RACE N' TV

What happens when you mix Professor Dubin with a conversation on Race and Television?
answer: Uh, I don't exactly have a funny punch line here, but I can tell you that you're in for an interesting night.
This month, Tim McNeal, VP of talent development and diversity for the Disney-ABC Television Group sat with Professor Dubin for a chat in front of a packed audience in the Herg Auditorium.
It was interesting to hear that the character Ari Gold from Entourage was based off the talent agent that Tim worked for early in his career. So, we all assumed that Tim was based off Ari Gold's assistant in the show.
The audience members were encouraged to ask questions throughout the conversation and to my surprise, Tim's surprise, and Dubins's surprise, most all questions were very intuitive.
One statement by Tim on discussing diversity went something along the lines that he doesn't necessarily like the work 'diversity' because it has a negative connotation, rather he prefers the word 'choice'. I'll let you all ponder on that, while I still try to figure out exactly what he meant. In the meantime, GO ORANGE!

-Vin Nucatola
Coordinating Producer - OTN

DANCEWORKS 2009

Bloggers,

Danceworks never seizes to amaze us with their talent, creativity, and musical diversity. This year Danceworks' theme was Danceworks Air. Basically, they were taking the audience all over the globe by performing dance routines from all cultures. I thought it was quite original.
And yes, Danceworks was sold out...again...all three nights. No surprise there.
The performance of the night had to be between the hip-hop mash-up dance battle, similar to the movie Stomp The Yard, and the Billie Jean number. If you've ever seen the actual Billie Jean music video, there's hardly any dancing so I think Michael Jackson needs to check out the Danceworks' Billie Jean version.

In addition, Danceworks' pamphelts were a bit clever. The cover looked like a passport. Whoever was the clever little devil who raised their hands at their meeting and suggested that probably sounded like a genius! However, I overheard some people saying they thought the pamphlets were actual passports...Ah, college intellectuals.

-Vin Nucatola
Coordinating Producer - The Orange Television Network

Woo Hoo

Woo Hoo was back at the Jab last Saturday to perform their second show of the season. The show was hosted by Matt Harris, who explained his issue with his film noir class. AJ Abraham confessed his spell check shame and Justin Trimm couldn’t calculate ESF math. Tyler Gilden discussed his spring break plans, while Vin Nucatola explored how karma gave him a black eye. It was certainly a great night for the comedy. The show will air on OTN and on the web in the near future and the group is scheduled to perform March 21 at 8 p.m. in the Jab.

- Ginny Cruciano, Event Producer

Drag Show 2009

When I heard the Drag Show was back this year, I knew it was a must to tape.
Once again, Syracuse's Pride Union and the undergraduate LGBT student Union hosted the "2009 Totally Fabulous Drag Show" and each year the show gets better. The Drag Show here at SU is the 2nd largest drag show in the country, according to research and the office of student life, and is the largest student funded and produced drag show in the country.

This year, Totally Fabulous was hosted by Peppermint who was formerly on MTV's Real World. The show opened with a music video of Peppermint from her new album. It was quite a thrill to watch. Peppermint's calfs were also much bigger and more cut than mine! Then Peppermint selected two people from the audience to battle it out on the runway to win a spot as an additional judge!
Nikki Fenmore who was crowned Miss Universe and hostess of
X-bar, a local club's drag show was also there, as well as Windz and Raven - two
famous Drag Kings from Rochester, NY.
-All proceeds from the show went to AIDS charity.

So, be sure to check out some clips on OTN's website and be sure to check out the entire show this month on OTN channel 2!

-Vin Nucatola
OTN- Coordinating Producer

Zamboni Revolution

It was a double dose of comedy as Zamboni Revolution took to the stage last Friday night after the Penguins Without Pants show. Because of the overwhelming turnout, the Zamboni show had to be moved from the Jab to the Underground and based on the audience reaction, they did not disappoint. It’s always remarkable to watch how the performers come up with such hilarious situations right on the spot. Performing that night were Dan Grgas, Jessie Jolles, Michael Luiacono, Megan Reddish, Derek Leach, Alex Adelson, Alex Schmidt, and Jeremiah Thompson. Be sure to check the show out when it appears on OTN.

Zamboni Revolution is scheduled to perform again March 27 at 8 p.m. in Panasci.

- Ginny Cruciano, OTN Producer

Penguins Without Pants

The sketch comedy troupe Penguins Without Pants was back at the Jab last Friday night to kickoff their first performance of the season. Playing to a standing-only room crowd, the troupe started their show with funny sketches like “Two Dutchmen at a Souvenir Shop” and “Meowsie McMeowserton”. Derek O’Brien battled for survival in “Man versus Wegman’s” and Matthew Gasda shared his secret sauce in “Farmer Gooey.” Another highlight of the night was a sketch called “Millionaire”, which taught us that looking to the past doesn’t always give you the best answers. Also performing that night were Jason Samlin, Noelle Fuoco, Ian Chin, Davis Haines, Dan Vallejo and Michael Debach. The show is scheduled to air on OTN and online in the near future, and Penguins Without Pants is lined up to perform their next show March 20 at 8 p.m. in the Jab. Be sure to check them out.

Ginny Cruciano, OTN Producer

'Cuse Coverage Update

Hey 'Cuse Coverage Fans,

Now that we're into a new semester season of 'Cuse Coverage, I figured I'd check in about what's going on with the show. Already we've learned about some really interesting things going on around campus-a mentoring opportunity where SU students can do art with kids from the city, free mediation classes every Monday, and the all Spanish news show...still to come are even more groups and events on campus. We've talked to students about the inauguration, fuel-efficiency, ideal Valentine's Day dates and the closure of the website Juicy Campus. I'm excited to see what else comes up this semester. Also in the works is the search for a new host/producer. Mike and I will be graduating this Spring, so we are looking for someone to take over and make this show their own...if there are any fans interested you should shoot me an e-mail, or show up at our casting calls Friday and Saturday the 20th and 21st. That's all for now! -Torie