Ernie's World

A little roadtrip

2010-04-10T12:31:00.001-05:00

Well in texas you can go far in just a few hours. Left my home yesterday in the afternoon and had dinner on the riverwalk in San Antonio!

Jackson had to play for a chorus compitition in SA on saturday morning _ so we figured lets just go up a day early and have some fun.

Everything was nice, but scary thing - my fav thing so far was stopping at Buc-ees... LOL i got a 56 ounce soda and some fresh roasted cashews... plus a good number of samples of fudge. We are stopping on our way back!

In SA we saw the alamo, stayed at the historic Menger Hotel (a fav of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders?, walked the River Walk, eat at The County Line BBQ place, and visited The Bonham Exchange (have to wonder what that building was in it's hey day)... a lot for just a couple of hours. Buy then again - i did do Paris in just one day once ;-)

Now it is saturday and we are back on the move - headed back to houston (i have an event tonight for MD Anderson & Cancer Research)...

Oh my only 33 miles till we get to Buc-ees... got to prepare myself... more later...

I'm still here!

2010-02-04T14:09:00.001-06:00

I just saw they stopped my BLOG due to inactivity - well I am here to get active again!

Keep watching for updates coming soon!

The Passing of an Icon - Walter Cronkite

2009-07-18T17:06:00.004-05:00

You know as people get older the end will eventually come, but some how it still takes us a by surprise.

Yesterday, News Icon Walter Cronkite passed away - I was fortunate enough to have known him briefly and to have had him champion my career. One of his kindest gestures toward me was a letter he sent to my station after our first interview.

People have asked me about what he wrote and such - but I figure the best way to share it with those of you interested is to simply post it here...

So sad to see him leave us - but so thankful for the legacy he left behind!

_____________________________________________________

WALTER CRONKITE
XX West 52nd Street
Suite XXXX
New York, NY 10019

Phone: (212) XXX-XXXX
Fax: (212) XXX-XXXX

January 18, 1999

Houston Public Television
KUHT - Channel 8
4513 Cullen Boulevard
Houston, TX 77004

Dear Channel 8:

Thank you for the opportunity to share stories of my life and book, “A Reporters Life”, on your program, WEEKNIGHT EDITION.

I had been looking forward to meeting and being interviewed by Host, Ernie Manouse -- an experience my daughter, Kathy, had previously enjoyed. He proved to be a gifted and extremely talented interviewer, with an understanding of my life and stories that lead to a very human and heartfelt interview.

Well into the book tour, he was the first to ask me about the whispering Jackie Kennedy story. I was surprised that others hadn’t asked, but Ernie was prepared and ready, realizing the visual impact that particular story would have for his viewers. His intellect, charm and charisma make for television that is informative and entertaining.

I was so impressed by this young man that after the interview I told my escort that Ernie was among the best interviewers I have ever experienced. Based on his ability, I believe his future success is assured.

It is always a delight for me to spend time with the current generation of journalists, and especially rewarding to meet one, such as Ernie. In the course of conducting a superb interview, he conveys his talent, humor, intelligence, compassion, understanding and wit.

Again, it was a pleasure. I look forward to the opportunity for a future conversation with Ernie.

Sincerely,

Walter Cronkite

FoE Newsletter - Feb 2008 - Free Movie Passes!

2008-02-13T00:14:00.001-06:00

(Click Image to Enlarge)

Ernie's Oscar Specail!

2008-02-10T22:06:00.000-06:00

(Click Image to enlarge)

Falling off the wagon... Back with Films

2008-01-11T23:29:00.000-06:00

LOL - only a couple of posts and I am already falling behind! But I am working hard not to fail you... so here I am - writing SOMETHING!

We had a great turn out for the free movie screening of "There Will Be Blood" - so many folks we had to turn a couple hundred away... Sorry about that - but we warned you - ya had to turn up early! We will do this again next month (I hope) - so remember this and get your passes and show up early!

Talking about film - I am a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (we give out the Critics Choice Award on VH1)... and this year I had to vote - pick my favorites - actor, actress, comedy, best film - all those categories... Made me actually have to sit and think about it - decide in order my favorites... Still not sure I got them absolutely right - but I'll share with you my top favorites...

Diving Bell & the Butterfly

La Vie En Rose

3:10 to Yuma

Sweeney Todd

(to name but a few...)

So - what were your favorite films this year?
Did you see my picks? What did you think of those??

Come - lets here from you folks!

TONIGHT - FREE MOVIE SCREENING - "There Will Be Blood"

2008-01-09T12:20:00.000-06:00

SCREENING IN HOUSTON, TX

Click on the image below to enlarge and read the details - and then visit my web site for your free pass!

YOU HAVE TO GO TO ERNIEONTV.COM to get your real pass!!!!
(you can not just print this blog page - it will not get you in!)

So, how is that for a blog entry - Free movie passes!!!

But before I go for today - anyone surprised with the results from New Hampshire? Has your opinion of candidates changed or been redefined by all that has been going on? Just curious - I love this stuff!

A new start!

2008-01-08T11:11:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone!

New year, New Start!

Starting today - I am going to try and post everyday - maybe not the most in depth reports - but I will keep you up to date and filled in and maybe make you smile, or even on the rare occasion, touch your heart!

Last night was the Critics Choice Awards (which I vote in as a member for the Broadcast Film Critics Association), but you wouldn't know it 'cause Hillary cried!

Yep - biggest story of the night and she didn't even really shed a single tear!

So what did you think? were you moved, were you touched? Did you believe it, or was it just for show?

Comment and let me know what you think...

Friends of Ernie - November Newsletter

2007-11-07T12:47:00.000-06:00

Here ya go - still catching up...
Click on the image to enlarge and read...

Remember - you can sign up to receive the
"Friends of Ernie" Newsletter at ErnieOnTV.com

Friends of Ernie - October Newsletter

2007-11-07T12:42:00.000-06:00

I am trying to catch up - here is the "Friends of Ernie" October Newsletter.
Click on the image to enlarge and read...

It's About Time! - My trip to Upstate NY (Pt 1)

2007-11-04T21:54:00.000-06:00

Well well well - at long last I blog again!

LOL - I have neglected you all... But I'm back!

SO much - but ya really don't want to read about all of it - "The Last 24" was a hit and played to great reviews and audience reaction - it even re-aired at the end of October - and again - folks loved it - I am so proud - the whole team did a great job.

Then we ramped right up again and got things in place to launch the 5th season of InnerVIEWS, which started on Nov 1st, 2007 - we even got a great write up in the Houston Chronicle (check it out on ErnieOnTV.com - under the "Press" tab). But I wasn't even in Houston to see the launch... I was back in NY...

A few weeks back I found out my Mom was going to have to have surgery on November 2nd, so I made plans to head home to the city I was raised in - Binghamton, NY... I hadn't been there in years - so it was going to be an adventure...

So here are some photos I have been taking (I am blogging from Binghamton right now!):

(Here is the House I grew up in - it was hit hard during the flooding that swept the north east during 2006 - the house has been empty for over a year, so it is looking a little sad - a home gets a strange feeling when it thinks it has been abandoned)

(this was our back staircase where the water flowed in from - filling up the ground floor of the house with over 5 feet of water, mud and slug - in the process crumbling the stairs... these will have to be rebuilt - one of about two dozen projects still waiting to be completed before my Mom can move back into the house)

(Here is the family room since re-construction - it is strange to see it this way - the stairs used to be enclosed, the cabinets had doors and the room was surrounded by thick hard wood knotty pine siding - you just don't see siding like that anymore...)

(a look at our neighborhood from the front porch - still looks very much like when I was a kid - scary!)

(This is my favorite house in Binghamton - happens to be only about 3 blocks from our house. Called "The MacArthur Mansion" - my elementary school was also called MacArthur - coincidence? I don't think so - LOL. BTW: when I was in 8th grade, this house went on the market for the huge sum of $250,000 - how times have changed!)

{Thats all for now, Part 2 - coming soon}

Friends of Ernie Newsletter - Sept 2007

2007-09-08T08:50:00.001-05:00

Click image to enlarge and read...

White Trash Blue Collar Dinner

2007-09-01T13:52:00.000-05:00

All I can say is yummie! A night of all the food that is unhealthy but fun to eat! And who doesn't like a theme party! 9 friends, crazy clothes, and imaginative cusine, and you have a White Trash Dinner Party... Yep we did it and we had fun... Food consisted of: Fried Chicken, Meat Loaf, Mac & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, French Fires & Onion Rings, Collard Greens, Cheese Puffs, Banana Pudding, bologna Sandwiches, and even cold Hot Dog wrapped in Twinkies - those took some getting used too! (and I don't think any of us got used to them...) And to wash it al down - a full assortment of Boones Farm & Mad Dog 20/20!

