My Saturday with Ted!

November 24/12.

Never expected to be sitting down at the NewsTalk 1010 studios to talk to Ted Woloshyn on Saturday with Ted, but it happened!

This is the little studio where Ted runs the jam-packed show every week,

along with his trusty musical companion, jazz pianist Bill King, who plays the intros before every interview. It was a treat to sit right next to him to watch and listen. What a talent.

I got to the station at 2 St. Clair Avenue West around 11 a.m. Show producer Dan Jacobs came downstairs to the parking lot to bring me up to the second floor, where I waited in the "holding room", (actually the control room for Ted's show)! Really fun to be "behind-the-scenes",

listening to the banter back & forth between Ted and Bill. They make a great team! If I leaned over, I could JUST see Ted's face behind the glass.

Dan Jacobs, (right), gets very little time to sit. He's constantly up and down. He produces Larry Fedoruk's show as well as Ted's, and spends most of his day rounding up guests and getting them into (and out of) the studio. On  the other hand, Mike Catherwood (left, with cap), operates the board, interacts with Ted and Bill and helps make the show flow! I really enjoyed watching Mike in action, so quick with the quips and effects.

There were so many long commercial breaks, Ted even had time to give me a tour of the newsroom across the hall. He showed me where award-winning newscaster Dave Agar sits (2nd from left - the chair right next to the window). The place looks nothing like it did when I worked there way back in 1975!

Ted made me feel so comfortable. We talked about the early days of Good News reporting, the time I spent working with Bob McAdorey (Ted says Mac inspired him to get into radio), teen idol Bobby Sherman, my Dad (Rex Loring), my Mum (Jill Loring, who worked at CFRB as a copy writer for 26 years), and my experience with breast cancer.

Only problem is, now I remember how much I miss the radio biz! Thanks, Ted, for the chance to wear headphones again and talk to an invisible audience. Was a blast!

P.S., I didn't even realize there were video cameras in the studio, recording us the whole time! (Ted pointed them out to me during a commercial break). My sister, Carrie, sent me a few shots. This is one of them.

Click on the play button to listen to the interview!

Saturday with Ted!

November 23/12.

Shameless plug alert!

I'm excited to have been invited as a guest on the radio show Saturday with Ted, featuring Ted Woloshyn tomorrow morning (Saturday November 24th) at NewsTalk 1010 AM. I'm scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

The topic is my experience with breast cancer,

 but I'm hoping we'll also get to discuss the good old radio days (I started my career at CFRB 1010 as a Good News reporter back in the summer of 1975!) - Very old magazine ad above!

And maybe, we might even talk about my 18 years at Global TV, working with the late, great Bob McAdorey (here on the set of Entertainment Desk back around 1996). I still miss Bob. Sigh.

I've been a fan of Ted's for many years. He's such a talented interviewer and has that special gift to make guests feel comfortable. I've never experienced that first-hand, but I hope I'm right, since I'm a nervous wreck about being back on the radio after decades away! (and THIS time, on the OTHER side of the mic!)

Ted always has fabulous chefs on the show to whip up mouth-watering recipes in the studio. I'm sure no chef, but I've decided to bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies to give Ted and his co-workers!

With Franelle in Los Angeles

The famous recipe comes from my longtime friend, Franelle Silver, who lives in Hollywood. She used to make these cookies to take on the set of M*A*S*H when she visited the cast and crew. She was always a big hit and welcomed with open arms when she brought these delectable sweet treats!


See you Saturday Ted!

Getting caught up!

November 10/11.

Much on the go this week.

A bit TOO much, if you ask me. (Despite my "empowering" Power Puff Girls sweater, lookin' "a tad peaked" here, - as my Gramma often used to say to me)! But peaked doesn't stop me from loving cartoon characters and a whole cast of whack packers!

Ya, I know, my insane, over-the-top adoration of The 3 Stooges,

Nyuk nyuk nyuk!

and Jerry Lewis, (a la Professor Julius Kelp),

and the fabulous, late, great Billy Van!! sigh - (in The Hilarious House of Frightenstein!!) Man, he was fantastic in all those wild roles! - Remember the credits? Starring - Billy Van, Billy Van, Billy Van!!

and yes, even the Power Puff Girls, proves I've never really grown up, I guess. Whatever. Live with it!

Not enough time lately to sit around, think, create & blog!!
(No shortage of IDEAS, only time).

Monday's "ME day" put me way behind with a lot of mundane stuff. (my fave....not!) Had to run to catch up.

