Wednesday, February 27, 2008

I've gone over to The Dark Side

I have a confession: I'm a geek.

A huge geek, when it comes to "Star Wars," a movie that came out 31 years ago, when I was a tot of 3 years old.

I've gone from being just a regular, casual fan of the movies to a geek, a dork ... a Dark Side dweeb.

Just in case plunking down $100 for a Darth Vader lightsaber or owning all of the DVDs or snapping all these pictures on a recent vaca to Disney World wasn't enough, I find my geeky-ness in full effect at the mall.

I've become that guy, the one I used to make fun of back in the day.

You know the one: In his 30s, perusing the toy department at, say, Taget and looking for the rare "Star Wars" action figure (again, they're NOT DOLLS!) that no one else has.

And then, the best part comes at the cash register when, with my special-edition Biggs Darklighter in hand, the girl in the red Target vest takes a second from ringing me up and gives me that look and I have to come up with, "Um, it's for ... my nephew."

I'm an only child, for God's sake! I don't have any nephews! No nieces, either!

I do, though, have a problem. A "Star Wars" problem.

To which I say: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

My recent multimedia past

In anticipation of tomorrow morning's appearance on Mix 97's morning show, I thought I'd share this with you:

Every Tuesday throughout the 2006-07 school year, I made a guest commentary appearance on Cablevision's "Sports Scene" program with Charlie Cornacchio. Now, without me knowing it, Charlie and the boys kept the cameras rolling while I taped my segment, which often took several takes to get it all right.



Here you have a now-infamous blooper reel that the Cablevision boys have put together and kindly shared with the world on YouTube.

Considering tomorrow I'll be live on the air, I'm pretty sure I won't have any flubs like this on Mix 97!

"Sean's Space" on the air

Can't get enough of "Sean's Space"? The blog just isn't enough?

I know ... it happens.

Well, then be sure to tune in to Mix 97 (that's 97.7 on your FM dial) on Thursday morning as I'll be a guest on Bob Miller's morning show.

The latest in a long line of PoJo bloggers, I'll be talking all about "Sean's Space" with Mr. Miller and Mr. Jones. I'm scheduled to be in the studio from 7:30 to 8:30 in the morning, so be sure to tune in.

And, if you're stranded at work and can't listen to the radio, you can always click here and listen live on your computer.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Put down those shovels...

...and get ready to rock!

Forget the snow. Never mind the wind and cold.

Bret Michaels is just hours away from heating things up here at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center.

For all the details on Bret and his show tonight here in Poughkeepsie, be sure to click here for my story about Bret, in addition to all the ticket information.

Even last night, before the first snowflake fell, I got an e-mail from a "Sean's Space" reader, asking if tonight's show would be affected by the weather.



Fear not: I just stopped by the Civic Center's box office and picked up tickets (big thanks to Paul!) and the Civic Center employees braved the elements and were kind enough to help me.


The big rigs were parked along Market Street, and everything looks like it's a "go!"


Can't wait for the show. Hope to see you there!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Ladies and gentlemen, Bret Michaels...

Here, fresh of the Poughkeepsie Journal's Web site is my complete story of Bret Michaels and tomorrow's show here in town. Enjoy!

Bret Michaels ready to rock city Friday

By Sean T. McMann
Poughkeepsie Journal

Two decades ago, Bret Michaels sang about needing “Nothin’ But a Good Time.”

That’s exactly what he plans on having Friday night.

That’s when Poison’s lead singer brings his “Rock of Love” solo tour to Poughkeepsie’s Mid-Hudson Civic Center.

“We really make it so it really flows,” Michaels, who melds Poison hits, his own solo songs and popular covers into his current gigs, told the Journal earlier this week. “People leave there saying, ‘Now that was a rock show!’”

One of the founding members of Poison back in 1983, Michaels has sold more than 25 million records — both with the group and his solo releases. In all, Michaels has wracked up 15 Top 40 hits including everything from “Talk Dirty to Me” and the aforementioned “Nothin’ But a Good Time” to slower-paced songs such as “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and “Something to Believe In.”

Local fans, he said, can expect a mix of old and new, all performed with the exuberance that made him famous with Poison.

“It’s a full-on, big production,” 44-year-old Michaels said. “I really put my time and effort into making sure it sounds great.”

It’s that dedication to his craft that’s made Danielle Fleming a longtime fan.

