Mojo Detected!
Dina Pugliese - Episode1
Week one into the VJ Search and I have four words..."HOLD THE RED BULL!"
I met the 20 semi-finalists for the first time and let me tell you - these kids (I feel like their den mother already) are PSYCHED!
The room was filled with gorgeous gals and guys and enough six-packs to make me rethink the frozen pizza I ate the night before...anyway, I digress - each of them have their own unique style and flavour - but the energy - enough to light up Manhattan in a blackout.
This is going to be beyond tough...I'm glad YOU are the ones deciding.
It only took a couple of minutes of observation for me to notice some seriously interesting dynamics in the room.
Some solo artists, some too cool for school kids, the class clown (who is already getting under the princess' skin), the jock and yes, dare I say it - some who probably got there on good looks alone (I'll let you figure those ones out.)
Oh and some potentially star-crossed lovers?
Maybe - call me crazy, but there was definite mojo detected - it will be interesting to see where it goes.
THAT is what the penthouse is all about - but I'm jumping the gun.
You won't get to see any of that for a couple of episodes.
Hope you enjoyed the crazy circus performers, bad karaoke singers and scantily-clad ladies from the road show - we're about to zero down to 10.
One more thing - you will NOT believe what our take-no-prisoners, show-no-mercy EXPERT PANEL has to say.
If their first session with the finalists is any indication - things WILL get real nasty and ALL finalists need to grow thicker skin - FAST. Robin is especially guilty of not mincing words and is not affected by tears - crocodile or otherwise.
The look on the faces of the shocked contestants who couldn't believe the harsh words being hurled at them was tough to stomach - some fought back...others fought tears.
Can't tell you too much - just one more thing - I assigned the finalists their very first challenge - one that will force them to bring their A-game right away - I'm as nervous as a hockey mom sending her kid out to the first big game...too much stress - I need another slice...I'm thinking feta and caramelized onion this time...
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We Gotta Get Someone!
Robin Black - Episode1
Well, we've all seen the 20 semi-finalists unveiled on the first show. Other than Dina, the lovely host, I'm not sure anyone we saw on the first show deserves to be on MuchMusic. But we must find someone. That's what this show is all about. We're gonna have to do some diggin' to find these gems.
Well, let's look at the positives for a second. We have 20 VERY different individuals. All colors, shapes, and sizes. From all over Canada. That's a good thing. We also have 20 very different styles and personalities. That's a good thing. But nobody's jumpin' out at me and screamin' "I AM THE NEXT VJ". That's a bad thing. Or is it?
Maybe we should be excited to watch some of these people really step up and start to shine, and some crash and burn. Maybe that's the point. Maybe, because they are all starting on a level playing field, we are free to really test these f**kers, really push 'em. See who rises above. And see who breaks.
Yeah...maybe I can f**k with their minds a bit...make fun of them, challenge them, see if they can take it. See who comes back stronger, and who goes runnin' back to Yellowknife or wherever to cry to their mamas.
We can't forget that this is a test at all times for them. Bein' a VJ isn't all fun and games - VJs are tested, stressed, and put into difficult situations every time they step in front of a camera. And these VJ wannabes are gonna be tested at ALL times. Even when they least expect it. ESPECIALLY when they least expect it. BY ME.
And if any of you want me to test any of them, hit me back here with your requests. The crueler the better...I mean, hell, we want them to earn it, right?
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It's About Winning, Not Playing!
Steve Anthony - Episode1
If winning doesn't matter, and trying is the most important thing, then why the hell do we keep score?
Don't know who said that. Don't care who said that. "That" makes f**king sense.
This whole VJ Search is about winning. Trying doesn't cut it.
Everyone has something that jazzes them. Even Mother Theresa did. As selfless as she was, well, selflessness was her jazz. That's what made her tick. That's how she got jazzed every day of her life.
Putting a tip in a jar without the person behind the counter knowing I put it there? Forget it. My jazz is letting them know that I gave them something. Jazz.
