Host Father Hickey, guest and sidekick Father Paul Rouse (sitting at the piano)

The phrase “Catholic talk show” is likely to conjure up images of a snooze-fest production featuring an elderly priest discussing matters of the soul with parish guests wherein they pray and recite biblical passages to save your soul.  So when I stumbled upon Going My Way (a web talk show on CatholicTV.com – @catholictv), I didn’t’ have much hope of being entertained (granted, I’m not their target audience – I’m a big fat sinner who has about as much of a chance of getting into heaven as Dick Cheney (okay, I’ve got a bit more of a chance than he does but that’s nothing to brag about)).

But surprisingly, Going My Way is the exact opposite of what I expected.  As a matter of fact, this show is so good it had me at “hello”, literally (the opening titles are old school cool – paying homage to the days of Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack).   Not only is it not a pious snooze-fest, but the show’s host, Father Chris Hickey of St. Mary’s of Hanover in Boston, is a giddy, somewhat naughty priest full of slightly off-color jokes who has no problem calling out other priests on their BS.  He’s also nearly as narcissistic as Paris Hilton (but more on that later).

A quick skim of the talk show’s synopsis on the website lets viewers know that they’re in for a different kind of talk show:

“This hit series is like CatholicTV’s modern-day version of The Merv Griffin Show.  It features Father Chris Hickey sharing his singing talent, as he is accompanied by his mentor, turned sidekick Father Paul Rouse on piano.  Each show highlights a different priest and his talents.”

“Mentor-turned sidekick” — ha!  You don’t need to be a holy roller to appreciate (or be intrigued by) that synopsis.  Luckily for viewers, the Father and his crew live up to their self-hype and deliver the goods.

The website design is impressive and pleasing to the eye — sleek, clean, and modern – conservative without being boring.  The site strategically incorporates the latest social media tools including links to their Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts as well as their blog, iPhone app and iTunes (where you can download the show on-the-go).  All of this makes this much clear – the producers of this show mean business and God is a geek (amen!).

Father Hickey works the room at a fundraising gala.

As the host, Father Chris Hickey is hysterical – literally.  It’s clear from the moment steps onto the set (mic in hand) that all they want to do is entertain (if you need any further evidence, check out the glitzy set with big piano, Vegas-like glitter curtains in the background and Father Hickey’s equally jovial sidekick, Father Paul Rouse, who laughs dutifully at all of his jokes).

This particular episode opens with two 11-year old girls singing You Made Me Love You in dedication to Father Hickey.  I’m not sure if You Made Me Love You that was a good song for pubescent girls to sing to a priest but whatever.

Father Hickey then interviews James McLaughlin (chancellor of the Archdiocese of Boston and the show’s first “non-priest” guest, as Father Hickey informs us).  The interview is lively, funny and engaging (I was surprised at the level of energy – McLaughlin seems both nervous and game).  It also turns out that Father Hickey has some bite.  He puts McLaughlin on the spot by jokingly telling him that his job as Chancellor “sounds boring”, then expresses dismay and annoyance with another priest in their parish for being a phony.  There’s not a hint of hesitation in Father Hickey’s laugh-out-loud criticism of his colleague:

“Father Brian Manning was on the show a couple of weeks ago and I asked him who his priest friends were and the first person he said was me.  Bold-faced lie!!  Never hang out with him.  He never calls me for anything!”

I heart Father Hickey.  He’s badass.

McLaughlin then joins Father Hickey at the piano where Father Hickey’s sidekick (and mentor) Father Rouse eagerly awaits to tickle the ivories.  Together (and on-key), Father Hickey and a visibly nervous McLaughlin belt out a few old songs (one of which McLaughlin dedicates to his 90-year old mother Bertha – a feisty old broad, we’re told, who has a twinkle in her eye for Father Hickey – awww).  No singing about the Lord and salvation here (you’ll have to find your own way to heaven after the show).  Instead, they sing catchy popular tunes of yesteryear (jazz standards, love songs, etc.).

