of 2001 Gentleman James Edwards, who graduated from South Hunterdon High then West Virginia Wesleyan College. The final Gentleman was Steven Cooke, class of '89. He graduated Hamilton High and Elizabeth City State University, and he's been the emcee at the Gentleman's Ball for several years. He and Jun displayed their terrific rapport, especially when I pulled up photos of Jun's Gentleman's Ball in '84. Jun softened up while talking about the picture of him and former Trenton mayor Art Holland, and when he described the picture of him with Gentlemen's Ball creators John Couch Sr., Paul Pintella Sr. and Edith Savage-Jennings.
I think Jun can carry his own show, and I hope he accepts Trentonian TV's invitation to do so, and then I hope one of his guests one day becomes a tier 5 person. And so on and so on.
Here are some photos from the broadcast, and below them is the 83-minute episode, which was the 73rd production in Trentonian TV history.
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| Jun King Walker (right) with fellow '84 Gentleman Gerald Truehart |
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| Jerell Blakeley, Norman Hamilton and Anthony Logan Jr. |
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| Jerell reading "Now or Never" while waiting his turn |
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| The Gentleman of a Gentleman: Gerald III (right) and pop |
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| James Edwards is a comedian who performs often in North Philly |
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| Jerell Blakely: He even sits like a politician |
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| Stormin' Norman! |
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| Anthony "I Don't Snap the Other Elbow" Logan Jr. |
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| Jun King and Steve Cooke |
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| Jun talking about his moment with Art Holland |
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| Steve, Jun and Hunter S. Thompson |
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| Jun in '84 with Savage-Jennings (l) and John Couch Sr. (r) |
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Trentonian TV and El Latino TV en Vivo!
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| Dr. Tamiko Smith (left) became the first tier 3 community engagement host |
TRENTON -- 87.
That's the number of productions we've done on Trentonian TV and El Latino TV en Vivo! -- my little Internet TV stations that could. Eight talk shows (69 episodes) and 18 single episodes comprise those 87 productions, which have been a range of serious discussion and debate to the silliness of picking the Greatest Bar in Greater Trenton to a Pickleback Party to a smoke-filled interview inside NJWeedman's Weedmobile to a prosecutor's live press conferences to announce the capture of 4 killers.
Trentonian columunist L.A. Parker leads the pack with 15 episodes of the "L.A. Parker Show" although El Latino TV en Vivo! Carlos Avila has hosted 15 episodes of "En Contacto Con la Comunidad". Awesome. But Executive Producer Joey Kulkin (that's me) said Trentonian TV truly took flight when he got members of the community to host issue-driven talk shows. Before we continue, "executive director" at Trentonian TV or El Latino TV en Vivo is tantamount to the guy in the circus with a shovel who follows elephants and scoops up their shit. In the grand scheme of things here at Trentonian TV and El Latino TV en Vivo! I'm a nobody except the guy who makes sure the shows run on time, hits a few buttons and takes pictures of women's shoes and their earrings and necklaces; one day soon I'm going to have a contest where you decide which woman wore the sexiest pair of shoes on either Trentonian TV or El Latino TV en Vivo! Or, the best shoes from Trentonian TV vs. the best shoes from El Latino TV en Vivo!. Anyway, back to the point where one might think I take the role of executive producer seriously. Trust me, I don't. I'm a schmuck of the highest order, a real putz, some might say a douchebag. I really am. I've lost my patience some days, while on other days I've farked up shows so badly that the live broadcast didn't record; or, if it did record, I screwed up or deleted the show during post-production. Two of L.A.'s shows -- maybe even 3 -- broadcast live but there is no proof of their existence because of my incompetence. I've bumbled, fumbled, stumbled through other shows, too, which don't appear in the replay loop; and when that happens I lose my lust for life. The last thing I ever want to do is ruin someone else's production. That all said, I've learned a few things by failing often, and I'd say Trentonian TV and El Latino TV en Vivo! are on a terrific little roll these days because I have put lessons into motion. You can count our successes on an abacus. Abacus? Sorry, I saw that word in my Twitter stream the other night. Don't know who tweeted it, but it's a funny word. It's one of those words we're not supposed to use anymore, I think. Abacus. But I digress. Actually, I think I need an abacus to count all of the talk show episodes: L.A. (15), Freedom (13), Tyrone (9), Words2Action (6), The Weekend Dish with Hilary Morris and Kirsten Yard (6 or 7, maybe 8), Makin' Moves with Phil Jackson (3) and All That Good Stuff (2). Also, it should be noted, community partnering took place when Trenton's Exit 7A Productions produced 4 of L.A.'s shows. Meanwhile, Trentonian TV Producer Joe D'Aquila ran the dials beautifully when I was on vacation. I've learned a ton of Livestream/Procaster stuff from D'Aquila.