Always makes me think of that Jill Clayburgh movie, "I'm Dancing As Fast As I Can"!! (yes, I know it dealt with Valium addiction). Have never been addicted to the stuff, however, took it six years ago to make my speech at Bob McAdorey's funeral, (February, 2005),

and again, two weeks ago, - (ALSO to speak at a McAdorey function), -
co-accepting his induction award into the Niagara Falls Wall of Fame. (Bob? - Seems I only need Valium when it comes to YOU)! - I KNOW he would relate, understand, and say, "It's OK. I LOVE you." (as he often said when I was freaking out).

In between mundane, "have-a-blast" chores today, headed over to Gerrard Square to track down a gift for my Auntie Ray's upcoming 92nd birthday. (finally found something...just hope it FITS)!

But while there, also wandered into the local boot store to check out these WAY-wild, over-the-knee boots they had.

Always wanted to try them on. At long last, actually DID it. The shop owner was kind enough to take a pic. Upon seeing it though, felt it looked like I was about to go fly fishing with Robert Redford in A River Runs Through It! Gak.

(of course, Bob was MUCH too COOL to wear major-league boots during the making of that film)!!

After giving up on my idea of over-the-knee boots, ended up buying,

...these! Yep. Grape-coloured, knee-high, suede boots. (WHAT???) - Totally UNpractical, but fun to strut in. (just wearing them in the mall, had THREE people ask where I GOT them)!

Then, onward to grocery shopping at No Frills (be still my heart), and to Gerrard & Carlaw, where I ran into my FAVE blog mascots, Aubrey & Dana -"The Bolton Bros". (every bit as cool as Redford in MY book).

They looked great and played their fab version of Me and Bobby McGee, (written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster)- just for me! First time I've heard them sing it. LOTS of people gave them money, as they are SOOOOOOOOOOO good!

Awesome guys! - Bought them each a beer, instead of tossing change into their guitar. (FYI - Aubrey, with the RED hat, is the only street performer I've seen with a cell phone! He got a call while I was snapping pics. Seems a young woman was awfully anxious for him to come over and see her). He blushed when he closed the phone and re-joined his brother. Cheers guys!

Niagara Falls! - Slowly I Turned

October 31/11.

Happy Halloween!

So much on the go over the past few days, I forgot to buy candy! Must do that today! For now though, will forget about Halloween and tell a different story.

Back in late August, I was contacted by Beth Angle, Community Development Coordinator for Recreation & Culture in Niagara Falls.

She was hoping I could put her in touch with someone from the family of my late, great Global friend, Bob McAdorey, so she could get permission to induct him into the Niagara Falls Arts & Culture Wall of Fame.

Loving Bob the way I did, I was thrilled to hear his hometown wanted to honour him, and in time, I got Beth connected with Bob's daughter, Colleen Tatti, who OK'd the induction.

Next? Enter Bill Brioux.

Bill in the pumpkin patch! - (choosing a Jack-o-lantern??)

My longtime friend, TV critic/writer Bill Brioux was asked to polish up the McAdorey bio to be read at the big event, and before we knew it, the two of us were invited to come to the ceremony and accept the honour on Bob's behalf, since his family members were unable to attend. We were flattered to be asked and made plans to travel to Niagara Falls. I took a Greyhound bus, (a first for me), and Bill drove up the next morning, after his son, Daniel's commencement ceremony.

When I checked into my hotel room, couldn't BELIEVE the stunning view! (I requested a falls view, but Ai Carumba! - The place manages to leave me breathless, no matter HOW many times I see it)!

Niagara Falls has always been one of my favourite places to visit, especially in autumn.

Stunning!

Incredible views from every window! - (Could I just stay here for a week or two??)

And beautiful fall colours!

Funny to be in Niagara Falls just before Halloween. Clifton Hill has an abundance of Houses of Horror! SCARY!!!!!!!!!!

Frankenstein enjoying a burger!

Gargoyles galore! (strangely, though horror movies are an obsession of mine, I could NEVER enter one of these places alone! Watching TV is one thing. Wandering solo through a horror house with axe murderers jumping out at you from all sides, is another!) - I save a LOT of money by just looking at these places from the OUTSIDE!! My over-the-top imagination makes up for ANYTHING I might discover INSIDE!!!

The 1931 version of Dracula has always been on my Top 10 list of favourite movies. I kept wishing Bela Lugosi would show up!

Believe it or not, Renfield/Igor (actor Dwight Frye) is my fave Dracula character...even more than Dracula HIMSELF,

but the very thought of running into him, ("YES MASTER!!!") scares me to death! - (what IS it with me and scary men????) I actually have a copy of a book about Dwight Frye, kindly given to me by my TV scriptwriter pal, Bruce Kirschbaum, who said I was the only woman he knew (other than Dwight Frye's MOTHER), who would want to read it! He's right. - I mean, has anyone else even HEARD of this guy??

