The Face of FOX Toledo Blog

Now that I'm doing the TMZ segments every day on the four o'clock newscast, I'm uncovering some pretty interesting stories about all the celebs fit to be gossiped about.  Thought I'd post my favorites here, in case you missed my nightly dish!

1)  Luckily for Michael Jackson, there's never been a better economic climate in which to unload a gently used portrait of the artist surrounded by various cultural and historical figures, each wearing his trademark shades and crystal-encrusted white glove.

The painting, which is expected to fetch somewhere in the vicinity of $600, is one of 2,000 items from the financially strapped singer's personal collection set to be auctioned off this spring.  In anticipation of the four-day fire sale beginning April 22, Julien's Auctions has put out a catalog revealing the eclectic collection of Jacko's belongings.

3)  Rapper Lil Wayne has backed out of three scheduled concerts over the last four months in Rochester, New York, and the promoter for the events is not too happy.  He has filed a suit against Wayne for 1.3 million.

Edward Strickland, GM of RMF Productions, is suing Wayne, his manager and others involved because he reportedly advanced the singer $100 K back in October and then Wayne kept cancelling.  Strickland claims he heard from Wayne via email that he wouldn'lt make it to the third scheduled concert.  Wayne is not returning phone calls concerning the matter.  Of course not!  He obviously wants to keep the $100 K!

Didn't get your fill of gossip?  Tune in daily for FOX Toledo News, First at Four, and you'll see me delivering the lastest from Hollywood's thirty mile zone!

During the last several weeks I've had the opportunity to meet Santa....several times.  First, I got to ride with him on his sleigh in the BG parade.  Then, I saw him yesterday at the "Lunch with Santa" event for Easter Seals, only to see him later on that evening at the Parade of Lights in Ida, Michigan.  (I climbed a ten foot ladder just to be able to talk to him & Mrs. Claus for a few minutes.)

So my question is, if Santa keeps making all these appearances around our area, and it's probably safe to assume he's making appearances elsewhere, then when is he gonna make all the presents?!?

Okay, I know his elves do most of the work, but seriously...shouldn't he at least be supervising?  Nobody wants a doll with only one leg, or a toy train with a missing engine.  (Those elves can be a shady bunch.)  My point is, I think Santa is trying a little too hard in this celebrity obsessed world to be among the likes of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan.  It seems to me, he's really going the extra mile in trying to create his own publicity.

My message to you, Santa, is this:  Don't worry so much!  We still believe in you and we're all looking forward to the big day.  So  don't stress....take the next couple weekends off and rest up for what we're all waiting for.  Oh, and if it helps save you some time, you can just stuff my stocking with cash.  No, really!!  I won't be offended.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention....drum roll, please....da da da ta!  It's Sarah Downs, my new producer!  And I can't tell you how happy I am.  I was starting to have withdrawal symptoms from the lack of promos I've been performing.  It is so nice to be back on the airways with regularity.

If you happened to notice, I've been on hiatus for quite a while, most of the summer in fact.  While I was content to not have to memorize lines and chill out a little bit, I almost immediately started to miss my favorite "face" duty.  And so did my parents....they kept asking where I was during the daily comedy block shows.  They are still as proud and excited as they were the day that I won.  My wonderful father records every single promo I've done on DVR, then painstakingly transfers them to dvd for me, happily showing them off at family events, holidays, even his place of business.  He is my biggest fan.  Oh, and I'm pretty sure I get my "performance genes" from him; he used to be a pretty talented comedian and performer back in the good ol' days.  But I digress.

Sarah has rescued me from the doldrums of scriptless enterprises, creating promos for me that will now run at all times of the day.  Yes, that's right, I'll be introducing all the shows with quick reminders, doing some cool holiday stuff, and you may have even noticed the recent countdowns for Fringe and the new season of House.  I will literally be all over the place!  Which is also true of my community calendar....you might have noticed me at one of the many festivals that have taken place this season.  I feel as though I have seen every inch of this county!  You just can't get away from me, Toledo!

Recently I had the opportunity to do something I've never done before, and don't know if I'll ever do again.  Not because it wasn't overwhelmingly enjoyable, just because...well, it's not every day I get to sit in a dunk tank, the object of several men's sportsman-like aggression.

Seeing a softball hurled in my general direction was a bit daunting at first, but I quickly learned that I was completely protected by the metal grill surrounding the tank.  I took part in "Ride For the Red", a fundraising event for the Red Cross at the Harley Davidson dealership in Napoleon, Ohio.  I had an absolute blast!  The day was fortunately about 90 degrees, a perfect scenario to fall into a small but refreshing pool of water.  I considered myself the luckiest person present, as everyone else was melting in the hot sun.  The magic button was sprung every few minutes, so just when I was starting to get a little warm....Boing!   And in I went.  It was probably the easiest and most enjoyable duty I've ever completed as the Face of FOX Toledo.  I'm just thankful it wasn't 67 degrees and rainy!  That would definitely have killed my buzz.