Wanna see some pics?

Later tonight - my Birthday Party... Update to follow soon!

Ernie is Busy Hosting Around Houston

2007-08-21T17:35:00.000-05:00

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Tammy Faye Memorial (From Her Web Site)

2007-07-23T01:53:00.000-05:00

The Life and Times of Tammy Faye

2007-07-22T00:48:00.000-05:00

By now I'm sure you all have heard - Tammy Faye Bakker Messner has passed on... The news saddens me and makes me think back on this remarkable woman. I won't get into the whole PTL Scandal - We all could debate that for days. No, at this time I would like to introduce you to the Tammy Faye that I knew.

I grew up familiar with religious TV - I wouldn't call me a fan - but when I would visit my grandmother in Chicago in the summers - it was always on. My Grandmother was a very pious woman and she was also well rounded when it came to her religion. She watched them all - didn't agree with them all, but watched them... And sticking out in the mix was the one that caught my eye - The PTL Club (A.K.A The Jim & Tammy Show) - it was amazing to see - they held nothing back... If they were having a fight - it was right there on TV, if Tammy was depressed - you could see a shopping bag or two peeking out from her hiding places on the set - oh yeah the set - think Johnny Carson with a touch of a Mexican hacienda. Oh, but that over-made-up, full of life character that cried when she was touched (yep - not just when she was sad, or even happy - but just when the emotions were strong - the tears would flow) - I was transfixed...

Later in life I served as the call screener for the very popular Chicago radio program "Sex Talk" & "The Phyllis Levy Show" - I was working the night one listener called in to let us know Tammy Faye had had a break down in an airplane flying to get help from a medical clinic on the west coast... I was fascinated - what was going on... As we all now know - that was the beginning of the PTL Scandal... I followed the whole event - bought every grocery store tabloid that had anything about any of the characters in it - you could say obsessed... I had a viewing party at my apartment the night they aired "Fall From Grace: The Jim & Tammy Faye Bakker story" - I lined the hall way to my apartment door with the clippings from those tabloids.

Eventually - while doing my annual Christmas specials on my radio show "CROSSTALK" - I came up with the bright idea to have Tammy Faye read the story of Baby Jesus - she was not popular at this point - actually she was even keeping a low public profile... She had recently divorced Jim and had just married Roe Messner. I made contact through a lawyer of theirs and Tammy agreed to record the piece for us - under once condition - I send her the script! (the Chicago Sun Times wrote of this incident, "Hint to Tammy, it's in the bible!") Tammy did the message (and did it wonderfully) and faxed me a note afterwards telling me it was the best version she had ever read (I like to think of it as "The Gospel According to Ernie"...) Around that time - I even ran into Tammy on the Michigan Avenue in Chicago - I was walking down the street, and coming toward me was this well dressed couple, I noticed a woman and then looked to the man - he looked familiar, and after a split second I realized it was Roe Messner (who's face was familiar to me from his and Tammy's wedding picture that hung over my desk - clipped from "The Globe Magazine") - so I quickly looked back at the woman he was with - starting at the feet an panning up - high heeled black leather boots, black skirt hanging a touch below a plush black fur coat, and as my gaze continued upward I encountered that face! And even though Tammy had told me on numerous occasions, "My make up really doesn't look that heavy in real life" it was unmistakably the heavily made up face of Tammy Faye - the eyes sparkled, the lips parted in an easy relaxed smile - I had to stop them and say hello - pleasant as could be!

Over the years she would appear via phone on my radio programs - one time, from the hospital the day after her first cancer surgery, "Tammy, we could reschedule at another time"
"Don't be silly, I promised you I would do this today - and anyway, where else am I going to go?"

She was always a joy to talk with - and always so upfront an honest in answering any inquiry...
"Did you watch the TV movie 'Fall From Grace'?"
"Nope"
"Oh you had to be curious"
"I said I didn't watch it - I didn't say I didn't tell all my friends to watch it and report back to me on how it was!" she said with her signature laughter

Years later in Houston, I was asked to fill in on a morning radio show when the host Dayna Steele was going to be on vacation. I asked Tammy to co-host that morning with me (again via phone) - she was with us the whole two hours - of course, every time she would be interviewed PTL would come up - and every time she would answer to help those just hearing the story for the first time understand it as she did. She never got angry about having to answer about it again - she understood.

One time the conversation held this nugget...
"Ernie, we should do a new TV show together"
"I love the idea - the Tammy Faye and Ernie Show"
"No honey, the Ernie & Tammy Faye Show"
"But Tammy - you are the famous one..."
"Nope, you are the man - your name goes first!"
I guess you could say she was old fashion!

When her most recent book ("I Will Survive") came out, we were going to have her on my show InnerVIEWS, but two days before the taping we got a call from her agent telling us she was now going to have to be in LA that day and we would have to reschedule. That important appointment in LA turned out to be the start of the series "The Surreal Life" so I didn't mind.

Well, that rescheduled interview never came to pass - Tammy never made it back in to Houston for the interview. But, like in the past - I followed all her moves, watched her on TV, and visited her web site.

The one question you might still be asking yourself is why? What was it about this tiny, larger then life character that captivate me for so long? All I can say to that is this...

She lived her life for real! And she lived what she preached! Now you might not have always agreed with her beliefs, but she did and she stood by them - and when she was wrong, she said it and owned up to it - and when she thought she hadn't, she defended what she believed. She never turned her back on God or her beloved Jesus Christ no matter how hard it all got - and when she asked for something, it wasn't for her, but for her children, or others she knew. She suffered the insults and jokes thrown at her, and publicly laughed right along with us. She embraced those who were outcasts of society and truly practiced the teaching of her savior.

Yes, she might have been at the heart of one of the biggest religious money scandals of our time - but when she walked forth from that event, she didn't just walk the walk and talk the talk - she honestly lived it and shared it with all of those she met.

None of us are perfect - but few of us have worked as hard as Tammy Faye to spread love and forgiveness to everyone she encountered and to anyone who could hear her voice!

Tammy Faye - you will be missed!

Hairspray, Italian Beef, & Late Night Catechism

2007-07-18T19:20:00.000-05:00

Where do I begin...

One year ago I visited Chicago - I came home with 50lbs of Chicago foods for friends and family - yep - Pizza, Candy, Potato Chips, and Italian Beef!!! Italian beef, for those of you who don't know what they are - think thinner sliced French Dip with hot peppers - and they are Yummy!!!

Well imagine my surprise, on the way back from the airport, I passed a new restaurant storefront at 1777 Airline Drive - called..."Chicago Italian Beef!!!" - I was so excited - but they were not open yet... so I waited... and waited... and waited - month after month - the promise of Italian beef so close... but they seemed to never open... It got close a few times - the sign would be lit up around midnight - but nope - they were just working...

A month ago - I was promised they would open "any day now" - I waited... some more... Today they opened - One Year Later!!!

I would have made a couple changes to the sandwich - I would skip the grilled onions and peppers and replace them with just the giardiniera, a spicy pickled mix of chopped vegetables (which they have available on the self serve island). But all that said - it was great! And it came with fries at no extra cost! So if ya wanna enjoy a little taste of "The Windy City" in Houston this summer visit:

Chicago Italian Beef
1777 Airline Dr.
___________________________________________________

Next up... LATE NITE CATECHISM

Another Chicago Import is invading Houston this summer - the original comedy from Live Bait Theatre. I saw the show YEARS ago when it was first playing - it was a hit, but I was less then impressed - everyone said it was a blast, but I was far from entertained... An actress dressed as a nun sitting at a big wooden desk at the front of the small theater instructing us in catechism lessons - I was BORED and not amused...

Now STAGES Theatre in Houston has decided to produce the show for their summer offering - so again I was less then thrilled to return to see this show... But, since lately I have missed so many of the offerings from this fine local theatre, I made sure to see this show - and guess what... It was a BLAST!

The biggest difference I can remember is the fact that this time the Sister moves around and the audience seemed much more involved... The result - the show WAS fun and funny!

It was more of a stand up/improve show than I remembered it and I laughed continuously from start to finish - and due to the nature of the show - each performance will be somewhat different, so I'll go back!

