Cholo Time!

It's that time of the year, no school and back to the serving gig and internship hours!

To some, this may seem like daunting tasks, but in my eyes, serving and interning are what I look forward to all year long. While serving brings in some ca$h, the un paid internship is a necessary element to my growth in the television broadcasting industry during the few months away from the school grind.

Since I was 16 years young I worked at the best burger place around: Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks. But it was my time to hang up the black shoes and khaki shorts for an opportunity to switch things up a bit. Since I'm living in Los Angeles now and there are restaurants galore, I decided to apply at the famous, original El Cholo restaurant located on Western & Olympic. I'm not sure what it was about my first visit to the iconic spot, but something about the history I witnessed through the plethora of photos on the walls, the mexican-inspired dresses worn by the servers, and the signed photo of CBS anchor, Laura Diaz, displayed at the front of the restaurant, inspired me. The combination of all of the above, motivated me to apply because I wanted to be part of the El Cholo family in any capacity. I sensed the comfort of my own family and I knew this would be a great way to get to know Los Angeles a little better. A few interviews later and countless follow-up phone calls...I landed the job!

To my surprise, there was a twist when I got hired on. I was going to be working at the new El Cholo...and even better news, it was located in downtown Los Angeles, ay yi yi, how exciting! I never imagined that my move to USC would also result in working across the street from Staples Center and in the heart of the tall buildings I have been infatuated by my entire life. This was it, I was going to become a true Angelino :)

Some of the señoritas, prepping for the V.I.P party

Training kicked off at the end of April and the taste testing began! Everything on the menu from the Blue Corn Chicken Enchiladas to those famous El Cholo Margaritas were a sign that I was in the right place. There isn't one thing on the menu that isn't worth the calorie intake, and that's a promise.

I must say, the experience of opening a restaurant will forever be a special part of my Summer 2010. Although we witnessed a slow first few days open to the public, it didn't take much time for the word to spread. Local business men and women and even long-time El Cholo guests began to pour in, and I can now say that our lunch rushes are busier than ever. Each week, there are new pieces of decor and freshly added details to the restaurant. From the new tables in the bar area, to the new molcajete tools for the fresh guacamole, and even the lit candles in the bathroom all work together to create that original vibe that first motivated me to want to be a part of the El Cholo family.

Best GM around, Joey G. and his two chicas, taking a quick break for a pic

I know it seems sort of silly to be so passionate about a serving job, but this is just how I operate. I absolutely thrive off the energy of people, I love interacting with so many different walks of life who sit at my tables, I love being surrounded by my hard working co-workers and practicing my Spanish with them during each shift! To be a part of the new El Cholo in "DTLA" (code for Downtown Los Angeles) is simply: fabulous.

Folding napkins can be fun, once you get the hang of it!

If you haven't already - come join the fun, and grub!

http://www.elcholo.com/

TaTa for now followers (sorry for the lack of blog posts lately, I've been busy serving tamales!).

Xo,

Megan

Season 10: DANCING WITH THE STARS!

From the Cha Cha to the Viennese Waltz, season 10 is unstoppable!

Having the opportunity to intern with KABC7 entertainment guru, George Pennacchio, at Dancing With The Stars every Monday has been one of the most riveting experiences in my early career as a journalist. Here's a little break down of what happens on the average Monday night, before, during and after the show.

George Pennacchio and I posing with our notes.

I arrive at CBS Television Studios around 3:30 p.m. and assist George in preparing for his live shot for the 4:00 p.m. newscast. After, we head backstage to the media room where all the publicists, managers, DWTS employees and media journalists from Entertainment Tonight, Extra, AOL.com, etc. sit together on white, plastic chairs to watch the live show. Every week finger foods (mini hotdogs, burgers, quesadillas, etc.) and the best tortilla chips and salsa are prepared for the media room to indulge in. And speaking on behalf of most college students, free food is a pretty big deal. Needless to say - I grub!

Media Area

When the show is over, that's our cue to get up, get ready and enter the studio doors. We hit the dance floor to interview the couples.

