Backstagecarolina's Blog

Ryan Nelson ‘Let Go’

backstagecarolina — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:53:42 +0000

Ok, if you are a stay-at-home mom –or –like myself a wannabe t.v. host you’ve probably checked out former Lowcountry Live host, Ryan Nelson. Former as of a few days ago when WCIV anchor Erin Colgan took over Nelson’s position. I heard through the grapevine about a month ago that Nelson was quitting but after reading a blurb in the Charleston City Paper it sounds as if she has been ‘let go’ AKA fired. Soooo…. why do I care? well, I e-mailed the news director and offered my resume for the position and he never responded!!!! How dare he! how rude! I mean he could have at least said, ‘hey, we are going to replace in-house.” Fine. I’ve licked my wounds. Ok. I digress.

According to the Charleston City Paper, Suzanne Teagle, general manager of WCIV, says the move was a financial decision, not a personal one. “It’s a diversion of resources,” Teagle says. “It makes more sense to use an anchorwoman to host the show.” Diversion of resources I get; It’s a tough economy and the news industry has been hit hard like everyone else. Basically they use Erin for LL in addition to other news duties. However, I don’t understand how it makes more sense for an anchorwoman to host the show. UNLESS they are changing the format and transitioning more towards news. I mean think about it; Katie Couric may have been on GMA but she is NO Kelly Ripa. Not knocking Mrs. Couric; however, I believe there to be a distinct difference in an anchorwoman and a lifestyle/entertainment host.

So that brings me to my pondering moment…..what makes a good lifestyle/entertainment show host? I think the first big thing is personality; the ability to connect with your viewers on a personal level and relate to them. For example, even though I don’t necessarily agree with everything Oprah says/believes/supports, when I watch her show it’s like watching an old friend. That is soooo key in capturing your viewers attention and keeping it longterm. I also think you need to have fun and let that show! ad-lib skills a must. Honestly, whenever I watched Ms. Nelson on LL she came across as fake; like she wasn’t a nice person off set….is that weird? viewers pick up on things like that I think. I love Kelly Ripa’s energy and enthusiasm. I love Meredith Viera’s (think the View era) humor, wit and ad-lib skills. I think a host also has to genuinely care about what they are talking about and know their stuff….like don’t do research 5 minutes before you hit air to interview someone. But who am I to know??? A VIEWER! haha

Check out Ryan Nelson on LL below. I wish her the best of luck! & if you have any thoughts on what makes the ideal lifestyle/entertainment host leave a comment!

Travel Host Wannabe Here

backstagecarolina — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:00:21 +0000

So! I have officially been unemployed for a few months now and since then I have taken up creating videos for different contests. It’s been fun doing them & has kept me busy working on the craft:)

I’ve now taken it to the next level and submitted a new video to a different kind of competition. It’s not a contest but instead an international search for a travel host for TheBigTrip.com. I cannot convey how amazing this opportunity is and how I would react to it….I think Tom Cruise explains better below:

I mean picture it: traveling across the United States for 3 months documenting my adventures through video, pictures, and blogs! It is a social media geeks dream!!! I’d get to meet new people, experience new adventures and see the United States! Most importantly, I’d get to share with you why you should be out there experiencing your own adventures in the US. Who wouldn’t want to do this????

With this job being so appealing to most folks I had to make a video so compelling to set mine apart from all the other great resume vids out there. So after a few shots of beam and several brainstorming sessions I think I’ve come close. My goal was to keep YOU entertained throughout the entire 1:36 and showcase my SKILLZZZZ at the same time.

My mom says I did a good job but I think she’s biased:) LoL…so take a look below and let me know what you think by commenting and rating it on YouTube. Seriously at :03 seconds in there is thongs-YES thongs-being thrown at a cardboard Elvis. IF that doesn’t make a good video then I don’t know what does. HollA!

CLICK HERE TO RATE & COMMENT ON YOUTUBE!

Major Musical Acts Coming To The Coastal Carolina Fair!

backstagecarolina — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:30:24 +0000

ok, well not George Strait major, but surprisingly decent acts (especially compared to the State Fair in Columbia; think David Cook, American Idol). Anyways, the musical entertainment is sure to please this year, featuring some old-school favorites and some up-and coming-chart toppers. If you want to check the full list of entertainers this year check the Coast Carolina fair’s website. But, here’s the quick overview:

LADY ANTEBELLUM

DATE: Saturday, October 31
LOCATION: Lakefront Stage
TIME: 8p.m.
SONGS YOU KNOW: ‘I Run To You,’ ‘Love Don’t Live Here,’ ‘Lookin’ For A Good Time’

PERCY SLEDGE

DATE: Sunday, November 1
LOCATION: Lakefront Stage
TIME: 5p.m.
SONGS YOU KNOW: ‘When A Man Loves A Woman,”I’ve Been Loving You To Long’

TRACY BYRD

DATE: Monday, November 2
LOCATION: Lakefront Stage
TIME: 9p.m.
SONGS YOU KNOW: ‘Keeper Of The Stars (love this one,)’ ‘Watermelon Crawl,’ ‘I’m From The Country,’ ‘The Truth About Men,’ ‘Jose Cuervo’

NEAL McCOY:

DATE: Tuesday, November 3
LOCATION: Lakefront Stage
TIME: 9p.m.
SONGS YOU KNOW: ‘Wink,’ ‘The Shake,’ ‘Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On’