Going My Way is a little bit of Merv Griffin, a little bit of Vegas and a dash of Catholicism all rolled into one.  Father Hickey as a host is fierce.  His interviewing skills are impressive as he both puts his guests at ease and, when necessary, puts them on blast.  His narcissism is actually endearing (even McLaughlin comments on Father Hickey’s huge ego).  But it works precisely because you don’t expect a priest to be all… me, me, me.  He doesn’t mention God once!  How’s that for outshining the boss!   Father Hickey is likable, funny and wicked (exactly what you want in a talk show host).

Maybe NBC would’ve done better putting Father Hickey on at 10PM than Jay Leno.  He manages to be intriguing, funny and late night cool without celebrities.  It’s time we make way for other talk show talent waiting to burst on to the scene (even if it is a priest from Boston).

Sorry NBC.  Father Hickey is Going My Way.

Katie Couric and Al Gore talk climate control.

She calls him “The Godfather of Green”, “The King of Conservation” — former Vice President President Al Gore (@algore) joined Katie Couric (@katiecouric) on her web chat show, @katiecouric, for an in-depth interview on everything from the environment and climate control to his new book Our Choice (due out November 3rd).

Gore ponders Obama’s handling of the war in Afghanistan to him receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

Short takes:

The climate crisis is getting worse (equating it to the Civil Rights movement in an interesting way).

He feels “very good” that President Obama is focusing on Afghanistan as much as he is and disagrees strongly with former Vice President Cheney that Obama is “dithering” his time.

He believes Obama is deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize at this point in his young career (mentioning how, after a visit to Cairo where people told him how much Obama meant to them, Obama’s positive effect on the world and in unifying people around a common cause can’t be understated and should be recognized).

There were no surprises here.  His agenda (climate control) is on a steady course.  But to that end, Couric asks him a very good (if not somewhat obvious question):

“Do you ever feel as if you’ll get to a point where people might turn you off?  That for you to continue hammering away at this issue, you might become less effective?”

His answer is leads him away from confessing insecurities and back on message.  He picked up his mantle long ago and will run with it until he feels his efforts are no longer needed.

Couric’s rephrases her question:  “So you haven’t jumped the shark?”

He not only answers emphatically, “No, I haven’t!” but he’s clearly proud of himself for recognizing the term and for knowing the website jumptheshark.com, “You media people love that”.   Couric, ever the practical investigative reporter, deflates Gore with a quick prick of reality:  “Well, actually that term is five minutes ago.”  Ouch.

How’s that for schooling?

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Wood Harrelson's more political take on the war.

Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster and director Oren Moverman talk with John Dickerson (political analyst for Slate and CBS) in a CBS online exclusive interview about the release of their new movie The Messenger (due out in theaters November 11th). 

Woody Harrelson calls The Messenger his proudest film (which says a lot considering how many films he’s done).  The film explores the emotional turmoil of soldiers who have tell family members a loved one has died.  According to Harrelson, The Messenger helps people to understand the consequences of goint to war (though the film does not have a political objective per se — surprising considering Harrelson is very political).

Having been moved by the film to various degrees, Harrelson, Fost and Moverman do a good job of conveying how important a film like this is and why it needed to be made now.

The fact that this movie shines a light on the families of soldiers who sacraficed their lives in war for this country makes it unusual and very-much welcomed (at least by me). 

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Kevin Pollak (talk show maverick)

With an acting career that spans over two decades and literally dozens of films and tv roles working with Hollywood’s most talented actors and directors (including Willow directed by Ron Howard, A Few Good Men directed by Rob Reiner and Casino directed by Martin Scorsese), it’s a safe bet that Kevin Pollak (@kevinpollak) has enough to say about life, enough contacts to bring him great guests and enough creative vision to host a web talk show that will be entertaining, refreshing and biting (most actors run for the tv talk show deal where they get paid handsomely, but are ultimately propped up at a desk and fed bland lines to an eagerly bland audience).