Very large, heavy studio doors

George grabs the interviews, while I stand right next to him, listen and write down important sound bites that I know we'll want to use in our re-cap of the show. This is where the learning takes place, as I listen to how George crafts his questions as a professional entertainment journalist. There's a sense of urgency since there's only one hour to get interviews with each couple, so George has taught me the essence of organization and preparation. When that hour of media time is complete, we pack it up and head back to the station. At this point, we have roughly two hours to log the interviews, capture the best sound bites, write the script, track voice overs, put in mattes and send the full story to the editor to piece together. This is the story you see on the 11:00 p.m. newscast!

I must mention that without Jamie (coolest cameraman in Los Angeles!) we would never have the great interview shots. On top of that, he leads the way back to the station every week in the blue news van so we can get to work as quickly as possible - thanks Jamie!

Cameraman Jamie

and his van!

If there is one thing to point out while interning with George, it's his emphasis on detailed work. He has a reputation for being a concise reporter and the couples know that their interview with George is no joke. He doesn't ask surface questions, he asks questions with substance that require thoughtful answers. I have learned that this makes for better responses and a more candid conversation, something a reporter is always looking for.

This season of DWTS has been incredible, and the cast is a perfect combination of character and class, from having Pamela Anderson to Nicole Scherzinger on the line-up. Meeting Buzz Aldrin was a moment I will take with me forever, along with the convo I had with George Lopez (thanks to George Pennacchio!). Chelsie Hightower (Jake Pavelka's partner) and Tony Dovolani (Kate Gosselin's partner) are two of the nicest people around and seem to have the best job in show biz. Oh, and I can't forget Niecy Nash - in case you've missed her dance on the show every week, she's a riot and an absolute blast to be around. This show brings popular guests into the audience each week creating an unpredictable mixture of talent and fame, from Florence Henderson to Lisa Marie Presley - the energy is always vibrant.

Posing with the legendary, Buzz Aldrin

Tony Dovolani outside of CBS studios giving me some dance tips

Chelsie Hightower, only 20 years old!

One cool fact, George has been covering DWTS since season 1! Needless to say, he has the skills and experience to ask good questions on the spot while he knows how to have fun with the stars too. Having the opportunity to intern under a reporter who works extremely hard, even after he's been in the business for many years, inspires me beyond words. Often times I find that the passion is lost in this competitive industry and it seems easy to become jaded, but Geroge has shown me a different side and I couldn't be more appreciative for his guidance. Everyone who works behind the scenes at DWTS are great people as well and they truly seem to love what they're doing, which is hard to find in today's working world. If I could pinpoint the spirit on Monday nights at DWTS, it would be closely related to a family vibe. There is a camaraderie and hype that blends well between the media, the stars and the crew, creating an exciting experience for a college intern to be surrounded by. I've learned what a popular show like DWTS requires to create success, but what's even more astounding, is how much I have learned about entertainment journalism. Having been to the Oscars Red Carpet and DWTS in the same year, I take entertainment journalism very seriously; it's much more than celebrities, glitz and glamour. It's all of that, plus pressure, high energy, deadlines, and hard work...a feeling I absolutely thrive on.

Aspiring ♥

I hope you enjoyed your behind the scenes peek at season 10 of Dancing With The Stars! There is much more to come, and with only a few weeks left before the big finale, I'll have more details on the way.

HEADING INTO WEEK 8:

(Leader Board order after week 7's elimination night):

1. Evan Lysacek & Anna Trebunskaya

tied with

2. Nicole Scherzinger & Derek Hough

3. Chad Ochocinco & Cheryl Burke

4. Erin Andrews & Maksim Chmerkovskiy

5. Niecy Nash & Louis Van Amstel

Like George would say...

from the Fairfax District, I'm Megan Telles!

FIGHT ON.

Back to blogging!

Well, the past few weeks have been super busy and I haven't blogged at all - my apologies!!

