The Archive of American Television has so many amazing interviews of performers who have truly fascinating stories that you really can’t hear anywhere else. Most of the interviews are uncut and I’ve really enjoyed that.

Well on a You Tube fly around I found this great series featuring the legendary Don Pardo from 2006. They are long segments but they are amazing.

I hope you enjoy.

I had the opportunity to meet Syracuse, NY female voice over talent Lauren Synger today on her home turf and what a great voice talent she is too!

While she excels at commercial and narration work, her real passion is character voices and she is especially fond of audio books (which is really where she got her start in voice over.)

She was kind enough to introduce me to a few contacts while I tried to find some ISDN studios in the area (not an easy task) and she had some very kind words about her successes with Voices.com, run by my friends David and Stephanie Ciccarelli.

It’s always great to make a new VO pal. Thanks Lauren.

Needles and art.

I like one of those things.

But my agent and friend Erik Sheppard likes both of those things because, well, he’s a bit of a freak (not a bad quality in an agent).

You may have heard about Erik’s Don LaFontaine tattoo…well he’s at it…or guess inking it again.

But this time my shy, reticent agent (ha!) got his latest tattoo broadcast on national television (TLC).

I’m not much of a tattoo guy myself but I thought this was kinda cool…especially since it was somebody else getting drilled.

Voice Talent Beau Weaver

So my friend Caryn Clark, a professional female voice talent, told a great story on her blog via Facebook the other day.

Caryn does not have a lot of live announce experience (ala radio et all) so she has always shied away from live announcing.

Actually it seemed more like a fear.

Well lo and behold somebody picked her for a live announce with a male partner and she went for it…she did the live announce gig with about three hours prep time and it went smashingly.

While sharing this personal triumph, Beau Weaver (also a voice talent) shared a story in the comments section about a live announce that made me laugh out loud in support. Beau wrote:

“When I voiced the Critics Choice Awards on live national television, they were re-writing a tease-out-to-commercial with a sharpie on my script WHILE I was reading it…….so three hours is a luxury!”

If you’ve ever done a live announce you know how funny that is because of how true it is!

I’m not sure if everyone is getting these emails or if it’s just me but the big news in voiceover land this week seems to be that voice over talent Joe Cipriano is one of the announcers auditioning for the announcer job on Wheel of Fortune – one of the most popular game shows on the planet.

Sadly, long time Wheel announcer and true voice over legend Charlie O’Donnell died in November, 2010 and with complete respect, the show must go on – a new announcer must be hired.

So what seems to be happening is that announcers are being tested for two weeks worth of shows (according to the Cip interviews I’ve seen, the taping schedule is Thursday and Friday of every other week – each day taping 6 shows).

A big part of how the producers will decide who gets the gig is audience feedback on the Wheel of Fortune site. Smartly, Joe is talking up this “feedback” fact on shows like Westwood One’s Jim Bohannon Show and other media outlets – one set of Joe’s Wheel of Fortune show’s are airing this week.

Who are the other announcers auditioning? A quick Google search uncovered Lora Cain – a female announcer which I think is an idea long over due as I noted in a conversation following a blog post and an idea which certain female voice talents – who shall remain nameless but who has the first name Amy – thought was unrealistic.

Guess I wasn’t so silly after all.

Rich Fields I recall a while back as another candidate for the gig. And a voice talent named Jim Thornton is also in the running.

Now – I can hear you asking yourself – “Peter K. O’Connell when will you be auditioning for the announcer of Wheel of Fortune? O’Connell, O’Donnell – you’re both announcers, it makes perfect sense.”

Tell me about it!

Well, I’ll check my voice mail and get back to you on that but certainly feel free to confuse the hell out of the producers and tell them in the comment section where they want their feedback how much you loved my audition.

Possibly a better idea would be to focus your votes for those folks who’ve actually been invited to audition for the job – all good and talented folks who would be a fine addition to the Wheel of Fortune cast.

But since I met and spoke with Joe for a bit at Voice 2010 in LA (which he does not remember I am sure) he’ll get my vote on this one.

For the past couple of years, I’ve been asked to serve as the announcer for the Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives’ Elite Sales and Marketing Awards.

I’m a past President of the association.

Last year I had to travel on the show day so I pre-recorded the intros but this year I was live (or as live as I get) and here’s what it looked like announcing to a room of about 200+ of my closest friends

Congrats to all the winners.

Editor’s Note: If you don’t subscribe to this blog, you miss all the cool stuff like this faux-dition. Click here to subscribe. And please promote this via social media to all your VO pals. Thanks!

You know how new products come out with a new version and say “It’s Better Than Ever!”?

Well, with this year’s unofficial announcer’s audition (faux-dition), it’s true because we have one doozy of a prize for the winner.

GREATEST GAME SHOW EVER
This year, I picked the most amazing announcer supported game show in the history of broadcasting for our unofficial casting call: “The Price Is Right”.

A staple of CBS mornings since the late 1700′s, this perennial ratings winner has had only two daytime host in its modern version (Bob Barker and now Drew Carey) and three announcers: Johnny Olsen (my hero), from Buffalo’s Big 1520 WKBW Rod Roddy and most recently Rich Fields.

But the show has been doing on-air auditions for a new announcer and so it seemed only fair that we collectively throw our fake hat into the ring for this great announcing job.

As always this event is for fun (“this is not a competition, just an exhibition; please, no wagering”.) No one…but NO ONE who enters this phony audition event is in line for the announcing job on “The Price Is Right” and no way is ANYONE associated with “The Price Is Right” endorsing, condoning or otherwise support this annual announcing fantasy. They also own all the copyrights to name, music and everything else to do with the show. I make no money on this but merely am promoting one of the coolest VO jobs in our world. Let’s all dream a little together.

