Enter for a chance to win a copy of the Sinbad Where U Been DVD.

Two ways to enter:

1. TODAY- LEAVE A COMMENT on this blog post.

2. Throughout the month of March, you will have other opportunities to enter. The more comments you leave, the better chances you have to win. At the end of random posts in March, you will get a chance to leave a comment (back on this page) and your comment must relate to that day’s topic.

To be updated on the March posts, I suggest you sign up to my mailing list if you’re not already a member. To sign up, click or paste the following link: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=498262

All entries must be in between now and 11:59 p.m est 3/28/10.

Several winners will be chosen at random.

ABOUT THE DVD

Sinbad, one of the most renowned comedians on the scene, returns to the stage after a 13-year absence from his last stand-up special and kills it in “Sinbad: Where U Been?”  In it, the exuberant performer discusses America’s new black president, the lighter side of the economic recession, the pitfalls of love and marriage and, of course, gives everyone the low down of where he’s been.  The special was filmed at the Club Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

His special edition DVD is packed with over 45 minutes of material that did not air on COMEDY CENTRAL.  It’s a must-own for any true comedy/funk music fan and also includes a behind-the-scenes special feature with Sinbad.

More about Sinbad:

Known for finding humor in telling real-life stories, Sinbad’s comedy is larger than life, energetic and spontaneous.  His television career began with stand-up appearances on “Star Search.”  Soon after, he landed a guest-starring role on NBC’s hit series, “The Cosby Show,” which spun-off into a starring role on “A Different World.”  He later became the star of his own self-titled, critically-acclaimed series, “The Sinbad Show,” co-starring Salma Hayek, which earned him a nomination for “Favorite Television Actor” at Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards.  Other television appearances include “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Cosby,” “Moesha,” “Roc,” “Slacker Cats” and hosting gigs on “It’s Showtime at the Apollo” and “Soul Train.” In addition to his success on the small screen, Sinbad’s film credits include “Necessary Roughness” opposite Scott Bakula, “Coneheads” with Dan Aykroyd, “Houseguest” opposite Phil Hartman, “First Kid” and “Jingle All The Way” opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger, winning a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for “Favorite Supporting Actor – Family.”  His stand-up specials include “Sinbad: Brain Damaged,” “Sinbad: Afros and Bellbottoms,” “Sinbad: Son of a Preacher Man” and “Sinbad: Nuthin’ but the Funk.”

Contest open to US residents only. Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. March 28, 2010. Void where prohibited by law. The winners will be notified via email. If the winner hasn’t responded within 48 hours of the initial email with their shipping address, the next name pulled will be the winner.

 You have a chance to win a copy of Permission Slips – Every Woman’s Guide to Giving Herself a Break By Sherri Shepherd, Laurie Kilmartin

If you’re already signed up to my mailing list, I just need you to LEAVE A COMMENT on this blog post.

If you’re NOT on my mailing list, to enter, just sign up AND leave a comment on this post to let me know you’re interested in the ON THE LINE contest. To sign up, click or paste the following link: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=498262

All entries must be in between now and 11:59 p.m est 10/30/09.

Several winners will be chosen at random.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Covering topics such as “It’s Jesus or Jail,” “Marriage, the Hard Way,” “Children: The Gift You Can’t Give Back,” and “All the Things I Don’t Know…And All the Things I Definitely Do,” stand-up comedienne, actress, and ABC’s The View co-host Sherri Shepherd comically chronicles her struggles to keep up with the many roles-professional, wife, mother, daughter, and friend-that women must play in today’s world. Sherri urges women to pursue their most important dreams and to never give up, but also let’s readers know that it’s okay to give themselves “permission slips” when things don’t always work out the way they want them to.

Contest open to US residents only. Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. October  30, 2009. Void where prohibited by law. The winners will be notified via email. If the winner hasn’t responded within 48 hours of the initial email with their shipping address, the next name pulled will be the winner.

Exclusive eSpot Interview with Tim Reid, Tom Dreesen and Ron Rapoport.
By Shelia M. Goss

I was intrigued by the only Black & White comedy duo in history – Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen.

Back when you started off as a comedy duo, race relations weren’t what they are now. Why did you think it was important to joke about race during a time when it wasn’t “cool” to talk about racial differences/issues?

