Suburbarazzi

Need a quick reminder of where Ted and I stand on this year’s major Oscar nominees? Wondering what Fidel Castro has to do with this year’s ceremony? Waiting in line to be slapped by Ruby Dee? Check out the Suburbarazzi segments from Friday night’s episode below. (If you want to see the whole half-hour show, click here.)

Here’s the opening segment, in which we discuss Oscar gossip, box office success, violence and most of the major categories:

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And here’s the closing segment, during which Ted and I make our Best Picture picks and surprise TV’s Karen DePodwin with, well, watch to find out!

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(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

You may heard: There’s a little reality-TV program scheduled this weekend where beautiful people will preen for the camera and get voted on by the masses. And no, I’m not talking about the all-new episode of Big Brother 9. It’s that other show, the one where they give out big gold men (weighing eight pounds) and then little gold men (made of chocolate). I’d like to say we’re above picking the winners and losers—like every other print/blog/television entity on the planet—but, well, we’re not. And, fortunately, our friends at RNN, bless their souls, were good enough to let us opine on air tonight for a special Oscar Special:

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Sure, Small Bites and Varsity Insider may have been the first blogs to the half-hour TV party, but our show had far more gold.

I should also point out, despite giving ourselves billing in the ad on our sidebar, the truth is the program is all RNN. Or to be more specific, Karen DePodwin. She did yeoman’s work pulling this all together. The ad really should have said, “The DePodwin Oscar Special, with guest stars Suburbarazzi and Liz Johnson.”

One other caveat: Please ignore the painfully awkward segments when I start rambling about Michael Moore (Wha? Castro? Huh?) and “Juno” (what I meant to say — “Blood” and “No Country” will split the high-brow voters, leaving “Juno” a chance at winning). Instead, focus on my esteemed colleague, Chris Serico—whose Ruby Dee logic (anytime you slap a former Oscar winner, you automatically get to win one, too) was downright brilliant. Or, for that matter, Liz Johnson and Peter Pratt, who can spray me with truffle juice any day of the week. And, of course, the indomitable Karen DePodwin, who looks lovely enough to be Suffern HS homecoming queen.

Hey, it’s Chris here. Ted and I initially posted the footage of the RNN Oscar Preview Special at about the same time, so I’m just going to supplement his words with a couple of thoughts.

As Ted mentioned, many thanks go to anchor/reporter Karen DePodwin and the entire RNN crew for thinking of us when she first pitched the Oscar Preview Special. I know Ted and I were really proud and thrilled to be a part of it.

Plus, we’d highly recommend ordering an imitation Oscar and surprising someone with it. We swear we didn’t tell her in advance! We also didn’t have the heart to tell her it wasn’t real. But maybe it’s got chocolate inside, so if that’s true, it would not be a total loss.

Because I needed some time to figure out how to use the audio software on my computer, I’m a little late in posting these clips of Suburbarazzi mentions on Howard Stern’s radio show. (OK, six weeks late.) But better late than never! Still seems appropriate, considering Stern’s sound effects master, Fred Norris, performed with his band in Yonkers on Saturday night.

First up, although neither the blog nor my name is mentioned in this clip from the Jan. 2 Howard Stern show, here’s the first on-air reference to Suburbarazzi’s exclusive interview with Norris in Eastchester:

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Later that day, Howard 100 News reporter Steve Langford interviewed me for a Howard 100 News brief that first aired at 5:37 p.m. Jan. 3:

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Hooray for technology!

(AP Photo/Richard Drew)

It ran about five minutes later than expected, but Sirius satellite radio tonight broadcast a 90-second news report of reporter Steve Langford asking me about the exclusive Suburbarazzi interview I conducted last month with Howard Stern sidekick Fred Norris.

While I await permission to post the audio from the interview, here’s a transcript of what aired about an hour ago on Sirius channel 100:

Ralph Howard (Howard 100 News anchor): I’m Ralph Howard. Fred Norris, exposed! Fred doesn’t say much on the Stern show, but this time it was friendly Fred, the guy with the band. It’s Howard 100 News: Spotlight!

