Trump: Is it in his Kiss?

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What is it about Donald John Trump?  That makes him so bloody irresistible that people discard every thing they know is true to get his approval?  Some go so far as to go to jail for this man.    A man who’s loyally is limited to his last name.

Well respected individuals who have spent decades building their personal brands only to have their credibility destroyed after working for the 45th President of the United States.

Sean Spicer, who was a well respected communication director for the Republican National Committee for nearly six years before becoming Trumps Press Secretary.  From day one, he was asked to lie about the size of Trumps Inauguration. The American Press was told to ignore what they see and believe the cow chunks he was attempting to sell.

Kelly Ann Conway, was largely responsible for Trumps presidential victory.  The woman is a power house, a political consultant, a strategist, who is largely responsible for the term “Alternative Facts” adopted by many Trumpers.   Ignore, your eyes,ears and focus on the possible alternatives.  Yes, I saw the bus run him over and kill him, however, it is possible, he died before the bus hit him.

One relationship, I will never understand and one that left many of us scratching our collective heads. Lindsey Graham and Donald Trump.   The only thing I can come up with is the two must be Lovers.   For years, Graham blasted Trump.   Graham was the late Senator John McCain of Arizona best friend and is Megan McCain’s Godfather. It must be sex. (Don’t picture it, you may never want to see again)

It there was one loyal friend who walked through the fire it was Jeff Sessions. His first Attorney General and former two term ator from Alabama was uber loyal to the President.  Not loyal enough to do Jail time.  During the confirmation hearings Sessions said he didn’t have contact with the Russians during presidential campaign.  How so nevah, the press said “Oh but you did!” Sessions recused himself from the Russian Investigation.  This set the Trumpster on fire!!! Any possible fix was gone and Session became enemy number one and endured many insults from the Prez.

Mother of three, a daughter of banjo playing preacher man. Sarah Huckabee Sanders lied to the press every single day.  The pearl necklace wearing lady was Sean Spicers replacement as the Press Secretary.    Mr’s Sanders admitted her sins during the Mueller probe.   While she later called it “A slip of the tongue” she lied about Comey and the FBI staffers not having confidence in him,  lied about Trump Jr and Russian adoptions and the list goes on…………

 3 who knew!

While the Trumpster may have a devastating kiss, there were a few who Immune and had their own agenda.  All of these individuals arrived at the White House dirty and they charmed Trump.

Actually there were four.  A Tide wash couldn’t whiten Mike Flynn’s whites.   Obama, and others warned Trump. This man is more than tainted he’s nasty!  The retired US Army Lieutenant General had a poor reputation.  After retirement as a consultant he took money from companies based in Russia. Before becoming the National Security Advisory Flynn told the Russians, the new Trump Administration would remove some the sanctions placed by the Obama Administration.  Even after Flynn’s conviction for lying, Trump remains loyal to him.   (His sentencing is pending)

Paul Manafort was beyond dingetta.  He is rumored to be a member of organized crime (some say for 30 years or more).  Manafort  has taken millions from the Ukraine, above and under the table. He is been under the watch of several governments for years.   Various stories say Trump and Manafort were casual acquaintances and Trump just hired him in early 2016.  It is believed, he wanted in the Trump Administration to benefit his interest in the Ukraine.   In jail, the 70 year old Manafort could be out by 2024.

 Those who Tape

Does anyone really know what Omarosa Manigault Newman’s job was in the White House?  Donald Trump’s favorite African American relationship began when she was a contestant on The Apprentice in 2004 . She took the role literally and probably knows the Trumpster best.  Like DT, she was a Democrat and Republican.   Like DT, she can be charismatic unless your black women.   Like DT, her credibility is routinely questioned.    On Oprah, she accused a cast mate on The Apprentice of calling her a nigger.  No one on the show could verify Omarosa’s account.

January 2018, Omarosa was fired, by John Kelly the White House Chief of Staff.   Reports say she didn’t go willingly.  She fought to see the President and was physically removed by the Secret Service.   She denied being fired, however, she went on Meet the Press and played a tape of her firing.

Turns out that wasn’t the only thing she taped. Shortly after, she appeared on the reality show Big Brother, where she suggested that country is in trouble with Trump at the helm.  Omarosa said, she would never vote for him again.