So anyway, getting back on point here ... Trentonian TV has become one of The Trentonian's great community engagement stories. Darren Freedom Green was a guest on L.A.'s show, and I loved how he stood his ground against L.A.'s stringent line of questioning, so I asked Freedom to host his own show -- and he's 13 episodes into "Freedom". That's the first tier of community engagement. The second tier took place when Freedom began inviting movers and shakers in Trenton, showing he understood the importance of what constitutes quality conversation, not cockamamie look-at-me! blowhards. His guest list has featured Cameron Hunt, Toby Sanders, Tracey Syphax, Bruce Boyd, Fareed Stokes, Alysia Welch-Chester, Jim Golden, Nancy Dent, Bill McLaughlin, Baye Kemit, Roland Pott, Ernie Doggett, Earl Sanders, Corey Thomas, Rachel Barlow, Duncan Harrison, Red Locs, Nichole Townes, and oh, by the way, 6 of the 7 Trenton City Council members: Phyllis Holly-Ward, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Marge Caldwell-Wilson, George Muschal, Alex Bethea, Zach Chester. The only one who continues to run away from his requests is President Kathy McBride. You're the second black woman ever to hold the Trenton City Council president's gavel, and you won't come to talk about the city's most pressing issues and how you have handled them? Pathetic. But oh, when you send 50 girls to an WNBA game in Newark, you use a third party to backchannel your requests to us because you want some coverage in the print edition. But I digress. Freedom has grown so much in his role as talk show host. He still has miles to go, and he knows some of the things that bother me in terms of the way he delivers questions and looks at his guests with a hook-eye, other times with a scowling eye as if he wants to skin whomever is speaking then throw them in a pot and cook them. Other times Freedom repeats the same thing about "making Trenton better, not bitter" and "the reason we're here is to educate" and yadda yadda. Yeah, we know that, buddy. Write down a few new lines. After 13 excellent episodes, it's time to up your game. Show us that you can learn a little something from our post-production meetings.
There have been at least 7 shows with 2 episodes each. Some of the shows have gone on hiatus. I put them on hiatus. "Makin' Moves with Phil Jackson" recorded 3 episodes at the Trentonian TV studio, but I took a break from Phil for a few weeks. Only this week did he email to say he'd record an episode and send me the final product to put into the Trentonian TV replay loop. And that's the way it's going to start being around here. I can produce several shows a week, but I doubt I can take on new shows. If you have an idea for Trentonian TV, hey, by all means, make the show, upload it to YouTube, get me the embed code, and I'll slide it into the rotation. See, that's the whole other aspect of community engagement -- we'll open our doors, let you use our equipment, and all you have to do is hit the start button, do your thing and hit the stop button. We'll post-produce it and run it on Trentonian TV. It's that easy. The reason I am staying with the L.A. Parker Show and Freedom and the Tyrone Miller Show and Words2Action and En Contacto Con la Comunidad is because those are my babies. I've invested a ton of time in them.
