What an amazing first week I’ve had on the show, the whole crew especially Lilly and Vince were so welcoming. It makes getting up at 5am well worth it. Let me start off by letting you in on my routine I’m trying to get into before I get to the station.
First off the most stressful part of my day is honestly picking out (and ironing) my outfit the night before. I’ve tried to give you guys a little selection of different things. I received and bought lots of sweaters so I think I rocked 3 of them this week. It’s weird because I owned maybe 2 only a few weeks ago. The Shawn Tempesta/ Ryan Seacrest sport coat/t shirt look actually debuted on me Thursday. Shawn was smart, buy a few coats then rock some t’s.
Seacrest....OUT!
Tempesta....OUT!
Thankfully because I had hosted twice before, for the audition and the night after I won, I wasn’t nervous at all about the format of the show. I was more worried about the technical stuff I would have to learn, and of course getting use to life in a cubicle.
"Have you seen my stapler?"
pics with my new co workers made the wall of my cube
boring cube so far, I need to spice it up.
If you look closely at the picture above you can see a quote on the wall. It’s from our news anchor Erin Kennedy and is the greatest quote about how to write a news story. What it actually says is for my eyes only though
My favorite segment this week was what else….. ICE CREAM, and despite me being lactose intolerant I toughed it out and made an amazing, vanilla with Oreo cookies, whipped cream, fresh pineapples and strawberries, as well as peanut butter chips. WOOF, delicious! Take a look.
After annihilating that ice cream, it was time for me to burn off some of those calories, and what better way then hitting the gym for my first “Rhode Assignment!’ I was joined by Melissa Rector from Gold’s Gym in Pawtucket who told me about a new body vive class they are launching. PLEASE PLEASE watch the clip until the end, you’ll see me flash my dance moves.
I must thank Melissa for making that night easy to fall asleep. Being a stand up comedian I’m use to late nights followed by late mornings. With my new gig, bed by 9 and up by 5 may be my toughest task. I’m yet to nap but that may start to be my only option especially on days we’re I’m doing both jobs. (Last night I had a 9pm show in Newport and nearly fell asleep on the drive there, by the time i went to bed I’d been up for 20 hours straight after only sleeping 6 the night prior). I remember waking up this morning yelling “Just be a man!”
HAHAHAH love this.
The rest of the week was amazing as well, I did a piece on the Simpsons 20th Anniversary, sat down with the Cardi Brothers, discussed how a portable photo booth can livin’ up your next party, ate shrimp, beef tenderloin, drank champagne and bloody mary’s, took over the Tech Center for an under the weather Courtney, and even pitched some well received idea’s for this season at my first (ever) office meeting!
Ben, Bart, Homer, Marge and Lisa
So without further adu incase you missed it! Enjoy.
So I had a great day today as me and my fellow top 5′er’s had our closing interview with the GM of the station. I did not feel nervous at all because in all honesty I felt my interview with him during my audition was my best part. That darn teleprompter was the death of me 2 minutes earlier though, ha.
Before I left I ran into Naomi and director Michael Bieke, our conversation covered absolutely everything, but mostly about how I spent Sunday alone in my basement watching sad movies and crying. Actually they weren’t even sad. Definitely Maybe chokes me up cuz of that little girl at the end, and the fact that I want to move to NYC and fall in love… That’s right I said it, I’m not this big manly man you all think I am. HAHAHAHAH
how most people view me, but I'm not. LOL
Then I watched Marley and Me for the second time. Now I didn’t cry the first time because I’ve never had a dog, but this time it got me. Maybe because I had eaten so much on Thanksgiving my body was releasing all excess fluids out of my body and my tear ducts were the only exit left.
tear jerker
I become way more handsome and model like when I cry.
So after they were done making fun of me, it was off to my mother’s office to let everyone know about the finale at 7pm Thursday! Then I headed home to reheat some left overs.
