It’s tough to put my finger on exactly what it was — but for some reason, I found myself rooting for “Escape at Dannemora” to take home an Emmy last month. The limited series was nominated for 12 but came away with none.

Was it because I covered the New York premiere and spoke with all of the main players — from stars Benicio Del Toro and Patricia Arquette to director Ben Stiller? I’ve covered plenty of premieres and junkets in my career and that rarely equates to me becoming a fan. Perhaps the fact that Stiller, obviously known mostly for his comedic chops, triumphantly showcases his directorial skills? That storyline — a professional finding success in a new gig — certainly resonates at the moment.

I loathe the term “upstate” but was it familiarity of the setting: state trooper vehicles, Governor Cuomo (portrayed by “Sopranos” star Michael Imperioli) and the Western New York connection? That probably played a small role.

If you’re unaware, the Showtime limited series is based on a true story of a prison break that took place on my birthday in 2015. The mastermind was born near my hometown of Niagara Falls, New York; his daughter is a hairdresser and my best friend is one of her clients.

Ultimately, I think I found myself rooting for the show because it was just really, really good. And in the end, holding substance in as much regard if not more than style is what I’ve always been about.
“Mystic River,” “Patriots Day” and now the Showtime series, “City On A Hill.” All three are set in Boston and all three include Kevin Bacon. The actor told Seth Meyers that the series is “probably my sixth or seventh thing I’ve done there.”

When he spoke with me for DISH Network’s “DISH Studio,” I inquired if he received his honorary citizenship yet.

“It might be going in the other direction,” Bacon joked. “They might never want to see me again.”

In his latest venture to Beantown, Bacon plays FBI investigator Jackie Rohr. In the other two aforementioned films, he was not only playing a Bostonian but playing someone in law enforcement. But this role is a little different.

“The other two guys were stand-up officers,” Bacon recalled. “This guy is a real scumbag.”

“City On A Hill” is based on a fictional account of the “Boston Miracle,” a program aimed at curbing gun violence in the city during the 90’s. Bacon’s character is part of a corruption-filled agency. He’s forced to team with a Brooklyn District Attorney to take on a family of armed car robbers.

The series aired over the summer and is now available on-demand.
I found myself just a few spots from the end of the red carpet at the Showtime premiere of “The Loudest Voice.” I was there with DISH, vying with every other major national outlet for interviews. Russell Crowe, Naomi Watts, Seth MacFarlane and many, many more were scheduled to walk the carpet outside of The Paris Theater in midtown Manhattan.

Everyone there wants Crowe; he’s a huge name and he plays Roger Ailes, the lead character in the limited series. To my surprise, Crowe arrived on the earlier side and began slowly making his way down the media line. I interviewed other cast and crew while keeping an eye on Crowe’s progress. Not far behind him, Watts also began granting interviews.

Usually at some point, after most if not all of the cast have arrived, the carpet essentially comes to a halt so a group photo can be snapped. Depending on how close this occurs to the screening, this can either signal the end of the carpet or the best chance to grab someone mid-scrum while everyone returns to their positions.

As “The Loudest Voice” group photo wrapped, some cast returned to interviews while others began walking towards the theatre. Both Watts and Crowe were in the latter group.

Here’s what plays out in my mind: I either bolt out and ask Watts a question or I lay low and take my chances with Crowe.

If I shout a good question (which I had banked) towards Watts, she’ll probably stop and answer. But it will come at the cost of both her publicist’s disposition and the chance at interviewing Crowe. Between the disruption this will cause in my vicinity, combined with the Crowe’s publicist’s unwillingness to have her client wait, I’ll miss out on the lead.

If I lay low I’m banking on Crowe, who has already been exceptional with the media assembled, to perhaps feel generous and grant one more interview before he heads inside. And unlike Watts, I may have a better chance at getting more than one question in.

I decide to go all-in on Crowe. I allow Watts and her publicist to walk by me. As that’s happening, Crowe and I see each other. The actor’s publicist is in the middle of informing him that his obligations on the carpet are finished.

“Hey, what about this guy?” Crowe asks, motioning towards me. “He looks legit.”

Crowe walks over for his final interview at the premiere, a three question back-and-forth with me for DISH Network’s “DISH Studio.”

And as for Watts — she returned to the carpet for another group photo before the screening began. The actress also confirmed that I had a good question banked, because she stopped to answer it on the way back inside.

I have always believed that “style” shouldn’t come at the sacrifice of “substance” and vice versa. This interview, and how it occurred, is yet another example of this.

This interview took place at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut on Saturday June 22, 2019

Kanye West’s collaboration with Adidas turned into a $1 billion deal. So naturally, you’d expect his friends and family to be pestered for the latest releases.

