Sunday, October 26, 2008

Wedding Casting Call

Kim Reis

Well - we had the NBC10 / A Better Sound Free Wedding Giveaway casting call at The Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Crossings on Saturday, October 25, 2008.  I got up at 5am to be at the hotel by 7am.  Doors opened at 8.  The contest online had about 200 couples who entered, but only about 60 of them showed up for the casting call.  I’m not completely sure why the casting call only brought in 30% of the entrants, but I have a theory.  When people enter to win things online, they never read the rules and the fine print.  They just click the “OK” box and move on.  But, when these contestants received their invitation and it came time for them to actually go through with the casting call, they read the rules and found that they didn’t really want New England to plan their special day.

In either event - we had some awesome judges! Doreen Collins from Rhode Bytes; Sandra Burke-Medeiros from Wedding Style Magazine, Wedding Style New England, The Grand Bridal Show; Maureen Conroy, Attorney from Jessop and Conroy; Chris & Alison Derham, bride/groom from last year’s NBC10 Free Wedding; Susan Zwirblis from Nordstrom.  They cared so much about their decision and, as I watched their deliberations, I was so impressed with how much they cared about their decision.  After 90 minutes, they picked their winner.  So exciting!!

One couple was so nervous that they walked the halls of the hotel for 2 hours before they decided to come inside.  It must have been so nerve racking for everyone.  I can’t even imagine it.  I had a blast seeing everyone.  The Crowne Plaza hosted our event and it was A++!!  The entire day went so smoothly and they really gave the contestants the royal treatment. 

This year’s contestants were so great!  They all had fabulous stories and some great personalities.  To see videos of each contestant’s one minute video entry, Click here.  You’ll find some very interesting videos for sure!

Be sure to watch NBC10 every morning during the week of November 3rd at 11:25am where WJAR will announce the four finalists.  And then, on Friday, November 7, 2008, NBC10 will announce the grand prize winner at 11:25am!!!  This couple will win a wedding valued at more than $54,000!!!  I can’t wait!  Our very own reality show wedding!!  Such fun!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

NBC 10’s Very Own Reality Show - Free Wedding!

Kim Reis

I’m sorry I haven’t blogged in a while.  It’s been so nutty.  I travelled to Tampa for business last week we’ve been so busy preparing for our very own Reality Show - the NBC10 Free Wedding Giveaway.  The contestants have submitted their entries and now we prepare to meet them in person at the casting call to pick the grand prize winner this weekend.  This is so exciting for me because we get to find out who the winning couple will be!  We received 200 entries and only one couple will win a wedding valued at more than $54,000!  And, this year it includes a honeymoon.  YAHOO!!

To meet the contestants and send in your comments and opinions on who you think should win, Click here.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

So Much Fun with Coffey & Melissa!

Kim Reis

So, we spent the afternoon with Melissa Lawson & Coffey from NBC’s Nashville Star at the NYLO Hotel in Warwick.  Cat Country was there and we had lots of people come by to take photos, get autographs and win some great prizes!  We gave away tickets to tonight’s show at the Plymouth Memorial Hall with backstage passes.  COOL HUH!!  Last night, we went to the show at the Mohegan Sun Wolf Den and it was spectacular.  Shawn Maher, Gabe Garcia, Melissa & Coffey were great!  They are much better in person than on the TV show for sure!  After hearing them all sing in person, here’s my opinion:

Coffey - great entertainer!  Brought the crowd to their feet.  Lots of fun!

Shawn Mayer - Better in person than she was on the show.  I don’t know if it was nerves or what.  But she ROCKED THE HOUSE!  She was really great! 

Gabe Garcia - He’s got the country sound, most definitely.  It sounds so natural.  Kind of shy on stage, but that man can sing.

Melissa Lawson - the definite winner.  Her vocal range was unbelievable!!!  She gave me chills.

If you get a chance to catch them in concert, do it!  It’s well worth it!

Pictured (left to right): Melissa Valliquette (WJAR), Melissa Lawson, Kim Reis (me), Coffey, ZIta Nelson (WJAR)

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Meet the Stars of NASHVILLE STAR!  YAHOOOOO!

Kim Reis

I’m so psyched!  I can’t believe it!  Melissa Lawson & Coffey from NBC’s Nashville Star are coming to the WJAR studios on Friday October 10th for a live interview at 12noon with Kelley McGee.  Then, I will be escorting them to the brand spanking new NYLO Hotel located at 400 Knight Street in Warwick where they will sign autographs, take pictures and give out prizes.  Soooo….

If you are going to be in the Warwick area on Friday around 12:30pm, stop in and say HEY!!  Grab the gals from the office and head over for lunch!  NYLO has an awesome restaurant!!!  And, to top it off, you can meet Melissa Lawson and Coffey.  Cool huh???  Not only will you meet them, but you can also win some awesome prizes like NBC10 sweatshirts/hats, prizes from Cat Country 98.1, a $100 gas card and tickets with backstage passes to see the Nashville Star Concert at the Plymouth Memorial Hall in Plymouth, MA.  WAY COOL!!

So, fellow reality TV bloggers - don’t let me down.  Give Melissa and Coffey their 15 minutes of fame.  I hope to see you on Friday at NYLO!!!

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

America’s Got Talent - Final Episode - Edge of My Seat

Kim Reis

I’m on the edge of my seat.  Tonight, we went out to eat at Friendly’s, went to the mall and I was so anxious to get home by 9pm because tonight is the big night for America’s Got Talent. 