I guess that says a whole lot about this production - it is hard enough to present a comedy to an audience that isn't familiar with it, and get them to enjoy it - but if you can take a show that someone doesn't like, and then make them enjoy it so much they would come back - that is truly an accomplishment - and STAGES pulls it off...

So get a group of friends together and enjoy a cool night at a red hot show

STAGES THEATRE presents
LATE NITE CATECHISM
3201 Allen Parkway
Through September 30, 2007
_______________________________________________

And one more warm surprise - the film "Hairspray"

I liked the original John Waters movie (I preferred "Cry Baby" - but that is another story), but I loved the musical - I have seen it a bunch of times - mostly 'cause I love the show, but also 'cause a friend of mine (Dale Calandra) understudied the role of Edna... So I went into the film worried they would loose all the frantic joy of the stage show - which greatly improved on the story of the original film, and added fun songs and more dancing, plus heart and at the same time sweetness...

The TV ads have scared me - the colors were just too bold, the performers just seems... stiff maybe? Well again - I was wrong!

This is just the feel good film of the summer - every chubby girl will wanna go, every gay boy will too, actually anyone who has ever felt different, an outcast, all alone... I guess I should say EVERYONE will want to see this film - the message is wonderful, all about acceptance and equality - and the musical numbers feel real and fresh - not at all forced. The only weak spot would be John Travolta, and mostly for the strange accent the actor choose to use - no one else has an accent in the film - it just was an odd choice to me, and slowed down his ability to spit out his comic lines with he speed needed to make them work best.

But other than that - the film was just a joy and by the end, I even started to be OK with Travolta's Edna...

So take the family and have a blast of "HAIRSPRAY"

The Circus of Dreams?

2007-07-13T11:04:00.000-05:00

Ringling Brothers is back in town - this time with the circus re-imagined (or so the ads tell us) - it is now "The Circus of Dreams" - and all I can say is, if this is a dream WAKE ME UP!

I love the circus - yep - I am one of those folks who just can't get enough of it... My Dad always took us to "that side of town" when the old "Clyde Beatty/Cole Brothers Circus" came to Binghamton, NY (where I grew up). There was the "Parade of the Elephants" to the field to set up the big Red and White tent. There of course was the freaky side show with the electric man and the bed of nails and the tattooed Lady, World's Smallest and World's Tallest Men, on and on... And then the show in the big top - the spectacle, the flash, the pretty woman dressed in feathers and sequins perched high above - it was magical!!!

Years later we continued to go - be it Ringling Bros in our local arena, or Circus Vargas behind downtown, or any number of traveling shows that were chased closely behind by PETA... But the magic of the circus lived within me - My brother and I even had our own traveling show (from the basement to the backyard mind you) - "Manouse & Manouse brothers Circus" - oh we had some amazing acts: "Professor Glasses," "Swami the Lami," and my brother on the "Low Wire"(a tight wire act done on the dog's rope laid across the ground), even a clown - we always had to have a clown...

Why just last year, I got up at 5:30am on a Saturday, loaded up the car with coffee and donuts and drove to Clear Lake to watch Carson & Barnes Circus set up their tent - with the help of an elephant!!! The show was great fun and the day will be a memory I will cherish - I mean really - how many more opportunities will I have to see a Circus tent erected with the help of an elephant - a dying art I tell you - dying!

So when our good friend Kathy asked if we wanted to go see the new Ringling Bros "Circus of Dreams" on opening day here in Houston (also her birthday), how could I say NO! But, maybe I should have!

Some things need to just stay as they are - respect tradition - a cat is a cat, trying to make it more like a dog doesn't make it a dog, but now it is no longer a great cat either. With the on slot of Cirque du Soleil redefining Circus, Ringling is trying everything (well actually Kenneth Feld) to keep this traveling show fresh and "modern" - but I think he has lost a lot of what I so loved about the show... and don't think I am just jaded - the 6 year old boy sitting next to me turned, tapped me on my arm and said "This is the most boring circus I have ever seen" - and I would have to agree...

Gone were the three rings, gone was the spectacle, gone was the excitement, as each act seemed more like they were trying out for "America's Got Talent" then being showcased at "The Greatest Show on Earth!"

And not all of the fault is on Feld, a lot has to go to the fall of the soviet empire - the endless suppliers of classic circus acts - now we still have Mexico and South America, and of course Asia to supply us with aerialists and tumblers - but I think something is being lost in this old world art as our new world spreads cross the globe.

I'm not sure how much the tickets actually are - but I can tell you this - they are too much! Save your money on this edition of RB&BB Circus and go find a smaller, more amazing traveling show - and wait for the next "re-invention" of "The Greatest Show on Earth" - and maybe next time they will just let a cat be a cat, and it will be the best, most talent cat we have ever seen!

Friends of Ernie Newsletter - July 2007

2007-07-02T13:01:00.001-05:00

Click to Enlarge and read

ERNIE'S NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

2007-07-02T00:07:00.000-05:00

It's summer time, and that means the Houston Museum of Natural Science is hosting "Mixers, Elixirs & Imax" every Friday night (for more info... www.hmns.org) - so the gang suited up for our night at the museum...

A lot of folks turn out - Friday when we were there attendance was just over 900... And even thought it is a cash bar - you do get to see a free IMAX film and the best part you get to dance under the dinos to live music... and I think, just maybe the stuffed animals on the second floor come alive during the party... here's the proof..

Toddicus taking flight with the birds...

...and about to be bit on his hinney

Paul and a lion fighting over a Zebra leg

Jordan wondering the Serengeti at dusk

Toddicus, Paul and a Zebra running from a Lion

And here is one for those of you who don't believe in Evolution...

I think we have made our point!

...oohps, Paul farted!

Jackson shares his cocktail with another friendly Zebra

All in all it was a fun night - why even Paul and Jordan had a little too much to drink...

(Staged photo - they were sober the whole time...)

Long Time - No Post - Hope this helps...

2007-07-01T01:20:00.000-05:00

Howdy everyone...

Sorry it has been so long - so much going on - this will be a mostly picture blog - with more detail and thoughts to come later - but let me simply say - life has continued at a rapid pace and shows little sign of slowing down anytime soon... But I will let the pictures lead me this time... Now where did we leave off...

WOW - I haven't really chatted with you all since early May... Got the part in the animated series "Le Chevalier D'Eon"

I do the english voice of "Guercy"

He is the French ambassador to England, who is a bit of a drunkard, and his loyalty appears to go to whomever is the highest bidder at the time. I am in episodes 13, 14, & 15 (to be released) - wish I could have found a better picture - but looking at this pic, I'm sure you can figure out how they picked me - LOL - one big ol mouth that can get one into trouble - but he is too smart for that... ;-)

In between all the work we have been doing on my new Doc "The Last 24" (read my producer's blog here), I have been out and about... also had some camera troubles - but I'm back in operation...

There was Kenneth Gayle's concert at Unity Church... He was wonderful as always!

A going away party for a dear friend Todd (here with Jackson and I)

We will miss you Todd!

I got a new crew of interns - and they are just wonderful - I love these kids... Here are a few of them (I have 6 in total this summer)

Read more about them and everything going on in the "World of Ernie" at the new web site they have just set up for me at www.ernieontv.com

Then there was the Southwest Houston Rotary Dinner I was asked to MC

(Nan Wagoner and me at the Podium)
The event was held at Houston's Magic Castle - I had a blast!!!

And what would June be without PRIDE...
This year in - in addition to MCing the parade, I was asked to be one of the Judge's for PRIDE IDOL

I got to be the Simon of the group - LOL - I even got booed!

Houston's DIVA Drag Queen Kofi even performed at the final competition on Parade Day at the Festival

I made some great friends and had a blast - and all before the parade even began! He we are after the festival waiting for the Parade to begin (in Houston our Parade is a night time event - and the rain cleared up giving me my 9th year as MC a dry weather evening - thank you!!!)

(L to R - Fellow Idol Judge - Joey (Houston Chronicle Music Critic), Me, Jim (NBC Anchor Man from Beaumont, TX), Kelly (Graphic Artist from Dallas), Jackson & his son Paul, Toddicus (Idol MC and popular Host at Houston's Guava Lamp)

THEN the parade hit the street! 107 entries, over 2 hours...

(sorry the pic is so bad - but I was busy MCing - LOL)

So this is just a little taste of what has been going on... More to come - but Now I need to go to bed!

'till next time...

Ernie's Houston Pride Plans - Join Me!

2007-06-23T00:29:00.001-05:00

The End of "The Sopranos"

2007-06-10T23:21:00.000-05:00

So what do I say????

