2-18-09

February's episode is still airing of course and viewers from Newburgh to Port Ewen and even Connecticut have entered to win a fabulous poster commemorating the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star game at Yankee Stadium signed by the man who was commissioned to create it, 3D pop artist extraordinaire Charles Fazzino! Make sure you enter to win the poster by clicking on "Contest" on the homepage at www.mikeontheroad.com Incidentally, Fazzino is the favorite artist of NY Giants All Pro defensive end Justin Tuck ( a two-time guest on our show).
We're very excited about March's show...most of which has already been videotaped. In the span of 10 days (February 4-14) we went to 5 locations and captured exclusive interviews and footage just for our viewers. (With each new show, we challenge ourselves to outdue the previous month's episode.)
We started at Empire City gaming at Yonkers Raceway where we caught up with 1969 Mets World Series champs Ron Swoboda, Ed Kranepool, Bud Harrelson and Art Shamskey. In the process we met Michael Clayton ( yes just like the George Clooney movie) of New Windsor who brought a photo taken in Viet Nam in 1969 featuring him and Swoboda. Very touching to see Ron's reaction. All 4 Mets signed a baseball that will be March's "Mike Bennett: On The Road" giveaway!
Then it was on to Eisenhower Hall at West Point to interview the one and only "Jesus Chrust Superstar", Ted Neeley, as we both got the first look at the refurbished "green room" backstage!
Ted is simply one of the nicest people I've ever met or interviewed. We also caught up with Colonel Craig Flowers, the Director of Cadet Activities. Another great guy...West Point & Ike Hall are lucky to have him!
Next up were the incredible Harlem Globetrotters and star guard "Stormin' Norman" who spent some time with us before the Globetrotters entertained yet another big crowd at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.
The former co-host of "Good Morning America", Joan Lunden, was our next exclusive interview at the Hilton Rye Town in Westchester for the "Go Red" luncheon. Joan looks amazing and was a great interview.
The Royal Hanneford Circus made its 39th annual visit to the Westchester County center where we talked to Ringmaster Billy Martin. An elephant made a cameo appearance and a big snake said hello by wrapping itself around my neck. You're going to love it!
So please enjoy February's edition of "Mike Bennett" On The Road" every Tuesday and Friday evenings at 6 on Time-Warner channel 6 in New York's Hudson Valley and know that another great episode will premier on Friday March 6th! Until next time...I'm Mike Bennett and I'll see you...on the road.

Hello viewers of "Mike Bennett: On The Road"! This is my first blog entry which coincides with the re-designed website, http://www.mikeontheroad.com/.
Congrats to Pat Fayo of Newburgh, who won an autographed copy of "Dashing Through The Snow" by Carol & Mary Higgins Clark. This month you can win an autographed Charles Fazzino poster for the 2008 MLB All-Star game at Yankees Stadium. Enter at "contests" on this website, we'll announce the winner in March!
Our new February episode features Westchester resident and former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer. We chatted about politics at Joe Torre's "Safe At Home" event in NYC.
Ari is now a consultant for sports teams and you might have caught him recently on Dr. Phil.
Speaking of sports, two Knicks were kind enough to visit young patients at Maria Ferari Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center and then stop to talk to our viewers. So thanks to Quentin "Q" Richardson and Anthony Roberson! Go New York GO New York GO!
The Rangers held a skating party in Greenburgh for the "Make A Wish" families from Connecticut. Our first "on ice" interview features assistant captain Marcus Nasland and center Blair Betts, the longest-tenured Ranger on the roster. Let's Go Rangers!
The other two segments feature women who made a GREAT first impression on me. I met Chef Ji (prounced Gee) of Palisades Park NJ at her alma mater, the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. She is one of the 16 contestants on the new season of "Hell's Kitchen" on Fox. Ji wasn't able to reveal anything about how she does on the show so I can't wait to see how Season 5 unfolds with Chef Gordon Ramsey! The episodes were actually filmed in late 2007.
And our lead segment this month features singer/songwriter Patty Smyth of "Scandal" who stopped by the Mike & Kacey show on WHUD to promote her concert at Ridgefield Playhouse. After singing "Hands Tied" she and original "Scandal" member Benjy King visited our sister-station, WBPM to talk with Jack & Andre. Patty was so much fun...full of energy and good humor. And we thank her husband, John McEnroe for taking care of the kids in NYC so Patty could spend the morning at our studios.
So there you have it...another episode of "Mike Bennett: On The Road", a 2008 Telly Award winner for Outstanding Regional Entertainment Program. Next month we'll bring you Ted Neeley of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Eisenhower Hall Theatre at West Point, Ron Swoboda of the '69 Mets and the Harlem Globetrotters! I hope you'll be watching every Tuesday & Friday nights at 6 on Channel 6, Time-Warner of the Hudson Valley. Until then, maybe I'll see you...on the road.
Mike Bennett 2-2-09