Watch Pat's video from 03-21, then watch mine.

Hundreds of people are viewing these videos, which is a little scary.


Pat's video

my video

Postscript: Pat went with a real-life visual element on 3/28, played masterfully by Enrique the Web Master.

Purple States: Check it out

From Cynthia Farrar of Purple States (a video portal of citizen journalists on the campaign trail!):


Purple States' review of Gov. Mike Huckabee's candidacy was featured online and promoted in the print edition of the New York Times yesterday. The Huckabee video is on http://purplestates.tv today.

During the coming week, Purple States TV will complete a countdown of its ten most watched videos from the primary season. Purple States TV will close its primary coverage on NYTimes.com next Friday with a retrospective of the journey that the five citizen-reporters took over five months through six primary states.

Purple States is also pleased to announce a partnership with Verizon Vcast, which is featuring Purple States on the new Vcast political channel.

You can help during hard times

A few appeals for help are on the radar this week. One is a Hamden case that has really demonstrated the generosity of local folks. Little Frankie DeMatteis, 4 and seen in a photo from Easter at my house here, has MPS III, a genetic disorder that has caused many hospitalizations and development issues. He's a little dynamo, however, and a bundle of affection to all he meets. Frankie's family has mounting medical bills and there's a fund where you can help. See frankiepants.com. For a special event coming up soon on this front, see the blog item a few posts below this one. I'll be there.
Another event, for the Tommy Fund, is coming up April 28 at the Watch Factory Restaurant in Cheshire, run by Jesse Liska, a young man from Cheshire trying to help raise funds to fight childhood cancer. I've been to this restaurant and it's pretty special. Tickets are $50 for one and $90 for a couple with drinks and light food included. Call Jesse at 203-233-4713.
Finally today, we urge you to support your local sports programs, which keep our kids busy with positive team and individual challenges and activities. If you're able to help with a donation to Cheshire's softball team, drop me a note here and I'll get you an appeal letter. Then come out to cheer your local team.

Michael's Sara improbably returning to Prison Break

from tv guide:
Prison Break Stunner: Sarah Wayne Callies Returns!

March 27, 2008 (New York, NY) – TVGuide.com’s senior writer Michael Ausiello reports that Sarah Wayne Callies — whose rather ugly contract dispute with Prison Break producers led to her apparent decapitation last October — is returning next season full-time as Dr. Sara Tancredi, head and all.

Reaction: P.B. had a great first season or two. Now it's barely watchable. Sometimes it goes into Wackyville like "Lost," but at lease "Lost" is a sci-fi fantasy. Maybe Callies' return will restore some mojo. We may also need the original villains to regain power, too.

Another Bridgeport native makes it good

Syesha Mercado of "American Idol" said she was born in Bridgeport on Tuesday's show. She joins the likes of Richard Belzer, Kevin Nealon, John Ratzenberger, Tony Musante and Bill Smitrovich as Bridgeport natives who've made it big in entertainment. Trivia point for baseball fans: Rob Dibble was also born there.

A reader sent me this link to Savin Rock footage, circa 1939

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S0rSGtOdfk

Not sure this show has earned another season, but...

From Fox:
FOX LOCKS UP “PRISON BREAK” FOR A FOURTH SEASON

FOX has picked up a fourth season of the hit drama PRISON BREAK, the action-packed series starring Dominic Purcell and Wentworth Miller as on-the-lam brothers Lincoln Burrows and Michael Scofield.

After spending the first season filming on location in Chicago, followed by two seasons on location in Dallas, production on the upcoming fourth season of PRISON BREAK will move to Los Angeles.

WVIT for sale

Sources say that NBC has decided to put its owned-and-operated WVIT-30 up for sale. WVIT will likely be a less-attractive destination for staffers (and maybe viewers) without the NBC ownership. The station has lost some longtime anchors in recent years (Nesti, Peckinpaugh) but still has some competent and likable news personalities.

Mancini Story earns Emmy nod

North Haven guy Craig Mortali's "Triumph and Tragedy: The Ray Mancini Story," has been nominated for a Sports Emmy. Says Mortali, "Needless to say, this recognition is very gratifying. 'Triumph' is my best work to date."
The awards ceremony is April 28th in New York.

Get together for Frankiepants

One of Hamden's most touching examples of generosity is the frankiepants.com campaign for a local family dealing with their young son's MPS II Type A Sanfilippo Syndrome. The rare genetic disorder has sent Franie DeMatteis (known as Frankiepants) to the hospital numerous times and to North Carolina for expensive, experimental treatments. And the Hamden area has responded generously before.
Now a benefit is being held on April 6 at LuDal's Restaurant in North Haven, run by David & Amy Greco, to raise money for Frankie's continuing medical bills. A top four-course dinner and silent auction will be held for $125 per person. Call 203-745-4700 for tickets, or donate to the cause at frankiepants.com, where Frankie's incredible story is told by his mother Cynthia (CJ).
Despite his illness and complications, Frankie has always been about joy and hope to his family. Which is what this night will be, too, says his grandfather Frank.

Hot news briefs, if you'll pardon the expression

Top WTIC-61 programming and promotions guy John Mason is retiring from the Hartford station. Mason was the best such TV exec in an increasingly tight-fisted industry.

The Hollywood Reporter says 'Scrubs' is moving to ABC for an 18-episode run.

NBC has pulled the plug on 'quarterlife,' which inspired no excitement, and annoyed us with it's lower-case title.

Guess which 'American Idol' contestant worked as a male stripper in his short adult life? (See Wednesday's Register.)