What the F*CK - LOL - Nothing happened - no big finish!!!! OK - so you can say loose ends were tied up a little and a future seemed to fall into place... but I wanted fireworks! One of the kids killed! Carmella wacked!!! Tony shot down Godfather style in an italian eatery... but no - we got one of those modern TV ambiguous endings... I'd have preferred a Moldavian massacre, even a shower dream scene...

We can spend forever trying to figure out what happened next - did Tony get wacked, etc etc... But truth be told - this is fiction, so where they stopped is where it ended - no more, no less... all of them stoped existing the moment the screen went black - and they will remain on pause until either the show surprisingly comes back, or the rumored movie starts to shoot - but for us at home, gathered around the TV screen on this humid Sunday night - the Sopranos stopped at 9:03pm and where they stopped is where they ended... not in a flash of TV glory, or even in a moment of true surprise - but in just a moment, an instant when they just simply stopped...

But getting there was fun!

Friends of Ernie June Newsletter

2007-06-04T11:46:00.001-05:00

(Click on image above to enlarge and read)

2007-05-08T22:58:00.000-05:00

Please take my blog reader survey!

2007-05-03T02:44:00.000-05:00

Sorry I have been so slow in updating - I have been working hard on our new documentary special "The Last 24" - we are midway through the 24 hour shoot at this point and everyone else has gone to sleep, so I had a few minutes to post - and then off to bed I go!

You can read all about our experiences on my "The Last 24" Blog.

IN addition to working on this show - My friend Steven Foster with ADVFilms had been after me to come in an audition to do a voice on a new animated series he is working on - so I got a few minutes before we started shooting today to swing by and give a sample of my self for two different characters...

Things seemed to go well and instead of deciding if I get to do this show, he is going to have to figure out which character I am going to do! So I guess I got it - LOL I have done almost a dozen different amine films so far and it is always a blast to work with Steven and his engineer Adam (who I think at times is the reason I get called in to start with!)

OK - it's late - peek over on "The Last 24" - and when we get done shooting, I'll have a little more time to blog with all of you... And remember, let me know you are out there by leaving your comments below!

;-)

"Forever Young", Paula Deen, Debbie Reynolds, Robert Goulet & Austin Miller (Again)

2007-04-29T15:52:00.000-05:00

Theatre Under The Stars took a good chunk of my week this week… Tuesday was the Tommy Tune Awards, and then on Friday we had the TUTS Gala "Forever Young" Honoring Founder and Artistic Director Frank Young on his 40 years of success! But before we get to that – I actually had to do some work between gala events!

We are deep in preproduction on our new documentary for HoustonPBS called "The Last 24" focusing on the last 24 hours before Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre premiers their newest production – so we worked through the script and planned what we are going to capture on the reality special. The 24 hours we will be focused on will go from Wednesday, May 2^nd at 7:30pm to Thursday, May 3^rd at 7:30pm and the opening curtain of DWDT's "Made in Italy" at the Hobby Center in Houston. You can follow our progress on my other blog "The Last 24"

My station is asking me to keep an online blog about the process on out Web Site (houstonpbs.org) but I don't think they have activated it yet – but I'll let ya know… So we also went to meet with Dominic at his studio on Thursday to go over some of the logistics – we are trying not to interfere with what they are doing – so it is a challenge…

On Friday, my other show "InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse" took my focus during work hours. Currently, nation-wide, season IV is airing (check with your local PBS station to see if we are airing in your area – we are currently on 82 stations across the country), but we are already well into shooting Season V (which will start airing in the fall). So Friday, we taped a new episode with the Queen of Southern Cooking, Paula Deen.

Ms. Deen has just published an auto-biography and was visiting Houston for a speaking engagement and Book signing – so we interviewed her during her stay at the Four Season Hotel – in the main dinning room's kitchen – isn't that just perfect for her! She was a bit late for the interview, which had us all a little stressed since I had an event that night I needed to get too – the Forever Young Celebration – but when she showed up – she just glowed – and she had the bluest eyes! We were about to begin, and then we had a technical problem with our audio batteries – so we had to wait till that was fixed… and then we began… and then Ms Deen started having a coughing fit – so we had to keep stopping… Then she had to place a call to her room to have her husband bring down her cough syrup – Finally things were moving again and we got the interview done.

Ms Deen, even though was in a huge hurry at this point, had agreed to help us out with a new feature we are just starting – a question after the interview that will be shown as a web only feature when you visit our site (www.HoustonPBS.org/InnerVIEWS) and will be included on the DVD's (Yes, DVD's of all our past episodes of "InnerVIEWS…" are becoming available – just contact us at InnerVIEWS@HoustonPBS.org for more information – they are only $19.95 each) – you will be able to get all this information once we get our new InnerVIEWS web site up and running – again, I will let you know when that happens.

Ms Deen was off and running and we followed shortly to get me back to the station and then home for a quick change of clothes and off to the Hobby Center for the TUTS Gala!

WHAT A NIGHT!

TUTS knows how to stage a musical and an awards show, but a Gala Review is always a tricky thing – but this year they pulled it off brilliantly!!!

It started with cocktails on the stage, and then the beautifully dressed crowd was moved to the audience and the show started. Our Chairs welcomed us and then a video of Frank's life was shown – Very Entertaining!!! And then some amazing performers – including Austin Miller (still visiting since the Tommy Tune Awards on Tuesday Night). He is just a wonderful stage performer – so much talent and still so early in his career, yet he has done so much – I am proud to know him.

And then there is that moment you hear of – when a performer takes the stage – and you just know she/he is a star!!! I can't explain what it is that they have, or why they connect the way they do – but when it happens, you just sense it – and we had one of those moments when the first of two high schools took the stage to do a number from "Thoroughly Modern Millie." I don't know her name (but I will find it our) – but she was AMAZING – I can only imagine that this might have been the way the audience felt the first time Liz Minnelli took the stage – something just happens – and it is magic… If you know who she is - please comment below!

But what is a TUTS event with Out Star Power – and they had that too… first up Robert Goulet (who has worked with Frank a number of times and did Camelot tours with TUTS)

And then the evening got the biggest surprise and gift – Debbie Reynolds!

She was so enjoyable to watch – again I go back to what I wrote earlier about "Star Quality" – just as well as you can see it in a fresh new face who comes out of no where to surprise, it can also be sensed when someone takes the stage and is comfortable in knowing that this is where they belong!

You wished she would have just kept going – you wanted to see her whole act – and even if her voice was not pitch perfect (which even she acknowledged from the stage with the line "It might not be good , but it was loud!"), she left you wanting more…

It is great to see a master at their craft allow you to witness what they do so well!

And if you think it was all song and dance – next up was a couple who can get a standing ovation by just entering the room, President George and Mrs. Barbara Bush (41), supporters of Theatre Under The Stars.

They were on hand to congratulate Frank and award him the American Musical Theatre Award for lifetime achievement. It was magical for Frank, who came up to accept.

No one had told him what the evening was going to hold – so he was expecting a roast – LOL – and that was what he prepared for in his speech – LOL… he read a little of it, but then had to discard the remainder of his remarks, since they were now inappropriate (even if still funny).

Next up was dinner and dancing and believe it or not – people stayed and danced. Funny thing, at these events – even if people have paid thousands of dollars for tickets, they are usually searching for an exit by the time dinner is over – not this time! Dinner was delicious (catered by City Kitchens) and music was provided by Yvonne Washington.

Jackson and I had a fun table, then wandered a bit and chatted with some of our friends that were there – and even got a little time to hang with Austin and his sister.

They had to leave some what early since Austin was going to be in a parade the next morning, and at this point it had been a long day for me too so off we all went…

As I left what rang in my ear was Frank talking to me before dinner… "I don't know what some people think – I'm not retiring, I have a lot of work to still get done! This was not a retirement party!!!" , to which I have to wonder – what on earth do they have planed for when he finally does, how could you out do this event!? It was Magic!

The Tommy Tune Awards, Austin Miller, Jerry Bock & Will Makar

2007-04-29T12:13:00.000-05:00

Just because I'm back home, you would think the events and star-sighting would end… but wrong you are… Before I catch you up to all that has been going on, I am worried I am losing the "Something extra" that made this blog worth reading, and fun… Should this blog be about the people, places and things that I experience; or should it be deeper? Well, we shall see how it develops – but for the time being I think it will be a mix of thoughts, reminiscences, friends and various reviews!

