Public Access Interview

Post Represents: Friday, March 16, 2012 


Interview Part 1





Interview Part 2

Believe it or not, I was told by the host that I'm a head ache after receiving the DVD he sent me. On the day of the shoot I was reciting my planned poem for sound checks. I didn't do a real version until they told me they were ready. The DVD he sent me as a sound check version of the poem. I kindly asked him to replace it when I received. I also called him and left him a message thanking him for the opportunity. In further conversations on Facebook he mentioned something about adding applause sound effects. I suggested he didn't have to but I never told him what to do.  His response to be on Facebook was "you are now a head ache..i will not do any more taping of you and let's consider our friendship over."

Up until now I truly don't understand why happened. In the end, he suggested not the air the interview and I concurred.

Humans....

Previous Related: A Tyrone Harris Production

As the quest continues...

The Future of Late Night

Motown Maurice

A Tyrone Harris Production

Post Represents: Friday, March 16, 2012

Following my Great Escape Audition on July 5, 2011, my friend MT dropped me off on Hollywood & Highland to catch the train. He pulled near an alley and almost immediately someone appeared and started asking questions about what I do. I was somewhat reluctant at first but of course I shared and presented my calling card. What I wasn't expecting was an invite as a guest on his public access talk show. The gentlemen asking me questions  is named Tyrone Harris.

He next day he added me on Facebook and mentioned these words, "From a instant at highland & hollywood blvd to guest on my show in west Hollywood wow.. u r on the up & up dude..." Shortly afterward we set a date for July 22, 2011 for me to feature on his show. I was heavily promoting Craftsman's Screw'd around that time. When the 22nd came around Tyrone called and had to reschedule. 

8 months later, March 11, 2012 to be exact, Tyrone contacted me and another invite was granted. This time the show went on.

West Hollywood Public Access
 647 san vicente blvd 

Motown Maurice & Tyrone Harris Pre-Production 

Yes, I am The Future of Late Night

I think we have another believer. 

Motown Maurice speaks in his First on Camera Interview in Hollywood with Tyrone Harris

This is real talk. Late Night Television. 

This is a Tyrone Harris Production

I have visions of Late Night Television. 

Motown Maurice performs "Late Last Night." 

I'm ready Cameraman 

The orange is popping. 

I'm worried about The Future of Late Night, can't you see it in my face. 

Motown Maurice & host/producer Tyrone Harris

Motown Maurice, Tyrone Harris and the Camera Crew

Final Thoughts

This interview was the first of a couple things for me. This is absolutely the first time I've been interviewed on camera to talk about my quest. I've been on radio several times but this is the first time I've had an on camera interview.

Secondly, I had to memorize my poem, "Late Last Night" and perform in front of people for the first time. I wrote it since November of 2010 and recorded it last year but not until the day before did I memorize it.

Click here to listen to: Late Last Night 

Overall, I left feeling very pleased about the opportunity. I hope I feel the same when I get to see it. Tyrone Harris you are the best. Thank you again for the opportunity. This is one of many more on-camera interviews to come.

Next Related: Public Access Interview

As the quest continues...

The Future of Late Night

Motown Maurice

Black History in the Making by Breanna Rittman

Post Represents: Friday, February 3, 2012


This past Tuesday (January 31, 2012), I received a message on Facebook from a young lady named Breanna Rittman. She asked if I'm a FAMU Alumni and proudly I confirmed. Following that, we befriended each other and began to shared our Journalism experiences. Before we became Facebook friends I noticed she's currently a broadcast journalism student. This one common path opens a sea dialogue.


3 days later she informed me that she included my name in Wednesday's issue of The FAMUan. The title of the article is Students Should Know Their History.


Click here for the original link: http://www.thefamuanonline.com/opinions/students-should-know-their-history-1.2693126#.TyuR3VyXSrl

Beginning as Negro History Week in 1926, Black History Week was officially recognized by President Gerald R. Ford 50 years later.