I've had a few shows on "CU@USC," attended the College TV awards presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and have hit the set of Dancing With the Stars every Monday as part of my internship with KABC-TV!

Let's talk a bit about who's come into the studio since Vicki graced us with her presence. We had Michael Donaldson and Lisa Callif, entertainment attornies who took me inside their lives as defenders of independent filmmakers.

Next up, Dway McDuffie came to the studio for a chance to talk about comic books as a DC Comics writer/founder of DC Milestone Comics. His passion is to tell stories through comics and especially expose more cultures into the comic book industry. We discussed topics covering the industry through his multicultural lens. He shared memories from his past when he didn't see a lot of "himself," the average African American boy, portrayed in comic books. He was a nerdy techy kid and one day after studying in college, decided to bring his own flavor to the world of comic books. That's when DC Milestone Comics was born. Since then, Dwayne and the rest of his production team have launched titles such as: Blood Syndicate, Hardware, Icon and Static.

Switching gears, Nick Rizzo (Executive producer of "CU@USC") and I, hit the Red Carpet to cover the College Television Awards in Hollywood. It was a quaint Red Carpet event and I had the chance to get one-on-one with the stars. The cast of The Buried Life was such a fun group of guys, touching on their reality show about the list of 100 things they want to do before they die. After college, one of the things on their list was to have a TV show...clearly they can check that one off! Other television celebs hit the Carpet, like Tom Bergeron (Host-Dancing With the Stars), Adam Shankman (film director, producer, dancer and choreographer), Nygel Lythgoe (TV film director/producer, choreographer and former dancer), Chris Colfer (GLEE), Yvette Nicole Brown (Community), etc. There were a handful more and even the student nominees had the opportunity to catch up with the media. It was an exciting night to see student filmmakers my age, grasping on to their opportunity to create great work and be rewarded with a student Emmy (that's a HUGE résumé builder if you ask me!). Nick and I talked after the event and decided that more USC students need to submit their work. After all, we do have a phenomenal Cinema school for goodness sakes! I took a peek at the program and saw that there is also a category for best college produced Newscast, hmmm...Annenberg TV News? We need to represent next year!

College TV Awards @ The Renaissance Hotel, Hollywood CA

As the school year rapidly wraps up, there's a lot to take care of. I'll be a senior next year, so I am beginning to feel the crunch. The past few weeks have taught me a lot about how to go about interviewing people with such incredibly different stories. Whether it is a celebrity, a student or a comic book creator, each and everyone of them allow me the opportunity to dig deep into their lives and talk about topics they hold close to their hearts. It is a true pleasure to be practicing these social skills now in hopes of carrying this passion on to my job in the real world after college.

Dancing With the Stars is a whole new post in itself...check back soon.

Fight on folks!!

- MT

The OG Housewife of Orange County: Vicki Gunvalson "WOOHOO!"

On Tuesday night, Vicki Gunvalson from Bravo's hit reality show, The Real Housewives of Orange County, stepped into the studio (seconds after her quick conference call) and took part in the Tuesday night edition of CU@USC!

Vicki and I on the set of the show...WOOHOO!

She was fabulous to talk with and to be quite honest, I truly sensed a positive vibe from the woman! The other housewives always seem to be so irritated by Vicki's mention of "work ethic" and when I mentioned season 6, it seems as though Vicki's zest for the show has begun to burn. I got the idea that Vicki MIGHT not return to the show, or maybe there won't be a season 6 at all, hmm...

What's great about Vicki's role on the show is that she's the only original cast member left. One of my first questions I asked was about why she was still on the show surrounding herself by these women who she gets highly irritated by?! She explained how she doesn't have a choice when it comes to picking the new ladies and it's completely out of her hands. She has to take what she gets. Well that's definitely not reality but like any "reality" show today, it's clearly not reality and I thank Vicki for explaining that in her own words.