With all of that said – lets go back to Tuesday night – and I must say it is one of my favorite nights of the year to spend in the theatre. It is Houston's annual "Tommy Tune Awards" – presented by "Theatre Under The Stars" to the best in High School theatre in the Houstonland area. The awards started 5 years ago as a way to encourage schools to put focus back on their performing arts curriculum and extra-curricular activities. The idea being that a lot of attention is put on sports, and that sports teams can come home with an award (trophy) and it can be put on display and becomes a sense of pride for the school – why not achieve the same thing with a theatrical award for excellence with in that area. So with the work of a lot of dedicated individuals, TUTS, scores of Judges and interested schools – the Tommy Tunes Awards was born. I was lucky enough to have presented at the first ceremony and have been asked back to present the first award of the evening every years since.

It is always a blast to hang out backstage with my friends and fellow presenters – and it is always exciting to see which of us are there… this year, the true sprit behind these awards, Jim Bernhardt, MCed as always, plus Houston Ballet's Stanton Welsh, STAGES' Kenn McLaughlin, Main Street Theatre's Becky Udden, Houston Symphony's Matthew VanBesien, ABC-13's Don Nelson and a couple of big surprises: Jerry Bock (Composer of "Fiddler on the Roof")

And a new friend of mine, Austin Miller (from TV's "Grease! You're The One That I Want")

I actually met Austin online – I knew of him from a touring production of "Hairspray" that had a good friend of mine, Dale Calandra, in the company (understudying the role of Edna) – so when I saw Austin on the TV show and then found him on MySpace, I dropped him a line. Well we started chatting and then I found out he was from right outside of Houston – still has family there, and he had attended TUTS theatre training program "The Humphreys School of Musical Theatre" when he was younger. We started talking about The Tommy Tunes and the upcoming Gala (more about that in a later blog), and he said he was already planning on coming to the Gala, but was still trying to figure out if he could get in early enough to attend both…

Well, Tuesday night arrives – Austin is shooting a pilot on the east coast and the plan is as soon as he finishes, he is going to catch a plane and fly to Houston, get picked up and brought to the theatre in just enough time to present… So fingers are crossed as we hope all will go well… I was asked stand by incase he doesn't make it in time (like the kids figure "Austin Miller" or Ernie Manouse – no difference – PLEASE, these kids would be so bummed to get me instead of Austin!!!! LOL, but I have been assured, "they don't even know he is coming so they wont be THAT disappointed" – that made me feel better ;-)) But crisis averted – Austin makes it (it was a rush day for him the whole day – but he really wanted to do this to give back to the kids and his old training ground). And they were so happy to have him there!

The Awards were a success and I even ran into another of my friends, American Idol's Will Makar, who is in High School himself! But that kid has a whole lot of talent and I expect you will be hearing a whole lot from him in the future.

The evening wrapped up by midnight – with a wonderful late night reception for presenters, judges and supporters – the winners had to go home to get to bed – it was a school night ya know ;-)

Back Home... Houston

2007-04-22T23:38:00.000-05:00

So Friday we flew back to Houston (Leaving NYC after a slight delay...) and landed at 7:10pm - which was cutting it close for us - since we needed to be at the theatre by 8pm. My brother met us - drove us back to my place. We simply threw our luggage into my car and drove right off - and we got to the theatre just in time at 8pm. So why all this rushing?

A local theatre group (Unhinged Production) was doing Terrence McNally's Corpus Christi - and it was closing this weekend. Through MySpace I had been invited to come see the show and they really hoped I would see this production. So I figured if all went as planned we could make it - and I am happy it worked!

It started a little rough - it's not the easiest play, and the opening scene has the actors "playing" themselves - in monologues to the audience. But once the characters were set and the story go going (a modern retelling of the story of Jesus - with a healthy does of controversy mixed in) I was pulled in.

It was good to see, since I have just interviewed McNally for next season on "InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse" (it will air fall 2007) - and we did talk about this show and the death threats and protests this show attracted.

We were exhausted by the time it was over so I headed home and unpacked and cuddled with the cat - Amber missed me ;-)

But rest was not long lived - the next morning I had to be up and off to the Bellaire/Southwest Houston Rotary 2nd annual Fish Fry - which I was MCing - it was a blast... The crowd was on the small side, but everyone seemed to have a great time.

There were The Fab Five for your musical enjoyment...

Dancing with the Stars competition...

And my favorite - the Pie eating contest...

Plus food, auction items, and even a clown!

Home again for a brief rest and clean up and then off to our friend Barry's Birthday at Maria Selma.

I have decided I am not a big fan of this restaurant - I was not really impressed with the meal, nor were those siting around me - but the thing we all had in common was that we each had a pork dish - those who didn't seemed to enjoy their food more - so I guess you know what not to order should you go...

After the party, we needed to stop at Houston's famed candy stores "The Chocolate Bar" & "Candylicious"

The Chocolate Bar was still open and dessert there is always wonderful, but the ice cream is to die for - so rich and filling (a lot less air in their Ice Cream then most commercial brands - but that is why it is so filling - it is very dense).

And that ended our day back in Houston...

Sunday was my day of rest - I had a few events I was supposed to go to - but I just needed a little down time, cause next week is gunna be busy... Come on back as see what happens next...

Radio City, Ground Zero & Barbara Taylor Bradford

2007-04-22T22:19:00.000-05:00

And so it all begins to come to an end... We have just finished our last full day in NYC. Tomorrow we leave at 1:15pm for the airport and then back to Houston... But today was a day that seemed to have it all!

We started by heading over to Radio City Music Hall (just down the block from our hotel) - and catch the Radio City Tour.

It was fun - but not sure it was worth the $17.00 ticket price - we saw the Lobby, the auditorium, the hydraulics under the stage, Roxy's apartment up above the Hall (that was cool) and met a Rockette...

After that we needed to eat - so we went back to 46th St. to a fine tasting (and nicely priced - $16.95) India Lunch Buffet at Utsav India Restaurant

Time was passing quickly and there was still so much more to do... First we visited Trinity Church on Wall Street

And then it was time to do something I have been meaning to do for the last 6 years, but never did... We visited "Ground Zero"

You hear a lot about that place - and it is truly a moving experience - simply the silence, right there in the heart of Lower Manhattan - the people come here to respect those lost and they are quiet and respectful. Even today, all these years later, it is still hard to hold back the tears. One worker pointed out to us the only part of the World Trade Center still standing - "Survivors' Staircase"

These steps used to be know as the Vesey Street Staircase, and aided hundreds of survivors in escaping the burning buildings on September 11th, 2001. Now this staircase is at the center of a controversy all it's own. Some want it removed, others want it broken up and embedded in the new structure, but preservationists would like it protected, moved and then returned when the new WTC complex is completed, as close to the original sight as possible - so its profound meaning can be preserved for future generations. (Read more about "Survivors' Staircase" here)

Then it was time to head back uptown for a Choral Evensong service at Saint Thomas Church on Fifth Ave at 53rd St.

The Service consists of the singing of the Church's resident Men's and Boys Choir. It is a beautiful way to experience a church service.

And finally a quick stop back at our hotel to change and then off to Dinner at one of New York's place to see and be seen - 21 Club.

What makes this so special - beside enjoying a wonderful meal at a famed restaurant, is it was a meal shared with dear friends. Just as I started this whole adventure to come to NYC to see my friend Nana Mouskouri, we wrapped up the trip by visiting with another dear friend, who I met years ago, thanks to my career in broadcasting.

Back in the early 90's, while doing the radio show "Crosstalk with Ernie Manouse" for WLUW - 88.7FM, I had the opportunity to interview one of the most successful authors of our time, Barbara Taylor Bradford. All 22 of her books have been best-sellers (with her first still probably her most notable "A Woman of Substance"). I enjoyed her humor and warmth and we just clicked. More books were published, and so with each new one, we would interview again. A friendship grew, one that continues to this day. In some ways, she is even responsible for my getting into TV - she wrote a letter of reference on my behalf when I was applying to HoustonPBS...

So when she and her husband Bob heard Jackson and I would be visiting the city,they invited us to join them for dinner.

And what a fun and enjoyable dinner it was. Not only can BTB write a moving novel, she can tell a wickedly funny story - and she had us entertained all night with stories of her and Bob's adventures and friends. Barbara is deep in the middle of writing the second book in her new saga of the Ravenscar Dynasty, which has a quickly approaching deadline - but you could never tell she was short on time - she looked wonderful and relaxed and made us feel like we were the only thing in the world that mattered this evening. So after a delicious meal (and a tasty dessert) we all said our goodbyes - took a couple of pics (just for those of you who read this blog) and promised to see each other again soon.