August 2018, Omarosa’s book about her time in the White House  “Unhinged” reached number one on the New York Times best seller in its second week.   In her book she says the President’s Cognitive functioning is declining.  Omarosa has called Trump a racist. She says there are tapes and that witnesses have confirmed the existence of tapes of Trump repeatedly saying “nigger ” during filming of The Apprentice.   So far, no one had come forward with of these tapes.   There are tapes of Lara Trump attempting to buy her silence.

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If there was anyone devoted to Donald Trump it was his Michael Cohen.  Cohen was his personal Attorney from 2006 to 2018.  I don’t believe his children is as loyal as Michael Cohen.  He was once the Vice President of the Trump Corporation. He was willing to go the jail for Trump and then Trump turned on him.  Cohen who?  But Cohen made recordings of his conversations and while Bill Clinton lied about Monica, Cohen has receipts and copies of checks.  While Mueller couldn’t use the recordings, the copies and the checks.  New York Southern District Court could, and the court reportedly has everything and poses a much greater threat to Trump than Mueller’s Russian probe.  Next week, Michael Cohen begins his three year prison term.

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William Barr was the Attorney General under George W Bush and he could have lived  his life outside the turbulent waters of the Trump the Administration.  In February, he waded in.  He seems to be.everything to the President, that Jeff Sessions wasn’t and it could cost him.  A few months later he finds himself in troubled waters.  Did he lie to Congress in April, when he said that” he didn’t know whether Special Council Robert Mueller supported his conclusions regarding the Russia Report?”   The New York Times reported Barr received a letter from Mueller indicating he was not satisfied with Barr’s conclusions.  In his letter, Mueller specifically says that Barr’s summary laying out the bottom-line conclusions of the report “did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance of this Office’s work and conclusions.   

There are those who believe, he will be a no show and not appear in front of the House, tomorrow.   Should he not appear, he will be in contempt of Congress  That penalty comes with a fine and a maximum one year in jail.   If its is proven he lied to Congress , he could face up to five additional years in prison.

 

William Barr has several pensions, he didn’t need this job. Perhaps the kiss was too powerful! Maybe he wanted back into the game.  But home cheese is scared, rightfully so!  Senator Kamala Harris chewed him up and forced him to say, he hadn’t read the report.  Yikes!    Just think, he could have been at home, watching Maury!

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CityFella

 

 

 

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“Till Death Do Us Part”

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A week or so ago, some of the panel on “The View” were disturbed after seeing images of actress, model, television hotel, author and restaurateur Barbara Smith (B Smith to the world) who has Alzheimer’s. Other’s, notably host and friend of the couple Sunny Hostin who was angry that Dan Gasby has a girlfriend who lives part time with the couple.

Host, Sunny Hostins, grand father left her grandmother who had Alzheimer’s, she and her family cared for her grandmother.

Last December, Gasby announced on Facebook that he was “feeling great” with his new girlfriend, Alex Lerner,

writing “#WhyLie.” It became clear from social media posts that Lerner was occasionally staying at the couple’s home.

Since the posting, Gasby has faced a backlash from the public.  Most were troubled by his relationship with his girlfriend.  Beleving it was being disrespectful to his wife and  their marriage for others, its his white girlfriend.

Mr Gasby, appeared deeply hurt on “The View” yesterday. He said that his wife is in remarkably good shape from the eyebrows down, but mentally. she is a toddler.

He talked how she would escape from their former home and freely get into any car with a black man thinking that man was him.

He said when his wife got the diagnosis in 2013, She told him, She wanted him to go on.

However, some of the co-host wondered how Gasby could know Smith was consenting to his extramarital relationship, and Lerner’s presence in their home. He said,“I’m not doing anything we didn’t discuss — we were in business, we were two sides of a coin.”

He said many wouldn’t understand how “extremely difficult” it is to “love someone, to have done what we’ve done and what we’ve accomplished together… to be criticized and not have a forum like I’m having today to have my side of the story told.”

One thing I know is consistent is I’ve listened to what she said. We made these plans a long time ago. What I’ve seen Alex deal with, my daughter, myself… makes me realize I’m doing the right thing. I’ve gotten grief no matter what I do.

“I wanted her to have the dignity of freedom. Sanity for me.” He insisted, “I’m keeping my vows. Vows are to protect, to care for.”