I'd like to take the time to thank Dr. Carter G. Woodson for taking the initiative to have African-American history recognized.

Although February is nationally observed as Black History Month, this should not be the only time black history is studied. We should learn about our history every month.

Not only should we know Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman and their achievements, we should know people such as Garrett Morgan, Marie Brown and Sidney Jacoby. Who do you think received patents for keeping us safe on the road and in our homes?

Ladies we should give thanks to Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker, who paved the way for many hair products for African-American women. Despite how our ancestors were portrayed, they have done great things.

Earl Holmes, Andre Dawson and Althea Gibson excelled in the field of sports. Pam Oliver and Mitzi Miller have done well in the field of journalism with Oliver as a sportscaster and Miller as editor-in-chief of Jet Magazine. Motown Maurice is making his mark as a late night talk show host and we know actress Anika Noni Rose from her role in Dreamgirls. T'Keyah Crystal Kemyah, who many of us have seen on That's So Raven is an actress, writer, producer, dancer and singer. For those in SBI, they can look at John W. Thompson as motivation.

What relevance do these people have to you? They are all alumni of Florida A&M. That means you, as a Rattler, can and will make difference.

As African-Americans and students of FAMU we have a lot to offer to the world. You already have examples of prominent African-Americans who are alumni of our great school. So educate yourself about your history every month. 

By Breanna Rittman

Deputy Opinions Editor

Published: Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Updated: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 02:02

Black History in the Making by FAMU Journalist Breanna Rittman 

Final Thoughts


I've been in the newspaper several times so this is really no big deal right?  Wrong! My name is in the same article with Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Madam C.J. Walker, Dr. Martin Luther King and several more. Breanna published these words, "Motown Maurice is making his mark as a late night talk show host." Which in insinuates that I am making history. What Breanna has actually done is officially listed my name in the records of Black History. I'm making the marks and Breanna has began the engraving process.  


I remember back in 2006 when I debuted my first documentary, Echoes of a Dream The Historical and Spiritual Perspective of the Civil Rights Movement starring Dr. Walter Smith, FAMU's 7th president. I anticipated so much FAMU support for it. That never happened and I just moved on to other projects. I did learned one thing from that huge endeavor. I learned that I'm not fond of creating documentaries. That took a lot out of me. 


Furthermore, the listing of my name is this article is significant and I believe it will pave the way for several more. My love for FAMU grows day by day and I look forward to becoming a proud  representative for my Alma Mater.   


Breanna Thank you. I commend you and your efforts to bridge and maintain the ever challenging relationship between students and alumni. We're all in this together. She started a Wikipedia search that ignited a Facebook search and message that lead to this special engraving. 


This special connection personifies the element of reward bestowed to voyagers who take on epic journeys. You can ask for things (support) like I did with the documentary, then not get it. Thus, as long as you continue to persevere, support and many other blessings will arrive when you least expect it. February 2012 will forever be my favorite Black History month. Despite the lost of the great Don Cornelius on February 1st. His legacy will not go in vain nor will his spirit ever vanish. His journey and path to syndicate Soul Train has many similarities paralleled to my own quest. Let his smoothness, intelligence and courageous spirit forever live in me for the purpose of creating great black history.  




As the quest continues...


The Future of Late Night


Motown Maurice 

Week 55: Powerless for How Long?

Sunday, October 2, 2011

* Read Post: Photography Love

* On the phone interview with DJ Blenz (Interview Link Here)

WELCOME ! WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE YOU ! " DJ Blenz Presents Taking Back Our History " Music Emancipation and DJ Blenz bring you another edition of " DJ Blenz Presents Taking Back Our History " w/ special guest " the future of late night tv " Motown Maurice. DJ Blenz also on the ones and twos with a tribute mix and playlist for legendary jazz / dance producer/ artist Larry Heard better known in the dance world as Mr. Fingers. Dj Blenz talks to Motown Maurice about his show interviews with Dr. Eric Dyson , actress Bernadette Stanis , and his future tv show endeavors !  