Selfish? Sure. Everyone's got their own jazz. That's mine.
And tonight, as I watched Episode One of VJ Search: The Series, I'm so looking forward to a new jazz for me. Tormenting, cajoling, advising and mentoring a bunch of folks that have offered themselves up to the strain of an intense audition process, to prove their worth, or to get the hell out.
Some, as you may have seen last night, were just downright demented. Or they did it on a drunk-bet from the night before, or something along those lines. Perhaps as a lark.
And some surely did shine.
You now know who those 20 are. As do I.
I think this will be a great adventure for these 20. I hope they have thick skin, 'cause no one is going to get an easy ride.
I don't want tears. And that will never be my intent (me crying, not the contestants). But if it happens, it happens.
Sound cruel? Not likely. Every one of those 20 VJ finalists that are here in Toronto, to win a place in a lavish penthouse suite and compete against each other for a real "dream job" have been apprised of what to expect. Scrutiny and criticism.
If they want to win this gig (and as you saw in Episode One, it may be one of the truly coolest gigs there ever was...getting paid for this? You're kidding...where the hell do I sign up?), they are going to have to prove they want it, and that they can do it. I want to see their jazz.
And I've got a say in who stays and who's "off the air". That's my jazz. And I realllllly like my jazz.
(Jazzzzzzzzzzzzzz hands!!)
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Oh This Is Going To Be GREAT!
Traci Melchor - Episode1
This week has been craaazy! I've had to do numerous interviews for print, radio and television; I've heard from friends I haven't spoken to in ages; everyone is really excited about our hunt for a new VJ!
Our first night of shooting everyone was pumped...feeling fierce and fabulous! We met the semi-finalists for the first time - boy did they look nervous. They all just got into Toronto and barely had time to breathe before they were being paraded in front of the expert panel. The panel was on fire out of the gate! No one held back on who they loved and who they wanted to kick to the curb! I can't reveal what was said, but I will say that Robin's cracks made Chris Rock look like an altar boy!
And of course I have to talk about some of the ensembles...
Kardi had the right idea...he had mirrored sunglasses on so no one could see where he's looking. Robin was rock star chic in head to toe snakeskin. Steve...very dapper...velvet jacket, striped shirt.
I'm so looking forward to getting to know these three as we get down to business. Whenever we meet they always reveal something new to me...
The hidden gems I learned from the judges last night:
Kardi likes to eat late at night and then sleep.
Robin's married!
Steve lost 30 something pounds on L.A. Weight Loss!
And I like hanging with the boys!
Have to run - need my beauty sleep. Next episode, the group of 20 gets cut to 10!! Ugh!
The Search is On!! Stay Fabulous!
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Can't Wait!
Kardinal Offishall - Episode1
Yesssssss! I am seeing ads for the show ALL OVER!!! This is gonna be huge...if only they knew the real size (I don't wanna hear it Robin!). The excitement is building up and the whole city is talking about it. This is what real TV is made of muthaf**kaz!
I dunno if the country is ready for the "Legend", Mz.Traci, RB, and myself to be let loose on these punks in training. I've watched their audition tapes and I think we gotta eat 'em alive and let 'em know we mean Bizniss right off the top! The Much hopefuls are funny and exciting, but may be a bit too cocky right now. Heh heh heh. One episode should prove to be enough to let 'em know that they got some work to do!
I wonder if they're gonna wil' out at the penthouse?! Hmmmmmmm...
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Tomfoolery & Wild S**t
Kardinal Offishall - Episode1
Wow. This is truly gonna be a crazy series! My partners in crime (Steve, Robin and Traci) are the perfect choices to help make the perfect choices!
We have a tough job in helping to select the next Much VJ - but I don't think there's a better group that will provide as much knowledge and entertainment as us four!
Already there's so much tomfoolery and wild s**t happening and the show is not yet in full swing! I don't know what it's gonna be like by the third or fourth show...yesssssss. I LOVE TELEVISION. Who's gonna win?
