Rachel Ray Teaser

Grab and Grin from a staffer on the show:
http://twitpic.com/106hci

Video preview from the official site:
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/view/929/

There's a rumor about bowling. Get the DVR ready this might be a keeper.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I've heard from the old-head trivia buffs that Barry's not into cooking? So why in the world is he booked on a show where that's a major feature? I know, I know, marketing to the demographic, I get it.... But still it has to lead to some Awkward 101 moments.

Hi. I Live Under a Rock

At least that's what I feel like when I miss an interview on a local station.

Here's the link in case the embed doesn't work.

Yes, all of North Georgia thinks Chickieboo is a dipstick. This is why I'd rather let TOLF watch "Sid the Science Kid" on PBS before preschool than watch the local talk shows.

I'll scout around for some more stuff - I understand that they have to do the back-to-basics info for the average person in the audience, even though the serious fans could recite some of these answers in their sleep. Maybe something new and cool will leak out suddenly!

"So...What's New???"

Just as the TV blitz picks up, so does my job and my "work" writing takes over all of my "fun" writing time. For those of you hanging out and waiting around for whatever I was putting here, thanks!

OK, where were we: Right, Conan!

http://www.tonightshowwithconanobrien.com/video/episodes/#vid=1196131

HE GOT COUCH TIME!!! The subject matter was yesterday's news to serious fans but who cares? Most of the audience learned something new about Barry after he did his one-song gig. Barry has taken a LOT of shots from Conan over the years and if there was a hatchet it got buried tonight and not in anyone's skull.

Songs for Haiti on A&E.

I got ripped off. Uverse started the show at 9 AM ET and Barry's bit was cut. Shit. YouTube here I come.

Even thought I wanted to see this gig, I didn't need a special to remind me about the need for aid in Haiti. My daughter's preschool, and the church associated with it are passing the hat for Catholic Relief Services and Columbian Charities.

Let these specials be a reminder to everybody: there but for the grace of God goes anyone in the world. Natural disasters can wipe out a community at any time. If you are in a position to give, then give. Just pick a reputable organization that you like and hit it. The American Red Cross is still helping Galveston Island recover from Hurricane Ike in 2008. You never know when you'll be on the receiving end of the aid.

The Today Show

Was anyone else nervous when they displayed a split screen of Barry and Ozzy Osbourne at about the 1:30:00 mark? They're both going to be on Jimmy Kimmel too. Someone's going to have fun with that.

The songs that I see live (on TV, same thing) are starting to grab me. When I went through the track list when it came out I didn't have any doubts that this would be good and Barry would do them well, but nothing was a real standout to get my attention. Even when I heard the audio clips. I'm not an Elvis fan, and I'm really not into hippies. (Hear that, Karen Carpenter?) But the Today Show and Conan brought something else out. It's the delivery, the playing to the camera, the reaction from the audience (or host, or stage crew even) that makes all the difference in the world. (Think of "Islands in the Stream" - the album version was good, but the live version with the complex parts for Kye and the girls brought the house down.)

Again, I'm glad to see more couch (OK, bar stool) time as well. The Today Show is always good about that with Barry, and he got multiple times throughout the four hours as well. In the last interview bit, Kristen Chenoweth was doing the honors. She had to dumb it down for the morning coffee klatch crowd but at least she knows her ass from a hole in the ground about performing on stage and was the only one in that room qualified to interview Barry IMNSHO.

So coming up is Rachel Ray (another show I'm really not into but I'd like to see what Barry does with it.) and Jimmy Kimmel (who is funny as hell and always worth staying up for. He's done some great interviews with Barry.)

So that's probably going to make the difference with this new record: live performance. Maybe a video collection or concert footage? Anyone? Beuller?

Fool Me Once, Shame on You...

OK, tweeps, good ole GCK just cracked one off.

GarryKief
Backstage at conan. http://yfrog.com/1ytn5tj

Now, let's remember the last time he posted a "backstage" picture. He got everyone excited about an exclusive backstage peek. It was a photo of a barstool with a drape behind it. Exactly what he promised, no more, no less.