Now wait a minute...no one is FORCING Mrs. Vicki to continue to be a housewife on the show, so why is she sticking around if she claims to not like arguing and doesn't like ugly behavior? Well maybe this is it... Vicki considers herself to be the "momma" of the show and wants to hold a role for as long as she can handle one. Not only that, but the show also helps to publicize her COTO Insurance and University. The show is a huge help in generating in cliental and advertising the best of all three of her worlds....work, family and friends. I would probably stick around if I was in her heels too!

Vicki also mentioned her desire to want her own show! Hmmm...how many of you would watch Vicki if she landed her own show? Maybe the show can be called, "More Than a Housewife" just like her book!

Speaking of the book, the title sort of fits her persona on the show as she always talks about her strong work ethic and her willingness to work hard in order to afford the finer things in life...unlike the other ladies. Being more than a housewife says to the other ladies that she's much more than just fake boobs and nice things in life, she works too - OUCH!

I didn't get the chance to ask Vicki about Lynne's statement on the show, when her and the girls were at Alexis' house for the cooking party and Lynne said something along the lines of..." it's freakin hard living in Orange County!" How many of you think this is a ridiculous statement? Do any of you agree? What is it about Orange County that is so...hard?!

Well maybe I'll tweet Vicki and ask, I'll have to get back to you on that one. In the meantime, you can check out Vicki's book here: http://morethanahousewifebook.com/

You can order your copy NOW or check out where she'll be signing books next!

P.S. Vicki couldn't make the show a few weeks back due to the harsh weather and stiff traffic, but this time she was super early! We had Vicki on the calendar for a pre tape since she had to travel from a distance, but since she walked through those doors before 6:00pm we were going live at 6:30! I got the call to come in early, so I hopped in the shower, got dressed and rushed to the studio to do the live show.

I learned this week to BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING and be ready to go live at any time, gahhh I LOVE IT :)

Thanks for reading, until next time...

FIGHT ON!

MT

2010 USC Women's Conference

Yesterday marked the 2nd annual 2010 USC Women's Conference.

There is nothing more empowering. There is nothing more inspiring. There is nothing more captivating than being in the presence of 500 Trojan alumni women, who have all worked hard after college to make it in this competitive world.

We joined together yesterday at 7:30am to embark on a one-day journey, together.

To be one-in-a-few students who joined these women yesterday, it was enough to continue giving me the power to keep moving forward in the direction of my dreams. These women are not only hard workers in corporate America, they are wives and mothers. They understand what it takes to make it in their profession and balance the other important aspects of life.

I was honored to be in the presence of all the alumni, but one special woman in particular who I shared this day with was my very own mother, Carole. I thank my momma for encouraging me to take advantage of this opportunity to get up early and be empowered, it was an event right up my alley!

After checking in, getting our 2010 "Women's Conference tote bags" and enjoying a continental breakfast, all 500 of us gathered in Bouvard Auditorium on USC's campus. The introduction set the tone for a day filled with passion, drive and a room full of Superwomen energy! The first panel of women included: Sylvia Lopez (KCAL9 Anchor), Genoveva Arellano (Principal and Owner, Arellano Associates), Betsey Berkhemer-Credaire (Statewide President, NAWBO-California) and Louise H. Bryson (Chair of the Board of Trustees, J. Paul Getty Trust). While Sylvia lead the conversation, the other three answered her questions and gave great insight as to what they find are the key elements to look out for when discovering your passion and making a career out of it.

The big-picture message that they wanted each woman to walk away with at the end of the day, was to find that one thing that you really love, and make that what you shape your career around.

Throughout the day, more women took to the stage as they went to work in sharing their message with the crowd. As they continued to speak out on various subjects, I continued to jot down what seemed important and valid in my journey so that I could share with all of you...

• Cookie Lee (Founder and Chief Designer, Cookie Lee Jewelry) said that you need to make sure you create your career around your passion, so that when you feel low, when you are lying on your bed and you can't find the motivation to get up and work, that passion needs to be what propels you!

• Kathleen Allen (Professor, Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies) discussed how important it is to have options. She discussed the importance in having more than one source of income. If you are a professor, for example, write a book, tutor, do something that will generate side money, while creating a name for yourself.