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Leaping Into The Unknown
Dina Pugliese - Episode1
Hello my party people. One week away from launch day and things are reaching fever pitch. Just got off an intense media circuit (radio, tv and print) to promote the big show and shot a promo that you'll no doubt see looping every commercial break up until - mark it down now - Monday January 30th - when VJ Search: The Series invades TV screens across the country.
I CANNOT wait.
This will be the chance for you to connect with the Nation's Music Station in a way you've never done before. YOU get to decide who has the goods to rock it as the next MM VJ and have serious fun along the way.
People keep asking me what I look forward to the most... I've got to say - it's the unknown; throw 10 strangers in a luxury penthouse and you KNOW there's going to be TONS of temptations, lash outs and love-ins... Be prepared to laugh, cry and yell at the screen - the contestants are that good!
See you on the flipside of the tube on launch day! Ciao for now!
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Don't F**k With Me
Robin Black - Episode1
Hello all!
My name is Robin Black. I'm a little man with no eyebrows and blue hair. I am a rock singer. I grew up in Pinawa, Manitoba. I wear tight pants. And I am on the "Expert Panel" for VJ Search: The Series.
Man, this is gonna be exciting!
I have been a MuchMusic fan since I was a wee glam rocker growing up in Manitoba. As a kid with dreams of being a singer in a rock band, I swore that, one day, my videos would be on my favorite channel. It was so much work, so much sacrifice, so much listening to older people telling me that a weird little kid like me with big dreams would never get anywhere, but, in late 2001, I saw my video for "Time Travel Tonight" played on MuchMusic. It was SO exciting. And it's still exciting every time I see one of our videos on my favorite channel. Or hear Devon or Leah introduce it. Or walk into that CHUM building. The 14 year old me would never believe this s**t. I just saw our video for "Why Don't You Love Me?" this morning. Still a thrill. The 14 year old me would NOT believe it. And the 14 year old me would NEVER believe that he would one day be on the VJ Search, helping choose Much's newest personality. I'm first and foremost a MuchMusic FAN, as I said, and, as such, I have watched the VJ Search every time they've done it over the last 9 years. I was glued to my TV all weekend when Bradford How (who later became a good friend) was hired, saw Rainbow Sun Francks selected from a very compelling group of people, and even saw them hire Devon. He's a dreamboat.
For someone like me, someone a little different, someone who believes anything is possible, the VJ Search really captured my imagination. It was funny, compelling stuff, but it was the fact that someone was about to get their dream job, someone was gonna achieve something they wanted so badly, that was so incredible to me. Yesterday, that person dreamed of being on MuchMusic. And today, they were. It showed that anything was possible. If THAT guy's dream can come true, maybe mine can too. That was the lesson.
You know, thinking about this stuff is making me realize that this gig is gonna be A LOT harder than I thought. I've been thinking that I'm gonna stay pretty detached from these VJ wannabes; not think about their feelings as I'm tellin' them how it is. If they aren't cuttin' it, let 'em have it. Point out their flaws. Make fun of 'em to see what kinda skin they've got, and see how they do under pressure. Get some laughs at their expense. Find a weakness or an insecurity, and mock it. Just thinking about how emotionally invested I became just WATCHING the prospective VJs go for their dream job, I'm realizing that I'm gonna FEEL for these people whose dreams I'm stepping on. I'm gonna be involved in ruining the dreams of 9 people.
But that's the gig, and this is gonna be the LAST time I think about it. I'm gonna have to be RUTHLESS with these people, cruel at times. I'm gonna have to yank their hearts out and light 'em on fire, when neccessary. I'm gonna have to be BRUTALLY honest about their shortcomings, entertaining the audience at home by getting hurtful laughs at the wannabes' expense. There's gonna be some tears. Bloody tears. This job is NOT gonna just be handed to someone because they want it. They are gonna have to EARN it. They are gonna have to be the best, be compelling, be special. And they are gonna have to get through me. But, undoubtedly, there will be some bright spots. Some diamonds in the rough. Somewhere among the 20 people (who we'll reveal on Episode 1!) is a special individual. Someone we are all gonna watch on Much, someone we are gonna want to look to for music and news and entertainment. Someone we are gonna spend time with every day at home. A conduit to our pop culture. Let's find that person.
