Charlie Sheen...

I just got back from a reading week trip to the States with my girlfriend and while we were hanging out in the hotel room between shopping and dinner, we came across this crazy interview with everyone's favorite wacko Charlie Sheen on the Free Press website.



This seems to finally be the last straw in this year (or decade really if you have followed Sheen's career) of scandal for the Two and a Half Men star. After some shocking comments in that interview, the show has been pulled by CBS, will likely be cancelled and may just end Sheen's career.

The interesting thing is how much coverage Sheen has received through all this, much of it potentially defamatory. Check out some of the articles on Chuck's "indiscretions" if you want to learn a bit about journalists covering Hollywood, covering controversy or if you just want a good laugh.

Here we go again?

I've noticed a change in some of the normally constant billboards and bus bench advertisements in my neighbourhood of St. James as I have been going to and from school this past week.

Ads for real estate agents and small companies have given way to election candidate billboards. And I don't mean provincial election billboard either.

There are now at least two sightings of Rob Clement billboard. Rob Clement, aside from looking like a bit of a weirdo, is the candidate for the federal Liberals in my riding of Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia.

Is this merely a just in case, pre-emptive strike by the grits? Maybe. But there have also been a number of election ads on recently from the Conservatives attacking Michael Ignatieff.

I couldn't find any of the ads to post on here but, if you're like me and watch TV at all, you've seen them.

It all feels to me like a storm is brewing and we're headed towards another Federal Election campaign. Just what the vast majority of the country doesn't want but what political junkies like me love.

What do you guys think? Is an election coming? How do you feel about it?

keith

I am a television broadcaster

I fulfilled a lifelong dream this weekend.

For as long as I can remember, I had wanted to broadcast a sporting event live on television and this past Saturday and Sunday I got that chance. Myself and a group of 18 crecomms helped out Steve Dreger with his IPP and I served as the play-by-play announcer.

Steve and I called the game on Shaw and were backed up by a crew of our classmates. The entire production was done by us students and I think it turned out pretty well.

Here are some of the things that stand out to me from the weekend:

- Preparation is so key when doing play-by-play. You can't just go off the cuff and you need to have stories prepared about all of the players.
- The on-air portion of a broadcast is just the tip of the iceberg. They can do absolutely nothing without a strong crew behind them. I had no idea how much work went on behind the scenes.
- On-air personalities are really skilled. People on TV aren't just pretty faces or talking heads. To be on camera is a definite skill. You need to always seem cheery and full of energy, even if you may not be. It's definitely an art form.
- We all have a lot to learn. In school, we may think we've learned a lot and are ready to go out into the working world right away. There's no denying that we can do a lot and that we've got all the skills needed to get out there but we still have many skills that need perfecting. True professionals no so many tricks of the trade that will only come with experience.

And the three most important things:

- Gateway Rec Centre is literally at the end of the world. It is so far away from everything.
- Standing all day when doing commentary will lead to sore, sore feet
- Free pizza for the crew goes a long way towards helping moral.

All in all, this was a terrific learning experience and hopefully Shaw will give our young but talented crew a chance to learn more on the job. And maybe even get paid.

If you're interested, our broadcast airs tonight (Monday Feb. 7) on Shaw.

keith