Voice-over: Howard 100 News: Spotlight!

Chris Serico (Suburbarazzi): Every now and then, I actually do listen to the plugs at the end of the show. And Fred was talking about King Norris appearing at Mickey Spillane’s in Eastchester.

Steve Langford (Howard 100 News reporter): Reporter Chris Serico, a big Stern fan, who jumped at the chance to interview Fred Norris when he heard the man of mystery would be appearing in his area.

Chris Serico (Suburbarazzi): Fred could not have been more accommodating. He was outstanding, well-spoken and extremely courteous with all of the fans who came up to him and said hello.

Steve Langford (Howard 100 News reporter): Serico’s impromptu interview for his blog, called Suburbarazzi, yielding some great quotes from Fred, including who he’d most want to see appear on the Stern show.

Chris Serico (Suburbarazzi): He said, “You know what? Brad Pitt. Because he so doesn’t want to do the show and he’s a big fan. And I’d like to know what it’s like to be going to bed with one of the sexiest women on the planet — even though she might be crazy and has too many tattoos for my liking.”

Steve Langford (Howard 100 News reporter): And will they ever dare to do a Fred roast on the show?

Chris Serico (Suburbarazzi): He said, “That’s in the hands of the gods. I don’t know. That’s up to them. If they’re feeling lucky and want to take their lives (in) their own hands, be my guest.”

Steve Langford (Howard 100 News reporter): That said, reporter Chris Serico observing something that even long-time listeners to the Stern show might not necessarily pick up.

Chris Serico (Suburbarazzi): There’s a kindness about him. And I think that’s sort of the lost of the talk of his being a Martian or Earth Dog or whatever. There’s a genuine kindness that, you know, he sort of exudes and that’s sort of lost in the nuances of the show.

Steve Langford (Howard 100 News reporter): Fred Norris, class act. For Howard 100 News, I’m Steve Langford.

My thanks to Langford for the opportunity to discuss the interview, his professional approach and for latching onto the story in the first place. Although, in fairness, it warrants clarifying that Suburbarazzi these days is very much Ted Mann’s blog, too.

(Logo and Howard 100 News photos courtesy of Sirius; Pictures of Norris and me courtesy of … me.)

Steve Langford of Howard Stern’s news department just called a few minutes ago to confirm that the Suburbarazzi-related interview with me is scheduled to air today at 5:32 p.m. on Channel 100 on Sirius satellite radio.

Langford warned the report is on the shorter side of things because this week was particularly newsworthy, particularly in the department of Robin Quivers’ romantic life. I’m guessing my segment will be 30 to 60 seconds, but hey, better than nothing!

(AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Late last week, Ted Mann and I made our picks for who, among our Lower Hudson Valley celebrities, would and should win Emmys. Now it’s time for our scorecard, granting a point for correct guesses as well as Lower Hudson Valley victories.

•SERIES (DRAMA): “The Sopranos” (parts filmed in LoHud; starred Sneden’s Landing homeowner Lorraine Bracco, Purchase College grad Edie Falco and Mount Vernon- and Brewster-raised Michael Imperioli.)

Ted and I thought “The Sopranos” would and should win. And with Bracco also sharing in this victory, everyone gets a point. Ted 1, Chris 1, Lower Hudson Valley 1.

•SERIES (COMEDY): “30 Rock”

While both Ted and I wanted “30 Rock” to win, I thought “Ugly Betty” would take the trophy, while Ted picked “The Office” to claim it. Unlike “Entourage,” which stars Mamaroneck native Kevin Dillon and “Ugly Betty,” which stars Chappaqua resident Vanessa Williams, “30 Rock” has no obvious connection to the Lower Hudson Valley, but we’re all winners in another sense because “30 Rock” is a fantastic show. Let’s hope it’s not doomed with the “Arrested Development” Emmy curse. Ted 1, Chris 1, Lower Hudson Valley, 1.

Earlier this week, Ted Mann and I chatted with RNN’s Stacy-Ann Gooden about a few of the Emmy nominees with connections to the Lower Hudson Valley. Given time constraints, we only had so much time to debate a few of the candidates, but thanks to the good ol’-fashioned(?) blog, we can offer our takes on which LoHud celebs we think, and hope, will win at Sunday’s ceremony.