“His music is great because not only does it sound amazing, but he has a song for all emotions,” said Fleming, who will travel from her home in Mahopac, Putnam County, to see Friday’s show. “Whether I am feeling sad or excited, I can always find a Poison (or) Bret Michaels song to help me cry if I need to or to get me pumped up. I also feel that I can relate to many of Bret’s songs about love and having ‘a good time.’”

Such a connection with his fans is what Michaels credits for his most recent success: reality-TV star.

Now in its second season, VH1’s “Rock of Love” — think of it as “The Bachelor” for the rock ’n’ roll set — has brought a new wave of fans into the Bret Michaels fold.

The success of the show, though, didn’t shock the man in the middle of the “Rock of Love” women.

“I’m more happy and excited than surprised,” Michaels said. “We’ve always had good generations of really loyal fans.”

Taped in a Beverly Hills mansion — which Michaels is quick to point out is not his; the production leases the house — the rock icon picks his choice of a new girlfriend from 25 hopefuls.

“I think the popularity of the show is due to three things,” Michaels explained. “First, I thank the fans for supporting the show. Then I thank the girls for being real. And then, it’s just allowing me to be myself.”

Michaels, though, isn’t the only one in front of the camera nowadays.

In addition to entertaining the immediate audience in front of him, Michaels and his crew videotape each show on his current tour to share with fans around the world. Certain clips from Friday’s show, for example, will be broadcast to U.S. service members overseas — “I’m a strong supporter of the troops,” he said — while others will make their way to the “VSpot” portion of VH1’s Web site.

“They’re going to look good rocking on TV,” Michaels said of the Poughkeepsie audience.

While the newfound TV stardom may come and go, the music is the lifeblood of Michaels.

Whether playing before 15,000-plus fans in Orlando recently or smaller arenas such as the civic center, Michaels said as soon as the first notes of “Talk Dirty to Me” are played to open the show, he’s giving his fans all he’s got.

“I’m still passionate about what I do,” Michaels said. “When I’m out on stage, I’m not going through the motions.”


Publicity pics above taken by Nancy Mazzei, courtesy of www.BretMichaels.com

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Look for Bret Michaels later this week

I just wrapped up my story on Bret Michaels and his show at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center on Friday.

In it, I mention both Bret's success with Posion, his solo efforts, the upcoming show here in Poughkeepsie, his fans and all his newfound VH1 popularity.

Admittedly, I'm a little biased, but I think it's a good read!

My story is now in the hands of the Life department editor, so it's up to her whether the story runs in Thursday's or Friday's Poughkeepsie Journal. Either way, be sure to check it out and tell me what you think!

Publicity pic above taken Christine A. Ellis, courtesy of www.BretMichaels.com

Bret Michaels answers YOUR question

So, just like with Clay Aiken and Taylor Hicks before, I asked Bret Michaels' fans last week to e-mail me a question for me to ask Bret when he and I spoke.

Admitttedly, I didn't get as many for Bret as I did for the former "American Idol" stars, but I did get a few.

And, of all the questions of I got, here's the one I was able to ask Bret as we chatted about VH1's "Rock of Love" show...

Gina from San Leandro, Calif.: Do you think that you can find a the girl of your dreams when other people pick the girls you choose from?

Bret Michaels: Imagine walking into a bar you've never been, and you're single and there are 25 gorgeous girls there to meet you. That's what they're setting up for me. They look all around the country for these girls. After all that, there are still some girls who aren't that into me. It's happened before, and that's OK.

There you go, Bret fans. Bret has spoken.

Thanks again to those of you who took part and submitted questions for Bret. Be sure to check out the Poughkeepsie Journal later this week to check out my full story about Bret, his current "Rock of Love" and his show here at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center on Friday!

Publicity pic above taken by Nancy Mazzei, courtesy of www.BretMichaels.com

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Just got off the phone with Bret Michaels...

...and he was a really cool guy! (Yes, even on the phone)

We talked for about 15 minutes about his two decades with Poison, his VH1 reality show hit "Rock of Love," and his current tour of the same name, which pulls into Poughkeepsie's Mid-Hudsoin Civic Center on Friday. (For ticket information on the show here in town, click here.)

"Be sure to tell them it's going to rock," Bret said as we got off the phone.

We chatted. We laughed. Bret is just as cool a guy as he seems on TV and on stage.

I'm now about to start writing the story about Bret and his Poughkeepsie gig.

And of all the questions that "Sean's Space" readers e-mailed to ask Bret, I was able to ask him one, as promised. I'll post both the question (along with the name of the reader who sent it in) and Bret's answer back here on "Sean's Space" early Thursday morning.