_______________________________________________________________

One thing Gasby brought up was the preparation for death and preparation to take care of you spouse should they fall ill. He said, in his will, there are do not resuscitate instructions.

I’m not, prepared for death and I imagine few are. Should I die today, my death would cause a lot of stress to my love one.. They don’t know where my insurance papers are , or burial plans. I hope to change this.

Its difficult being a caretaker, no matter what the illness is. I’m not sure how I feel about Gasby having a girlfriend. On one hand, he has someone to help him through this very difficult journey. On the other hand, it seems inappropriate. No one knows, what he and his wife discussed. The fact that his daughter seems to be on board with this, makes him believable. He has options, but he is honoring his vows “Till Death”

CityFella

Picture Vs Policy: Virginia Governor Ralph Northam Does the picture represent the man?

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So quick we are to judge. Who needs facts or details? One blip ,one bump and your career in over.   When my children were growing up, I would tell them its not what your say, its what you do.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam was young when he took a picture in Blackface standing next to someone in a Ku Klux Klan costume.   Both pictures are offensive to this blackman.     As difficult as its seems, there are people who are  racially tone deaf, even in 2019.   Usually individuals who live in mono,environments ( Megan Kelly comes to mind )  because these individuals have limited contact with people outside their communities, they are often shocked when they are called insensitive or racist, because they work with people of color.

There is a difference between working and socializing and this is where I struggle with the Governor, who graduated from a predominately black high school.   He reportedly has strong personal ties with blacks in Virginia.  So the picture is not only a shock to the black citizens of the state, but a surprise to his black friends.

As a flawed human being I try not to rush to judgement.  Throughout my life as a flawed human being, I have made some poor decisions in my youth and as an adult.  When he took the picture nearly 35 years ago, he wasn’t thinking about the impact that picture might have on his personal and professional career.

The Picture ,was published February 1, 2019 on the website  Big League Politics   . Big League Politics was founded by former Breitbart News Employees and is considered a far right wing conservative website.

Is the picture a representation of who is Governor Northam is? 

In Virginia’s 2017 Gubernatorial election, Ralph Northam received an estimated 87% of the black vote, 67% of the Latino Vote and 61% of the women’s vote.  He was supported by many groups notably  the Latino Victory Fund and Planned Parenthood and support by many black political organizations,  most are now asking the Governor to resign.

His Positions:

The Governor supports a $15.00 minimum wage and is against a state constitutional amendment enshrining right to work legislation. That would allow employees in unionized workplaces are banned from negotiating contracts which require all members who benefit from the union contract to contribute to the costs of union representation. 

Northam “has called for phasing out the grocery tax on low-income people and ending business taxes in struggling rural areas.

The Governor as a record of supporting Abortion rights, ( Planned Parenthood supported him in his election campaign)  He is against a bill called the Repeal Act that would allow third trimester abortions to be performed if a single physician determines that there is any physical or mental health risk to the mother. Currently, Virginia law only allows third-trimester abortions to be performed in the state if three physicians determine that continued pregnancy would be “substantially and irremediably” harmful to a woman’s health.  This bill is supported by many Republicans and may be a topic in the 2020 Presidential Campaign.  

Northam has proposed making it free for students to pursue a community college education or apprenticeship in a high-demand field (such as cyber security and early childhood education under the condition that they commit to a year of paid public service. He opposes public funding for private schools. (wiki)

In February 2017, Northam cast a tie-breaking vote in the state Senate against a bill to ban sanctuary cities in Virginia

In Washington Post, Article Titled  “Anger and sadness as African Americans in Virginia consider Northam’s fate”

In conversations at churches, salons and coffee shops, African Americans disagreed about whether Northam must resign, but all voiced a sense of betrayal. In public office, Northam worked to expand Medicaid, the health program that serves the poor, and he helped to restore voting rights for felons, a policy that helps many black men. Many in the black community saw him as an ally, and as one of the good guys.

It’s a real slap in the face. You pretend to be my friend, and you’re really not,” said Thomas Parham Jr., as he arrived for worship Sunday at the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Old Town Alexandria. It’s one thing, he said, to encounter a racist public official. It’s almost worse when it’s someone perceived to be an ally. “I’d rather know where you stand.”

The Democratic Party Image

What is disconcerting about this controversy. is the Democratic tidal wave against this Governor.  Not based on his record, or actions or public statements but a silly misguided picture taken when he was in medical school.

