Obama & Entertainment, Basic News Writing, 11/2

 

President Barack Obama has recently been gaining the attention of media by his numerous appearances on popular television talk shows.  Appearances on shows such as “The Late Show,” “The Tonight Show,” and “Oprah,” began during his campaign and have not ceased now that he is in the Oval Office, with recent appearances on MTV, VH1, “The Daily Show,” a scheduled election day interview with Ryan Seacrest and an upcoming appearance on Discovery’s “Mythbusters.”  Public opinion about Obama’s television presence ranges across the spectrum.  While these appearances are an attempt to make him seem more relatable and marketable, they may be leading to a blurred line between head of state and a public figure who happens to live in the White House.

Obama’s most recent talk show interview took place Oct. 17 with Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show.”  During Stewart’s show, which is most often riddled with jokes and satire, this interview remained somewhat serious.  This could be related to the fact that elections are around the corner, or due to the fact that Obama would hardly let Stewart say a word, edge wise. “It’s just been hard not to talk,” Stewart said at one point.  Though Obama’s answers were somewhat long and drawn-out, they were thorough and addressed the concerns on the mind of many Americans.

“He obviously knows the complaints of the people,” sophomore Rachel Wilson said.  “He addressed the problems that people have about what has happened so far, and I feel that by addressing those problems he makes it sound like he’s trying really hard to fix them.”   For that reason, Wilson enjoyed the Comedy Central interview and does not believe Obama loses any credibility as president by his appearances on these shows.  “If [those who disagree with the appearances] really think about it, they might recognize he’s trying to reach people who are usually statistically less likely to vote, less likely to be involved in politics, and they might respect that,” Wilson said.

One very important element that Obama has been working to his advantage since day one has been the audience he targets and how to win their attention.  “I just see it as him trying to reach out to a different audience,” junior Marie Lemma said.  Another positive aspect of the talk shows, out of the formal news setting, is the perception of the viewers.  They show “he is a person.  I think people tend to forget that.  It showed that he’s not only president, but father and husband as well,” Lemma said.  “It showed he’s trying to make the country a better place for us, and his family.  He can’t just snap his fingers and make the country a better place.  It’s going to take some time.”

“These appearances, if anything, make him more connected to the public,” junior and Vice-President of Belmont’s Young Democrats Robin Kirk said.  “He can respond to their reactions and improve on what needs to be improved.”  These interviews, outside of the average newsroom, are all part of an evolving world. “He is not hiding himself.  It is like Franklin Roosevelt’s fireside chats.  It is a way to connect with his constituents, which is something that is hard to do for a president considering he/she has millions,” Kirk said.

Shows, such as these, are also a good way for Obama to discuss “what his original plans were and how he has attempted to do all that he can within the frame that he’s been given,” sophomore Jessica Spradlin said.  However, “I feel like his image was kind of diminished in a way that he was so stiff, he didn’t want to let Jon speak.  It felt like, normally Jon talks more, it felt like he was just more rigid than how he normally comes off and could’ve come off, and then he would try to speak over Jon.”

Though an interview such as this is full of positive and negatives, the main purpose was clear.  “By coming on these shows he’s trying to encourage people to be more informed,” Wilson said. “Not to inform them by being on the show, but by encouraging people to be more involved in the government of their country because they’re the ones that are responsible for it.” Agree or disagree, the main purpose is what is important, “he was really driving home the point ‘you guys need to go vote,” Wilson said.

Dierks Bentley to performing on "Good Morning America" from Nashville -- Country Hound, 11/3

Three-time CMA Awards nominee Dierks Bentley will be performing on ABC News’ “Good Morning America” Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 7-9AM ET.  Bentley will be performing again later that evening on “The 44^th Annual CMA Awards” live from Nashville from 8-11 PM ET on the ABC Television Network.

"With Dierks Bentley performing on 'Good Morning America' you can leave the caffeine in the coffee pot," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. "What a great way to jump start the day."

CMA Awards co-host, as well as three-time nominee, Brad Paisley and NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon will present the All New 2011 Chevrolet Cruze to the lucky winner of the “Chevrolet Salutes America’s Heroes” contest.  One member of the armed services that has demonstrated military obstacles by inspiring others and impacting their country and community in a positive manner will be chosen from online entries.

The performance and car presentation on “Good Morning America” will take place on the plaza of the Bridgestone Arena, where the 2010 CMA Awards will be held later that evening.  This event will be free and open to the public on the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue in Nashville and presented by Chevrolet.

Trace Adkins USO Tour -- Country Hound, 11/3

Over the past 14 years, Trace Adkins has sold over 10 million records, as well as appeared on Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” acted, written a book and launched a four-part comic book series entitled “Luke McBain.”  Adkins is using his stardom and entertainment abilities for a nine-day USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour to the Middle East.  Since 2002, Adkins has toured on two other USO tours and performed for more than 7,800 troops in Bahrain, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Adkins’ tour will officially come to an end in the U.S. with a welcome home USO concert for soldiers and families stationed at Fort Benning, GA.  This concert will be free and open to all military ID holders.

As for his USO tour, Adkins has already visited more than 6,000 troops overseas a mere two days into his combat zone tour.  Some of the bases Adkins has already visited are Camp Arifjan and Contingency Operating Base Basra.