While at home, I thought about the possibility of how much my life could change Thursday, win or lose my life will change for the better. I got a little sentimental (no idea why), and played my favorite “I need a good cry” song. for the record I did not cry, I actually played PLAYSTATION for 2 hours but listened to this song on repeat. Please let me know if you can honestly watch this guy sing and not get goosebumps. PS I texted my buddy Rocco and said “I wish I could sing well, cuz I think I’d make a great rock star.” He texted back something about “Go for it!”, and that we need to play ROCK BAND for XBOX when he gets back.
So after watching this I was pretty humbled at how someone has so much passion for what they do. This one little youtube clip literally influenced me to put 110% into whatever I pursue from now on. LOL after I was done with the video games, I worked on some knew jokes, and jotted down some possible segments for the Rhode Show. Thanks Paulo.
So my video of the impressions I did at Cardi’s of my fellow top 5′ers seemed to get a good response. Here’s one from our hometown boy Matt Damon that makes me crack up every time I watch it!
Sooooooo 92PRO FM was one of my favorite challenges we did. I’ve done radio several times before so I knew what to expect and knew that it would be a lot of fun! I also like that we went on at 830am and not 5am west coast time which I did once in Reno to promote a show. What person listening at 5am would still be awake for a 8 or 10pm comedy show??? You tell me. In this clip you will finally after all these years be able to match those familiar morning voices, Giovanni and Kim, with their smiling faces. They were a pleasure to work with, even though their producer Mark voted for Naomi right in front of me. (I still love ya Mark, and she did bring cookies so I understand.) You’ll also get a shot of Ric Valles the funniest camera man in the biz, (not a great camera man, but we keep him around cuz he’s hilarious.) Also the one who calls all the shots Rebecca Johnson makes a quick appearance.
And don’t worry, the water bottle will be on Ebay by weeks end.
Here’s a clip from a college show I did last month with a few fellow comedians. We recieved a pretty cool reception at the end so I brought my flip cam on stage to record it!!
So for me as well as many of us, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. There’s no crowded parking lots, gift giving stress, or Santa’s little helpers. It’s basically family, football, and food…..lots and lots of food.
Being born and raised in Cranston, despite currently residing in EG, and having lived in FLA, NYC, LA, and love spending time in SD, and CHI, or going to see my dad in EUR (I like initials), C town turns into the biggest reunion of friends this time of year.
Tuesday- I did a little shopping for myself at the Warwick Mall, for some reason I was in the mood to buy some flannel shirts, they are “in” right now, and I guess if I want to be on TV I have to be at the height of fashion, even though I would never wear flannel on TV. ha ha. Just in case someone spots you and tells their friends, “Hey I saw that Rhode Show guy at Walts Roast Beef, man he looked stylish in his new Old Navy flannel button down.” You get my point.
Bam! 2 for $25
Tuesday was going to be a nice easy day, but I ran into an old friend that was home for turkey day. We decided to grab dinner and catch up, ended up being a late night. Now it’s Wednesday, the real day where every single person you have ever crossed path’s with in your entire life calls you up and says “Yo, I’m in town, lets meet up tonight!”
2pm- My buddy Rick Ferri lands at TF Green, my phone rings.
3pm- My friend Tara and her sister Erin call and say “Ferri is home, let’s go out!”
4pm- I attempt to go to the gym, I do maybe 10 push ups and hit the sauna, I’m ashamed of myself.
10 pushups can wear you out!!!
5pm- I stop at my house to change and head to Worchester. “Ben why were you going to Worchester on Thanksgiving Eve?” Great question reader who is not only engaged in my story but also concerned about my safety and well being. I’ll tell you why, because Ben Hague puts work before play, aka , a new and very fun comedy club Franks Comedy Safari just opened and the owner was going to be present. So I did what we call a “guest spot”. That’s where a comic pops in and does 10 minutes or so for free, usually to work on new material, get a feel for a new room, or shamelessly score an “audition” if he knows the owner will be present. Needless to say the owner Frank liked me and hopefully it will pay off with a future gig. Did I mention I hadn’t eaten all day and rocked an awesome bowl of Chili before hoping in my car and setting the land speed record on Rt 146.
delicious
9pm- On the drive back my friend Jessica had informed me that she had driven all the way home from Charlotte NC, and she wanted to hang out. Land speed record increased.