Governor Northam is no Steve King the Congressman from Iowa. Who, for more than thirteen years has on record said:

 “Mixing culture will not lead to higher quality of life but a lower one.

 He wanted to make English the official language of Iowa.

He sued Iowa for posting voting information on an official website in Spanish, Laotian, Bosnian and Vietnamese.

King suggested shocking (via electricity) immigrants who climbed the wall.its successful in containing livestock

One the house floor, he said Profiling was an important component of law enforcement.

Suggested paying for the border wall with federal dollars coming from welfare, food stamps and Planned Parenthood

January 2019:  Steve King was stripped from all committee assignments after bipartisan condemnation of his remarks on white supremacy (A theme of his for the last 10 years)

From my chair in the balcony, the Democrats want to demonstrate they unlike ,the GOP they walk the talk.   I am reminded of Minnesota Senator Al Frankel who admitted and apologized to sexual misconduct when he was a citizen in 2006, his apology was accepted.  However when other anonymous woman came forward. he denied the accusations.  Members of his party demanded he resign without a full hearing.

In his resignation speech he made comparisons to Republican politicians, saying he was “aware of the irony” that President Trump remained in office despite the comments Trump made in the Access Hollywood tape released a month before his election, and that the Republican Party supported Roy Moore‘s Senate campaign despite the many allegations of harassment and molestation against Moore (wiki)

 

Self Inflected Wound

Governor Northam may have been flying solo (without council) when the news broke Friday Afternoon.  A good publicist would have advised and prepared him before appearing on camera.  However, as bad as Friday was, Saturday was a tsunami of bad press.

On Friday, he was almost there.  He apologized for the pictures and went on to say  “I recognize that it will take time and serious effort to heal the damage this conduct has caused. I am ready to do that important work”.  Someone, from his office might have spoken to the press, touting his record, his reputation with the black community and the suspicious timing of the picture,

Over night, they may have linked release of the picture to the date of his comment regarding his position on the Repeal Act  and reminded the press of his reputation. 

But that didn’t happen!  Flying solo, taking a page out of Donald Trumps playbook.  He said, that may not be me?  and like the 45th President of the United States, he was unable to stop himself.  He admitted, “Blackfacing” in the past AS Michael Jackson.  A talent contest that he WON, after practicing the moon walk!

The “State” of Virginia 

Should the Governor resign, the Democratic Lieutenant Governor, Justin Fairfax would become the Governor.

Sunday, February 3,   Patrick Howley of the conservative website  Big League Politics . reported Vanessa Tyson, a professor of politics at Scripps College, said she was sexually assaulted in 2004 by a campaign staffer who was now up for a “VERY BIG promotion” in Democratic politics. Howley, who was also the first to obtain the Northam yearbook photo, noted that Fairfax was a campaign staffer for presidential candidate John Kerry in 2004 and that he was now poised to become governor of Virginia. 

It is reported, she brought her 2004 story to the Washington Post and another media outlet.  Both outlets investigated the story and found no corroboration and did not publish the story.

In the State of Virginia, if the Lieutenant Governor is ineligible, it would fall to the Attorney General, Mark Herring a Democrat. If he for any reason can’t serve,it would fall   to the Speaker of the House of Delegates would be next in line to take the role. The Virginia House is currently controlled by Republicans and Speaker Kirk Cox would be the interim governor.

Slow Down The Train……

The Democratic Party and the citizens on Virginia, should slow the train down. Dont solely judge the Governor on this picture.   Judge is life from there forward. What has he said?  What has he done?   Then look hard at the coincident via Big League Politics before rushing to judgement.

Wouldn’t you want someone to judge you on your complete body of work rather than one picture or a single incident.?

CityFella

 

Late Saturday Night With Tom La Brie’s on Channel 40

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 Returning home from school, it was just another day.  Hit the fridge for a snack and turn on the TV.    Except on this day there was a box on top of the Magnavox.   My mom said a man came by and said we would get extra channels for six bucks a month.    Before the box, my  world was channel 2, 4, 5,7, 20, the perfect 36 and channel 44.   With the box, we received a few Sacramento Stations and stations from the Central Coast.

Some of the channels were interesting, but most were duplication’s of the Bay Area channels.  After midnight, there weren’t many choices   Westerns ,Creature Features with Bob Wilkins on channel 20.  But one  night channel surfing I stopped on channel 40.