Tim Reid: It wasn’t that we thought it was important…It would have been strange if a black man and white man walked out on stage and didn’t mention race. That being said, not all our material was about race.

Tom Dreesen: In those days all we wanted to do was make people laugh. As far as it being important it seems now that I look back it was very important but it wasn’t on our minds every night we went out there. As I said, all we wanted was for the audience to enjoy our humor and have a good time. That being said, even back then I thought as I do now that “If people can sit down and laugh together then perhaps we can live together.”

If you could go back in time, what would you change about how you dealt with an adversity during your earlier career?

Tom Dreesen: Nothing. It all happened for a reason. I learned and more important “grew” from each and every diversity and that’s why I’m a success today.

Tim Reid: I would have enjoyed the journey more.

More with TIM REID:

I have been a fan of Tim Reid’s since I first saw him portray “Venus Flytrap” on WKRP in Cincinnati. A new generation of children are able to see him in re-runs of Sister Sister. I was a regular watcher of Frank’s Place and was disappointed when it went off the air.

How did you deal with the racial slurs and not getting the respect that your white counterparts would have gotten in the same situation?

Tim Reid: The racial slurs came with the territory and wasn’t anything that I had not faced having grown up in the segregated south. Again remember this was America five years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act.
Our respect grew as we became more professional with our performances.

In your opinion, what are two factors that have changed considerably for AA behind the scenes over the years?

Tim Reid: In reading the book, one will see that I was blessed with the opportunity to be involved with the rise of Blacks in the productions side of television and film. We have come a long way. My only hope is that we don’t forget the lessons learned and assume that we have gone far enough.

What do you think AA writers and producers have to do to get projects green-lighted?

Tim Reid: Take control of our own destiny by financing, producing and distributing our own projects.

More with TOM DREESEN:

Tom has appeared on The Tonight Show and toured with Frank Sinatra. If you want a good laugh, you must listen to his comedy album.

Do you think being part of a comedy team helped or hurt your career?

Tom Dreesen: Without a doubt it helped. Stage presence, delivery, timing, discipline. Working on all these things gave me a foundation when I set out on my individual career.

What piece of advice would you give up and coming comics on the topic of diversity in their jokes?

Tom Dreesen: Try to write material that can make Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad and the kids laugh. That’s real diversity.

Ron Rapoport is a highly respected author and sports columnist.

You’re known for being a sport columnist. Why did you think it was important to share Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen’s story?

Ron Rapoport: I had two initial reactions when I first learned about Tim and Tom having been a comedy team. One was, “You guys did what?” and the other was, “Why don’t I know about this?” And as Tim and Tom began to tell me their story–not only of when they were a team but also of their lives before and afterwards–I thought it was funny, fascinating and very important. I think Tim and Tom have lived great American lives, filled with excitement and adventure on the one hand, and danger and heartache on the other. Theirs is a story both of the sacrifices people will make as they try to succeed in show business and of race in America through the prism of popular culture.

I would like to thank Tim, Tom and Ron for taking time out to answer my questions.

Tim & Tom share their detailed stories in the book: Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White. You will find the book intriguing. Reading about their story will help shed insight on those times and help open up dialogue with people of various races. The book is available now or you can also order it from online retailers like Amazon.com.

Interview by Shelia M. Goss entertainment writer and Essence bestselling author of My Invisible Husband, Roses are thorns, Paige’s Web, Double Platinum and His Invisible Wife. For detailed bio, visit www.sheliagoss.com.

This is one of my favorite scenes from the Cosby Show. What’s one of yours?

It’s Monday,  put your earplugs on if you’re at work and check out this clip from the new show starring David Alan Grier. D.A.G. is so silly, he should be committed but instead he has this new show.  :)

I saw two interesting videos over the weekend. One is serious and one is meant to be hilarious–The serious one made me ask–is she real???

Saturday Night Live Skit (Gov. Palin and Katie Couric)

The Real Interview (pay close attention to the part at 2:55 minutes and after)

I now see why they are keeping her from the media. Okay no more politics for me this week (oops except for the Thursday night debates.)

A lot has happened this week. Thought you all could use a good laugh. This dude does a great Denzel Washington impersonation. 

It’s the weekend y’all!!!