Skripper Time

Hugh Jackman's One Man Show: Wolverine, I Love You.

Colin Firth, we have a problem.  I've just returned from Hugh Jackman's one man show at The Princess of Wales Theatre, and I think he has just ousted you from my #1 slot in my Fave Five. 

Honestly, I can't say that I have enjoyed a show more in the last few years.  That man has more talent in his pinky (especially when said pinky is being wagged in very enthusiastic 'jazz hands') than most people in Hollywood have in their entire botoxed and buffed bodies.  The show was spectacular - he charmed the audience with stories, interspersed with show tunes, singing, dancing and gushes of handsomeness.

The songs ranged from pop songs to a whole medley from "The Man From Oz"  - completely in Peter Allen fabulousness, sequined shirt tied neatly around Wolverine abs (Hugh won a Tony for that role), to a whole tribute to musicals (Singing in the Rain, Sing Sing Sing. etc).  He also did a lovely tribute at the end to the Aboriginal people of Australia, narrated by Olive Knight, a leader in Aboriginal politics and causes in Australia. Complete with a backup orchestra and two foxy female singers, he owned the stage - prowling around it with energy, joy and absolute abandon.

And that's really what I love about Hugh Jackman - whether hosting the Oscars, the Tonys, or slicing and dicing as Wolverine, you really, truly get the sense that he loves what he does.  And he does everything with gusto and heart and pours himself into it.  He told a story about how his main philosophy is to "have a go" at things.  So far so good Hugh!

Did I mention that I was in the 4th row?  And that meant when he came into the audience, I could basically have flung myself into his arms?  It was only for the sake of the show that I remained in my seat - it was so entertaining, even my passion for him couldn't stop it.  I seriously considered chucking my bra at him, but as most breast feeding mothers know, spontaneously removing your bra in public is never a good idea.

There was a moment, yes a MOMENT, that Hugh was singing right to me.  Stared right in my eyes, grinned and belted it out.  Swoon.

My friend Oprah told me that Hugh Jackman is one of the nicest celebrities that she ever met, and I don't doubt it for a second.  Rock on Wolverine!  Have you seen the number he did with Neil Patrick Harris at this year's Tony Awards?  See below - fantastic!

 

Rogers On Demand Online Beta - Official Public Launch

Rogers On Demand Online is live now - really live, fully live! - to anyone who wants to get a look.  Deep breath!

So it turns out there's a difference between launching to a select group of beta customers, and lifting the walled garden off the site that you've been working day and night on for the past 6 months and letting the whole world get a look. 

Specifically, the level of nausea increases and the likelihood of something going wrong at 11pm the day before launch after you have spent the whole day at the office with your team QAing the site increases and your desire to crawl under your desk and just curl up and go to sleep at 12:30am even though you still need to review one more section of the site...increases.

Launch day started early, with a passing thought to actually having a shower (2 words - hair straightener - cures the worst bedhead) and a half gulped mug of tea on the way to the office.  After a couple of nerve-wracking moments where the site sputtered to life at its brand-new url (www.rogersondemand.com) and whammo!  My baby was live.

The thing about a online product launch in today's day and age is you get instant feedback - whether you like it or not.  Twitter, Facebook - both a blessing and a curse.  You get to find out right away that someone LOVES West Wing and Vegas Vacation, but also that Doug in Oshawa can't play video and thinks your site sucks.  Thick skin needed.  I should have brought a daisy to work today..they love me, they love me not.  And then there's Google Alerts, shouting out headlines at me every five minutes.  Google is nothing if not thorough.

Next up - a million things to work on.  Marketing plans, content plans (how do I convince NBC to give me FNL and then fly me down to Texas to marry, uh i mean interview Kyle Chandler)?  Newsletters, user engagement, usability, new features, new products.  No rest for the wicked - seriously - I've become an Amarula-aholic (which combiend with warm milk is the only thing that shuts my brain down at night) and I think I've ground my back teeth into little stumps (reallly need to hit the dentist up for a mouth guard).  But it's a wickedly cool product and I'm thrilled to be part of the team.  We'll see where we go from here!  Stay tuned!

Rogers On Demand Online Beta - At Long Last!

                 
IT'S ALIVE!!