DJ Blenz Related: Soul Man Screening at First AME Church of Los Angeles

Monday, October 3, 2011

* I tend to have big expectations for Mondays and most Monday's are slow. Today began with low energy but my energy shifted for the best when I was invited for a run with my roommate and friend.

* Picked up mail from my old roommates house.

* My agent called sharing all kinds of great ideas and suggestions on how to better market and brand myself at future auditions with gifts/key chains and coffee mugs.
 
Tuesday, October 4, 2011


* Note to self : I hate the product invisible shield.


* Made a pit stop at LA Castings Monthly Networking Event. 

Tetris & Motown Maurice. For some reason a few people kept thinking I was him. 

* Related Post: Behind The Scenes of Look At Me Now!!!

* Related Post: Now Supplying Drink Coasters for LA Casting Mixer

* My main objective of the day was to attend the Post-Toronto Film Festival Soiree at SkyBar.

Motown Maurice at Post-Toronto Film Festival Soiree at SkyBar

* Read Post: Post-Toronto Film Festival Soiree at SkyBar

Wednesday, October 5, 2011


* I spent the last few days selecting photos with my agent to upgrade my LA Casting and Actors Access profile.


Thursday, October 6, 2011


* Freemantle Media called in semi reference to my audition last week (Wed, September 28th).

* Took a trip to a Venice Beach restaurant with two college friends (Wesley & Toneka Etienne) visiting from Atlanta.


* My acting class debuted a talent showcase today. One of the professionals that was invited remembered when I was still in Tampa prior to moving to LA. He was the editor for Oprah's your Own Show contest. He edited my submission. He's also extremely helpful in providing me advice numerous times through email. He was very happy to see I made it to LA.

Friday, October 7, 2011


* A young lady invited me to audition with her for the show H8R yesterday and today she cancelled through text. Bad communication in more than one way on her part.


* This is the second time this week my roommate and I went jogging. I got the idea to take a picture together just in case we are needed for a team competition show.

Raewyn & Motown Maurice 

* After our jog, we went to a Kmart open call audition.

Raewyn & Motown Maurice on line for the Kmart Audition

* Following the K-Mart audition, I went to an Aol that my agent got for me.


* Wesley, Toneka and I went to USC a live lecture by movie director John Singleton. Following the lecture he debuted a free screening of his new moving Abduction. (No more comment)

Motown Maurice, Toneka & Wesley Etienne

 * Prior to Wesley leaving he left a me a quick shot out video.






Saturday, October 8, 2011

* I was suppose to restart production of New Jack Web Attack but it was cancelled again.

Related Post: Training in Full Affect

---------------------------------


Final Thoughts



Video Comment Correction: The last episode of The Motown Maurice Show was April 3, 2010 not 2011. (Terrible mistake on my behalf!)

Part 2




Talking Points

* Remembering Steve Jobs.

* Embracing my present career as an actor and letting my future of late night be my future. 


* Looking forward to gaining power back. 

* Embracing the actor in me.

* My new Nerdy/Geeky Hollywood niche.

* I'm on this planet on my own.

* A message from a messenger (Phoebe).

---------------------------------

As the quest continues...

The Future of Late Night

Motown Maurice

Paper or Online Version (St. Pete Times)

Post Recaps: Thursday, September 15, 2011


To fully understand where I'm going with this post you have to first read my recent news story published in the St. Pete Times. Read: St. Pete Times and the Critic. Within a week or more after that article came out, I noticed another version online. Check this out: 


Original Link: http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/content/motown-maurice-trades-tampa-los-angeles-go-broke-bid-stardom


SEPTEMBER 01, 2011

Motown Maurice trades Tampa for Los Angeles in a go-for-broke bid for stardom

In the world of Snookie and Real Housewives, it's not unusual to meet someone with little or no background in performing who wants to be a star. But I have never met anyone quite like aspiring late night talk show host Motown Maurice.