Pollak has chosen a fiercely independent road to establishing his own talk show presence:  the internet.  He joins the ranks of Tom Green and Dave Navarro (both well-known celebs who have had their own internet talk shows — Dave Nvarro’s was cancelled last year whe the website that produced his show, Mania.TV, folded).  The description Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show on Pollak’s site is promising:

“Watch and interact with Kevin on Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show streaming LIVE on Sundays at 5pm (PST). Join Kevin as he responds to questions from you and gabs with the who’s who of Hollywood and the comedy circuit. Previous guests include Joe Mantegna, Doug Benson, Bobby Slayton, and more. Reach out to Kevin and his guests during the sessions through a live chat room or his space on Twitter.”

A list of upcoming guests include:

• Sep 20th:   Jane Campion, Oscar winning director of “The Piano” & upcoming “Bright Star”
• Sept 27th:   Kevin Nealon (”Weeds,” Stand-Up Special “Now Hear Me Out”)
• Oct 4th:   Check back soon!
• Oct 11th:   Composer Brian Tyler (Fast and Furious, Final Destination4, Law Abiding Citizen)
• Oct. 18th:   Paul F. Tompkins (”The Informant,” “The Best Week Ever”)
• Oct. 25th:   “Weird Al” Yankovic

Not bad for a bare bones internet talk show.  Having said that, it still isn’t easy aggregating a large audience online (not even for an established actor like Pollak).  To help get the word out, he fully incorporates social media elements into the show (tweet him, Facebook him, everything him — he’s available and open to your point of view).  His set is wonderfully sparce (a simple round table with two chairs set against a black background).  The pace of the show is purposefully slow, allowing conversation between himself and his guest to unfold naturally and on its own terms.  And Pollak really is a great talker who is not only funny, witty and wonderfully sarcastic, he incorporates interesting elements into the show quite naturally that keeps the content fresh and interesting (like a segment of the show called “The Larry King Game”).

Below is “Episode Twenty-One” where Pollak talks to Seth MacFarlane (@sethmcfarlane) (the genius behind Family Guy and my official hero).  If you find profanity distasteful, this isn’t the talk show for you — Pollak opens the show by saying he’s so excited he “shit in his pants” and manages to call his show’s sponsor a “fucker” (and a company he’s “never heard of”) while promoting their product at the same time (fun times!):

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Produced in Minnesota by an organization called Minnesota Atheists, and hosted by Grant Stevens (ThD), Atheists Talk TV is a long-running web talk show for atheists by atheists.

This show (which seems to have a loyal small following) is taped in a no-frills studio — a simple set with a black backdrop.  The production value is decent and professional enough.

The shows are streamed live and you can either live chat while watching the show (which I imagine would be fun considering the topic) and call in to the show to ask questions that the host will address live on air (or you can call them to suggest a topic – fun times!).  They also have an on-demand library that includes past episodes.

Minnesota Atheists Happy Hour Meetup (good, godless times!)

The episode I’m posting (below) is titled “The Journey from Faith to Reason” and appears to explore the transition of three men from various religious faiths to atheism and how the transition has changed how they see the world.

I don’t doubt the sincerity of the show or its guests, but when the guests begin to introduce themselves at the behest of their host, I can’t help but think that it sounds like an AA or drug addiction rehab meeting.  Here is the first of three guests introducing himself:

“Well… my name is Keith Lortimeyer and I’m an atheist.  I have a mild background with religion.  My parents were divorced.  My only real exposure to religion was when I went to my father’s [house] every other weekend.”

Keith had me up until “My parents were divorced”.  That statement (no matter who says it) is usually followed by a story dripping in dysfunctional self-discovery involving religion, drugs, reckless sex with an inability to commit in a relationship or politics.  He may have been able to skate over that comment because I was happily eating cereal while watching the show, but when he mentioned being exposed to religion while at his father’s house “every other weekend,” I almost choked on my Cheerios.   Having religion forced on him by the father he only saw twice a month — and now today he rejects all religion?   Therapy, here comes Keith.