• Lois Franel (President, Corporate Coaching International) shared her story in making it as a corporate coach. She pointed out the issues we don't even recognize in our daily communication with the world and tips on how to change our bad habits. She's an expert at how to go about branding yourself too!

1. Be a good listener, acknowledge what others say, then respond.
2. Remember that early speakers (classroom, meeting, etc.) come off as the most confident people in the room and leave a strong impression on the crowd. Be the first 2 or 3 people to answer a question or raise a valid point, always.
3. Write down what you want people to say about you when you walk out of the room, then apply actional behaviors in shaping this image for yourself.
4. Take your strengths and compliment them.
5. Let other people know about your brand, market yourself!

These are only 5 of some of the greatest pieces of advice I took away from the conference, teaching all of us a bit more about what we can do to be successful.

One last speaker who touched me and sent strong vibes of well-being to all 500 women after lunch, was Dr. Gloria Burgess (Author, Fonder and Principal of Jazz, Inc.). Dr. Burgess was the Luncheon Keynote speaker who silenced the room with her soothing voice and commanded the attention of the Trojan women with the wisdom in her words. She made sure to thank her parents for providing her with a foundation to build upon, reminding me the beauty in sharing the day with my own mother. I had the honor in meeting her at the end of the day, and she was just as gracious in our few minutes together as she was in front of the room full of Trojan women.

Thank you mom, thank you Dr. Burgess and thank you to the USC Alumni Association for hosting this special event. I hope to one day be a woman on that stage empowering the world in the same way these women have empowered me...

I hope you are empowered too.

Until the next adventure, Fight On!

Xo,

Megan

82nd annual Academy Awards!

I can't quite put the right combination of words together to explain what it's like to be a part of the Oscar coverage, but it's something along the lines of... a surreal opportunity.

Andrew Huse (videographer) and I headed to the Red Carpet for this year's 82nd Academy Awards and took part in the pre Oscar madness! A second year at the Oscars, and I must say it was a success.

This year, Andrew and I took the journey to the Oscars again and put our ideas to the test. Last year we were part of the 1st annual MTVu and Academy, "Oscar College Correspondent Competition," where we placed in the top three in the nation and headed to Hollywood to cover four days of pre-Oscar events. It was an opportunity of a life-time and since we were back on our own to cover the Oscars, I thought it would be interesting to get ahold of this year's College Correspondent semi-finalists and organize interviews with each of the three teams. Andrew set up his newest equipment, I prepared my questions and ideas of where I wanted to take the interviews and we headed to the pool deck of the Renaissance Hotel. I wanted this time with each team in the competition because I could not wait to hear how an opportunity that has opened so many doors for Andrew and I just one year ago, has also changed their lives. I learned that this year's Finalists, Terry Stackhouse & Zach Couson and Runners Up Rachel Berry & Christian Hartnett and Brandon McCaskill & Kiarra Hart, are some great broadcast journalists/video journalists out there who also know what they want in this lifetime, and that is so refreshing. We are so thankful that the Academy recognizes that this competition is a huge chance for students to get their feet wet at an event we hope to cover for major news/entertainment outlets in the future.

On Oscar Sunday, Andrew and I were back in action for the third day straight! We covered the pre-Oscar chaos on the Red Carpet in our formal attire. It was great to catch interviews with Entertainment Tonight's, Mary Hart, while also chatting with Lauren Sanchez, two of my fav anchors in the industry. We locked in our spots when the clock struck 2:00p.m. The celebs began to flood in and we had the opportunity to see the months of planning and preparation come to life. We caught a few stars in passing, interviewed Mo'Nique and other names in the industry, then headed to the Interview Room to watch the show live on big screen T.V.s set up for media access. We were surrounded by hundreds of reporters from around the world as we all worked quickly to blog, tweet, update websites and ultimately keep the public informed on what was happening behind the scenes during the show. Minutes after the winners received their Oscars, they entered the Interview Room to answer more questions from the media. It was great to hear what the winners had to say when all the stress was out the window and they finally held their well-deserved statuette!