I first wrote about him last year, when the then-Tampa resident pulled together all his credit cards to drop more than $30,000 creating a late-night talk show in the Cuban Club which was broadcast on WTTA-Ch. 38. Airing at 1 a.m. on Saturday night, it had a time finding viewers and sponsors, so it was gone after 10 airings. But it eventually left Motown convinced he had to move west to seek his dream.

Hosting a nationally shown, late night TV talk show.

Its an amazingly specific quest -- especially for a guy who isn't really a comedian, comedy writer or comic actor; the primary entry points into the gig for people like Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, David Letterman and Jimmy Fallon. So when I realized Motown was in Los Angeles pursuing his dreams, I made sure to visit him during my time in Hollywood covering the TV Critics Association's summer press tour.

What I found, was a still-optimistic, hardworking guy nearly on the verge of homelessness. Unwilling to dilute his focus on show business, Motown hasn't gotten a side job; he was living with a friend from his college days rent-free for 10 months, but when that ended, he was forced to sleep in a dodgy residence facility crammed with people suffering from mental illnesses or struggling with addiction.

Most recently, he's landed in a hotel for a few weeks, courtesy of a jobs program operated by the county of Los Angeles. But he seems to be following a path to stardom along the rockiest road imaginable -- auditioning for commercials, hosting jobs and game shows such as Let's Make a Deal and Baggage while strategizing on how to keep a roof over his head and using a credit card from his mother for food (the jobs program will also provide some relief in food stamps).

It was such an interesting tale, I couldn't help writing a feature for Sunday's Floridian on his quest.

A freelance photographer we hired in Los Angeles, Nancy Pastor, elevated my work with some amazing images documenting Motown's efforts.

At the heart of it all is a simple question: Is this guy fooling himself? Or can his unshakeable will bring success before he burns out or loses faith?

Check out the story I wrote about him, and answer that question for yourself.

-----------------------------------


I noticed a huge difference in the style of writing and I couldn't help but try to understand why the online version wasn't printed instead.  I like the online version better and the reporter did the same thing last year. Before calling to ask why, I first inquired  responses  from my Urgent Message Union on Facebook. Here are the responses I received. 


---------------

Tamara Cloonan McClure 

Hi, Motown! I just read this article and I read the one that appeared in the paper when you posted it on your blog. I agree that this one is much more positive. I will still comment on your blog rather than taking up a whole page here; I guess a late comment is better than no comment??? ; ) Although, I have written and rewritten many times over in my head. : )

TaMyra T.K. Henderson

Awesome as well!

Reggie Smiley 

I agree that this one is much more positive. Love the pics

September 8 at 3:23am · Like

Pamela Robinson 
Is there any way Eric Deggans can go back and retract the story that was in St Pete Times two weeks ago and replace it with this one???? What is going on, this is such a nice article!


September 8 at 5:47pm 


JMJ
He definitely should, you're absolutely right. He needs to go back and retract the story in the St. Pete Times.

Alice Beatty 

Good follow-up article. I read the first article again, and you're right. The follow-up is better, and I think it comes across as more positive because it is obvious more thought went into it. Comparing the two makes the first one seem rushed, as though he didn't really organize his notes/thoughts, and just wanted to make deadline or something. I will check out your blog, and comment there. Be blessed!

September 8 at 4:02am 

Phil Buck 

He might have more personal freedom with the blog than what get's put into paper. Papers' always have their own agenda and limit what get's put in and how much gets put in. I wouldn't worry about it too much. At least you're getting some press, right? Keep it up.

September 12 at 6:40pm 

Final Thoughts


Before calling I realized that Phil had a good point. Regardless of his reasons, I'm still appreciative but I still desire full understanding. I called him today for the first time since he wrote the pieces to first thank him and to ask a few questions of course. His explanation informed me of the differences. The newspaper version is reviewed and edited by someone else. They pick the pictures and I believe they also write the headline. The story has to immediately address whats happening to the readers. Its a different format and platform. As a writer Eric Deggans has the responsibility to deliver the facts to the reader. Although he told me they really didn't change anything in his story, I understood the circumstances. 