I continued with my Cheerios feast and the Atheist talk show.  On to the next guest:

“My name is Ryan Sutter.  I’m also an atheist.  I was raised a Jehovah’s Witness until an experience about four years ago at which point I converted for a very brief period to “free thought” and then to atheism.”

An experience?!!  Wtf?  Is anyone else wondering what that “experience” was and why he mentioned it… vaguely?  I smell a scandal — perhaps a sexual encounter with another man at Kingdom Hall that confirmed what he’s known deep down inside of himself all along?  Ryan has a bestseller sitting in his soul and I want to read it, chapter by chapter, page by scandalous page.  I believe he will write this book and then go on Oprah and be celebrated for that “experience” that freed his soul (and gave him the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List and a photo op with Oprah).

Next atheist, James Zimmerman:

“Like Ryan, I was also raised as a Jehovah Witness.  For the first 25 years of my life I believed it wholeheartedly and did everything I could to show that I had faith and tried to back that up with good works but subsequently by researching and exploring the religion and some of the things in the bible, I came to abandon that faith also.”

When James opens his introduction with, “Like Ryan, I… ” it is a dead giveaway that he is a follower who needs constant reassurance from others that he is meaningful and relevant (good luck finding that in religion).

This episode (part 1 of 2) is like therapy for atheists.  It’s fascinating.  The panel (full of dysfunction and ripe for therapy-picking) is a talk show host’s dream.  Unfortunately, Grant Stevens (though he is thoughtful and knowledgeable about the subject) doesn’t yield even half of the juice from the fruit.  Half of the statements these guests made that should have been addressed as being integral to the discussion of atheist was never given a second thought much less discussion.

What happens when you hear people talk about their experiences (especially their childhoods and especially in a public forum) is that you hear what they don’t realize they are consciously saying.  For example, Keith mentioned in his introduction (above) that he had a “mild background” with religion.  But he also uses the exact same words repeatedly in another statement about how he defines “faith”.  Says Keith:

“I’m probably not the best example of this because I had such a mild background in it.  Faith for me was a matter of pretending… Like I said,  I had very little exposure to religion.  It was basically just enough to immunize me.  Faith was really uncomfortable for me.  It felt weird.  Pretending is how I would define faith.”

I think it’s pretty clear that poor Keith was beaten with the Jesus stick, shot with the Jesus AK47 and hacked with the Jesus ax as a youngster.  His denial is both curious and endearing.  Keith defines faith as “pretending”.  That, coupled with the fact that he mentions his parents’ divorce several times (an issue well into his manhood) means that Keith is well on his way to Divorce City himself (perhaps for multiple visits).

Like I said, riveting.  This show gives so much food for thought and discussion, I could write another five pages on this one episode alone (of course, I’ll spare you chore).  We’ll upload new episodes as they’re produced.  Below is parts 1 and 2 of this episode.  By the way, Minnesota Atheists aren’t on Twitter but Illinois Atheists are (oh snap, dueling atheists gangs!).  You can follow @illinoisatheist here.

Part 1
Part 2

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Shannon Elizabeth (poker/twitter diva)

Actress Shannon Elizabeth (@shannonelizab) from American Pie and Dancing with the Stars) dropped in on the gang at Attack of the Show (@aots) to talk about her new tv show Live Nude Comedy on Showtime. She also plays a game of Texas-Tweet’em (a game the show’s producers created combining two of Elizabeth’s favorite pastime — poker and Twitter).

Elizabeth’s poker-playing exploits are well known.  She’s borderline pro.  I had no idea she loved Twitter but this game they created actually looks fun.  They should create an official app for it.  While the game looks fun, Live Nude Comedy (on the other hand) looks disturbing.  Sure, it’s only a 2-minute clip but it was painfull to watch.  I’ll tune into the show and give it a chance for at least two episodes (on the basis of its unique premises and to see if they actually can pull it off) but it doesn’t look too promising so far.