I’ll grab 3 judges and we’ll whittle all the contestants down to 10 finalists and then we will vote (but not until I call the vote).

You as the participating voice over talent are responsible for the mixing and audio quality (which has been a factor in past judging and voting); your audition needs to sound broadcast ready which means the mix should sound as great as your voice. If you want to be a pro you gotta sound like a pro…completely.

Here’s my demo – again just as an example – perform the announce in whatever way you think would be most likely accepted by “The Price Is Right” producers if they were auditioning you as a new announcer (which, as far as I know, they are not).

LISTEN:
Download audio file (OConnell__Unofficial_TPIR_Audition.mp3)

THE PRIZE
But here’s where the NEW & IMPROVED part comes in – the winner by votes will win a grand prize: a complimentary registration to Faffcon 2 Electric Boogaloo – The Voiceover Unconference, taking place in Atlanta, GA from February 25-27, 2011.

This donated prize includes:
* Registration for the Faffcon 2 Conference ($199.00 value)
* A Complimentary Faffcon 2 T-Shirt ($20.00 value)
* A Private Studio Tour of CNN with your fellow Faffers on Friday, February 25, 2011
* A Complimentary Dinner Dinner at Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill and Brewery, including tax and tip (beverages not included)
* A one year FREE membership to VoiceTweet! ($75 value)

The winner (who must be 18 years of age or older as of today’s date) is responsible for ALL other expenses involved in their participation in Faffcon 2 including but not limited to travel, lodging, taxes and bail money – in case you enjoy yourself too much in Atlanta.

The idea with this prize is if you’re great enough to be judged to be the best in this forum, you should have the opportunity to learn with and among the best in our industry at Faffcon.

There were a bunch of people who chipped in to support Faffcon and the spirit of this annual unofficial casting call and I am truly appreciative of help in creating a complimentary Faffcon registration including but not limited to (and in no particular order) Bob Souer, Liz de Nesnera, Dave Courvoisier, Diane Maggipinto, Melissa Exelberth, Trish Basanyi, Natalie Stanfield Thomas, Amy Snively, Pam Tierney & Todd Ellis. If I have forgotten anyone…please ping me.

THE SPECS
Remember – although it is not – treat this like a real audition. Give us your best performance.

>> Here is the script – do NOT deviate from the script – enhance it vocally as you wish (that’s the fun) but stick to the copy:

Here it comes!

(Pause)

From the Bob Barker Studio at CBS in Hollywood! It’s The Price is Right!

Mary Thomas! Come on down!

Hugh Merriweather! Come on down!

Clara Jones! Come on down!

And Ben Smith! Come on down!

You are the first four contestants on The Price Is Right!

And now, here’s your host, Drew Carey!!!!!

HERE is your music and sound effects bed (right click on the link and click “Save Link As” to save it to your computer).

Do NOT deviate from this bed, do not create your own and do not substitute another version of music or sound effects. There will be a lot of entries and the judges can’t listen to auditions of varying lengths because you think you can produce a better bed.

Email your audition to peter at audioconnell dot com. MP3 file only.

File name: YOURLASTNAME_Unofficial_TPIR_Audition

LISTEN TO ENTRIES HERE.

I’ll allow submissions until it becomes tedious or boring so stay tuned. Only one entry per voice talent, please. Have fun and enjoy the ride.

P.S. The script has been altered from its original form. This now contains the most updated script.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to serve as an announcer for a game show, I caught an article today from one of the rotating guest announcers currently on The Price is Right who gives you all the details.

I thought it was a pretty fun read.

Announcer Charlie O'Donnell

For about 28 years, Charlie O’Donnell has been the voice (along with Jack Clark and M.G. Kelly) of the enormously popular game show Wheel of Fortune. This goes back to when the show was on NBC daytime and Chuck Woolery was the host (you mean their was a host before Pat Sajak?). He was still on the show at the time of his death.

He began his television career with Dick Clark on American Bandstand, and then served as announcer for shows like the Oscars, the Emmys and The Newlywed Game. I remember when I worked in radio, Charlie was the intro announcer (and I think fill in host sometimes) on Dick Clark’s Rock, Roll and Remember shows.

His voice for me was unmistakable and always welcome. God’s speed pal.

Two Time Radio Mercury Award Nominee - Voice Talent Bob Souer

This is a big freakin’ deal.

For the radio industry, the Radio Mercury Awards are the real deal.

Ad agency’s get to take home the prizes (don’t they always – but we love our ad agencies here, no bitterness . For the associated producers and voice over talents, such a nomination is a real honor – hardware or not.

Well my friend Bob Souer (and truth be told, he’s everyone’s friend – he’s not terribly particular about his friends which is how I made the cut) is the sole announcer in not one but TWO commercials that are nominated for Radio Mercury Awards this year.

Two things stand out in both spots: great writing (and that’s usually where everything begins) and wonderful voice over interpretations.

Bob notes it’s an honor to be nominated – it is, he should be and I’m hoping you’ll join me in offering great wishes for a big win for my pal (our pal) Bob.

Radio Mercury Award Nominee-Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation (Bob Souer, Voice Talent)
Download audio file (Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation_Bob Souer Voice Talent.mp3)

Radio Mercury Award Nominee-Apex Pest Control (Bob Souer, Voice Talent)
Download audio file (Apex Pest Control_Bob Souer Voice Talent.mp3)

All commercials herein are copyrighted by their respective owners.