Yesterday was Regis Philbin's last day with Live with Regis and Kelly. It was very sad day, but the show did a wonderful job of revealing the best moments he had on the show throughout the past few decades.
It made really think though, after Kathy Lee Gifford left (Live with Regis and Kathy Lee) in 2000, Kelly Ripa became Regis' co-host, but were they really co-hosts or sidekicks? When I think back on the show, at times it seemed as though Kelly truly was just a sidekick (a very entertaining and involved one though). But then again, they played equal roles.
I find these questions to be interesting while they begin the search for a new co-host [sidekick] for Kelly. What do you think? Were Kelly a sidekick in a way? And who do you think the new "Regis" should be?
Even though it's been a few weeks since Halloween, I don't think we should stop talking about it quite yet. In the last post I briefly discussed DJ Tony Okungbowa and the importance of the music he plays on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. But I think it's important to note, that DJ Tony is more than a disc jokey, he is a very vital part of Ellen's show.
This brings us back to Halloween.
Ellen's Halloween show is always a big hit, and this year she decided to be Sophia Grace, the infamous 8-year-old that blessed Ellen's stage with her great voice (by singing "Super Bass" by Nikki Minaj) and unwavering sass. And of course she had a writer be her "hype girl" aka Sophia's cousin Rosie (who doesn't speak the entire episode, just air-drums when Ellen starts singing). What is missing from her costume you ask? But of course, Nikki Minaj herself. That's when we are fortunate enough to see with Tony wearing very high heels and a blueish/blonde wig.
DJ Tony wears his costume proud the entire episode--dancing when necessary and laughing all the while. Ellen even surprised him with an appropriate scare.
The rest of the episode is filled with scared audience members, a frightened mermaid, Neil Patrick Harris, and Betheny Frankel's last minute Halloween tips. But for our purpose, let's focus on one of our favorite sidekicks.
Tony is truly willing to do anything to support the show, even if that means getting laughed at. He's a great sport.
Ok great, he can dress in a woman's outfit, he's a great dancer, and he laughs at all of Ellen's jokes....but who is Tony really? He first started DJing with celebrity photographer Andrew McPhearson. He played music while on set of McPhearson's photo shoots. He met Ellen DeGeneres in 2003 during a "TV Guide" photo shoot. She told him a joke about a dream she had about 50 Cent and offered him a job. That year he started DJing for her. He's also an actor, and in 2006 he took some time away from the show to focus on that (but came back full time in 2008). Tony has guest-starred in The X-Files, NYPD Blue, Arli$$, and Law & Order: SVU. He also has released a compilation album of all his favorite songs, "Hollywood Sessions."
I like to hear more from sidekicks, I like when they have their own personality, and I haven't seen Tony's developed as much as some others. So moving forward, I'd like to hear more from Tony, get to know him a bit more. For now, I'll admire he's sweet moves and ability to pull off Nikki Minaj garb. But what do you love most about DJ Tony?
That's DJ Tony Okungbowa dancing for Ellen on birthday earlier this year. As we saw with Sophia Grace and Rosie singing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, music a big part of Ellen's show. Her sidekick is a DJ if that helps my point, and she is very well known for liking to dance. We haven't talked about DJ Tony much, and I think it's important to bring him up. He's an integral part of her show, and a very supportive "partner in crime." He not only is the in-house DJ who plays music that Ellen dances to, but also a bounce board for Ellen throughout her show. They interact a lot, and Tony, British accent and all, brings some extra entertainment.
But he's not the only sidekick enjoying the tunes, the Late Show with David Letterman sidekick and musical director Paul Shaffer does it all live. Just like DJ Tony, Shaffer also does his job being a great sidekick for David Letterman. The two seem to have a great, supportive relationship, both in bits and also beyond the jokes.
The music these two choose adds an unique soundtrack to the shows they are on. They establish the mood for both how the audience feels and the overall format of the show. Ellen acknowledges and comments on the music DJ Tony plays, whereas Letterman seems to use it as transitions.
DJ Tony and Paul Shaffer have been able to establish their own style of sidekicking, but music is the focal point for both. Do you find the music adds to these talk shows? And if so, in what way? How would be they different without it?
I fell in love with Sophia Grace and Rosie the moment I knew they were headed to the United States. These two girls have become the new YouTube sensation, mainly thanks to The Ellen DeGeneres Show(and their talent, may have had something to do with it too).
The story in short: A video was posted online of the 8-year-old Sophia Grace and her 5-year-old cousin Rosie singing a super sassy version of Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass," Ellen's team saw it, Ellen liked it, they invited Sophia Grace, Rosie, and their parents to L.A. The girls performed on The Ellen Show, and then they were given a [few] big surprises.
Beyond that it's just so cute and entertaining, it relates to what we are doing here. What would you call her beautiful drumming cousin Rosie? Well Nicki calls her Sophia's "hype man." I'd call her a sidekick.
What makes Rosie a successful sidekick? Let's look at the criteria we have decided on already:
-Someone you can trust--
Rosie is always RIGHT next to her cousin, watching every move she makes.
-Someone who makes you look good (or even better)--
I have to admit it, she's gorgeous.
-Someone who works with you for a greater goal--
She's knows the dance pretty well.
-Someone who is ok with taking a back seat--
I don't think her microphone is even on.
-Someone who brings some fun once in awhile--
Well, she's down with dancing in tutu and she really gets into the drumming parts.