So be sure to be on the look-out to see if Bret answered your question, as well as for my story in the newspaper leading up to Friday night's show!

Friday, February 15, 2008

Does it get any better than this?!

My favorite singer will be on my favorite TV show* this weekend!

Yes, Barry Manilow himself will guest-star on "Family Guy" this Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern!

I got the official word from Barry's people last week and could barely contain myself. Now, as a public service to you, here's the info straight from them:

Peter, Quagmire, Joe and Cleveland head to a Barry Manilow concert where Quagmire agets picked to go onstage. The James Woods returns to Quahog after being locked in a crate to seek revenge against Peter. First, James steals Peter's identity and moves in as head of the Griffin household then Peter goes out and ruins James career on the "Back to the Woods" episode of "Family Guy."

Now, I'd heard rumors of Barry being on "Family Guy" back in the fall, but wasn't able to nail down the details. Then, so amped about Barry's guest appearance, I eagerly tuned in last Sunday (and told everyone I know to do the same!), only to find out that I had the dates confused.

But Barry will definitely be on this Sunday.

Seriously, how frickin' sweet is that?

* = Just for the record, "Family Guy" is my favorite current TV show. My fav live-action show of all-time is "The Brady Bunch," while my fav show of all-time is "The Flintstones." Glad we cleared that up!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

What'chu talkin' 'bout, Gary?

OMG! Did you hear this one?

Apparently 40-year-old Gary Coleman married his 22-year-old girlfriend of 5 months, Shannon Price, back in August. The news of the nuptuals just came out earlier this week.

There are so many jokes here, I'll let you make up one of your own. Here's a jumping-off point: The Gooch...

I'm baaaaaack!

After a week at the most magical place on Earth, I've returned to Poughkeepsie ... ugh.

C'mon, seriously ... who missed me?

Actually, I got back in the swing of the blog thing yesterday, when I put up that last post about Bret Michaels and his Mid-Hudson Civic Center concert on Feb. 22nd.

While I miss Disney World — not to mention the weather down there — I'm looking forward to keep on blogging here at "Sean's Space."

Stay tuned for even more fun stuff here!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

YOU can ask Bret Michaels a question!

I just got off the phone with the promoter of Bret Michaels' Feb 22nd concert at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, who's been working to get me a phone interview with Posion's lead singer.

It looks like I'll be chatting with Bret soon.

And here's where you come in...

Just like I did when I interviewed Clay Aiken and Taylor Hicks, I'm looking to give fans of Bret's a chance to ask him a question!

Now, all you've got to do is e-mail your first name, your hometown and your question to me at Journalsean@aol.com. I'll pick the best one out of all the ones I receive and pose it to Bret when I speak to him. Then, I'll post his answer to your question right here.

As soon as I get more details about when I'll be chatting with Bret, I'll pass them along. Until then, feel free to fill my inbox with questions for him!

Friday, February 1, 2008

See you real soon!

Brace yourself, kids: "Sean's Space" is going on a short hiatus. Will you be able to muddle through without me?

Yes, the Writers Guild strike has claimed another casualty. First "The Office," then the Golden Globes, now "Sean's Space."

Just kidding!

Actually, I'm going to be away from any computer of any sort for about a week or so. (No, I'm not going to jail! Anyway, I think they have computers in jail, right?) I should be back in about a week.

In my absence, though, I thought I'd leave you loyal "Sean's Space" readers with the things I know you love....

Here's a recent photo of the Jonas Brothers. You might have seen them on the recent Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus tour.

These guys came to The Chance here in Poughkeepsie last year, and I still get people coming to "Sean's Space" looking for the picture I ran back then.

Oh! Here's everyone's fav "American Idol" runner-up, Clay Aiken, suited up for his role as Sir Robin in Broadway's "Spamalot." I know, from the spike in readership I got when I talked to Clay and wrote about him, how many of you guys like Clay.

And let's not forget Taylor Hicks, who actually won the fifth of "American Idol" a few years ago before touring.

His record label might have dropped him recently, but I'm well aware how many dedicated fans Taylor still has, and how so many of you flooded my e-mail inbox when I was looking for questions to pose to him when he came to Poughkeepsie.

So, hopefully, this little post will suffice and quench your thirst for all things pop culture in the week or so that I'm away from "Sean's Space." Be sure to stop by and check back to see what I come back with when I return around Feb. 9th or 10th.

Photos of the Jonas Brothers, Clay Aiken and Taylor Hicks courtesy of the Associated Press.