Speaking of Tyrone Miller ... his show is my favorite. I know I shouldn't have a favorite, like parents shouldn't have a favorite child. But I do. That's not a knock on L.A. or Freedom or Carlos or the Dish girls or Phil Jackson or Dr. Ken Gordon. But the Tyrone Miller Show shines for two reasons: 1) it's another example of community engagement. Tyrone is just a random dude from the community. But he shows initiative. He's hungry. He's an entertainer. So one day he called to ask if he could do a show, then he set up a meeting, then we talked, and I got a good vibe. Sure, it helped that he appeared on TV shows and comedy stages and helped write songs with Sugar Ray. Tyrone understands the camera, and the camera loves Tyrone's energy. Indeed, "his energy" is the other reason I love producing the Tyrone Miller Show. The guy is funny, quirky, funny and quirky, a great combination. He puts his arm around a guest's shoulders and makes him or her feel relaxed, secure, at home, like a friend from around the way. He makes his guests feel loved. On top of which, Tyrone has learned that the show isn't just ME-ME-ME! And his reactions to the little things are priceless, like when he hears the terms "neophyte" or "water bath" ... those reactions are right in my wheelhouse of comedy, and it's why I enjoy his brand of Trentonian TV. His first two episodes began with motivational monologues that I liked. Oh, the messages were as old as Abraham's farts, but there's something about the way Tyrone inflects his voice that pushes his points across. A co-worker didn't like those monologues quite as much. At some point Tyrone began to understand that the monologue was out place, so he ditched it, I think after the episode from inside Thomasena's Takeout. I believe the last 4 or 5 episodes have been about the guests, the whole guests and nothing but the guests.
Speaking of Dr. Ken Gordon, he is another example of Tier 2 community engagement. He appeared on L.A.'s show, and it took about 5 seconds for me to realize I wanted the president of the Southern Burlington County NAACP to host a show. Gordon shocked the shit out of me the day he showed up six weeks later for Episode 1 on April 15 -- or Jackie Robinson Day. And yes, he planned it that way. But what shocked the shit out of me was the production team he had assembled for his show. No messing around. See, Gordon is a mover and shaker. He has won every election he has run in, and you can bet your tookis he'll run for mayor, then governor, then President of the United States. Let's just hope he doesn't kill me first. Two of the first 4 episodes of "Words2Action" did not record, and Ken and I were on the precipice of parting ways. He's a perfectionist, and he plans each show with great diligence, great vision, so I understood why he was pissed off -- even though he said he was unhappy. Pissed off ... unhappy ... somewhere betwixt ... we were having production problems. The first screw-up wasn't my fault. We shot on location from Willingboro the day the city renamed a street after Dr. Martin Luther King. It rained cats and porcupines, and way down there in the country the Internet connection sucked. And that sucked because the first guest that day was Carl Lewis. Carl. Effing. Lewis. And we have barely any recorded material to show for it. Oh, we have about 7 minutes worth of stuff, but there's no way I'm running that in the replay loop. It was far too important of a conversation to have bits and pieces stitched togehter. Gordon said he'd reschedule Carl. Also on that episode was Jesse Epps, who was in MLK's Memphis motel room minutes before the reverend was shot dead on the balcony. But nothing recorded as the rain continued to pour. Episode 4 did not record either even thought it the live broadcast took place in the conference room at Trentonian TV. That's when Gordon sent an email full of emotions. I sent an email back. He returned volley. As did I. It really felt like we were about to break up. But we hashed through a few things, found common ground, agreed that I would produce the show in my comfort zone, and because of that the last 2 episodes have been awesome, including Episode 6 -- which became the latest success story at Trentonian TV because it turned into Tier 3 of Trentonian TV. L.A. Parker interviewed Dr. Gordon, who then got his own show, and because he had to go out of town last Sunday, Gordon tabbed Dr. Tamiko Smith to fill in. Dr. Tamiko Smith was the first guest on Episode 1 of Words2Action, so now we have a Trentonian TV guest who became a host who then got one of his guests to be a host. That's some Inception-like shit right there. Or something. Bottom line is this: Trentonian TV and Dr. Tamiko Smith are in talks to develop her own show. And you know damn well I'm going to push for one of her guests to get a show, which would be tier 4 of community engagement.
And that's the point of Trentonian TV: become teammates with the community.