As apposed to the online version/blog its a more conversational piece. There is much more freedom in writing that.  The power of knowing is a wonderful thing. This allows me not to get emotionally pointless and instead use the knowledge towards the benefit of future stories. Initially, I was trying to figure out "What in the world is going on?" Now that I understand, I know what to expect in the future. Not only with future articles with him but with other reporters. I'm learning the process and that's most important. 




Previous Related Post: St. Pete Times & the Critic 




As the quest continues...


The Future of Late Night


Motown Maurice

St. Pete Times and the Critic

In the back of my mind I've been waiting on the release of this article. I knew it was going to be in print this past Sunday (August, 28th) in Tampa but I noticed it by accident online two days before, on Friday. The more I read it, the more I realize it does nothing for me. Its not the best article and its not the worst. Its medium.

There is so much more that could of have been reported but it was left out. Most importantly he could of choose a stronger perspective of my journey but he's a news critic. Its partly expected. This is the 2nd time he wrote an article about me. The first one I didn't really like much. This one I can tolerate.
Continued thoughts are below...please read.

With visions of late-night talk show stardom, Motown Maurice heads to L.A.

Original Link: http://www.tampabay.com/features/media/with-visions-of-late-night-talk-show-stardom-motown-maurice-heads-to-la/1187737#comments

By Eric Deggans, Times TV/Media Critic
In Print: Sunday, August 28, 2011

[Photos by NANCY PASTOR | Special to the Times]

Motown Maurice, formerly of Tampa, rehearses a test for a new Web show called the New Jack Web Attack in a garage that serves as a makeshift studio in Los Angeles. 

LOS ANGELES

Motown Maurice doesn't look one step away from homelessness.

The onetime Tampa TV host — born Maurice Jeoffroy, he insists everyone use his signature nickname — keeps his clothes in a storage locker in Koreatown. In a town where no one walks, Motown mostly travels by bus and foot. For a time he lived in a facility filled with mentally ill transients and drug addicts.

Motown Maurice packs his belongings after sleeping on the couch of a government-subsidized flophouse. He paid his rent at night instead of in the morning, and his bed was given away, forcing him to sleep on a small couch.

But as he speaks about his lifelong dream to host a nationally aired late-night talk show, there's no sign of stress or fear. Not even as he describes losing upward of $30,000 last year (mostly in credit card debt) financing his homegrown late-night talk show, which aired 10 times last year on Tampa's MyNetworkTV affiliate WTTA-Ch. 38.

Now, courtesy of a county employment program, he has a two-week voucher for a motel in the city's tough South Central neighborhood. With some food stamps, bus tokens and a little cash also coming, it's paradise for an aspiring performer who hasn't lived alone since he flew west from Tampa last fall.

"The timing is perfect," said the 31-year-old, sounding almost giddy. "Literally, when I'm at my most homeless point, this comes along. Before this, I spent my days at cafes, libraries, Denny's. I couldn't get anything done."

He speaks of this goal as if it already has happened. His enthusiasm is infectious, prompting family, friends and acquaintances to donate cash, space on their apartment floors, discounted acting lessons and cheap plane tickets to help turn his vision into reality.

He has an enthusiastic agent and a growing list of audition experiences, from commercials for Pepsi Max and Miller Lite beer to ABC's Expedition Impossible and game shows such asLet's Make a Deal.

But mention that most big-name talk show hosts have backgrounds in standup comedy or comic acting — experience that he has almost none of — and his rebuttal comes with slow emphasis, as if he's explaining math to a toddler.

"I'm on the edge of destruction, and the best things come where you're on the edge," he said, digging into a barbecued chicken wrap at his favorite Koreatown restaurant. "All of this is nothing but a test . . . I'm enjoying every last aspect of it, because it's going to one day encourage somebody else that's going through the same thing."

Indeed, Motown has an unshakable faith that he will earn late-night TV glory, by sheer willpower if necessary.