At the end of the weekend, when the Oscars were said and done, I had a rush of excitement. The feeling of clear satisfaction in covering the biggest night in Hollywood makes two college students happier and more self-satisfied than any other feeling in the world. You know you absolutely love what you do when you expect nothing more but that feeling of accomplishment.

I love the hype, I love the energy, I love the culture of the Academy and I love the idea of taking my passion for broadcast journalism and practicing what I love...at the Oscars :)

Check back here for our coverage soon!

Fight on,

MT

Post 3: Two in One!

It was one of the busiest days of my life on campus yesterday morning, with midterm season here and meetings in session regarding my senior year rapidly approaching. In the back of my head, I knew I had 2 shows to tape starting at 6:30pm, so the day could not pass any quicker!

I arrived at Zemeckis, watched some clips of the work Carrie Preston has done, sharpened up on my facts and hit the pre production room to meet my guest.

Preston was a doll. She plays Arlene Fowler in HBO's hit series True Blood. She is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met and has a very grounded character. In the interview we talked a lot about what she had to do to make it in this world of acting in Los Angeles. She even mentioned after the show, how much she appreciated an interview that was focused on her advice and her journey; most interviews focus on her role in True Blood or her husband being Michael Emerson (LOST). Although she deeply loves both, it was great to switch it up!

Carrie went to The Julliard School, where she had the opportunity to really mold her craft. She knew at the ago of 10, that acting was going to be her life because loved being on stage. Her first movie she played in was My Best Friend's Wedding, where she was one of the sisters in the popular scene, "Say a little prayer for you!" Yes, she is THAT actress! The film came out in 1997, and thirteen years later she sat on the set of CU@USC to inspire young adults who look up to her work. It was an honor to learn from her!

Preston has been in many theatrical plays, films, even behind the scenes as a producer and director. She has her own production company, and her most recent work includes the gig on True Blood! Her character, Arlene Fowler, is a sexy Southern gal and waitress who Carrie has grown to admire. Although Arlene and Carrie have different characters, she admires Arlene for being a strong woman, strutting in 7 inch hills and for her strong work ethic in being a waitress.

One piece of advice Preston left with CU, was that she truly believes that the best way to make it as an actor is to learn the basic skills of acting. She says when you learn the skills, you will be prepared for all opportunities.

You can follow Carrie via Twitter at http://twitter.com/Carrie_Preston

or check out her website at http://www.carriepreston.com/Carrie_Preston/Welcome.html

---

Directly after, The Cake Mamas hit the set, and we had such a great time! Janelle Copeland and Fabiola Gomez are the bakers who do incredible work right out their home. They are in the process of getting their own bakery and are currently looking for a contractor.

The ladies have a lot going on as their business is rapidly growing. Their story goes like this: Fabiola was married to Eddie, they had two daughters. The marriage didn't work out. Eddie is now married to Janelle, who is Fab's co-worker. Eddie and Janelle have 1 daughter. Together Janelle and Fab work out of Eddie and Janelle's home and they all have a great relationship. They are proud to set a good example for their three daughters on how to successfully blend a family. Fab even said during the interview, "it's normal to us..." A reality show is in the works for them and I am crossing my fingers the pilot gets picked up!

You can check out their amazing cakes, cupcakes and cookie designs at http://www.thecakemamas.com/ Put in your order for your next special event!

You can also become a fan on their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cake-Mamas/90550989333?ref=ts

Well, this week's segments were great and I learned a little more about what I can improve on, as usual! I learned that the cameras can be on me at any moment during the interview, so it's always important to not make funny faces. I need to be more conscious of smiling and not allow myself to get too comfortable in front of the camera. My face can look lazy at times and no one wants to look at a lazy face!

Well that's a wrap for this week everyone, thanks for tuning in to Telles' Tuesday night wrap up...

Until next week, Fight On!

-Megan

Post 2: Best Show Yet!

