JV

For 15 years WAFB was the home of one of the best people in this business as well as one of the best people on this planet. James Verrett, by his own admissions, came in as a lump of coal but is leaving as a polished diamond in the world of television. Management at the time took a chance on a young kid and was able to help groom a great professional on and off camera.

I first encountered JV while I was in school, not knowing what aspect of the industry I wanted to pursue. Would you believe one of the first things he taught me was how to hold the microphone to get the best sound from your interview.

Eight years later our paths crossed again. I was young and still without a clue on what I was doing and he was one of the ones that helped get my career going. There are a bunch of stories I could tell about James. One of my favorites was in 2004. We had to go to Montgomery, AL for the Southern/AL State football game. The conditions weren't ideal. It was hot as sin, there was no room on the field to move so you had to be careful not to trip over any players on the sideline, and The Jags were getting pounded by 21 points late in the third quarter. Then State's starting QB gets knocked out of the game. James comes up to and says, "Be ready. Southern is going to win this game". The heat must be getting to me, did James just tell me that Southern was going to come back and win this game after getting the tar kicked out of them at the start. I brush it off. I'm hot and tired. I just want this game to end and go to bed. All of sudden, the comeback was on. The Jags score 28 unanswered completing one of the greatest comeback in school history. I thinking to myself how did JV know this and please let me have all of the TD's on tape.

Before he leaves for the ATL he filed one last report.



JV you have and will always be a good friend of mine. I wish you nothing but success with your new job at FSN South. And be on the lookout for us when we hit Atlanta. Don't be stranger you have family at the Big Raggedy. Take care and God Bless my friend.

One B.R., Not Yet

By now you know Joe Traigle from one of Turdpolisher's post. Last night Traigle took his proposed resolution to the Metro Council hoping to bring unity to the Red Stick. He brought something, a lot of religious persona's saying that One B.R. is nothing more than smoke and mirrors but what they really say what it does is surprising.

Now to today. Let's have Tyana, and yours truly, do a follow up to the fate of One. Now how do you visually show One B.R.? I know lightning struck once, but will it strike again.

Don't Forget About Us

With Cabela's opening last week, and doing quite well from what I hear, the folks at Bass Pro are praying that no one forgets about them. The store is scheduled to open early next year but should have opened much sooner. After numerous petitions, countless court battles, and store owners claiming unfair competition. Bass Pro suits invited us to tour the store. With the producers needing something to fill the newscasts, Tyana and I are sent to the Free State to check out the progress. Right now the store is nothing but concrete and metal beams. It's up to over 100 workers to get things going. Evey nail, ever screw, ever piece of wood has to be up to in order to make sure the Bass Pro lawyer's fight won't go in vain. Our guide informs us that this place will have a number of special attractions.

Don't Be Scared

Imagine my surprise when I heard that Southern University football fans were hostile. Are you kidding me??? This comes from Jackson State head coach Rick Comegy who will be coming here for the first time this Saturday. This is like eating some ribs then saying the sauce was bad. No keep in mind Jackson State's ticket allotment has been sold and their fans are coming to the game.

SU fans hostile????? Now I'm being honest. The only thing the Jaguar Nation is concerned about is where are we going after the game. Do we hit the club or to we go back to the tailgate spot on campus. If I had a choice, it would be to get something to eat off the grill.

I know why he's worried. The Nation is ticked off. Last week the Jags lost a close one to AL A&M and is scared that the Southern is going to take it out on J-State. Think about it would you want to play someone coming off a close loss and still in the conference championship picture.

Also they can't bring their band to the game because they are accused of hazing one of their members. So no band and a ticked off Jaguar team. This could be viewed as intimidating.

But when it's all said and done you have to play the game. So coach don't worry about the fans and worry about the ones on the field. And let the the best team win.

The Live After 5 Flush

I don't know what it is with Live After 5, a big LSU home game, and the weather. Four weeks ago I was assigned to Live After Five, LSU was playing VA Tech the next day, and thunderstorms were all around us. This past Friday, I was assigned Live After 5, LSU was playing Florida the next day, and rain was all over us. No I'm not making this up if you don't believe me go ask Turdpolisher, he's doing the LSU shot.

The rain starts coming down and why won't they just postpone this. My equipment staying dry is the most important thing right now. Me doing the same is a distant second.
At least the music isn't bad. A few cover songs never hurt.

They should have gotten Rihanna to sing at this one.

I see they are making the most of a wet evening.
I wish Julie's comeback was under better circumstances. There's always elections right around the corner.

Once the rain passed everyone came out and had a good time. They had more sense then me. Watch next week everything will be dry because I'll be assigned to something else and LSU will be on the road. I still say they should have booked Rihanna.

Be Mindful

Get to the office and I'm asked to head over to Polk Elementary School. A group called Safe Kids B.R. is participating in International Walk to School Day. This where awareness to the traffic and pedestrian laws are being taught to the young minds going and coming from school. No reporter assigned with me so I'll see what I could make out of this. Talked to one of the spokespeople and it turns out she was on our morning show so she knew the drill. Answered a few questions and we were good. Hung around to get the kids on parade and I was able to put together a small nat sound piece. Nothing to it, hey I even found the JACK of the day.

Time To Play The Game

LA Politics. If this was organized competition it would rank with the Olympics, the Kentucky Derby, or the Super Bowl. Instead it draws comparisons to the BCS or maybe Professional Wrestling. Just like wrestling its scripted but somewhat entertaining. So let me see if I could write like the head of WWE, Vince McMahon.

Tied at one fall apiece. Cleo "The Senator" Fields is trying to get back in the title hunt for the District 14 Championship. The Justices not budging an inch. The irresistible force vs. the immovable object what will give first. Cleo going for his finisher the "Filibuster" has got the Justices off balance. But wait who's this running to the ring. It's the rest of the plaintiffs and they got the State Constitution wrapped in barbed wire. They nail Sen. Fields with the constitution. Fields is down. The cover one....two.... C'mon Senator kick out. Three!!!!! No! No! No! Not this way. After a costly 2 out of 3 fall courtroom Battle Royal, Sen. Cleo Fields is not being allowed to run for another term in the LA Senate. The plaintiffs get win and the force the Senate District 14 seat to be vacated. Cue - Joey Styles, "Oh my GOD!!!!!!!! Good Ol J.R., "Business is about to pick up in the Phalles Palce."
Well the business of making Cleo signs has stopped. Right now there are nothing more than collectibles for some political junkie. Maybe he'll get them autographed someday. I digress, back to the match making.Be sure to tune in to WAFB's Election Coverage 2007. In a Triple Threat Match for the District 14 Senate Championship it's "Big Bad Momma" Yvonne Dorsey vs. Jason "Babyface" DeCuir vs. "The O.G." Willis Reed. And in the Main Event who will be the next Governor. "The Little Man" Walter Boasso, Cowboy Foster Campbell, "The CEO" John Georges, and "Lighting Tongue" Bobby Jindal battle it out in a Last Man Standing Fatal 4 Way Dance to be top dog in La Politics. Joey what do you have to say? "OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"