Damn, I've rambled for far too long. But I do have a reason. I'm wasting time till 2 o'clock, when a former Mercer County Gentleman shows up so I can tape a 3-minute segment for tomorrow morning's live broadcast of Trentonian TV Presents: A Gentleman Interviews Gentlemen. OK, maybe I need a better title than that. Whatever. But it's going to be great, another Trentonian TV Special. Others have included interviews with Trenton rapper Big Ooh and Trenton High grad and author Will Foskey and American Ninja Warrior Chris Wilczewski and former Major Leaguer Billy Ripken and Trenton High senior Raamiah Bethea, who became Trenton High's first New Jersey wrestling champion, and Trenton entrepreneur Tracy Syphax and the Ewing High boys basketball team hours before the Devils won the state title and paralyzed Hamiltonian Jessica Rogers days after a crushing defeat ... and Trentonian TV was right there, live, when the final pizza emerged from the oven at DeLorenzo's Tomato Pies in Chambersburg. Tears and laughter and mozzarella-driven memories flowed inside that joint. To be honest, it's my favorite single-episode moment and probably will be for a while -- though I expect emotions when class of '84 Gentleman Jun King Walker interviews some of Mercer County's finest Gentlemen.
Between Trentonian TV and El Latino TV en Vivo! the 100th production will take place soon. Don't know how we'll celebrate. Got ideas? Email jkulkin@trentonian. It's simple to watch Trentonian TV. Just go to Trentonian.com and look for this graphic on the right side:
That's the number of productions we've done on Trentonian TV and El Latino TV en Vivo! -- my little Internet TV stations that could. Eight talk shows (69 episodes) and 18 single episodes comprise those 87 productions, which have been a range of serious discussion and debate to the silliness of picking the Greatest Bar in Greater Trenton to a Pickleback Party to a smoke-filled interview inside NJWeedman's Weedmobile to a prosecutor's live press conferences to announce the capture of 4 killers.
Trentonian columunist L.A. Parker leads the pack with 15 episodes of the "L.A. Parker Show" although El Latino TV en Vivo! Carlos Avila has hosted 15 episodes of "En Contacto Con la Comunidad". Awesome. But Executive Producer Joey Kulkin (that's me) said Trentonian TV truly took flight when he got members of the community to host issue-driven talk shows. Before we continue, "executive director" at Trentonian TV or El Latino TV en Vivo is tantamount to the guy in the circus with a shovel who follows elephants and scoops up their shit. In the grand scheme of things here at Trentonian TV and El Latino TV en Vivo! I'm a nobody except the guy who makes sure the shows run on time, hits a few buttons and takes pictures of women's shoes and their earrings and necklaces; one day soon I'm going to have a contest where you decide which woman wore the sexiest pair of shoes on either Trentonian TV or El Latino TV en Vivo! Or, the best shoes from Trentonian TV vs. the best shoes from El Latino TV en Vivo!. Anyway, back to the point where one might think I take the role of executive producer seriously. Trust me, I don't. I'm a schmuck of the highest order, a real putz, some might say a douchebag. I really am. I've lost my patience some days, while on other days I've farked up shows so badly that the live broadcast didn't record; or, if it did record, I screwed up or deleted the show during post-production. Two of L.A.'s shows -- maybe even 3 -- broadcast live but there is no proof of their existence because of my incompetence. I've bumbled, fumbled, stumbled through other shows, too, which don't appear in the replay loop; and when that happens I lose my lust for life. The last thing I ever want to do is ruin someone else's production. That all said, I've learned a few things by failing often, and I'd say Trentonian TV and El Latino TV en Vivo! are on a terrific little roll these days because I have put lessons into motion. You can count our successes on an abacus. Abacus? Sorry, I saw that word in my Twitter stream the other night. Don't know who tweeted it, but it's a funny word. It's one of those words we're not supposed to use anymore, I think. Abacus. But I digress. Actually, I think I need an abacus to count all of the talk show episodes: L.A. (15), Freedom (13), Tyrone (9), Words2Action (6), The Weekend Dish with Hilary Morris and Kirsten Yard (6 or 7, maybe 8), Makin' Moves with Phil Jackson (3) and All That Good Stuff (2). Also, it should be noted, community partnering took place when Trenton's Exit 7A Productions produced 4 of L.A.'s shows. Meanwhile, Trentonian TV Producer Joe D'Aquila ran the dials beautifully when I was on vacation. I've learned a ton of Livestream/Procaster stuff from D'Aquila.