So tonight was a pretty sweet night on the set of CUatUSC! It was an incredibly busy day and I barely had time to run over to the studio with an hour to spare until show time, but with my adrenaline pumping, the show was a hit!

Tonight was unlike any show I've hosted, as we had 4 guests on one couch for the entire 30 minute segment. It worked out really well, it was a tight squeeze, but it made for a comfy-cozy show.

Thank you to Daron Moore, Jack Michelman, StroyMoy.com and Jim Panetta.org for the opportunity to hear all about the Laugh Bowl USC vs. UCLA Competition!

Daron is the founder/creator of the first Laugh Bowl college competition hosted by the Laugh Factory. She took us through the criteria of the competition and how the experience has gone smoothly in building it from the ground up. Although there have been a few bumps along the way, Daron ultimately describes the experience as a success. When bringing up the voting process of the competition, Daron agreed that it's been a tricky run and a has gotten competitive, but she is a firm believer that this is good training for college comedians in understanding how the nature of the business works. She created this competition as an opportunity to expose college students to the industry at a younger age and hopefully find that many discover their passion in stand-up...this is exactly what the competition has done thus far!

Jack Michelman is one of two finalists from USC in this year's college competition and will be performing this Thursday at the Laugh Factory off Sunset Blvd. right here in Los Angeles. Jack is involved with comedy programs and comedy based groups at USC, but never performed stand-up prior to the Laugh Bowl competition. He says this opportunity has allowed him the chance to find his niche in an area of comedy he may have never explored. With little to no experience in performing on stage, Jack has made it to the finals! He plans to throw away his old set and bring a whole new plate of jokes to the stage this Thursday. Come out and watch as USC takes on cross-town rivals, UCLA!

Stroy and Jim are this year's MC's for the competition and feel great to be involved with representing the college students as they work hard to mold their craft. The men have both performed stand up comedy for years, so their experience is a great asset to the competition. As they work hard to continue on their own paths in comedy, they know how to share the love and give advice to the college students following in their footsteps.

Take a peek at http://laughfactory.com/contests/LaughBowl for details on Thursday night's show and how to cast your vote! I loved tonight's episode of CUatUSC and I hope to see the Laugh Bowl contest take a national hit in the years to come...

P.S. My lesson learned tonight was that placing a pillow under the cushion of the couches gives me a little boost on air - it looks like I'll be doing this more often!

Goodnight and Fight On!

-Megan T.

Day 1: Officially a Blogger!

So I never thought this day would come, or that I would ever figure out how to create my own blog...but here I am! Lately, this feeling has been a constant trend in my life, something new is always happening, which is why I thought it would be the right time to begin capturing the special moments that are becoming the puzzle pieces to my future, or so I like to think.

I plan to blog on Tuesday nights after I get off the set of the show I host, "CU@USC" here at the The Robert Zemeckis Studios right outside of USC's campus. There's always a lesson to be learned after each show, something I can improve on for the next week. I want to share my experiences with all of you, because I think this is the exciting part, living and learning and evolving one experience at a time!

This week will be a short and sweet re cap of tonight's show, I pulled my first official "all-nighter" getting an essay done last night, so my eye lids are hanging low.

Tonight I had Adam Bouchard on the show, an up and coming singer/songwriter. He was born and raised in San Diego and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee to share his passion and improve his work in a town where song writing and performing is greatly appreciated. In our interview, he said if he could compare his music style to any singer/songwriter popular today, it would be John Mayer. Bouchard performed on the show and rocked it on stage! I know this guy is going to make it big one day soon, look out for him, he will melt your hearts ladies, acoustic guitar, that's all I have to say! ...oh and the vocals are so smooth :) Check out his work at http://www.myspace.com/tynelson07

We had a solid interview and tonight was the first time doing the second segment standing up and interviewing versus sitting on the comfy couches. I realized, when I'm standing and interviewing without a mic, the hand placement is a little awkward...hmmm, something I have to work on. Alright, that's all for me. Until next time...

Fight on, always.

Yours truly,

Megan T.