Pictures of the glorious event can be found at www.facepics.tv, under the "Summer Fun" category.  Good throw, gentlemen!!!

I am happy to announce that I've been involved, along with a talented group of people, in making a pilot tv episode!  The show is called XGTV, and is a funny, informative variety show with hometown flavor.  I'll be the in-studio co-host, along with another Toledo native, Michael Seay.

The show consists of several entertaining segments.  We've got Lindsay & Doug, our crazy street reporters, a health & wellness expert, a "green" segment, and even a Toledo based rap artist who interviews talented local and national acts.  Just last week Deuce interviewed Bo Bice, American Idol runner up!  The show celebrates many of our tried & true home-grown heroes like the Mud Hens and Packo's, as well as introducing everyone to some new favorite places.  I'll even take you to TARTA, to learn about their new hydrogen based biofuel, which is pretty exciting.  You'll also get all the latest entertainment news, with our flair mixed in, of course.

We're crossing our fingers that FOX Toledo will pick up the show and find a time to air it.  In the mean time, check out our ecclectic cast of characters at www.myxgtv.com.  Soon, you'll even be able to view the show and lots of bonus material online as well.  We can't wait to find out what you think!

So you're sitting on your sofa, eating potato chips, watching your favorite Comedy Block shows.  Something suddenly occurs to you.  Wait!  What's going on?  Nobody told me what's coming up next on Everybody Loves Raymond!  And my brain waves have not been stirred by any trivia about Santa's Little Helper or Hank Hill's lawn mower!  Something is very, very wrong.

Well, you're getting pretty upset, and understandably so, but not to worry.  I'm still here!  There's just one small problem.  My talented producer who wrote, filmed, and edited my television promos has moved far away to another land called "Connecticut" to work for a little-known company....I think it's spelled E-S-P-N.  Something to do with sports, I don't know.  So anyway, until FOX Toledo hires another creative person to produce all my stuff, you may not see me quite as often.  But in the eloquent words of the Terminator......I'll be back!

And if you're one of those people who's always wondering if there's anything fun to do in Toledo, I'm here to tell you that there is.  As the "Face", I get to crash some really cool events, some of them regular weekly attractions.  Like "Lunch at Levis Square" in downtown Toledo, featuring different bands to serenade you through every bite of your PB&J.  And the Blues Festival last weekend was ironically a very happy place to be!  This weekend brings the Monster Jam at the Toledo Speedway, so get your tickets early.  I'll be there Friday & Saturday night to get everybody revved up!   Check my schedule frequently; you just might find something you & your family will really enjoy.

My brain is completely fried because I just completed judging the "Toledoan of the Year" contest.  There were some truly noteworthy nominees!  After reading about all those good deeds and deserving people, I'm feeling like a lazy bum.

Not to say that I haven't been in high gear, because my "Face" events have been keeping me quite busy!  In addition to all the fun things I've been doing, I've also been working hard on the new house.  We're finally all moved in, and had an official housewarming party a couple weeks ago.  The city water has been hooked up, and now we're just waiting on the Columbia Gas line to be run.  I'm having cooking withdrawals because I can't use the oven right now!  I have to think up really creative ways to make a meal, such as browning  meat in the electric skillet, and using the burner on the gas grill outside to boil water.  But alas, as I've been told by my mother, patience is a virtue....

I'm also pleased to tell you about a new website that has been launched by your good friends here at FOX Toledo, www.FACEPICS.tv.  I've been on location shutterbugging and now you can check out your photo on this new fun site.  You can also upload your own pictures and then entertain your family & friends.  Check out all the categories: Pets, Summer Fun, Julia's Favorites, and Community Events.  You just may spy a picture of your stunning self!

Don't forget to come visit me this weekend at the Delta Chicken Festival.  I just recently learned it's where "Chicken is King"!  As long as I don't have to dress like a chicken, act like a chicken, or catch a live chicken, I'll most likely enjoy myself thoroughly.  Although I wouldn't mind eating some chicken....

See you there!

How cool is this!?!  I just got to shoot a commercial with the one, the only, Weird Al Yankovic!  This job never ceases to amaze me....

The "Parody Phenomenon" dropped by the station today on his promotional tour through our fine city, and graced me with his presence for a few wonderful moments.  I am pleased to announce that he was extremely genuine, and seemed happy to learn that I am a true fan of  his particular style of hilarity.  I actually attended a concert of his here in Toledo at the Stranahan Theater a while back, and it was probably the most entertaining live show I've ever seen.