I've been bursting to share the news about the project I've been working on at Rogers, but have been bound by corporate secrecy for the past couple of months.  Tonight, my team and I finally unveiled Rogers On Demand Online to a select group of bloggers at the Silver Screening Room at the Hazelton Hotel (yes, the scene of The Guy From Glee is Stalking Me)

What is it, exactly?  Well, anyone who knows me knows that I love TV and movies, the internet and marketing (in no particular order) and my job as Director of Marketing and Programming at Rogers has had me busy on all three for the past 8 months.  Rogers On Demand Online is a one-stop destination for the best in TV, movies, sports, kid shows, music videos, web-only content and more.  It's got shows like Ugly Betty, Cougar Town, Community alongside with sports (UFC!), music videos, movies, specialty content and more. 

It's got a slick interface (see the screen shot) and a ton of navigation features to help you find what you're looking for, along with tons of content you didn't even know you wanted to watch!  That's right folks - surprise and delight!  One of the most delightful things is that we have CHiPS - that's right CHiPS - and as such I've been able to relive my childhood crush on Erik Estrada under the guise of "work".  Sweet!

We're launching in BETA, which is internet lingo for work in progress. I'm truly proud of what the team has built, but we've got tons of things to come - both features (social media, commenting, playlists and more), and lots more content partners (stay tuned for a big announcement later this week!)  Right now we're in private beta testing, but we're going live next Monday (after which I'll heave a huge sigh of relief...and then get right back to work).

The site is available to Rogers Customers - Home Phone, Wireless, Internet, Cable TV, Fido, Pre-Paid...for free!  Specialty content like Treehouse, Super Channel, etc. is available exclusively to Rogers customers who subscribe to those channels as part of the TV subscription at home.  There's a ton of great content at the all access level -  prime-time shows, movies, clips, web-only shows (check out Back on Topps - you can thank me later!) and more. 

I've got my work cut out for me - figuring out how to grow this product, add new features and work with the team to make it the best it can be.  It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but we're looking to our users to help us shape the product through feedback and suggestions.  I'm sure it will be an interesting journey - and I'm so glad that we've come this far.  Check it out and let me know what you think!

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p.s. I just re-read this and I don't think I've ever written a blog post with so many exclamation marks.  I'm putting it down to sheer delirium at getting this thing finally launched and the fact that my dinner tonight consisted of 2 brownies, a chocolate chip cookie and some delightful coconut concoction.

Billy Bob Thornton Blows Up on CBC Radio Q in Toronto

The online universe is all abuzz about Billy Bob Thornton's antics on CBC Radio's Q in Toronto yesterday.  Billy Bob was in studio with his band The Boxmasters to promote their show at Massey Hall and their new album.   I've watched the video and am astonished at his petulant, child-like, sulking behaviour.    

At the beginning of the show, the host, Jian Ghomeshi, mentions in the intro that Billy Bob has had an impressive acting/directing career.  Apparently Billy Bob didn't like that (evidenced by the eye-rolling head toss you can see in the background) and then proceeds to answer (if you can call them answers) in mono-syllables to Jian's questions, pretends not to understand what he is being asked and generally is a total prick for the entire interview.  He then tears into Jian for mentioning his acting (which was for intro context only - Jian actually didn't mention it at all from that point on) which apparently the producer had been instructed was completely off limits. 

Kudos to Jian for not losing his cool and punting him from the studio, but instead, actually confronting him with the reality that if it wasn't for Billy Bob's fame and fortune from the acting side, it would be pretty unlikely that the band would be getting the press that it is. Or any press at all. Classic case of a celebrity who is a) most likely on some serious drugs and b) way too full of himself.  Idiot.

Watch the video below to see Billy Bob if full court action - and also watch his band mates squirm, look incredibly uncomfortable and basically try to save the interview.  Unfortunately, I don't think it could be saved...but it makes for great entertainment.  My favourite moment is when Billy Bob compares Canadians to "mashed potatos without the gravy" and Jian responds "Oh...we've got some gravy up here".  Fantastic.

CBC announces 800 job cuts, $171-million shortfall

This just in from the National Post:  CBC announces 800 job cuts, $171 million shortfall.  The plan is to cut 396 jobs in the English service, 336 on the French side, and 70 corporate service positions. Aside from the staff cuts, CBC said it will scale back regional radio and television programming; decrease current affairs, drama, music and special event programming with a subsequent increase of repeat presentations; reduce its marketing budget; and cut executive pay by 10% to 20%.

Another media company bloodbath - I don't know what to say except I am sorry for all those losing their jobs.  I feel their pain.  Hopefully this will all end soon.