(Sorry about the blurry - kind of looks like a special effect we planned, doesn't it...)

And so another day, our last day in NYC, comes to an end. As I write this - I am all ready packed (I hate waiting for the last minute to do that) and as the time closes in on 3am, I must say good night...

Tomorrow we return to Houston, and we will be home again...

I am hoping that this blog finds you happy and healthy, and I will post again soon... (Hey did you notice, this posting now has hyper links! Enjoy!!!)

...And still taking... Manhattan that is!

2007-04-22T21:57:00.000-05:00

Well Wednesday is over - and here is a quick update...

The day started out wanting to see a Broadway show... but what to go see??? So off to Time Square and see what's hot!

At TKTS we got a pair of tickets to see "Inherit the Wind" - but we had a couple of hours - and then a star sighting happened!

The Naked Cowboy!!!

Front View

And The Other Side

And then lunch at "Juniors" - it was yummy, but the cheese cake was to die for!

Then show time -

Two stars - one show! Both Dennehy & Plummer were excellent - I hear there have been some bad reviews, but it held my interest and was a joy to simply watch these men work effortlessly...

But after the show - we were hungry for another show - this time something a little more fun and musical... so off again to TKTS and this time we got a pair of Legally Blonde tickets for just $49.50 - SWEET!

And then we were off to see my dear friend Deborah Hope - who used to live in Houston, but now lives in Manhattan and works at the Essex House...

Yep - that is Deborah actually working...

We then got a quick drink with her and did a little catching up but then it was show time - so off we went again to the theatre...

OK - this was a fun and not totally pulled together show with a ton of energizing dance numbers - in total a little clunky, but in its defense, this was a preview performance (show opens April 24th) - but the dance numbers were fun, the set and costumes colorful and the cast wonderful - just the book needs some work and a few numbers don't perfectly work - I will be curious to see what changes are made by Opening Night!

Then a late night dinner at La Marais on 46th St.

And a peaceful walk back to our hotel at Rockefeller Center

Now off to sleep - Tomorrow promises to be a busy day ;-)

Ernie takes Manhattan

2007-04-22T21:48:00.000-05:00

Hello again...

OK I promise this will be much shorter then the last blog... and only a little Nana talk ;-)

We made it to NYC!!!!

First up was heading over to Birdland to see Victoria Shaw (pop/country songwriter responsible for over 65 million CD sales, who wrote one of Garth's biggest hits of all-time, "The River," and also wrote "I Love The Way You Love Me" for John Michael Montgomery and "Nobody Wants To Be Lonely" for Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera). She was in concert with Richie MacDonald (of Lonestar) and Gary Burr.

And that was followed by our main reason for going on Monday night - Jim Caruso's Cast Party!

It's an open mic show that brings out some of Broadways best and brightest in a fun filled evening that anyone would enjoy! From an 80 year old tap dancer to a young chorus boy who sang amazingly like Audra McDonald (and yes I have video of both - I'll post later...)

Tuesday, we started off with lunch at "Prime Burger" - food was good, but what really caught my attention was the single person "Booths" - yep - you read that right... Wait, here is a picture...

So retro and fun - I guess Sarah Jessica Parker was filmed there for the Oprah Show...

Then a lot of running around and record shopping (I got two new CDs from a pair of Cabaret classics - Karen Akers' "Like It Was" & the amazing Eartha Kitt's "Live from the Cafe Carlyle") - and then we searched out a Carvel's Ice Cream and enjoyed eating our cones as we listened to the USO mobile Canteen...

And then we visited St. Mary the Virgin (the Church, not the lady...) I'll post some pics from that later too...

Then it was time to change and head to Lincoln Center - we took the Subway - Ooooooooh - LOL - I get so turned around in NYC's subway system - Chicago's makes so much more sense to me!

Then... Nana Mouskouri in Concert!!!! She was in great voice and the show was amazing, warm and (OK, I'll stop here - I promised...) ...

Here is the sold out crowd...

And the Diva getting some love from the crowd...

(I know - not supposed to take pics in the hall - but took one quick - didn't even have time to focus...)

And then of course, hanging in the dressing rooms after the show!

Then we walked back through the city - just enjoying the sights and sounds of NYC...

I wonder what adventures await us next...

Nana Mouskouri - A Long Story

2007-04-22T21:24:00.000-05:00

Good Morning - It is Monday, April 16th and we are at Hobby Airport, waiting to head off to NYC for the week... If you don't know - BAD weather in New York - a "Nor'easter" is hitting the east coast and flights are being cancelled or greatly delayed - well it was worse yesterday and those folks really had it bad - we are just being mildly inconvenienced. Our flight was scheduled for 10:30 am - and now we are told an update would be coming at 11:30pm (just heard a rumor we are not leaving till 2pm - we will see...) Thing that really bugs me is that we were checking the flight status up until we left for the airport and everyone said it was still on time - even thought CNN was saying things were delayed!!! Then when we got here and checked in, the one computer posted "Delayed", but the main Departure Board said "On Time" - you would figure that once a call is made to delay - all systems would be updated, but nope... Oh well - lets not stay in this mode... Lets talk happy thoughts...

Why NY, Why now? The answer in a word - "Nana!" Now the answer in a whole lot more... Nana Mouskouri is one of the biggest selling recording artists in history - she has sold over 350 million albums - to put that into perspective, Garth Brooks made a big deal about how he was the artist of the century when he hit the 100 million mark... Anyway - Nana is huge, she has been recording since the late 50's in Greece and France - then spread out to Germany, Spain, England, all over Europe and even the US (her first English language LP - "The Girl From Greece Sings" {re-released on CD in 2000 as "Nana in New York"}, was recorded in NYC in 1962 (approx) with Quincy Jones as producer). Now after all these years, and all those albums and countless tours, Nana (a la Cher) is calling it quits with a World Farewell Tour. The Tour started in 2005 and will continue through next year, with the final concert in Athens next spring.

So Nana returns to Lincoln Center on Tuesday night (April 17th) for her last New York concert - and I have to be there!!!

Now you ask, "Why?" - it all started years ago (and since I have a 3 hour wait to board the plane, I have time to tell the WHOLE story - LOL - brace yourselves...). I grew up in Upstate NY in a place called Binghamton. For a while we used to go out to dinner every Sunday night (usually to "The Little Venice"), and on the way home, our country music station would give Sunday nights over to the Greek Radio Hour - and play Greek music. We would listen for the short drive home, as my dad would try, in his somewhat less-than-perfect way, to translate what the singers were saying - often times it has something to do with love, and the fisherman, and the sea and the dove... you get the idea. One singer that was a staple was Nana Mouskouri... "Who?" I would ask - "The Greek singer with the black horn-rimmed glasses, and straight, middle-parted hair," would be the reply... More about loves found and lost under the watchful eye of gods and the sea... We would laugh at Dad's poor translations... and life went on...

Fast forward - it's the 80's, and I am now living in Chicago and going to school at Loyola University. One of my favorite things to do on weekends was to scour the Used record stores that pepper my neighbor. It all started when I was listening to radio and heard a reference to the number of album Elton John had recorded and I thought, "I could get all of those..." and so my search began. To give you just an Idea, I moved to Chicago with two small boxes of albums, and when I moved to Texas, after selling 300 of my collection, I still had over 1300 albums - so yes I spent a lot of time in those used record stores... BTW - if ya know of anyone who buys old used vinyl albums, send them my way ;-)

One day, I came across (in the 3 for a $1 Bin) - and album called "Nana" - on the front was the bespecled, dark haired woman I had heard of in my youth - dress oddly enough like a flight attendant, and covering songs like "Apples Won't Grow," and "Solitaire" - I just had to have it and see who this woman really was.

Back at my apartment I thrilled to her soaring soprano, and must admit - had a good laugh at it all - this woman with glasses and all, with a warm voice had become a national treasure - something about it made me laugh and I had to know more. I played this album for all my friends who thought I was insane - but I continued to find more of her works - and the more I found and listened, the more I started to not just appreciate, but totally enjoy her works - years went by and I continued to buy - lots of albums - and listen - and actually began to learn things. The main thing I learned from Nana (who sings in over 10 different languages) was that the voice could be a musical instrument - I didn't have to understand the words, but could still get the feeling and emotion (it is that lesson that later in life let me enjoy opera) from the singer and the song. Sure I found a lot of duplication in the recordings I would buy - when you are a musical empire and you need to produce, your repackage and re-record - I mean honestly, there are only so many songs in the world and with her out put (in 1989 we calculated she had released an album every two weeks since she began recording - of course that included compilations and multi language discs - when the tracks are recorded and then she would add the vocals in 4 or 5 different languages and then the albums would be released in different parts of the world). Even today there is a VP at her record label (now Universal Music France) whose sole responsibility is the Nana Mouskouri catalogue. She is big business the world over.