Our promo, soon to be seen on the FOX Toledo airways, features me with a normal-sized accordian, and Al with a teeny-tiny version, complete with me asking for my lesson.  It's pretty funny, and a brilliant idea of my producer, Thom Ovacek.  There you go, Thom, is that how you worded it?  (Just kidding, Thom really is quite good at these things!)  Also, Al complied and generously did a "Just you watch FOX Toledo" spot, in a way I've never tried myself.  It seems to imply there might be consequences if you choose not to.....

And last, but not least, if I'm a good little Face, I may just be the one to introduce Mr. Yankovic live at the Toledo Zoo.  Maybe I'll dress "White & Nerdy" style.  Or perhaps I'll just wear my Amish garb.  All the best, Al!!!

I have the honor of working with so many wonderful charities......the National MS Society, the American Diabetes Association, and just this weekend the Anthony Wayne Relay For Life in Whitehouse to help find a cure for cancer.

This was the seventh annual walk at Whitehouse Park, and it is a very symbolic event.  The walk began promptly at six o'clock, and participants cruised around the track all night long.  The significance of the event starting in the evening represents the  moment at which someone is diagnosed with cancer, and the long "walk" through the darkness that the disease really is.  Strolling along determinedly under the night sky is symbolic of the fight against the illness through drugs, chemotherapy and radiation.  Then, as the morning light soon begins to brighten the day, those with cancer are reminded that there could be light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to donations and hard work to eventually find a cure.

It seems as though every individual is affected in some way by this disease.  I, myself, have lost an amazing Grandmother and Grandfather to the devastating effects of cancer, so it was a pretty emotional event for me.

However, in addition to being an emotional evening, it was also a lot of fun!  Despite everything, these people knew how to party.  There was great music, lots of food, raffles, and DJ Tommy Ray even taught us all a new line dance, "The Cupid Shuffle"!  I believe I have mastered it.

Carolyn Strayer, Chair of the event, did a tremendous job putting it all together.  Hopefully you'll get a chance to participate next year!

Ever been snuck up on by a blonde in a blue polo shirt, loaded up with frisbees and key chains, flanked by a picture-taking posse?  Well, give it some time, and maybe, just maybe, it could happen to you.  Wherever there is fun, wherever giveaways are needed, wherever crowds abound, I might be there!  My new assignment is "party crasher" and I'm showing up at exciting events all over town.  My objective:  to have my photo taken with YOU!  Then you can go online & check out the sweet pic and brag to all your friends.  (At least that's how I imagine it will go in my head.)

Today I "crashed" OregonFest in, well, Oregon.  (Ohio, not the state of....)  I brought two good friends along to take pictures of me with the Oregonians?  Oregonites?  ....people from Oregon.  I also gave away a ton of key chains and frisbees, but sadly, not one autograph.  I got awesome photos taken with "Marco" from Marco's Pizza, (the weirdest looking mascot I've ever seen), Viet Nam Veterans, Muddy & Muddonna, and lots of little tykes.  Fortunately the rain held off the entire time so we were able to stay for the record setting 55 minute parade.  Wow!

Last weekend I unexpectedly showed up at Toledo Botanical Garden for the Spring Plant Sale.  I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful afternoon to spend in a garden amongst hundreds of varieties of vibrant flowers.  Next Sunday I'll be hanging out with fellow Mud Hens fans at Fifth Third Field.  I just hope no fowl balls come my way, as I'll be quite busy giving out more FOX freebies and inciting those around me to pose for pix!  May the crashing continue......

This Friday evening, May 2nd, I have the pleasure of introducing an awesome band at the Rok Bar @ 128 Main Street in Toledo.  Their name is "Lost October" and I hope you'll come out and hear their amazing sound!  I really like these guys.

Lost October is "a marriage of modern rock sensibilities and classic rock influences with a strong emphasis on songwriting".  They really have written some very cool songs!  My new personal favorite, "Being There" is actually now available on i-tunes in the U.S., Great Britain, Europe & Japan.  Just you click on www.lostoctobermusic.com  to see the video and hear some of their other music.  I feel very privileged to be able to introduce such a talented group of musicians!  And I would really love it if we could fill up the bar and welcome these gentlemen all the way from New York City, the home of great original music but not so great picante sauce.  You get the joke, I know you do.

Lost October was founded in late 2005 by Eric Colman and Scott Garopolo, and Jeff Kerestes.  They built a studio just outside the New York metro area where they currently are working on two more albums.  They traveled all the way to Toledo to see YOU!  I hope you'll join me; we're going to have a lot of fun.  Doors open at 9pm & the cost is only five bucks if you're over 21.  Come hang out with me!