This is the 10th anniversary of the VJ Search, so it's the biggest one Much has had yet. We are gonna see these people living together, fighting, screwing, whatever. It's a pretty heavy job audition for these people, and we are gonna see it all. And Kardinal, Traci, Steve, and myself are gonna use ALL that shit when we make our decisions. And, I swear right now, I am gonna be RUTHLESS. And if Kardi, Traci, and Steve don't agree with me, they better watch themselves, too. Especially you, Steve Anthony. DON'T F**K WITH ME.
Dudes and dudettes, this is gonna be incredible fun. And, in the end, it will be YOU who chooses the winner. I am gonna try to help you with that decision. And look damn fine doin' it.
Thanks for readin'... Luv ya all.
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Dressing Room Secrets
Traci Melchor - Episode1
Whew...just wrapped the photo shoot with Steve Anthony, Robin Black and Kardinal Offishall - what a blast! I can't imagine 4 more different personalities! I was in grade school watching Steve dreaming of a job on Much and Robin...what to say? Before we finish the series he's going to teach me how to put on perfect eyeliner!... and Kardi what a doll! He's the perfect mix of hip hop bravado with the grace of a prep school grad!
Our wardrobe instructions were simple....wear black. Going through my closet this morning was exhausting! Should I do black pants with a cute sparkly top? "Black Damzels In This Dress" frock? Catsuit? Who said black was simple...this is a nightmare! Okay: I finally settled on a long sleeved v-neck top with a silver sequin trim and a black skirt with a zig zag hem, black skirt, black tights - done! Went to my hair salon Jazma and my hair angel Lynne hooked me up with a fabulous do! Make-up was slapped on at Much by my fave make-up gal Laurie and voila! I was camera ready! Fierce! Well kinda.. I noticed that my outfit was a little rock n'roll figure skater. Well the Winter Games are coming up - maybe I'm ahead of the fashion curve!
Oh my gosh...we have a confidentiality agreement not to say anything about the Search. This is the toughest part! My co-workers at MuchMoreMusic are constantly pestering about the contestants and the way the show works. I will say nothing!! I'm not losing my job - I have two babies to feed!! Can't wait to start shooting - what a responsibility finding the next Much VJ!!
Okay till next time...The Search is On! Stay Fabulous...
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The Only Thing We Have To Fear...
Steve Anthony - Episode1
Man, folks are excited about this thing. Becoming an "expert" panelist on the Much VJ Search was like winning the lottery; folks I haven't heard from for-like-ever are coming out of the woodwork. Everyone wants to know what is going to happen, how it's going to happen, blah blah blah. It's nice to hear from these folks. Many of them don't remember that they owe me money, so I am already super keyed up.
I'm just a little worried that the folks at Revenue Canada may watch and realize that I still owe them money.
But, such is life.
Robin scares me a bit. I was sitting beside him today at a meeting, and I am almost sure I saw some of his tattoos move.
Kardi scares me a bit. He's awfully tall. Myself, being a statuesque 5 foot 2, was surprised that there were people in the world taller than myself. I guess I've been a little insulated recently.
Traci doesn't scare me at all. She has the voice of an angel, so I had to talk to myself to keep her voice out of my head.
I guess I was a little distracted at the meeting.
I sense that we will bond as a couple (well, 4 of us, but in today's world, a couple of 4 is not that odd now, is it?).
Future VJ? This will be the experience of a lifetime. Regardless of the outcome, when you are on your deathbed, surrounded by your friends and family, your last words will be, "once, when I was young, I was in the MuchMusic VJ Search!".
Either that, or you'll say something like, "once, when I was young, I killed a gopher with a stick!".
No! Hang on. Those will be my last words.
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