Thanks to producer Edward Kalaydjian and his AMGA Television Studios, News Anchor/Host Denise Ames is now armed with a bigger and better facility able to provide national network-quality programming via the new weekly series FOCUS IN THE MIX with Denise Ames. While the program contains both exciting entertainment and community news stories from all over Los Angeles County, the show also features extensive celebrity interviews in every episode. Since its premiere with celebrity guest Gretchen Bonaduce June 29th on Charter Communication’s Channel 26 (Burbank, The Media District, Toluca Lake, Glendale, La Canada and all surrounding areas) and July 1st on Time Warner’s Channel 99 (Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood and surrounding areas), the viewer response has been fantastic! “Your interview with Gretchen Bonaduce was phenomenal – can’t wait to see your other interviews!” said viewer Sharon Tabb, while Stephanie of Van Nuys remarked, “I can not wait for your next episode!” The show is also already receiving international attention; as a fan in France remarked, “Wow! Your show looks great!”
Ames’ celebrity guests have also enjoyed their on-camera interviews. According to Miss California-USA 2007 Meagan Tandy, “We’re looking at California’s future major TV news anchor!” Bonaduce commented, “I had such a fun time on your show. You certainly have ways of making me spill my guts!” (referring to her recent divorce from Danny Bonaduce). Musician Rudy Sarzo of Ozzy, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake and Dio fame offered, “You always manage to get the silly side out of me. I love that. Don’t change a thing!” Actor/musician Malcolm-Jamal Warner of The Cosby Show fame was also among the first guests. From rock stars and actors to CEOs and politicians, Ames is truly focusing in the “mix” of the famous folk melting pot.
All Access Magazine Editor Debra Stocker conducted a Q & A with Ames, talking about the new Los Angeles-based TV series and all it has to offer its viewers, celebrities, and those almost famous!
AAM: Among the stars already on your show, who has created the most buzz?
Ames: Easily that would be Rudy Sarzo. So many of his fans were requesting his episode before we even taped his interview! He recently joined Blue Oyster Cult as their bassist while he is on hiatus from Dio and was kind enough to give me credit during his on-camera interview for hooking him up with that gig (BOC’s Eric Bloom is also a dear friend of mine). That just shows you what a humble, giving person Sarzo is (he also authored Off The Rails about his friendship with the late Randy Rhoads). I’ve been around him on many occasions and people sometimes can’t even speak when they are face-to-face with him [laughs], but he always treats his fans with complete respect. The guy is a legend; I honestly don’t think he realizes how much people adore him.
AAM: Which celebrity guests are set to appear on upcoming episodes?
Ames: Next up we’ve got Jani Lane (ex-Warrant), Congressman Adam B. Schiff, and Coffin Case CEO Jonny Coffin along with his #1 Coffin Poster Girl Cassia Coffin. Vinny Appice also accepted our invitation and is giving us one of his days off from his worldwide tour with Black Sabbath’s Heaven & Hell. Carlos Cavaso of Quiet Riot fame, Sheriff Lee Baca and Wildlife Waystation Founder Martine Colette, among others, also have upcoming taping dates.
AAM: What makes “FOCUS IN THE MIX with Denise Ames” different from other talk shows?
Ames: Most “talk shows” do just that – talk. Our program also has interesting news segments about both entertainment and local community happenings. Many of the stories we choose to cover you won’t see any where else on TV, such as local concerts, fundraisers, medical breakthroughs, awards, and other celebrity events. They don’t get on to, say, Entertainment Tonight or Larry King Live, making our show non-repetitive from other outlets. The above-mentioned shows tend to cover internationally, whereas we cover international celebrities here, locally, within Los Angeles.
AAM: Any plans to go on location?
Ames: We have already been to Congressman Adam Schiff’s offices in Pasadena to tape his interview. We will be hitting red carpet events, awards shows, and going backstage for interviews as the opportunities arise as well.
AAM: Can indie artists appear on your show?
Ames: Yes! A new addition to the show, which has already become very popular, is our five-minute mini-interview segment. Bands, authors, even doctors have been among those already taking advantage of the high-quality studio interviews which ride on a major celebrity’s episode. This gives up-and-comers a great opportunity for exposure, along with television-quality footage to use to market themselves via press kits, YouTube, websites, etc. Commercial spots can also be aired.
AAM: Do you plan to branch out to more outlets?
Ames: Absolutely. We chose the current channels to begin with due to their key target audience. Airing amidst Burbank’s Media District, which is where ABC, NBC-Universal, Warner Bros., Disney, and the like are located is extremely beneficial to promote the show, as well as promoting all those appearing during the program – guests and advertisers alike! We are also able to offer fans all over the world the ability to purchase their favorite celebrity’s episode so they can enjoy the show too. I constantly get asked when the series will air in this or that state or country. Until we are able to pull that off – and we will – this is the next best thing.
AAM: If you had all the money in the world what would you do?
Ames: I would remove all the animals from cruelty: out of laboratories, fur farms, circuses, zoos, slaughterhouses, shelters and abusive “homes,” and educate people about the beauty of not consuming them or harming them, but rather allowing them to live here with us peacefully. I would also be spaying and neutering to stop the horrifying killings of millions of beloved four-legged angels every year.
All Access Magazine congratulates Denise Ames on her new weekly celebrity-driven television series “FOCUS IN THE MIX with Denise Ames,” which is sure to be a HUGE success! AAM encourages all of our readers to tune in. Show times are: Charter Ch. 26 Friday nights 7:30 pm and Time Warner Ch. 99 Sunday mornings 11:30 am.
You can contact the show via DeniseAmes15@hotmail.com or www.myspace.com/DeniseAmes.
Feel free to email your comments to ALLACCESSMGZN@AOL.COM Attn: FOCUS IN THE MIX with Denise Ames. Include your mailing address, and we will send you a special gift and forward your comments to Denise!