Motown has to visit his storage space once or sometimes twice a day, dressing for auditions and juggling bus schedules. “I can adapt to any environment, you know?” he says. “It’s not the most comfortable, but I adapt to it.”

But what if he's just fooling himself?

Not looking back

At his lowest point came the beard.

Cultivated over five months last year, Motown's "beard protest" (a bit of face shrubbery grown until he could find a new direction) became a long, flowing reminder of his exhaustion after The Motown Maurice Show failed to launch a second season in Tampa.

The program debuted in January 2010 with a determined crew of volunteers, a surprisingly well-built set at Ybor City's Cuban Club and a guest list that included former Good Times co-star Bern'Nadette Stanis (a.k.a. Thelma Evans) and the then-mayor of Tampa, Pam Iorio.

The result still looked amateurish, filmed by eager novices and aired in a low-rated 1 a.m. time slot on the MyNetworkTV affiliate. Aside from about $12,000 donated in two chunks by different sponsors, the show generated little income. Motown wound up unable to pay rent, moving into a condo owned by one of his sponsors and drained of creative energy.

"That period was the most dreaded of my life," he said. "I almost cringe when I'm referred to as an actor or host; I'm a visionary. And it's like, for the first time in over 10 years, I had no vision."

He tried a few things, even applying for Your OWN Show, an unscripted competition established by talk show queen Oprah Winfrey's OWN cable channel. When producers for a TV commercial lost interest after they realized he didn't live in Los Angeles, Motown made a decision.

It was time to head west.

"Right now, (he's young enough) to risk it all and have someone there to catch him," said Marie Maurice, a coincidentally named friend from Florida A&M University. It was there that Motown first gained his unique nickname — taken from the sticker on a car he drove around campus.

Maurice, a Los Angeles lawyer, didn't hesitate to offer her old acquaintance a rent-free crash pad. Even when Motown decided that although he had run his own photography business in Tampa, he wouldn't work a side job in California. He would focus on his quest.

"When I first moved here, I didn't have anyone. I didn't want him to go through that," she said. "He reminds me of those times when I had big dreams."

In Los Angeles, he quickly signed with a small talent agency, developing a promotional flier calling himself the "future of late night."

Among the endless streams of auditions, his funniest moments come in the hazy world of unscripted so-called reality TV programs and game shows.

Motown has to visit his storage space once or sometimes twice a day, dressing for auditions and juggling bus schedules. “I can adapt to any environment, you know?” he says. “It’s not the most comfortable, but I adapt to it.”

Many of these projects avoid actors, though they need a steady stream of participants in a town teeming with underemployed attention seekers. With a few hints from producers, Motown learned to avoid talk of his showbiz quest in auditions, citing a long-ago bank teller job as his occupation.

So far, he has been on Jerry Springer's dating competition Baggage and will appear twice next month on a new dating show, Excused (casting directors seem to like him more than the women onscreen do).

In September, he'll appear in an episode of Wayne Brady's Let's Make a Deal, and he nearly was cast on ABC's adventure series Expedition Impossible. He's even got a hosting job: helming a Web series called the New Jack Web Attack. (for details, see his blog: motownmaurice.com).

Motown says casting directors remember his name, tickled by his charisma and good humor. "Jerry Springer came up to me (at the Baggage taping), shook my hand and said, 'You're really funny. Do you do standup?' " he said. "I've learned to keep my ultimate vision close to my heart and not blast it into people's faces. Because it can be really intrusive."

No faking allowed

The argument was a bad one. Motown and a friend fought over a book project about his grandmother, drawing anger, tears and sharp words on racial oppression.

As the conflict ended, acting teacher Allen Levin piped up with a tough assessment: "The sadness . . . you didn't believe it," Levin told Motown, noting when he tried to cry on stage. "It was a cartoon."

Levin's counsel came during Motown's regular Thursday night class at the Lifebook Playhouse, an unassuming, 30-seat theater on the tough end of Hollywood where he has taken acting lessons since March.