Keep in mind that a couple of celebs with a local connection already had their fates decided at “ceremonies held earlier.” North Salem resident Stanley Tucci won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on “Monk.” (My gripe: Why wasn’t Paul Reubens’ hilarious performance as Gerhardt on “30 Rock” even nominated?) And while Suffern native Tim Daly didn’t win Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama for his appearance on “The Sopranos,” the winner in that category—John Goodman—appeared on “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” created by Scarsdale native Aaron Sorkin.

Ted found legit connections to the Lower Hudson Valley in eight major categories. We’ll give you a couple of teasers before the break. Check out the rest of our predictions and rooting interests after the break.

1. SERIES (DRAMA)
•”Boston Legal”
•“Grey’s Anatomy” (stars Katherine Heigl from nearby New Canaan)
•“Heroes” (stars Palisades native Hayden Panettiere)
•”House”
•“The Sopranos” (parts filmed in LoHud; starred Sneden’s Landing homeowner Lorraine Bracco)

CHRIS: Thinks “The Sopranos” will win and wants “The Sopranos” to win.
TED: Thinks “The Sopranos” will win and wants “The Sopranos” to win.

2. SERIES (COMEDY)
•“Entourage” (stars Mamaroneck’s Kevin Dillon)
•”The Office”
•”30 Rock”
•”Two and a Half Men”
•“Ugly Betty” (stars Chappaqua’s Vanessa Williams)

CHRIS: Thinks “Ugly Betty” will win but wants “30 Rock” to win.
TED: Thinks “The Office” will win but wants “30 Rock” to win.

Yesterday, I chatted on RNN about the “Sesame Street” contributions of former Lower Hudson Valley residents Matt Lauer and Al Roker; the perilous bull-related accident of Upper Grandview resident Stephen Baldwin; and the appearances of Piermont resident and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” alumnus Alan Ruck on “The Bronx is Burning.”

After the break, find out the answer to this week’s quiz question: Yorktown High School alumnus Eric Stein appears on what current reality TV show?

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My apologies for mentioning Rosie O’Donnell YET AGAIN in my segment, but here’s why I made an exception: Anytime I have the opportunity to break out multiple “Simpsons” impressions on TV, I’m going to go for it. At the very least, you can mock me for it. Win/win.

After the break, find out the answer to this week’s quiz question: Joanne Woodward was first to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. From what Lower Hudson Valley college did she graduate?

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I’m (not) just talkin’ about Shaft!

After the break, find out the answer to this week’s quiz question: Which Academy Award-winner with connections to the Lower Hudson Valley has a running-back son who lost a job when the NFL’s European league folded last month?

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After the break, find out the answer to this week’s quiz question: Which local stand-up comedian received early show business advice from the late father of Tarrytown product and fellow stand-up Greg Fitzsimmons?

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Yesterday on RNN, Suburbarazzi’s Chris Serico talked about Rosie O’Donnell’s “Nuclear Wednesday” and the fallout from her feud with Elisabeth Hasselbeck, as well as John Schneider’s quest to sell the General Lee and Jimmy Fink’s 1980 firing from WPLJ.

Check it out below:

Download the full RNN segment:

Our twisted little world of suburban celebrity stalkers grew a little yesterday. The fellow in the accompanying photo is Chris Serico, who, wasting no time, has already made his first contribution. We’re confident that in no time at all you’ll be whiling away large chunks of your web-surfing day reading his pithy prose and deification of cheeseburgers.

We found out about Chris though his endlessly entertaining blog, Varsity Basketweaving—one of the few places online where you can find commentary on R-rated puppets, Reading Rainbow, and brand logo quizzes. VB is so entertaining, in fact, that it profiled in the New York Times.

As for our man’s other credentials, he’s a journalist for The Patent Trader and performs a cappella, voice-overs, and improv in NYC. So if he can’t ferret out the truth about our local celebs, we’ll always have musical parodies as a back-up.