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.

Tags: announcers, commentary, tv, voice casting, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover meet-ups // Comments Off on joe cipriano auditions for wheel of fortune announcer job

Voice Talents Kelly Klemolin and Peter K. O'Connell

OK, so it snow a little bit in Green Bay. They are STILL the Super Bowl champs and were the team I was rooting for since about half way through last season – about the time another certain NFL team was 0-8.

But another reason to visit Green Bay is to get the chance to visit with my friend and fellow voice talent Kelly Klemolin.

In addition to some great voice over stories, she shared insight into her work with her area Ad Club where she has made some amazing contacts. Great to see how well her business is going!

Tags: commentary, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover meet-ups // Comments Off on audio’connell in green bay

I got a surprise email today advising me that Dan Lenard is bringing Marc Cashman to Buffalo for a weekend training session on May 14 & 15.

For beginners/intermediates, you are invited for a session with Marc on Saturday and the Advanced / Working Pros are invited on Sunday. Both sessions are limited to 10 participants and will be held over at Crosswater Studios.

For more information, click here.

Tags: commentary, voice actors, voice over training, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice // Comments Off on marc cashman is coming to buffalo may 14 & 15, 2011

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.

Tags: announcers, commentary, peter o'connell, video, voice talent, voiceover // 2 Comments »

There are so many “nice touches” as my Mom would have said about Faffcon2 that stay with you mentally, spiritually and yes even physically.

I’m not sure if I am allowed to talk about how I received this mug, from who and why – the folks who attended know and it was a very kind and gracious gesture from one person to another. If I am allowed to lift this veil I will but until such time I will move on to the salient point of this post which is…

My wife loves this mug and draws on the blackboard paint with the provided white chalk every morning with her coffee to the delight of my children. Today, the drawing was of my daughter. An uncanny likeness.

Kindness never goes unnoticed.

Tags: commentary, faffcon, voice actors, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice // Comments Off on a cup of remembrance

Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.

There are probably many reason someone could hate me but beauty ain’t a sticking point for folks with decent vision. Nonetheless, YOU aren’t on the cover (a COLOR cover no less) of an association’s roster this year, are you?!

Well maybe you are but don’t ruin my diva moment – I AM on the cover – twice – and I think at this point the Roster editor has realized his or her mistake and his hiding in her room (mixed pronouns be darned) until the next edition comes out.

And if you’re eyes are bleeding after having seen me on the cover, well I am sorry about that.

Tags: commentary, peter o'connell, silliness // Comments Off on peter k. o’connell – voice talent and cover model