[Photos by NANCY PASTOR | Special to the Times]

Motown Maurice prepares to perform a monologue in class at Lifebook Playhouse, where acting coach Allen Levin says he thinks Motown has a shot: “He knows exactly what he wants, and he’s not lazy.”

Lifebook has become an important part of Motown's experience, allowing him to trade work as a stage manager, on-site photographer and all-around helping hand for a steep discount on acting lessons.

"The better you understand dramatic acting, the better you understand humanity," said Levin, an actor and acting coach who insisted that Motown has a realistic shot at the stardom he seeks. "The thing that's great about Motown is he knows exactly what he wants, and he's not lazy. As long as he keeps his health and stays strong mentally, he can make a go of it."

Even Motown admitted he's not the greatest actor, revealed in his improvisation's awkward transition from anger to tears. At times, the Lifebook session felt more like group therapy than a classroom, as participants shared stories of success and fear.

Motown Maurice, 31, receives some constructive criticism from his coach at Lifebook Playhouse in Los Angeles, where he works as a stage manager to get a big break on acting lessons. 

Levin wasn't surprised by Motown's story, though he disagreed with his decision to avoid a side job. He recalled how Sons of Anarchy co-star Dayton Callie once told his class about living in an abandoned building and working eight years before landing his first real acting job.

"If you're walking up a mountain and you keep stepping, you'll get to the top," Levin said. "I just hope he's not putting himself in harm's way to get there."

Being 'realistic' not in the plan

Times are tough for people of color in the late- night TV game. So far this year, comics Wanda Sykes, Mo'Nique and George Lopez have seen their shows canceled or suspended; gifted mimic Affion Crockett debuted his In the Flow sketch show to disappointing audiences on Fox a few weeks ago.

True to form, Motown sees such developments as a sign the universe may be making room for his dream. "I remember somebody once said, 'Being realistic is a commonly known path to mediocrity,' " he said. (Will Smith actually dropped the line in an interview with CBS's The Early Show.) "I will refrain from calling this a dream. It's a vision I see in my head. And I'm bringing it to life."

As proof, Motown recalls the moment during a panel discussion last year at the Billboard Film and TV Music Conference when he asked radio-DJ-turned-late-night-host Carson Daly for advice. After offering a generic, "keep doing what you're doing" speech, Daly had to admit he just gave "the most horrible advice ever," Motown said, because there is no blueprint.

"We shook hands afterwards and I got the e-mail of his manager," Motown said. "I e-mailed him, got no response. No big deal, but I can almost guarantee that I'll cross paths with him again. And that time, Carson Daly won't forget me."

Related Post: Breaking the Headlines one Documentary at a Time

Final Thoughts

There are a few unnecessary mentions. One blasphemous comment about my team and show last year. It looked far from "amateurish." That's ridiculous. I don't know what he was smoking. Then there are a few errors. What can you say it happens. You can't believe exactly everything you read. Its best to witness for yourself and be your own critic.

There's always hope that someone will notice the story and reach out to me in support of my quest but I'm not counting on it. I'm not dismissing that possibility however, I have realized something else. Within a short period of time since its release I realized this story isn't for me. This story is for the people.

For that reason I am blessed. Most of my comments have come from Facebook. The vase majority of my supporters who made comments have stated that they have been inspired and encouraged. If this article is inspiring others then it's fulfilling its purpose and I am on the right path.

I am therefore blessed by the motivation the story has sent to others. It will be a while before a story about my quest is told in its truest form. Which is why I have to continue to be my own story teller. No matter what, I am still grateful for the article. Thank you Eric Deggans for the written exposure and Nancy Pastor for the wonderful photos.

Most of all, thank you everyone for reading the article and being inspired by it.

One comment in particular came through text from an old basketball buddy, Chris Lafave. He told me to look up Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Thank you Chris. I have received this message.

With love to you all...




Next Related Post: Paper or Online Version (St. Pete Times)


As the quest continues...

The Future of Late Night

Motown Maurice