So anyway, getting back on point here ... Trentonian TV has become one of The Trentonian's great community engagement stories. Darren Freedom Green was a guest on L.A.'s show, and I loved how he stood his ground against L.A.'s stringent line of questioning, so I asked Freedom to host his own show -- and he's 13 episodes into "Freedom". That's the first tier of community engagement. The second tier took place when Freedom began inviting movers and shakers in Trenton, showing he understood the importance of what constitutes quality conversation, not cockamamie look-at-me! blowhards. His guest list has featured Cameron Hunt, Toby Sanders, Tracey Syphax, Bruce Boyd, Fareed Stokes, Alysia Welch-Chester, Jim Golden, Nancy Dent, Bill McLaughlin, Baye Kemit, Roland Pott, Ernie Doggett, Earl Sanders, Corey Thomas, Rachel Barlow, Duncan Harrison, Red Locs, Nichole Townes, and oh, by the way, 6 of the 7 Trenton City Council members: Phyllis Holly-Ward, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Marge Caldwell-Wilson, George Muschal, Alex Bethea, Zach Chester. The only one who continues to run away from his requests is President Kathy McBride. You're the second black woman ever to hold the Trenton City Council president's gavel, and you won't come to talk about the city's most pressing issues and how you have handled them? Pathetic. But oh, when you send 50 girls to an WNBA game in Newark, you use a third party to backchannel your requests to us because you want some coverage in the print edition. But I digress. Freedom has grown so much in his role as talk show host. He still has miles to go, and he knows some of the things that bother me in terms of the way he delivers questions and looks at his guests with a hook-eye, other times with a scowling eye as if he wants to skin whomever is speaking then throw them in a pot and cook them. Other times Freedom repeats the same thing about "making Trenton better, not bitter" and "the reason we're here is to educate" and yadda yadda. Yeah, we know that, buddy. Write down a few new lines. After 13 excellent episodes, it's time to up your game. Show us that you can learn a little something from our post-production meetings.
There have been at least 7 shows with 2 episodes each. Some of the shows have gone on hiatus. I put them on hiatus. "Makin' Moves with Phil Jackson" recorded 3 episodes at the Trentonian TV studio, but I took a break from Phil for a few weeks. Only this week did he email to say he'd record an episode and send me the final product to put into the Trentonian TV replay loop. And that's the way it's going to start being around here. I can produce several shows a week, but I doubt I can take on new shows. If you have an idea for Trentonian TV, hey, by all means, make the show, upload it to YouTube, get me the embed code, and I'll slide it into the rotation. See, that's the whole other aspect of community engagement -- we'll open our doors, let you use our equipment, and all you have to do is hit the start button, do your thing and hit the stop button. We'll post-produce it and run it on Trentonian TV. It's that easy. The reason I am staying with the L.A. Parker Show and Freedom and the Tyrone Miller Show and Words2Action and En Contacto Con la Comunidad is because those are my babies. I've invested a ton of time in them.
Speaking of Tyrone Miller ... his show is my favorite. I know I shouldn't have a favorite, like parents shouldn't have a favorite child. But I do. That's not a knock on L.A. or Freedom or Carlos or the Dish girls or Phil Jackson or Dr. Ken Gordon. But the Tyrone Miller Show shines for two reasons: 1) it's another example of community engagement. Tyrone is just a random dude from the community. But he shows initiative. He's hungry. He's an entertainer. So one day he called to ask if he could do a show, then he set up a meeting, then we talked, and I got a good vibe. Sure, it helped that he appeared on TV shows and comedy stages and helped write songs with Sugar Ray. Tyrone understands the camera, and the camera loves Tyrone's energy. Indeed, "his energy" is the other reason I love producing the Tyrone Miller Show. The guy is funny, quirky, funny and quirky, a great combination. He puts his arm around a guest's shoulders and makes him or her feel relaxed, secure, at home, like a friend from around the way. He makes his guests feel loved. On top of which, Tyrone has learned that the show isn't just ME-ME-ME! And his reactions to the little things are priceless, like when he hears the terms "neophyte" or "water bath" ... those reactions are right in my wheelhouse of comedy, and it's why I enjoy his brand of Trentonian TV. His first two episodes began with motivational monologues that I liked. Oh, the messages were as old as Abraham's farts, but there's something about the way Tyrone inflects his voice that pushes his points across. A co-worker didn't like those monologues quite as much. At some point Tyrone began to understand that the monologue was out place, so he ditched it, I think after the episode from inside Thomasena's Takeout. I believe the last 4 or 5 episodes have been about the guests, the whole guests and nothing but the guests.