JULIANNE HOUGH:

DATE: Thursday, November 5
LOCATION: Lakefront Stage
TIME: 7:30p.m.
SONGS YOU KNOW: ‘My Hallelujah Song,’ ‘That Song In My Head’

JAKE OWEN:

DATE: Friday, November 6
LOCATION: Lakefront Stage
TIME: 7:30p.m.
SONGS YOU KNOW: ‘Yee Haw,’ ‘Don’t Think I Can’t Love You (I actually hate this song fyi), ‘Startin’ With Me,’ ‘Eight Second Ride’

CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD:

DATE: Saturday, November 7
LOCATION: Lakefront Stage
TIME: 8p.m.
SONGS YOU KNOW: ‘Carolina Girls!!!!’

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Halloween Events Happenin’ In The Lowcountry!

backstagecarolina — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:25:59 +0000

Am I the only one who has a difficult time finding an updated list of Halloween events going on in the Lowcountry?? or am I just the only halloween freak looking for something to do? either way, if you enjoy this time of year and the fun haunted attractions and festivals that go along with it, then you may appreciate a compiled list of Halloween events! First off, here is my tip list when going to these events(I wish someone had offered to me!)

Tips:

-Wear comfortable shoes or rain boots(no flip flops!)

-Bring cash, and if possible get your tickets online (you will breeze through long lines)

-For females: don’t bring a purse, use your man’s pockets or wear a little backpack (you’ll be moving around a lot)

-Keep your tix if you can (souvenirs ppl!)

Boone Hall Fright Nights: This year was the second time I gave Boone Hall Fright Nights a shot. If you are a haunted attraction connoisseur like myself you will find this mediocre at best. They have 4 different attractions this year and my group did all of them and were overall disappointed with the ‘scariness’ level. IF you do go and have the disposable income then do all four b/c if you are with a good group it can be fun. However, if you want to get the most bang for your buck I only recommend doing: Bloody Mary’s Haunted Manor & Screaming Woods Haunted Hayride. Night of the Zombies was a complete joke! you’ll be pissed you even did it. Night Stalkers Corn Field was disappointing (we laughed through most of it) and one of the actors broke character! I hate that! When we went they had a dj playing music, a palm reader and food available.
St. Paul’s Academy Halloween Extravaganza: This was the first time I’d ever been to this and I was a little skeptical because it is put on by a private school in Hollywood, SC. However, this event is very well put together. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this!!! They offer a haunted house (about 8 minutes long) and a hayride (about 45 minutes). I highly enjoyed both. It is cool b/c everyone here is volunteers and they all seem very into what they were doing. It is organized like a little festival; activities include: hayride, haunted house, petting zoo, kids hayride & haunted house, karaoke!, country store, greased pole competition, paintball game, food vendors + more. I know this sounds totally redneck but they even had several cars lined up and you could take a big mallet and just go to town on them. Upon first seeing it I scoffed at those participating…but when one offered me a swing, I have to tell you the rush that came from destroying a windshield…haha a stress/anger reliever for sure! I don’t want to spoil the hayride for anyone that goes but it was very very creatively planned out and there were some pretty intense moments. I saw a few actors break character, which sucked, but overall it was really good. Scariest part: jig saw (that’s all I will say!). Best part: when a group of zombies broke out the THRILLER dance! Awesome. Period.
West Farm Corn Maze: This was the second time we did this maze. This attraction is literally in the middle of nowhere (close to Summerville & Moncks Corner), however it is pretty well organized and if you like this sort of thing, worth the trip. This is not a haunted attraction BUT a cool fall event. Here, they give you a map and send you out into their 6-acre maze. The maze features over 3 miles of trails in the shape of a deer. You’ll have to use your best map-reading skills to reach all 12 maze checkpoints in the corn field, and this year, they’ve added a Sudoku-style challenge to your mark-off map. At each checkpoint is a metal stamper that punches out your visited checkpoints. They also added a refreshment stand in the middle of the cornfield! Anyways, if you complete all the checkpoints you are registered to win a Nintendo Wii this year. They also offer a hayride (it’s mediocre, but fun for kids), petting zoo, apple slingshot, and Scarecrow Alley. You can vote for your favorite scarecrow here; I voted for the MADEA scarecrow!
Cypress Gardens’ Halloween In The Swamp: Ok I have NEVER been to this but am trying to plan on going this year. There is a limited number of days they are doing it: Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24, 2009, so keep this in mind. This could be fun….there is a ‘haunted’ boat ride through the swamp, which is freaky enough considering the idea it is night time and there are probably gators swimming underneath ya! LoL. The website lists several other potential fun activities to check out.
Blackbeard’s Cove Haunted Trail of Terror: Yet another haunted attraction I hope to attend this season. This one fairly new, only in its third year, is located at Blackbeard’s Cove Fun Park (Mt. Pleasant). I’m a little skeptical about this b/c Blackbeard touts itself as a family fun park. However, on the bottom of itsadvertisement for the attraction reads, “parental discretion advised.” So I’m undecided but hope to find out soon! The site doesn’t really give a lot of info about it so I will report back my findings:)

Other Halloween/Fall events & attractions happening in the Lowcountry:

whew! Ok I feel better now. If you’ve got something you wanna add to the list, comment this blog!

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