Around 1987 things changed - I had about 50 of her albums (and had just started collecting CD's - again, if anyone knows someone who is looking to buy old vinyl...) and had been doing a radio talk show (Outlook Newsmagazine) and I read that Nana Mouskouri was going to be performing in Toronto - TORONTO?!?!?! Not too far from Chicago - could I actually go and see her???? Even better, could I actually get an interview with her????

I was on a mission - better yet, I was on a crusade - I was determined to not only see her in concert, I was gunna sit down with her and learn the secrets of how this soft spoken, little Greek girl had taken the world by storm... Sam Gesser's name comes to mind, he was the tour manager/promoter for Nana's Canadian Tour and I located him (things were a lot harder to do back before the Internet - a lot of time in the library for ever wild idea I had...) and he arranged for me to have tickets to the concert and to interview La Mouskouri in the afternoon right before sound check. OK - so what if all of this was gunna take place in Toronto and I was in Chicago - that is what young and foolish is all about... Oh yeah - I was a broke college student too... But where there is a will there is a way... (bet you wish this flight would just board at this point...)

After checking all forms of transport - it seemed Greyhound bus was the best option - a bus for Toronto left Chicago's terminal every day at 5:30pm and arrived in Toronto at 7am the next morning - perfect... Board the bus and sleep the night away and awake at my destination. Now being that I can never do anything alone (and probably why ever-so-often I need to find new friends), I talked my friend Randy Gonzalez into going with me - more like begged while making it seem like a privilege to get to go on this excursion... He agreed and on the late spring afternoon in 1987, we went to the bus station and headed off to Nana... Sure all was not rosy - a group of Amish got on the bus, and maybe they were at peace with their way of life, but they could still have been a little more at peace with it all had they worn some deodorant... That would be one of Randy's biggest memories of the trip - that and the fact that he could not sleep on moving transportation - I on the other hand did not have that same trouble - I had been sleeping in moving vehicles since I was a child (Dad suffered from wonder lust - and we covered the country like Gypsies during our summer vacations).

Our day in this Canadian city was wonderful - we wandered the clean streets, shopped a little - and I even had to stop into one of their used record shops - where I happened to find a Nana album I had been looking for for years - even though Canada is the U.S.'s neighbor - when it came to Nana they were still more United Kingdom then United States... And then as it go closer to the appointed Nana meet time - we went back to the bus station, got our clothes out of the locker and washed up and changed in the Men's Room - (again, who had money for a hotel room when you need to keep buying Nana albums?) And then we walked the short distance to Roy Thompson Hall and our audience with The Goddess of Music.

I remember the room like I was just in it - pale white walls, green grey furniture - a long room - with a large photo print of (I assume) the symphony that usually plays in the hall - this was the relaxing green room of years gone by... and a round laminated coffee table in white... we were welcomed and then waited... A dream was about to come true - what would I ask her, I assumed she would be nice (most Goddesses are...), but could she live up to the image I had created... And then she entered... A warm smile - glasses as should be - but wait - something was different... Her Hair - NOT straight down by the sides of her face - it was up on... a bun!!! Sure I had seen pictures of her with out the glasses (even riding a motorcycle) - But her hair up - LOL that was a new one for me with her!

And she must have sensed it too - as we talked and Randy took pictures, she delicately reached up and pulled out the bar that held her hair up and with the soft shake of her head, her hair fell to frame her face again as it had on the cover of countless records and magazines across the globe. Nana had arrived!

We walked through her life and career - she was generous with her answers and sweet as the day is long - and open and honest - covering every topic from plastic surgery, to her divorce (which after the interview I learned she NEVER talked about in the media) to just her amazing success, "Honesty and true emotion," was what she felt she brought to her songs, "unlike some singers who are just machines and sing song after song." And this from the woman credited with over 900 albums (at that time)... What a wonderful afternoon - then of course the obligatory photos, and autographs and the moment that would be the foundation of our friendship. Nana had heard that an American Journalist was coming to interview her - so imagine her surprise when she walked into the room and found a teenage boy there? Not only, "Why would he care about me?" but, "How did he even know who I am???" She laughed as she told us that and she was thrilled that she had a fan in the US in my age range!

After that it was off to sound check (which we got to sit through - we overheard a comment from her on stage to her manager about not being in the best of voice because he had made her do an interview that afternoon - OUCH!!!), and then - SHOWTIME!!!

She sounded amazing and the audience loved her! Seated next to me was Loreena McKennitt, who, like I, was a Nana Fan.

(Ohhh - word that our flight may actually board soon - so the story may start missing some of the fine details you have come to love so much...)

(We are in flight - let see how much battery I have left...)

The show was wonderful and we rushed back to catch our midnight bus back to Chicago - with the memories of Nana fresh in our minds... And the Ernie-Nana affair was born. A couple of years later, Nana toured the U.S and came to Chicago - and again I got to see her, and spend time with her, then I saw her at Radio City Music Hall, then Chicago again. She did my radio shows a number of times - with each tour, for holiday special ("Nana Presents Christmas Around the World").

Then I moved to Houston - and she visited for a concert and a UNICEF reception - a lovely gathering at a Houston River Oaks home - where Nana and my Mother met for the first time ("oh Ernie loves his Nana" - "Oh No - Ernie loves his mother" - "No, No, he loves you more..." "I am his mother when you are unable to be close" or something like that - it was surreal).

She even gave my Mom a huge bouquet of flowers when we went to visit her back stage at the Houston Music Hall. We sat down for a 30 minute TV interview, and even did stories about her on "WeekNight Edition" leading up to the big Interview "Ernie & Nana: Together Again."

In the late 90's she even did a concert for PBS and we all met up in Miami for dinner and an intimate cabaret performance - "Oh Ernie, you are always there with a big smile in the front row looking up at me..."

When it came time to air "Concert for Peace," Nana even flew in to join me for the pledge breaks... It was the same night that Clinton addressed the public about the Monica Lewinsky incident - Live during prime time - not good for our viewership - but still, we had the highest pledge rate of any PBS station outside of NYC - we were very proud!

And then in the 2000's things slowed down for Nana & me - she was touring less and I was working more - less time to just run off and find her... I had a chance to go see her in Montreal in 2004, but the week before the concert and TV special, my Grandmother passed away and so I had to call off the trip. And then word Nana was retiring, and I thought - I have missed my last chance to see her... But then the Farewell Tour started - Maybe I can see her in concert again???? I watched the web sites for tour dates - Please come to Houston, Please come to the U.S.... But nothing... Until last year - The Farewell Tour was coming to Toronto - how perfect - to go and see her for the last time in the place where I had seen her for the first time... 19 years later! By this time, I knew Nana's agents and reps and was able to quickly set things in motion. This time Jackson was going to be the lucky one - but this time we were flying, and we could stay in a hotel! Everything was set and we were going north and I was to see Nana once more.

As always with these kind of events, details are often left to last minute - so we arrived in Toronto still without confirmed tickets to see Nana, or knowing if for sure she even knew we were there - there are always layers of folks to go through and I believe in always trying to follow proper protocol - so I had put in word to the tour producer that I was planning on attending - so I knew they knew...

Show day, I get the call - we have our tickets at will call and Nana is thrilled we are coming... The performance this time was for a sold out crowd at Massey Hall, and we were 4th row from the stage - center! I was a child again - all giddy and excited - poor Jackson - I can be a handful when I get on one of my obsessions. But now it was something more - as I watched the concert, it was more then just being witness to a Greek treasure who was saying goodbye to her fans, I was watching a dear friend experience all that had held her through her career - facing an uncertain tomorrow, but with all the joy and privilege she had earned from years of giving to her fans... This time the show was not about what she could do for us, but more of how we could show her our love, and her performance back was a way to say thank you for this wonderfully rich career!

At intermission we found a member of the crew who filled us in on what the deal was with the meet and great after the show. We made our way to the area we were told to gather in at the end of the concert, when one of the managers appeared on stage and called out my name. Nana was thrilled we were here and wanted us to meet her back at her hotel when she got finished at the theatre. You can just imagine my excitement - but I couldn't just let go - I still wanted to see her back stage... So we waited with the rest a little while and then Jackson and I and a couple others (one woman was even dressed like Nana - and my friends say I go too far) were escorted to the receiving area. And then more waiting - and I started to worry - it had been a few years, what if she didn't recognize me - I mean to me she is a huge star, but to her I am just one of many upon many people she has met through the years.