I haven't looked at the pic yet, but does anyone want to bet $5 that he's playing the same trick again?

More Blitz, Part Deux

With less than a week left for the release of Barry’s new album, THE GREATEST LOVE SONGS OF ALL TIME, it’s time to hit the air waves and share the new album with you and millions of others!

Set your TiVo…call your friends…and watch Barry perform songs from his new album on the following shows:
TONIGHT (Wednesday, January 20) Entertainment Tonight
Thursday, January 21 The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien
Monday, January 25 The Today Show
Friday, January 29 Rachel Ray
Friday, February 5 Jimmy Kimmel Live

Enjoying the Blitz

If you're like me you have to live vicariously through others' experiences of the QVC recording and the new opening night. TNLF has six months to go before she's weaned and up to another 6 months more before she's walking completely steadily. This fan isn't going anywhere for a while, so I WANT DETAILS!! Post them anywhere, I'll find 'em, if they're good, I'll link to 'em. Don't leave out any details.

First, the QVC promotional spot on Manilow.com: http://www.manilow.com/qvc.html
(Guys, guys, guys......FLASH video, not Quicktime. Just as easy to encode and controls are more obvious for the visitor, load time is just as fast. :::shaking head::: )

DVR Alerts:
QVC January 19 9 PM ET.
I hope Chickieboo dials it back a notch. Based on my IP reports the folks at Home Shopping Network got a giggle out of her description on this blog. At least let Tim Gunn screen test your outfit before you go live.

Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. January 21. You already know the time and channel.
Who else thinks that NBC renegging on their contracts because Jay couldn't haul his own ass in his new time slot was lower than whale shit (which is on the bottom of the ocean)? You expect Conan's ratings to lag a little bit at first, that happens every time a new host takes over that show. "Whoops! Jay tanked. And we're out of fresh ideas so we're going to screw over all of those staffers that Conan uprooted from NYC to work for him in LA and now are SOL." Conan will land on his feet, he has a contract. The crew he brought with him, not so much. Best commentary ever on this situation was Jimmy Kimmel doing Jay's 10 at 10. (It gets really good at 2:45)

Today Show Concert Series Jan 25 You know the channel and the time is a 3-4 hour range.
It sounds like the usual concert appearance but does anyone else think there could be some "awkward pauses" due to the NBC politicking? I'd like to see Barry toss in a salty word here and there, see if the boys in the control room are on their toes and can remember where the "dump button" is.

One more time, if you're at one of these (and/or opening night at Paris Las Vegas) post your POV. We're counting on you. 8^D

Video Has Come a Long Way

TPTB sent out a hotline with the new TV spot for Greatest Love Songs of All Time:




As I was watching this, I thought of sitting in front of MTV for the first time. I have no idea why. This is just a TV spot and there is more quality in this 30-second spot than most videos when the music video concept took off.

I can prove it.

Behold. For as long as TPTB allow it to stand.

Let's Hang On

The Old Songs

In Search of Love

Read 'Em and Weep

(The one I was originally looking for was You're Looking Hot Tonight, but that one is really no where to be found. Maybe on Manilow TV someday?)

UPDATE 2/7/10
FOUND IT!!!!

Manilow TV Previews

If you have wanted a peek at Manilow TV before subscribing, check this out:

They're offering a 6-minute free preview right on the site.

(Holy shit he does "I Wanna Do It With You" at the Manchester show! No way I could have seen this in the US!)

http://www.manilow.tv/preview.cfm

Back on QVC

From the QVC website...
Barry's back on to promote Greatest Love Songs of All Time on January 19
http://www.qvc.com/ProgramGuide/ProgramGuideWeeklyView.aspx?TimeZoneSelect=2&Range=January 18 - January 24
(Scroll down for the listing at 9 PM.)

I don't normally watch QVC but I tuned in last time Barry was on (for the 80s record) and the group performance of "Islands in the Stream" was a keeper. But the host, Chickieboo, whatever her name is, needs a shot of Haldol.

How about this: I'll pay extra to see Barry whip out a roll of duct tape and seal up her mouth with it so we can hear the music. Is that doable?