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(This is how we surfed back in the day-No remote ,with our bare fingers)

 A man an a woman were in a loving embrace, there bare shoulders touching.   IN ALL CAPS—OMG!!!    My 13 or 14 year old, loins were on FIRE!   No goodies were on display didn’t need um….  Two shoulders touching, a man and woman wrapped in sheets (with bare shoulder of course) and a vivid imagination was enough for me.

From that moment on…..It was late night comfort theater with Tom La Brie and his La Bries Waterbeds.  As a child, my family rarely visited Sacramento.  In the fifth grade I visited Sutter’s Fort, and one summer my brothers wife passed out from the heat after spending 20 minutes in the State Fair.   After that event ,Sac dropped off the radar for our family.

With cable, I learned a lot about Sacramento.  Sunrise Mall was the place to shop in the area.   Bob Frink was where I going to buy my Chevrolet Corvette once I got my drivers license and of course the only place to buy a waterbed was at La Bries.

At one am, the place to be was my bedroom, watching Night Comfort theater. The films were usually European from England and France.  The films were actually interesting but the ultimate was SEX.  Neckid, Neckid Shoulders

This Saturday night ritual went on for a while until one day, the box was gone.   It was a Thursday.  My mom thought cable was a waste of money.   I couldn’t tell her about my relationship with Tom La Brie. One night out of desperation I thought if I tuned the television to channel 40 and waited long enough, I might be able to see images, after a few minutes of black and white snow.  I turned off the television and the lights and went to sleep in a regular bed.

CityFella

Real Housewives of Atlanta S11 ep13: “Eva Chops Up Marlo in Tokyo”

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For weeks, Eva Marcille has been throwing amnesia shade. She throws it and forget it sorta doing an Urkel (did I do that?) or the other hand Marlo has done nothing but throw shade at Eva. She said Eva had “no character,” called her “basic,and criticized her fashion sense”

Last night, Marlo size elevens stepped on Eva tiny toes for the last time! Eva, chopped up Marlo into bite sized Reese’s pieces. The two argued on the bus in front of company (the Japanese Tour guide Aya and the bus driver) for nearly 2 hours.   Was it childish? Yes!  Action not becoming two adult women? YES!  Was in the best representation of American Black women in Japan?  NO!    And I was there for it.!!!!! 

“Excerpt’s from the bus Battle”

 EVA: “My security does not lie in labels,” . I’ve been in fashion for years.”

MARLO:  “I wear runway to runway to runway,”  “I wear designer. My toothbrush is designer.”  “Everything you wore on the runway is in my closet.”

EVA: “Because your OLDER than me.   “You can’t fit into nothing on the runway now,”

MARLO:  “Respect you Elders”
EVA:  ” I’m a grown ass woman married with two kids”
MARLO:   “With two baby daddies”
EVA: And you fit it in when? Never! January of never!”  “The way your ass is set up, you could never model. You wanna work for plus size? Stop. I don’t know where you’re getting these plus-size fashions from.”
MARLO:  Your Mama!
Eva, wasn’t having it, she stood and look like she wanted to throw down!
EVA:  ” I am so sincere” “Don’t do that”  “You betta save that mama shit for Shamari“
SHAMARI:  ” No the fuck you don’t!” “Don’t bring me up in this shit about my mama-you got the wrong one!
Eva told Marlo to tack that lace front back down! and at one point called her wig a hoodie!

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YESSSSSSSSSS!

The episode began where we left off with Tanya Sam fighting with Nene over her comment about finding someone to get married to.   Tanya is closest too Nene and was caught up in her feelings as she thought Nene was disrespecting her relationship with Paul.     Tanya, later brought up the incident with Eva, who basically told her she was over reacting.     Now one things is clear,  Nene does have issues with Tanya. Tanya suggested Nene shop has lower quality during a fashion challenge with Marlo and that comment isn’t sitting well with Nene.

Nene and Gregg are going at it.  Being a caretaker isn’t an easy job and with Gregg not responding to her, it was making her crazy. Her anger and frustration is spilling over into other aspects of her life.   Last night, she was fighting with production.

Not TODAY baby! 

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Nene’s troubles are not over this day as she is about to feel the wrath of Aya, the tour guide.  On the first day she told all the ladies that lateness was a form of disrespect in Japan.  Even after the warning, these ladies were constantly late getting on the tour bus.