Attack of the Show co-hosts Kevin Pereira & Olivia Munn

Speaking of Twitter, you can learn a lot about a person based on how and what they tweet.  Here is Shannon’s latest tweet:

“Have some morning appointments-now checking my mail box & hitting Trader Joe’s!about 10 hours ago from Tweed“

Back to Texas-Tweet’em.  Is it just me or does it look like a good Twitter game?  How does it compare to say Spymaster?

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Twitter tag: Twitter games

PetFishTalk.com

Oh, why not?  There’s a show for every other topic in the world.  Aren’t fish worthy of discussion too?

The producers of The Pet Fish Talk Show (known as “The Baily Brothers “) seem to think so and they attack the subject of pet fish on their podcast web talk show with all of the zeal and seriousness of Oprah attacking a “how to lose weight” episode.

Here is how The Baily Brothers describe their show’s mission:

“The Bailey Brothers, Tom and Nevin, two of America’s most trusted aquarium experts, host each show, and they invite you to call during the show and talk with them about your pet fish.

This web site contains information about Pet Fish Talk, the weekly internet talk show about keeping pet fish in aquariums, fish bowls, and ponds.”

The Baily Brothers (Tom on the left, Nevin on the right) in their studio

As to be expected, the website (drenched in bright aquatic colors) is chock full of information on how to start and maintain an aquarium.  But what’s most impressive about The Pet Fish Show is its extensive library of content.  The website boasts “over 240 Pet Fish Talk Shows have been recorded and are available 24/7 in the archive“.

Their library of talk show content includes:

• Interviews with Experts, who discuss the mysteries of aquatic life and explain many of their recent discoveries.
• Toll Free call-in during the show to talk about your pet fish (if you can’t call the live show, you can email your comment or question, and Tom and Nevin will try to read your email during the show).
• Archived shows available on CDs, MP3 Podcasts and I-Tunes

This ain’t no mom and pop operation!  Very impressive for a talk show about pet fish (there are some nationally syndicated talk shows that aren’t nearly as polished!).  The Baily Brothers are hardcore about their fish talk show and we love it.

My only complaint is that they are still using Windows Media Player to broadcast their shows (boooo!).  Extremely limiting and very 1999.  You can catch their show live every Wednesday between 1 and 3 pm, Pacific Time, at PetFishTalk.com.

Twitter tag: Pet fish

Dr. Adams and his silent co-host Mr. Potato Head

I never thought a talk show could scare the hell out of me.  But a mere moments into the opening credits for web talk show “Plastic Surgery Talk” and I’m convinced that the creepy-looking host (Dr. William P. Adams, Jr. MD, a plastic surgeon) is looking back at me through my laptop screen (just watch the video and you’ll see what I mean).

What’s worse is that the opening credits have me convinced that he and his creepiness is multiplying (no doubt hatching in pods all across America).  But wait.  That’s only the beginning of it.  The opening segment of the show finds Dr. Adams sitting stiffly on top a desk with a computer-generated backdrop gives him the effect of being suspended in a pool of saline.  If I ever got the opportunity to interview Dr. Adams, the first thing I’d ask him is, “Dude, what’s up with your set?”  And the next question would be, “I want to talk to Mr. Potato head.  Can you give him a message for me?”

Dr. Adams has an unusual sidekick.  Even odder than the opening credits and saline-suspended background is the “Mr. Potato Head” sitting prominently on the desk next to Dr. Adams through the entire half hour show.  Mr. Potato (himself a victim of plastic surgery – “remake my face kids”) faces the guest and the camera (a presence Dr. Adams never even mentions).  Mr. Potato head holds court like some sort of plastic surgery Yoda.  Could he be the real brains behind this operation?

The pilot episode (below) features as a guest plastic surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Kinsley, MD who discusses and demonstrates a kit she created called the Natrelle Pre-Consultation Kit (a new product that lets women wear a pair of breast implants in their bra at home for several days to help them decide if breast augmentation is for them — where was this kit when I was in high school and unbearably flat-chested?). Dr. Kinsley really should consider renaming the kit “Boobs in a Box” (it’s all in the marketing baby!).

