Television has changed a lot since the day Ed McMahon first teamed up with Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show. Maybe they don’t make performers like Ed because no one makes as much room for them now.

That was one of the thoughts I had upon hearing that Ed McMahon had died overnight. I was sad for the loss of him, for the loss of his talents (as an announcer and performer) and for the loss of what he represented to broadcasting. Everything evolves so maybe we can’t have our Ed McMahons anymore. We’ll get someone new who puts their spin on the job.

But he sure was a talented guy who was too often underestimated by many….except for a guy named Johnny.

Tags: announcers, commentary, NBC Television Network, tv, voice talent by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
6 Comments »

Some folks actually watch the Super Bowl for the game (well, I did in the early nineties when a certain football team appeared in four straight Super Bowls and lost, sonova…BUT I’m not bitter).

The rest of us are into the ads and AdWeek was kind enough to provide previews of most of the ads (but not all of them, I don’t think.) Also, the video chain for their site on my computer seemed to progress from this year’s ads to a list of classic Super Bowl ads without warning. No biggie I guess.

Just FYI: From that greatest hits reel is the Anheuser-Busch ad in the airport that tugs on every emotional heart string known to man with nary a voice over in site. And I will go on record as saying a voice over would have ruined it. Sometimes silence does sell….but ONLY RARELY 😉

Anyway in this year’s batch of spots, the one’s that I think will be the funniest is the Pedigree adoption ad (which thinking about know I am STILL laughing out loud at…note the postman’s reaction to the ostrich) and the Pepsi Diet Max ad.

Tags: advertising, branding, commentary, commercials, marketing, tv, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
2 Comments »

My friend and fellow voice talent Bryan Cox also fancies himself an actor…which as long as you’re getting paid for it ain’t bragging ’cause it’s the truth!

He recently guested on the show “Corner Gas” as a customs officer – with a speaking part and everything! Check him out about four minutes into the show. Nice job Bryan!

Tags: commentary, tv, voice actors, voice talent, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
3 Comments »

With my sincere thanks to the 80 participants in this faux-dition and the gracious judges (all of whom admitted to some tough decisions) there are now terrific 10 nominees for you to vote on.

First, a little housekeeping (PLEASE READ)

THE RULES FOR VOTING ON NOMINEES

1. The decision of audio’connell voice over talent is final

2. Nobody has a chance to get the real announcer job at Late Night With Jimmy Fallon because of this unofficial and very silly contest…plus the job has already been filled

3. Please choose your top three choices, numbering them 1, 2, 3 with your first choice (1) being your favorite (three different announcers, not three votes for one person, etc.)

4. Type your vote in the comment section of this blog post below

5. You may only vote once and you are on the honor system

6. Voting will end when I say it does, probably a couple of weeks I’m guessing

OK, the floor is yours. Have fun! Click HERE to listen to the nominees then please come back to vote below in the comment box.
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Tags: announcers, commentary, fauxdition, NBC Television Network, silliness, tv, unofficial audition, voice casting, voice talent, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
82 Comments »

Stand by to to this blog see the top 10 finalists.

Then you can vote for your winner.

The judges ballots are due very soon!

Tags: announcers, fauxdition, NBC Television Network, silliness, tv, unofficial audition, voice talent, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
1 Comment »

1/9/09 UPDATE: The faux-ditions are now CLOSED!

All credit to Jim Feldman who coined the phrase “faux-dition”.

The unofficial Late Night With Jimmy Fallon announcer auditions will remain open for submissions until Friday, January 9, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. eastern U.S. time.

The judges will then hunker down in an undisclosed safe room (or cell) somewhere on Earth.

There, they will secretly agree who are the top 10 nominees either by consensus or best 3 out of 5 falls.

Their ballots will be burned to preserve the judges’ picks. When white smoke appears, the votes are unanimous and we’ll have our ten nominees.

When I announce the 10 nominees, you can cast your vote at that time in that post.

One vote per person on the honor system. My decision, like always, will be final.

For any voice talents who do not submit by the deadline, you are free to publicly call them “scaredy cat” or “chicken” afterwords when you see them in public.

Tags: announcers, commentary, NBC Television Network, tv, voice casting, voice talent, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
7 Comments »