That’s not necessarily the case when it comes to his sister-in-law.

“Oh gosh! I would say selfies though,” Khloé Kardashian told me when I inquired what she is asked for more: selfies or Yeezys. “Probably Kanye and Kim get more of the Yeezys.”

Earlier that week, Khloé was showing off the newest kicks — a version of the super-popular 350’s with 3M reflective accents — on her Instagram story. But that night, her social media posts were about the “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” star’s first trip to Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

“It’s beautiful,” she said of the resort. “I really had no idea what to think, and it’s spectacular.”

Kardashian joined a number of other celebrities for the grand opening of novelle, a new supper-club and night spot inside Mohegan Sun. DJ Cassidy, who shares a birthday with Kardashian, was the evening’s entertainment. Busta Rhymes also performed.

“I think a good party is the people you bring and good music,” Kardashian explained. She was seen later partying with twin sisters Malika and Khadijah Haqq, plus singer Ciara and Jonathan Cheban. “I think you can be anywhere, as long as you have that ambiance going on. You’re good.”

Oh yeah, Khloé brought along one other group for the big grand opening… the “KUWTK” camera crew.
I posted the following to Facebook and Instagram on June 17, 2019.

I’d sum up the past year of my life (and especially the last seven months or so) in two words: “personal disruption.” New job(s), new relationship, new routine and a renewed sense of many aspects of my life.

So I suppose it’s only fitting that in this trend of disruption, I let you know that I’m no longer with Dreams. On my last day at 1WTC, I snapped this familiar photo as a nice reminder and farewell to my time working in the Western Hemisphere’s tallest building.

Dreams was the perfect company at the perfect time. To move from a corporate, traditional media setting to a new media startup where I was able to learn, build and perform at a rapid pace was exhilarating. I can’t thank Tom and Greg enough for welcoming me to their team, allowing me to be myself and exhibiting copious amounts of patience as I navigated this new world (and for that matter, schedule). I’ll be rooting for them and the company from afar.

While you’ll continue to see and hear me in a number of familiar (and not-so-familiar… stay tuned!) places, I’ll begin to write a new chapter in my career – something that quite frankly I really haven’t had to do since leaving Syracuse in 2007. I’m grateful for that and equally excited to find out what’s next.
I posted the following video to Facebook on May 31, 2019.

Still at a loss for words over The Final Show and the send-off of 95.5 PLJ tonight (Race Taylor, Joey Kramer, Mike Allan, Dan Kelly I love you guys – it was beautiful).

I do know this much: had I listened to that final hour before my appearance earlier on the PIX 11 Morning News, I certainly wouldn’t have had the poise nor the composure Race did as he made radio history and signed off the legendary WPLJ.

Thanks to PIX 11 for having me this morning, and thanks to my old colleagues for allowing me to return last night and say goodbye.
I posted the following video to my social network accounts on May 16, 2019.

Thank you to Nick Fradiani, who was kind enough to do this interview while on the road last week for a charity event.

I am so lucky to have met some incredibly talented and generous artists through my travels.
I posted the following video to my social network accounts on May 8, 2019.

It’s so weird how life works out.

Last week, I asked my buddy Race Taylor if he could help out with a screen test for a new show I’m developing on Dreams. Thankfully he obliged.

Fast forward to yesterday (Wednesday),and the final broadcast date for 95.5 PLJ is announced. So there we were, in a prescheduled interview just a block away from the radio studio, with a chance to reminisce on-camera.

I’m sure there’s some metaphor for beginnings and endings here and perhaps you want to know more about the show. That can all wait… instead, let’s grab a few nuggets of knowledge from Race here… and a ton of regret from me.

You see… I left the Carrot Cake OREOs in the green room…
I posted the following to my social network accounts on May 1-2, 2019.

Was back at work this morning in New York by 9:30 am but WOW – still can’t get over last night! Honored to be on-stage at the Billboard Music Awards for the 6th straight year in front of so many artists I respect and love, while witnessing an amazing event up close. Thank you again Dick Clark Productions!

I posted the following to my social network accounts on April 30, 2019.

Hi from JFK Airport – couple of updates!

– I’m currently developing my own TV show on Dreams. Easily the most challenging task I’ve taken on. My goal is for it to be just as rewarding.

– I’m flying to Las Vegas for 24 hours to be on-stage for the 6th straight year at the Billboard Music Awards – I know! Thank you to Dick Clark Productions as well as my colleagues at Dreams and the folks at DISH – who were extremely flexible with my schedule, especially on short notice.

It’s been quite the week/month/year… and it is far from over. Thanks for everything and see you in Vegas!