"Traveling on USO tours and visiting our nation's troops has been awe-inspiring and even overwhelming at times," says Adkins.  "Whether I'm walking around a post shaking hands and signing autographs or performing for troops, I am always aware I am in the presence of heroes, and the courage and determination that those men and women show is humbling.  It's an honor to get to do that and I will always jump at the chance to do it for years to come." 

Adkins has a long history of supporting the armed forces and USO, from performing with the West Point Cadet Glee Club at the 2009 USO Gala to visiting wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda.  To recognize his patriotism, Adkins has been given the ’07 USO Merit Award, Wounded Warrior Project’s 2010 Talkhouse Award, as well as the 2010 Medal of Honor from the Daughter’s of the American Revolution.

Chocolate & Country Music -- Country Hound, 11/2

CAUTION: This article made me crave lots and lots of chocolate!!

The “CMT Artists of the Year” celebration will be featuring the deserving honorees such as Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band and Carrie Underwood.  Also making appearances will be chocolate truffles inspired by each of the night’s artists.  A box featuring the five truffles, created by Nashville-based chocolate artisan Bethany Thouin of The Cocoa Tree, will be given to each attendee.  The special night is also to feature a dinner designed by three James Bear Award-winning chefs, RJ Cooper, John Currence and Michael Schwartz.

Thouin moved to Nashville ten years ago as a budding songwriter hopeful.  Five kids later and ten years down the road, she has made the exchange from writing songs to writing recipes for her award-winning, artisan truffles at her chocolate café located in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood – The Cocoa Tree. 

Thouin was named one of the Top 10 Rising Stars in America’s Confectionary Constellation and recently finished against three chocolatiers on the Food Network “Chocolate Landmarks Challenge” – her creation was a four foot tall chocolate replica of the Statue of Liberty.  Thouin has also been noted for her participation in the ‘07/’08 New York Chocolate Show Runway Event, where she created a chocolate dress that was modeled on a high-fashion runway.  Recently, she released a book entitled “Chocolate Covered Friendship.”

Now, Thouin’s truffles are to be featured in the first ever special celebrating the year’s best talent, “CMT Artists of the Year.”  The truffles she has designed for this event are as followed:

“Carrie's Red Velvet” -- the one that's elegant

Milk chocolate and moist red velvet cake ganache dipped in dark chocolate, topped with cream cheese icing and a candied pearl

    “Jason's Bourbon and Cola” -- the one that's hardcore

72% chocolate ganache blended with cola and a splash of bourbon covered with 61% dark chocolate and sprinkled with cocoa nibs

“Lady’s Honey Whiskey” -- the one with a smooth, sweet bite

Milk chocolate ganache with a perfectly balanced blend of honey and whiskey dipped in milk chocolate and topped with chopped white chocolate

  “Taylor's Chocolate Cheesecake” -- the one that's a fairy tale

A white chocolate cheesecake ganache with a swirl of dark chocolate and graham crackers dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with homemade graham crackers

 “ZBB's Molasses and Grits” -- the one with Southern grit

Southern-style grits and milk chocolate ganache with a touch of molasses dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with ground grits

Along with the truffles, celebrities from across the field will be in attendance for the spectacular evening and performances.  The 90-minute special, hosted by Kevin Costner, is set to air Friday, Dec. 3, from 8 PM – 9:30 PM ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com.

Carrie Underwood song in Narnia -- Country Hound, 11/2

From walking down the aisle, to the recent launch of her “Play On” tour, and her upcoming co-hosting of the CMA Awards, there doesn’t not seem to be much Carrie Underwood can’t do.  Now, the 5-time Grammy winner has recorded the end title song, “There’s a Place for Us,” for “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.”

After the filmmakers screened a rough cut of the picture for Underwood, she agreed to co-write the song with David Hodges and Hillary Lindsey and record the song.  The song was produced by Underwood’s multi-platinum producer, Mark Bright.

““I’m a big fan of the ‘Narnia’ books and films, so I was really excited about seeing this new movie and writing and performing a song for it,” Underwood said.  “I was blown away by the film, and I think people are going to be really excited when they see it.  It’s the perfect holiday film.”

The holiday motion picture event is a return to C.S. Lewis’ world via the Narnian ship, the Dawn Treader.  In this film, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with cousin Eustace, are swallowed into a painting and find themselves on the glorious ship the Dawn Treader.  The story covers the voyagers overcoming their utmost temptations, travels to mystifying lands, and oppositions with enchanting creatures and ominous enemies – as well as a reunion with the “Great Lion” Aslan.

“The Voyage of the Dawn Treader presents an imaginative world that’s also relatable because it’s easy to connect the characters and themes to our own lives,” Underwood said.  “The land of Narnia represents a place where the young heroes truly belong. That inspired me to get together with David and Hillary and write ‘There’s a Place for Us,’ which says that for everybody, there’s a place where you’re powerful and where you belong. The movie and song are about finding that place where you fit in.”

“There’s a Place for Us” will debut largely this month with major broadcasts and online.  It will also be available for purchase exclusively on iTunes Nov. 16^th.  The movie is scheduled to be released in theaters December 10^th.

Broadening the influence of the worldwide release, international covers of Underwood’s song will be recorded overseas in few select countries.