This vulture was outside one of the many NF horror establishments. It's programmed to "talk" to passersby in a menacingly hoarse, loud tone, taunting everyone to come inside and threatening to lock you in forever, if you don't. Really scary, but at the same time, hilarious! - (I think I went back to see this character three times because the voice was SO hypnotically mesmerizing)!!

I passed by the Great Canadian Midway arcade.

It brought back memories of the days we used to take our kids there to put tokens into the dozens of machines inside, win coupons and collect tiny prizes on the way out. Sigh.
(then we'd go next door and buy fudge).

In the gift shop of the Sheraton by the Falls Hotel on Clifton Hill, I ran into Zoltar, the fortune teller. (same guy who speaks in the Tom Hanks movie, BIG). Decided I HAD to get him to tell my fortune. I dropped in a loonie and he told me all kinds of things, including the fact that I was about to do something I had never done before and that I should DO it!
(Not sure how Zoltar knew I was about to make an acceptance speech for the first time!)

Despite very cold temperatures, I walked right down to the Falls to take a close-up look. Love to hear that roaring sound.

Nothing like it. Makes you forget anything else going on around you. Two guys from Hamilton offered to take my picture.
F-f-f-FREEZING!!!!!!!!
I quickly hightailed it back to the hotel to practice my speech!

The following morning, Bill arrived. I brought along my 3 Stooges triple mask for Halloween (since we're both life long Stooge fanatics). We promised ourselves that later in the day, we'd head down to the Falls to try and recreate the classic Curly, Larry & Moe scene - "NIAGARA FALLS!!!"

Then it was off to Niagara Square, scene of the Wall of Fame induction ceremony, where we were entertained by the NF Concert Band.

A town crier officially pronounced the proceedings!

Bob's award was waiting for him.

Bill & I got called to the podium to say a few words in memory of our friend.

It's been a long time since I spoke in front of a crowd, so I was pretty shaky and read from notes, but got through it, no tears. Here's what I said:
"It's a pleasure for me to be here today. In the course of many of our conversations over the years, Bob often told me of his time here in Niagara Falls, his love of the city and of the people. I only wish he could be here to accept this tribute for himself, but I'm honoured to say a few words on his behalf. I know his family, - his daughter, Colleen, (whom I worked with at Global), and his grandchildren, are proud.

Bob's irreverence and raucous humour are the things I remember most about him. Despite many challenges and sadnesses in his life, he maintained his biting edge wit to the bitter end, and knowing him was one of the big joys of my life.

If he WERE here today, I know he would be thrilled to be inducted into the Wall of Fame and to be remembered. But I also think he would probably say, 'What TOOK you so long'??

Thank you so very much for honouring him in this special way.

Now, one of Bob's favourite TV guests, Bill Brioux, has a few words to say".

Bill spoke directly from the heart, no notes, cracking people up with funny stories about Bob, making me green with envy that he can "wing it" in a way I could never hope to achieve. Since Bill had no script, I can't copy & paste it here,

but he DID tell one of my favourite stories about his weekly Friday "TV Guide" visits to "Ent Desk", when he was always warned NOT to discuss any programming that wasn't aired on Global! - NO CROSS-OVER PROMOTION FOR OTHER STATIONS! And then, the second the red light went on, Bob would immediately ask Bill about shows on ALL the other networks! Bill just laughed and would go with the flow. There was no arguing with Bob! It was HIS show, all the way.

Afterwards, we met with several dignitaries, including the Mayor, James Diodati, (in light blue shirt, next to the podium), and had fun, swapping emotional memories with other Mac fans. It wasn't hard to bring tears to my eyes, talking about Bob with those who also cared about him.

Bill & I proudly posed with Bob McAdorey's Wall of Fame award. Miss you every day Bob!

Click here to read Bill's take on the day's events on his TV Feeds My Family blog.

Once our "job" was done, Bill & I kept the promise to each other to enter the world of the Stooges, if only for a minute or two!

We walked down to the falls, despite the rain and cold, and asked a passerby to snap a shot of our routine. What a blast. I think Bill is the only guy in the world who could make this zany fantasy come true! ("Why soitenly"!!)
"Slowly I turned… step by step…inch by inch…I crept up on the rogue that stole my gal!" (nyuk nyuk nyuk!)

This is the photo used at the ceremony to remember Bob. It was taken on the set of Entertainment Desk, the show he hosted for years and that Bill & I guested on. (Bob's world, - we just lived in it).

Now that this weekend is over, it almost seems like some kind of dream. But the pictures tell me it actually happened. Thanks to Beth Angle and to everyone in Niagara Falls who allowed us to be a part of this magical weekend!