 Will a full itinerary, the ladies are still late getting on the bus.  But TODAY was not the day, Aya ignored Tanya and Eva and told the bus driver to go.  Cynthia called Nene, to explain. Nene said, she didn’t care.  But from this point forward something tells me Nene will be on time. As Aya was “Reclaiming her time!”

The ladies visit Tokyo’s Red light district, and do karaoke.  Kandi was disappointed  because she was hoping to get some ideas from the girls of Japan.  But the Red light district, like a lot of Japan was very clean and there weren’t any trashy girls in sight.

Inside, the ladies are having fun.  They find the Xscape song “Understanding”. In her Confessional, Nene threw some shade about Kandi’s singing.  Kandi later said “Isn’t this the perfect song for us to sing with all the arguing?” “This song brought us all back together with perfect harmony.”

One of the best scenes ever,was with Shamari and her sons who were very fussy and crying on the phone.   7000 miles away, Shamari quiets them in song.

Next week more drama in Tokyo

Do you think Eva Slammed Marlo?  Was it too much or not enough?

CityFella

 

Last Week

Click on link below for full story 

https://sacratomatovillepost.com/2019/01/21/real-housewives-of-atlanta-s10-ep12-peaches-of-tokyo/

 

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Gay Presidential Candidate for 2020?

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“Season for Boldness”

Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old Democratic gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana announced this morning he was launching a presidential exploration committee.  In an email, the two term Mayor told his supporters “this is a season for boldness” 

Bold may be the operative word.  As Buttigieg will join 52 year old New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand and 69 year old Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Officially Running: 44 year old Mayor of San Antonio Texas, Julian Castro, Former member of the House representing Maryland’s 6th District, 55 year old John Delaney, Congresswoman from Hawaii, 37 year old Tulsi Gabbard,  Senator, 54 year old Senator from California Kamala Harris and Richard Ojeda  48 year old former State Senator from West Virginia.

Younger and More Diverse 

In 2015 the average age of the Presidential Candidates was 63, the average age of the eight candidates is 49. Four Women including one Black woman, one Latino and one member of the LGBTQ community seem to be remnants from the mid term blue wave

As many as 10 other Democrats may enter the race before the filing window closes .

Currently, Mayor Buttigieg is a long shot.  However .so was a little known Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama.

News @ 11

CityFella

 

 

Sold my soul for a case of “Bit of Honey”

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My niece said, they’re auditioning at the Hilton, you should go. Even though I hadn’t seen or heard of the show, I said okay.

The medium sized meeting room was filled with perspective contestants and staff, who asked you about yourself and hobbies. When they asked me had I’d seen the show, I figured I was doomed. But no one gave me the heave ho and We saw a video of the show and played a mock version of the show. I was terrible.

When I was younger, my mother and I would occasionally drive down to LA to see the taping of some of the shows like Johnny Carson, Laverne and Shirley and various game shows. The game shows were lucrative, because they gave audience members a fist full of tickets to entice us to sit through the hours of taping. It was common for them to tape ten to fourteen shows a day. We came home with Tee Shirts, Electric Can Opener and cash.it was grueling.

I had long forgotten about Face the Music when they called and told me to come down to LA. Bring changes of clothing and expect to stay 14 hour a day. I had no expectations of winning a car or a ton of cash, I was just excited to be on TV.

My wife and I rented an Oldsmobile Cutlass and drove down to LA, where we stayed in a seedy hotel on Hollywood Boulevard near the Sunset Studios. I convinced her, the long day would be worth it because of the cash and prizes.

FORT KNOX

We arrived to the studio. As I was walking away, my wife remembered I had the rental car keys and the room keys and as she was walking towards me to retrieve the keys, she was blocked by two security guards. Who took the keys from me, and put them in an envelope, sealed the envelope and gave the sealed envelope to my wife, who was less than fifteen feet away.

HOME

In my mind, we would tape then break for lunch. I was assigned to a waiting area with other contestants ,where we were told the rules. We had to sign various releases including one very scary release that said, if the show was preempted in one of the five largest markets, we would forfeit our prizes. So if there was a national emergency, I could kiss my 1980 Ford Pinto goodbye.

We all learned that home during the taping would be this large room in a loft in the studio, where there was a dressing area, two restrooms and a large lighted mirror. The contestants were encouraged to entertain ourselves and watch the taping on a portable TV.