In my blog, dated 9/24, here’s how I called it.
5th place: Donald Braswell
4th place: Neal E. Boyd
3rd place: Queen Emily
2nd place: Eli Mattson
1st place: Nuttin’ But Stringz

I still think this will be the case, but I’m so worked up.  Why am I so nervous?  You’d think that one of the winners were going to share their prize winnings with me for goodness sake.  NOT!  I just get so nervous for these people. This kind of contest could change someone’s life.

The show started with the sweetest little montage of the top 10 finalists who sang “ A Moment Like This”.  Little Kaitlyn started the song with some little “oooo’s”.  She’s so darn sweet!  Would someone please scoop her up into a movie?  Please?  For me?  (Like I have any clout at all)  This song was so emotional for the judges too.  You could see genuine tears in their eyes.

Just like in Dancing with the Stars, they had a pop star perform.  Well, DWTS had Jessica Simpson.  ICK!  At least AGT had Leanna Lewis sing - the British singer who has made it big. Don’t get me wrong, she’s totally talented.  But I’m dying to find out who won.  Get on with it already.  Drag, drag, drag it on to fill an hour.  I hate that!  Even my cat is bored.

Side note: Why don’t British singers sound British when they sing? 

Back to the show…

When the true stars talked directly to the final five, I got chills.  Andrew Lloyd Weber talked directly to Donald Braswell.  Wyclef Jean talked to “Nuttin’ But Stringz”.  Brian McKnight talked to Queen Emily.  The looks on their faces was unbelievable surprise, shock and awe.  That was awesome.  And then they had to ruin it by putting the most horrible acts into a skit.  The cast offs had the chance to perform on tonight’s finale.  I felt so bad for these people because they didn’t even realize they were being laughed at.  The whistlers.  The woman with big boobs.  The Ozzy Osbourne wanna-be’s.  The old lady dancer.  The belly roller. They were all here - in true form. 

Then they recapped the auditions from the top 10 performers and I was bawling my eyes out.  So touching.  And, they had to play the graduation march.  That makes me cry even without the emotional auditions.  I don’t know why I cry when I hear that song.

So - was I right???  Fifth place is….QUEEN EMILY!!  What???  Repeat that.  (I just rewound the TiVo).  Yup!  I heard that right!  Queen Emily was FIFTH!!!  Although she will have a recording contract, that’s totally ridiculous.  Creepy Mr. Braswell needed to go bye bye.  Well, that means that my prediction was wrong.  Braswell had better go home next or I have totally lost faith in America.

Fourth place - Donald Braswell.  THANK YOU GOD!!!  I think Neal will be next.  Let’s see if I’m right….

Third place - Nuttin’ But Stringz.  My mouth is hanging open.  I’m catchin’ flies.  Don’t get me wrong - I really want Eli to win.  But I thought FOR SURE that Nuttin’ But Stringz would win because their act was so different.  I stink at guessing the finals.  I think Neal will get second place with Eli taking the prize.  Come on man!!  Do it!!  You deserve it!! 

Second place - drum roll please - oh yes.  Please drag it out.  I love that.  NOT!  They recapped Neal and Eli’s journey—AGAIN.  Holy moly.  Talk about turning 60 minutes into a painful hour that felt like two days.  And, in case you were wondering - Neal cried.  I know, you’re surprised.

Come on Jerry Springer, announce it already.  Second place is…(my stomach is in knots)...Eli Mattson.  That means NEAL WINS the MILLION DOLLARS and a contract to perform in Vegas.  He was bawling like an infant.  I think I heard him yell, “I did this for you MAMA!“  Eli had better get a recording contract or I’ll spit.  Jerry called Eli a “cry baby”.  HA!!  That was great!

Placido Domingo sent a message to Neal at the end of the show and that was so amazing.  WOW!  This show has changed someone’s life.  This life insurance agent just became a star.  CONGRATS NEAL! 

Dancing Votes Out Another - And I Vote Out Jessica Simpson!

Kim Reis

So, when you look at my title - you might think Jessica Simpson is a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.  Well, she’s not.  But she was the “special guest” and sang her “country” song.  ICK!!  As a true country fan, Jessica needs to go home.  She couldn’t make it in the pop world, so she thinks the country world is easier.  Well, guess what.  Country fans are loyal and we don’t like intruders.  Buh bye Jessie!

Tonight’s show was too damn long.  I mean, they dragged it out to an hour.  They followed the judges to London and - oh - how sweet.  They let Jessica sing a SECOND song.  Badoop, badoop, badoop (that would be the sound of my TiVo hitting fast forward).  Then they followed the dancers to the freakin’ bathroom.  I mean, they didn’t have to fill a whole hour.  That is 60 minutes I’ll never get back.

Anyway - My favorites were spared.  Susan Lucci, Cody Linley (the kid from Hannah Montana) and Lance Bass.  The teeny boppers are voting for Cody Linley like crazy and the ones who are “old, wed and almost dead” are loving Cloris Leachman. 

Lil ole Kim Kardasian went home this week.  I think part of the reason she went home was because no one knew who she was because she wasn’t all that bad.  There is no clear front-runner this year like in previous years.  Like, last year, Kristy Yamaguchi was a definite front-runner last year and towered over the rest.  This year, there really isn’t someone who is dancing circles around the rest.