10pm- Back in Cranston Jessica fails to respond to text messages. No worries, the good ole’ boys from my Jr High days are all hanging out and want me to stop by. First things first, Miller’s Pub. For those of you not from Cranston, this place is the Mecca of Thanksgiving eve get togethers. The line starts forming around 8pm, and is packed by 8:02. It is great because you run into every single person you’ve ever met. Just in line alone I saw 1000 ex class mates, 7 former teachers, 2 ex mailmen, 2 ex girl friend’s, and 9 people I’m kinda sorta “hey I think we are third cousins” related too. Needless to say, it was so packed I didn’t even make it in. Even my attempts at yelling “Hey I was just on TV, I should get special treatment!” did not help. (joking, I did not yell that)
The Center of the Universe Thanksgiving Eve
11pm- Off to my friend Kyle’s house where I recieved a typical friendly reception of “OHHH GOD Rhode Show Host is here. Didn’t know you remembered us little people.” Friends always keep you in your place.
1130pm- I run into one of my oldest friends in the world who is with his dad enjoying a night out. We caught up and reminised about our days playing hockey since we were five, and about all the teachers we drove up the wall at Bishop Hendricken. Good Times.
MIDNIGHT- Meet up with the lovely Jessica Banna and about 10 other friends. we head out and within five minutes, hilarity ensue’s.
LATE- I basically spent the rest of the night hugging friends I hadn’t seen in years, and plugging foxprovidence.com. I must have told 1,000 people to log on and vote for me. Overall a phenominal Cranston reunion night. Hopefully I’ll be doing this until if 80.
Now as I mentioned I’m a big fan of tradition, and I firmly believe in not messing with tradition. Sooooooo despite the fact my body wanted to rest, that alarm went off at 7am on Turkey Day, so it was up and at em’.
8am- Fitzpatrick’s on Park Ave. This is the most amazing scene ever. Former Mayor’s, councilmen, teachers, coaches, and former students gather in this quaint pub that has more character then a Hollywood Mobster, for a breakfast buffet of scrambled eggs, French toast, bacon, ham, and juice. just what the doctor ordered for those who won’t be sitting down until 3pm. It was another round of hugs, and plugging the voting website, followed by a million stories of “Do you remember when you….or, OMG remember three years ago when Me, you, Mikey, Adam, Nick, Stevie, Tom, Johnny, Pete, Little Pete, Pete Sr., Pete’s cousin Fat Pete, and Pete’s sister Patricia were all at the yada yada yada.”
Old buddies, 8am
NOON- Suppose to meet my Uncle Pete (UP) and my Aunt Marion (AM) and UP’s fathers. Instead I get side tracked with story telling hour at the Blue Moon.
1pm- Meet UP, AM, and Grandpa Joe. UP looks furious, my loving Aunt says my brakes were squeaking and I should get them checked. I start mentally subtracting money from my bank account the whole ride down. We stop at UP’s sisters in Westerly to say hello. Warm fire place, good conversation, and snacks!!!! Yes snacks! I proceed to eat 200 shrimp cocktail and a pound of cheese and crackers.
2PM- We arrive at my Aunt Paula’s (AP), and are greated by my Uncle Frank (UF), aswell as my cousins and their little rugrats. Chase, Sarah, and Benjamin are hands down the cutest little kids on the planet. Also the most rambunkious. These little guys did not stop playing from the moment I got there.
UF attacked by Chase and Benjamin
Around 3pm- We sit for dinner, and I hear the greatest saying of Grace ever. Only Second to the Grace in Christmas Vacation. With the help of UF, Benjamin, Chase, and Sarah in unison say “Rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub…YAAAYYY GOD!!!” Hilarious and cute, I remember bowing my head, and thinking “I’m so thankful for my family and friends, and for the Green Bay packers winning by 12.5 points.”