Eventually she entered the room and the applause was deafening. Slowly she made her way from person to person - greeting each warmly and speaking briefly with them - you could tell they were all just as excited as I was, and she spoke of Toronto and her joy of visiting this wonderful city... I was next - Oh god - I will feel so stupid if she just does a "hello how are you thank you for coming" and moves on...

"Hello, Thank you so much for coming," a smile and a nod and she begins to move away... I smile (nerves) and she stops... "ERNIE?" (Oh thank God) And the years disappeared - and she pulled me in tight for a hug (and whispered in my ear, "You were supposed to come to the hotel" - I assured her I would be heading there shortly)... I was on cloud 9 (what ever that means - as if Cloud 8 is just not good enough, and cloud 10 is just too much)...

We spent the late night hours - Nana, Andre (her husband), Lanou (her daughter - also a singer), Elke (her road manager, Jeff (the tour co-ordinater) and Jackson and I just talking and driniking and catching up - it had been too long.

The evening ended with Nana saying she hoped to get some U.S. dates, but that the last show of the tour will be in Athens in spring 2008 and that I MUST be there!!! (Guess you know where I will be next spring).

Well as you can figure out at this point, NYC was added to the tour (as were 2 Florida dates, and a few more Canadian shows - including Roy Thompson Hall - exactly 20 years from our first meeting) and so here we are on our delayed flight to NYC to see Nana for her (possibly) final Big Apple concert - this time at Lincoln Center!

The Pilot has just announced our decent and so with that I will end this little blog ;-) Thanks for indulging me - well at least thoughs of you who made it through this tome...

And no I'm not listening to anything any one else could hear - but in my head Nana Sings!

Reality TV

2007-04-22T21:14:00.000-05:00

Life is always a fun and exciting adventure – and one thing that makes it so much fun in the unexpected! But first lets again tie up some loose ends..

Almost 500 people have read my blog so far – and it is only a week and a half old – that is a surprise!

Another surprise is the reaction to the last post about childhood – I guess I either touch a nerve, or possibly, none of us are ready to let go of our youthful play. One very interesting comment I got emailed to me (and not posted on the site) was: "problem today is not that grown-ups have stopped playing, but, rather, with the internet paradigm shift, that CHILDREN have stopped playing and will never know the sweet thrill of our remembered childhoods." Very interesting theory – and possibly true.

Ok – moving forward…

So I am sitting at home this evening, watching the new reality game show "Shear Genius" on Bravo – and they are introducing the new contestants – and up popped "Jim" – and I know him – SURPRISE – he was the stylist on the Suze Orman pledge specials I co-hosted in St. Paul.

To catch some of you up, I have done almost 2 dozen national pledge specials for PBS – we call them "Virtuals" and we tape a set of pledge breaks (usually with the program's star) and then public television stations across the country air these breaks during their pledge drives… so they are kind of a big deal and a major production. So anyway, I have hosted three of these special with Suze over the last 8 years, and Jim was Suze's hair stylist who was brought in from NY.

All I can say is Jim is a riot and a whole lot of fun – and boy did he have dirt on a ton of stars – but I am sworn to secrecy… unless you ask me really really nicely! Anyway, at this point I am routing for Jim to win – just because I know him!

And I have had the pleasure to get to know a few Reality show folks – Will Makar, Uchenna & Joyce, Vanessa Riley – and all have been down right nice people – but most people never actually meet any of these Reality Stars in person, but that doesn't stop them from thinking they know these people.

Funny, in a way the characters on reality TV shows have become our "friends", our community – in the same way the internet has started to take over our interpersonal interactions – we can talk to anyone, tell them anything and watch the lives of those on TV as though they are those of real friends (not just our "Reality Friends").

And why shouldn't we get attached? We go through their heart breaks with them, and their joys and highs from success – in some cases they show us more of their secret and "true" lives than our actual friends – so the attachments we develop with them over the course of a season can seem just as real. But it is not – it is manipulated and we are shown what the producers want us to see, so that we will react and feel about these people the way the producers want us to!

Kind of scary if you think about it…

Science fiction will have us believing in time we will live completely in a virtual world ("SecondLife.com" is already a very successful online community where people are creating secondary virtual lives – interacting with people, making friends, building families, starting careers…). So in time, how will we be able to separate this virtual life from real life – and truthfully – does it really matter?

Do we just interpret what we have now as "real life," and maybe there is something more? Many religions talk of Heaven, so what are we experiencing in this "life" if there is eternal life? Is this just a virtual life and the after life is real life??? Or do we simply become Gods of our "virtual" worlds? Or, could we all just be virtual beings that God made up playing with his version of "SecondLife"???

Oh it gets complicated and confusing… Time for bed… Next time will be more fun!

Childhood

2007-04-22T19:29:00.000-05:00

So, I saw "To Kill A Mocking Bird" at the Alley Theatre Houston – and I have to agree with those who told me that the children in this production are amazing – they truly are! I have always enjoyed this story – and remember it being read to us in school when I was a child – oh that Boo Radley always scared me… I have also loved the film and different stage productions I have seen over the years – and this one was no different. The Alley has always done things well – but recently they seem to have just gotten even better… the production values, the sets – who needs movies anymore!

Funny, watching the show just took me back to my childhood – where out the front door lived adventure after adventure. Oh how I longed for that time in my life again. We had a great growing up time – we lived in Upstate NY, on the side of "South Mountain" – and you could head out on Saturday morning and be gone all day and return home at dusk for dinner, and to share with Mom the stories of our adventures. It was an innocent time – and we were free to roam. From finding the old abandoned one room school house, to building forts and just dreaming adventures…

But it didn't end with the sun set – at night we would re-gather for a game of "Manhunt" – our team oriented game of "Hide and Seek." We played that well into our teen years. Two teams – one would hide and the other would find them – the boundaries – our block, which contained 3 wooded areas (including "The Byrnes Woods"), 13 homes, and front and back yards to go with each, a number of assorted garages, sheds, porches, etc. And we would own that territory for the night.

I wonder, when are you to old to do that anymore – why just because we grow up are we not free to "play?"

Many years ago, while I was interviewing octogenarian Quentin Crisp, I asked him if he was as happy as he was when he was a young man – and he said he was content, for to claim he was happy, how then could he describe the feeling a young child has when they run with full energy and joy? That was true happiness, and at his current age, now all he could hope for was simple contentment. But now I wonder, Why?

Shouldn't we all still be able to play? Can't we still get teams together and play Manhunt? Shouldn't we all still be able to don a costume and go Trick or Treating? Why should growing up mean we have to stop enjoying things that are (simply by their nature) FUN? What happened to that rule our parents used to tell us when we questioned why they didn't have to follow the same rules we did and they said "…Because I am an adult, I make the rules, that's why" – so if they are so free, why can't they join in and just play again!

I try to never give up that part of me – I try to play all the time – to smile – to have fun. Last summer while visiting Chicago, a friend Jim and I made our own adventure and sought out the Farrar Pan candy company – like a couple of kids, not simply reliving our youth, but still enjoying it!

As I watched those children on stage at the Alley, showing us the excitement, the mystery, the adventure in that which is around us – I was sad at having lost some of it – but happy to remember having lived it to its fullest – and re-affirmed to myself that I need to continue to keep it alive in me and in those that I meet!

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On a side note – another moment in the show (Scout and friends attending the trial) reminded me of the time during a summer break from high school – where I decided to got down to our court house and attend a trial. I can't remember the details, but I was there from the beginning, and when we took a break – I would go to the phone booth and call my Mom and fill her in on what was going on in "my" case. When court finished for the day – I took the bus back home and couldn't wait to get up the next morning to return to court to see how it all turned out! And for me to get up in the morning for ANYTHING was an amazing event.

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So what am I listening to today – the winning entries in this years EUROVISION Song Contest. I know – I owe you an explanation – think of it this way – American Idol – if America was Europe and if the Idol wannabes were actually Countries.

They hold this contest every year (for the last 52 years) and all qualifying countries (the number changes year to year – this year is a record number of 42) compete to have their chosen song voted the best in Europe for the year. The best known winner in the states would be ABBA from 1974 with "Waterloo." This year I have a few favs – and I'll be sharing those with you over the upcoming weeks leading to May 12^th (the day of the competition).

Lunch beckons – ok, actually Dougie does – so I am off… Until next time…