Kate Middleton Is Super Skinny Or Pregnant?

It's a new season and I guess it's time for a new Baby Bump Watch 2012.  The question of the week:  Is she or isn't she?

The clues:

1.  Toasting twice with water versus alcohol.

2.  William said he would like two kids.

That's all we have to go on.  The media is going crazy.  What do you think?

Update:  Was Kate creating a distraction because she knew the topless photos were coming out? See the Gawker article here.  Remember, it is NSFW.  View at your own discretion.

I'm kind of rolling my eyes on this one, kids. 

Falling Into Fall

Last night on AfterBuzz TV......

I am slowly making my way back into work mode after a trip to Europe and a quick jaunt to Chicago.  I have a lot of irons in the fire this fall and things will be changing a bit around here, but it's all moving in the right direction after ending my road warrior status last spring.

Some of the things in the mix that I can talk about right now include:
AfterBuzz TV:  SYTYCD (ends September 18th with choreographer, Spencer Liff)
                          DWTS (starts the week of September 24th)
                          The New Normal (Tuesdays at 10PM PT--See our host photo here.)


Cocktails and Conversation:  Talking VMAs, SYTYCD, and Hollywood divorce.

I will also be going back to my roots with an appearance on one of the electronic retailing networks in October. Can you guess which one?

Finally, I will be doing an Emmys week countdown with Stuart Brazell on Spreecast, so there will be a lot to keep up with this fall.  Be sure to check my News/Appearances page for the latest updates.

Enjoying the Chicago skyline from the Trump Tower.

SYTYCD On AfterBuzz TV With Kent Boyd

 AJ Gibson, Corrinne Williams, Kent Boyd, and me after the show.

The big joke last night was, "I'm back, Bitchezzzzz"!  Yes, it was nice to be back on AfterBuzz TV with my co-hosts, AJ Gibson and Corrinne Williams for our So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) wrap-up show after a 3-week absence.  Season 7 runner-up, Kent Boyd, joined us in studio and he could not be more adorable.  He gave us really honest insight as to what goes on behind the scenes and some of his thoughts on the format changes with Season 9.  To add even more fun to the mix, Alex Wong, also from Season 7, called in to give Kent a hard time.  We were tweeting up a storm last night with fans and sending kudos to the unbelievably talented Comfort Fedoke, who danced with Top 4 finalist, Cyrus, last night.  I hope you enjoy the episode because we had a ball.

We have only 2 more episodes of SYTYCD, but I will be co-hosting the after shows of Dancing With The Stars and The New Normal this fall.  Stay tuned for more information!

My lovely co-hosts gearing up for the show.

Advice To Aspiring Entertainment Journalists

Throughout the year, I receive emails from broadcast journalism students and young reporters early in their career seeking advice and support in this industry.  It is a tough field that has become even tougher.  The explosion of internet media has quadrupled the talent pool in Los Angeles alone.  I used to audition with the same 30 people only a decade ago.  So, with more opportunities comes more competition and it is important to stand out in a field that is overcrowded with wannabe Giuliana Rancics and Ryan Seacrests.  

Ashley Woodrum from Z-TV contacted me via Twitter awhile back regarding her host reel.  I offered her some feedback and then she asked if I could answer a few questions for her.  I asked for her permission to use her name and her questions here on my blog because I think it is helpful for so many to hear the responses to what she is asking. So, thank you, Ashley, for inspiring this post! 


1. What made you want to be in the entertainment broadcasting industry?

Originally, I set out to work in musical theatre, so working in the broadcasting industry was never on my radar.  In 1997, I was hired to host a children's dance video on how to Electric Slide and Hokey Pokey based on my dance background.  The video (Yes, it was on VHS!) was a success and I received a few other host offers.  My work is really, really raw in that video, so I sought training with Larry Conroy in NYC to go along with my on-camera enthusiasm. I made the big move to Los Angles in 2000 to make my mark in the industry.  

So, my path was not a traditional one, but if you want to work in the entertainment broadcasting in 2012, here are a few recommendations:
     -Broadcast Journalism degree
     -Know how to write, produce, shoot, and edit your own pieces.
     -Be social media savvy:  this includes a Twitter, public Facebook, and Instagram account.
     -Intern anywhere you can to meet and network with people in the industry.
     -Find a mentor whom you can go to for advice and guidance.

2. If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take to really get your first full time job?

My first full-time job came in 2002 when I was hired as a network host for ShopNBC.  It was about 5 years into my career and 2 years into my time in Los Angeles and it required a move to Minneapolis.  While home shopping was not my dream job, it became such a valuable tool in terms of working with an IFB on live TV with a cue card only giving you 5 bullet points on each product you were selling.  My ad-lib skills are so strong as a result of this job.  


3.  What did you do to reach that goal of yours?

The person that changed my career was Marki Costello.  I began taking her host boot camp weekend in the Spring of 2001 and then I continued with ongoing classes throughout the year.  She is a tough teacher, but coming from a dance background, I was used to that type of teaching format:  perform, get constructive feedback, and then do it again the RIGHT way.  Now, Marki is an empire with multiple classes and boot camps all over the US, so I am not sure the focused individual attention from her is on the curriculum as much.  However, there are other great media trainers out in LA that I would probably recommend more now, yet I owe my career to Marki Costello.


4. Could you offer me any other advice in regards to employment? I know this field takes patience, but like I said I'm still looking for that one person to notice me! Sometimes I get a little disheartened because I work so hard, and have yet to have someone pick me up if you know what I mean.