Cousin Curt stuffed.
Dinner- At some point whenever me and my cousin Curt are in the same room we inevitably fall into a laughing fit. This day was no different. Despite me being 27, and he mid 30′s with a wife and two children, we still found time to make fun of Curt’s older brother Seth’s mustache. It was a laughing fit that made my stomach, face, and head hurt. Seth’s entire life was being judge by the choice of his facial hair, even his wife Toni chimmed in with some hilarious anecdotes. Seth of course took it like a man and fired back at me and Curt, the table was in hysterics for nearly 5 minutes.
5pm- After an incredible meal it was show time, and who better then wee Sarah to entertain us. She even brought her tu tu along as if she’d been planning this performance for months.
Cutest little girl ever.
Finally around 6 we headed home. I’m pretty sure I was out cold before my head hit the pillow around 8. Another holiday in the books. Leftovers in the fridge, memories in the mind, pounds on the old belt. Overall a heck of a success.
This is a question believe it or not I’ve gotten hundreds of times, as I’m sure we all have. I change my look a lot, short hair, long hair, goatee, beard, clean shaven, you name it. Here are the TOP 3 people, I’ve heard I look like. Please way in with your opinion.
AND I’M NOT FLATTERING MYSELF, TRUST ME, JUST THIS PAST WEEK ALONE I’VE HEARD ALL THREE OF THESE PEOPLE MENTIONED.
So I want to start by saying how well Court and Mar did already this week, they have certainly rose the bar. This whole experience has been amazing. Any time you can combine, fun, with learning, excitement, and add in a little pressure, it makes for something you won’t soon forget. So basically today I’m going to do some shopping, my mom and I almost came to blows last night over the fact that according to her I 100% need to wear a sport coat. (I let her win the argument because she made a ridiculously good roast pork and I hadn’t stopped by for dinner in a while, so I couldn’t risk missing out on that.)
That's me, LOL
Mama Hague knows her stuff
So, I guess I’ve decided on the sport coat, although the sweater over a collard shirt I rocked for the Cardi’s commercial I feel would have been very nice as well. I’m in a bind. Macy’s may be my first option of the day but we’ll see. Tomorrow should be a heck of an experience, and although I’ve performed in front of hundreds of people before this is a little out of my comfort zone. The only thing that I’m slightly hesitant about is the interview portion, buuuuuuuuut I’ve done my homework and am very prepared. Not to mention I will be speaking to the coolest RI guest’s (they are brothers whole sell furniture, wink), AND it’s for an amazing cause.
Let’s hope my interview goes a little smoother then this! PS this may be youtube’s greatest video!!!
SERIOUSLY!!! How hilarious is that kid!
So make sure you all tune in tomorrow, it will be a really fun show, Dax Holt from TMZ (I just watched the Hills on DVR) will join us, we’ll be in the kitchen, I’ll be airing my OWN SEGMENT PIECE, the whole nine. 8am, repeats at 2pm on Fox Providence!
I wore this to a wedding w my friend Allison, Rhode Show outfit?
So as most of you know by now, I did a little off the cuff impersonating of my friends and fellow Top 5 finalists last week after I filmed my segment of the Cardi’s commercial. It was all in good fun and the other’s, thankfully, took it all in stride. Some amazing comedian’s and actor’s have actually made their name, by not being themselves. If my fellow top 5 read this I strongly encourage all of you to “do me” (no pun intended). I also want to make it clear I was 100% peer pressured into doing the impersonations to begin with, ha ha, but that’s true. I bet if you think real hard you know who talked me into it (he operates camera’s). I love you man. So without further adou, did I spell adou correct? Here we go. Roll the clip Johnny!!!
Now here’s my on camera apology. LOL, I feel like Jimmy the Greek. Some of you know what I’m talking about. By the way this feel’s very showbiz/pro athlete of me making a “public apology.” I feel like I should be in front of a podium with reporter’s screaming questions at me!
January 8th, 2010 at 1:07 pm by Ben Hague under General Talk