Speaking of Dr. Ken Gordon, he is another example of Tier 2 community engagement. He appeared on L.A.'s show, and it took about 5 seconds for me to realize I wanted the president of the Southern Burlington County NAACP to host a show. Gordon shocked the shit out of me the day he showed up six weeks later for Episode 1 on April 15 -- or Jackie Robinson Day. And yes, he planned it that way. But what shocked the shit out of me was the production team he had assembled for his show. No messing around. See, Gordon is a mover and shaker. He has won every election he has run in, and you can bet your tookis he'll run for mayor, then governor, then President of the United States. Let's just hope he doesn't kill me first. Two of the first 4 episodes of "Words2Action" did not record, and Ken and I were on the precipice of parting ways. He's a perfectionist, and he plans each show with great diligence, great vision, so I understood why he was pissed off -- even though he said he was unhappy. Pissed off ... unhappy ... somewhere betwixt ... we were having production problems. The first screw-up wasn't my fault. We shot on location from Willingboro the day the city renamed a street after Dr. Martin Luther King. It rained cats and porcupines, and way down there in the country the Internet connection sucked. And that sucked because the first guest that day was Carl Lewis. Carl. Effing. Lewis. And we have barely any recorded material to show for it. Oh, we have about 7 minutes worth of stuff, but there's no way I'm running that in the replay loop. It was far too important of a conversation to have bits and pieces stitched togehter. Gordon said he'd reschedule Carl. Also on that episode was Jesse Epps, who was in MLK's Memphis motel room minutes before the reverend was shot dead on the balcony. But nothing recorded as the rain continued to pour. Episode 4 did not record either even thought it the live broadcast took place in the conference room at Trentonian TV. That's when Gordon sent an email full of emotions. I sent an email back. He returned volley. As did I. It really felt like we were about to break up. But we hashed through a few things, found common ground, agreed that I would produce the show in my comfort zone, and because of that the last 2 episodes have been awesome, including Episode 6 -- which became the latest success story at Trentonian TV because it turned into Tier 3 of Trentonian TV. L.A. Parker interviewed Dr. Gordon, who then got his own show, and because he had to go out of town last Sunday, Gordon tabbed Dr. Tamiko Smith to fill in. Dr. Tamiko Smith was the first guest on Episode 1 of Words2Action, so now we have a Trentonian TV guest who became a host who then got one of his guests to be a host. That's some Inception-like shit right there. Or something. Bottom line is this: Trentonian TV and Dr. Tamiko Smith are in talks to develop her own show. And you know damn well I'm going to push for one of her guests to get a show, which would be tier 4 of community engagement.
And that's the point of Trentonian TV: become teammates with the community.
Damn, I've rambled for far too long. But I do have a reason. I'm wasting time till 2 o'clock, when a former Mercer County Gentleman shows up so I can tape a 3-minute segment for tomorrow morning's live broadcast of Trentonian TV Presents: A Gentleman Interviews Gentlemen. OK, maybe I need a better title than that. Whatever. But it's going to be great, another Trentonian TV Special. Others have included interviews with Trenton rapper Big Ooh and Trenton High grad and author Will Foskey and American Ninja Warrior Chris Wilczewski and former Major Leaguer Billy Ripken and Trenton High senior Raamiah Bethea, who became Trenton High's first New Jersey wrestling champion, and Trenton entrepreneur Tracy Syphax and the Ewing High boys basketball team hours before the Devils won the state title and paralyzed Hamiltonian Jessica Rogers days after a crushing defeat ... and Trentonian TV was right there, live, when the final pizza emerged from the oven at DeLorenzo's Tomato Pies in Chambersburg. Tears and laughter and mozzarella-driven memories flowed inside that joint. To be honest, it's my favorite single-episode moment and probably will be for a while -- though I expect emotions when class of '84 Gentleman Jun King Walker interviews some of Mercer County's finest Gentlemen.
Between Trentonian TV and El Latino TV en Vivo! the 100th production will take place soon. Don't know how we'll celebrate. Got ideas? Email jkulkin@trentonian. It's simple to watch Trentonian TV. Just go to Trentonian.com and look for this graphic on the right side:
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