The format and show on the whole is actually pretty good and, though it’s a half hour (which feels like an eternity online), it feels shorter because of the structure of the show.  It combines professional interviews with “patient’s perspective” interviews and “man on the street” interviews.  Dr. Adams gives “boobs in a box” to women to “test drive” with interesting results.

The cheesey and creepy factor aside, I love this show!  Dr. Adams might have a stalker/serial killer vibe about him (he’s not doing himself any favors having Mr. Potato Head as a co-host), but the show is campy, hysterical, yet educational too and he has a dry sense of humor that catches his guests off guard (a plus for a talk show host).

PART 1

PART 2

Twitter tag: breast implants

Richie Rich

Web talk show host Samantha Ettus (@samanthaettus) from “Obsessed with Samantha Etus” gabs with fashion designer Richie Rich.

Fascinating that he was a part of The Ice Capades (there’s something campy and hot about that).  This much is a fact:  Richie Rich has LIVED!  Being a professional ice skater, a club-kid celeb in New York and segueing into fashion means you’ve pretty much seen it all.

Samantha’s description of the clip follows:

“Richie Rich joined The Ice Capades at age 18 and has captured the spotlight ever since. He went from the ice to the nightclubs and became known as a leading “club kid”. While many others turned to drugs, Richie saw the club world as a launching pad to bigger dreams. He became a recording artist and one half of the renowned design team behind flashy fashion label Heatherette. Richie has styled a bevy of celebrity friends from Paris Hilton to Gwen Stefani and appears frequently on TV on shows such as America’s Next Top Model and Project Runway. He is now launching a highly anticipated solo fashion line, another with Pamela Anderson, and his own line of nail polish. Richie has weaved his unique personal brand into endless opportunities and that is why I’m Obsessed with Richie Rich.

xO,
Sam”

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Tim O'Reilly 2.0

Fora.tv (@foratv) talks to internet guru Tim O’Reilly (@timoreilly) about the disruptive and redefining power of Twitter among other Web 2.0 hot topics. The interview is lengthy but very informative and thoughtful.

O’Reilly covers a buffet of topics including:

• Origin of Web 2.0;
• What is Web 2.0 in retrospect?
• The Next Internet Wave;
• Semantic Web vs Recognition;
• What Publishers Can Learn from Software Developers;
• Writing a Guide to the Internet Today and Almost Buying Yahoo;
• Is he on the mark in defining the future of business models on the internet the way he defined Web 2.0?

This clip is a geek’s dream.   Tim O’Reilly (who coined the term “Web 2.0″ – though, of course, several people dispute this) is one of the grandaddy’s of the internet.  It’s interesting to hear his take on how things are changing and the direction he thinks we’re headed.

O’Reilly co-authored a new book (with Sarah Milstein – @sarahm) about Twitter called “The Definitive Guide to the Planet’s Most Useful & Effective Communications Channel” (published last month).  According to the press release for the book, content and purpose of the book is explained as follows:

The innovative format illustrates Twitter best practices by showing Twitter and supporting tools in action as demonstrated by more than 60 top twitterers, whose work is included in the book. The Twitter Book also sports a full color illustration on every page spread. This essential guide will help you:

• Use Twitter to connect with colleagues, customers, family, and friends;
• Stand out on Twitter, whether you’re new to the service or already have experience
• Avoid common Twitter gaffes and pitfalls
• Utilize Twitter–and the best third-party tools that help you manage it–to build a critical professional communications channel

So if you want to know how to use Twitter like a pro, The Twitter Book will get you up to speed fast. Indeed Cory Doctorow, co-editor of Boing Boing and author of Little Brother, agrees and says The Twitter Book is “as easy to grasp as a tweet; this book cuts through the tiresome twitterhype and delivers a bunch of sensible, down-to-earth material on using and enjoying Twitter”.

If you’d like to order the book, you can find it here.

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Twitter tag: Tim O’Reilly