All of the clichés are true here:  "Don't ever give up", "Believe in your dreams", and "Success is when opportunity meets preparation."  You have to know what makes you unique in a very crowded field.  What is the one thing that you get complimented on in regards to your on-camera work?  What do you have to offer an employer that no one else can bring to the table?  If you know what that is, you can work on enhancing that even more on your reel, your blog, and most importantly, your brand.  Even though this is a creative field, it is still a business, so think like an MBA student when it comes to your career.

Also, I find that creating a vision board with personal and professional hopes and dreams helps make my goals a reality.  I keep it in my walk-in closet where I can see my everything I want right in front of me several times a day.  It keeps me accountable for continuing to grow my career.  

5. Also lastly, I was wondering if you could look over my resume and maybe offer me some tips or advice on that? I understand you must be very busy but any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Yes!  Send it on over.  I am happy to help.  You have my email.  If anyone else wants to contact me with more questions, feel free to use the tab above, hit me up on Twitter or Facebook, or comment below. I would be happy to continue this discussion with you and other hosts/entertainment reporters.    

I also do coaching/mentoring sessions that run $100/hour.  If you mention this article, I will give you 20% off.  I am available for in-person consulting in the LA area or via Skype for those who are out of town.  

The Dork Forest: Supplemental Olympic Reading

I'm back in LA and I am full of jet lag.  I am writing this at 3AM since I just can't sleep.  It's Noon to my body, so I actually want lunch.  Unfortunately, I have been gone for three weeks (New Jersey, then Europe), so the cupboard is bare.  I am really tempted to watch my DVR filled with the Real Housewives series, but I know it's going to involve a lot of screaming and yelling over wine.  Instead, I am writing this post in the peace and quiet of middle of the night.

While I was away, the amazing Jackie Kashian posted our interview for her awesome show, The Dork Forest, where we talked about my love for the Olympics.  I listened to the podcast on the train ride from Munich to Prague just days after I had visited the Munich Olympics site and the Dachau Memorial site. So, here is some supplemental reading/viewing if you listened to my interview.

While I was overseas, someone tweeted me the link for an incredible Oscar-winning documentary about the Munich Massacre called, One Day In September.  It's hard to watch, but it is a moving account of how and why this event happened.  The documentary is about 90 minutes long, but it is so compelling.  If you don't think that politics has a place at the Olympics, think again.  It will always play a part in the Games.  In fact, politics played a huge hand in this year's Opening Ceremony when the IOC refused to have a moment of silence for the 11 Israeli athletes to honor the 40th Anniversary because they felt it favored the Israeli nation over the Palestinian nation that also lost citizens that day.  Um, they lost terrorists.  Israel lost athletes and coaches.  It's sick, but it's true and I spoke with a man from Palestine while I was at the ESC Congress, and let me tell you, they don't like the US for siding with Israel.  He made it very clear to me in a conversation that was unprompted by me.  He knew I was American and started laying into Obama within minutes of meeting each other. Say what you want about Democrats versus Republicans, but this was a conversation about how a country views Americans.  Scary.



Also, I picked up a book on the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics while I was in Germany which explains Hitler's role in the Games.  It's a fascinating look at how global politics played into the rise of Nazi Germany in what became a "coming out party" for Hilter at those Summer Games.  If you read the book first, you will see how the 1936 Games were a big factor in the decisions made in the 1972 Munich Games.  It's hard to imagine how one would affect the other, but if you are an Olympics history  buff, read/watch in this order.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the documentary, the book, and my interview!

Interview: The Dork Forest
Book:  Berlin Games:  How the Nazis Stole the Olympic Dream by Guy Walters
Documentary:  See Above YouTube link.

September 5, 2012 marks the 40th Anniversary of the Munich Massacre.  The athletes and coaches from Israel represented the best in their sport in their country.  Their lives should not be forgotten.

Thank You, Munich! Thank You, Prague!

I am headed back to the States today, but what an adventure it has been.  Traveling to Europe is always a treat for me because I love to wander the streets, get lost, and think.  It's a great way to clear my head and tackle the last quarter of the year.  There really wasn't much to think about because everything I wanted was already right in front of me.  This trip just confirmed it.

I hope you enjoyed my photos because I enjoyed sharing them with you!  I will post a few travel tips for these two cities this week, but it's back to business on Tuesday with a return to AfterBuzz TV.  See you all online and in the right time zone this week!

One last epic shot in Prague with my friend, Meredith.

Forget the photo of me.  Look at the guy surfing in a RIVER in the Englischer Garten in Munich.

Weird and Wacky in Prague

I'm pretty sure he enjoyed this photo. 

Yesterday, I showed you some of the fun sites in and around Prague. Now, I am here to show you some of the wacky sites in the city.  I am warning you right now that a couple of the photos are Not Safe For Work (NSFW).  They certainly aren't pornographic, but I don't want to offend anyone, so this is your warning.  Enjoy the weirdness of Prague.......

Sculpture garden...what is this?  A hot dog?

Even from Prague, I was Eastwooding.....

 Exactly what you think it is......perfect souvenir for Mom?

 You can visit this place or The Torture Museum.....

 One of the sex machines in the lobby of the museum.  Look carefully, because the bottom unit spins around.  I did not go in, by the way.....

 Man's favorite pastime:  peeing on each other's territory....

 His penis is mechanical and moves up and down.  Yep.

 Big baby butts!

 Don't let your day turn out like this....

 Sinners all around me!

 Bad day at the office?

 I'm pretty sure I am possessed in this picture.

 The art of defenestration.  The Czechs have this mastered.

 Because posing by a door handle seemed like such a great idea at the time. 

 Kafka lived here.  This is my Kafka pose.

Look under his leaf.  Something is peeking out.