CHOW

There were snacks for us A large steel can held the IRIS soft drinks, coffee was in a large teachers coffee pot. with an orange light. Lunch on the first day was fried chicken, poured into another large steel can lined with a black garbage bag and chips. Napkins were our plates. No one complained.

FACE THE MUSIC

Face the Music was produced Sandy Frank, who was responsible for the very successful “Name that Tune”. The twist, however, was that in addition to identifying the songs that the orchestra played, the contestants had to link the song titles to famous people, places, and things. (Remember. I sucked here) The Host was Ron Ely, who was best known for his loin cloth in TV’s Tarzan. Way, way, wayyyy back in 1966. The Singer was Lisa Donovan who’s trademark move was twisting her shoulders at the beginning of every show. Her twisting slowly took over the room. By the end of the first evening all of us were twisting with Lisa

OLD MATH AND HARSH REALITY

They called us for the show. People traveled from Washington State to be on the show. There were nearly eighty of us. Two new contestants for each show meant, only 28 would get on if they taped fourteen shows. If!

My reality changed after realizing that I wasn’t guaranteed to get on. After I told everyone I was going to be on. “Fuck”

I was one of six black contestants. One brotha, names Eugene, killed it and became the champion. While we should be happy for him, all we felt was dread. You never seen blacks on one game show in those days. Eugene went on to win three other shows. They taped 11 shows that day.

My new wife, was disappointed that I didn’t get on. To make matters worse, the audience prizes were mostly tee shirts.

SELLING OUR SOULS FOR BIT OF HONEY

Several times a day the producers would visit the loft. The staff, asked us to chant their names as they walked up the stairs, the chants would grow louder as the producers got closer to the room, when the the door open there as absolute pandemonium, we were jumping up and down.

These were all self respecting people who would never act this way. ANYWHERE! But we wanted to get on, so we tossed aside our self respect and screamed they way the told us too.

By the second and final day, I was depressed. I kept it to myself. Even with the announcement they were going to tape 14 shows, did nothing to relieve my sadness. I told everyone I was going to be on TV, and now it looks likes its not going to happen.

Eugene, who came out of top for four episodes, lost in the the pivotal fifth episode which would have guaranteed him a new car. I felt bad for wanting him to lose.

In the room, you could feel the disappointment. I even sang a sad song that make a couple of people cry.

At one point, they asked us to come downstairs. Showtime, was shooting a documentary (I think) featuring game show contestants. We all signed releases without looking. When the cameras were on me, I told them how excited I was to be on and how well we were treated (All lies)

We returned to more chicken. I sat staring at set. There was no more Lisa Donovan Twist. Just as I started to settle into my reality, I wasn’t going to be on. They called my name.

The other contestants made me feel important even though I would never see them again. The brotha worked on my Natural, others made sure every thing was perfect. No one had to coach me about my energy. I was ready.

When Ron Ely asked what I did? In song, I said I was an opera singer. My colleagues at the insurance company where I worked as clerk, teased me about that for months.

(An Opera, what?)

I didn’t make it past the first round, BUT, I was a hit, with pats on the back from staffers and the female producer. I got carried away by the laughs in the audience. Ron Ely, told me to settle down. But who was he? I was a hit!

My consolation prize was a selection of Bulova Clocks and a Case of Bit of Honey.

The car was especially quiet leaving the studio. Then all of sudden “Wedding Ring” WEDDING RING!! WEDDING RING!!! my wife is screaming! Was the answer, to the question. I made the mistake and said, I know! HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW WEDDING RING!!! We have only been married a few months. WED-DING RING!

An unscheduled stop at Del-Taco, reduced the temperature of the car.

GAME SHOWS

I have auditioned for several games shows. From the Zoo like atmosphere of the Price is Right, to Card Sharks, I was called by three of the four shows I auditioned for. But the more I thought about the degradation and making a complete fool of myself, and decided against it.

If can’t say if this is the experience at all game shows, but I was one and done.

My prize arrived six months later, I was Bit O Honey for world

Every now and then I will get a call from someone who has seen me on Face The Music, on Game Show Network and other Cable channels and I walk away, we no regrets. While all my children know that I’m crazy, I wish I could get a copy of the episode so they might share it with their children

See you on Cable

CityFella