Promo Tour with Larry King, James Brolin, Vanna White
September 27, 2007 3:19 PM
I had no idea there was so much involved in launching a show. Sony set up a big, multi-city promotional tour, and I couldn't wait to start. They scheduled a quick trip to Chicago as a warm-up.
My first morning show appearance was to be on a wonderful affiliate, WFLD. The station’s vice president of promotion and programming, Dominic Mancuso, introduced me to the sales staff, all who seemed to be as excited to meet me as I was to meet them. When being interviewed on their news, the station's entertainment reporter asked me, "Judge Young, what do have to do to win a case in your courtroom?" Before I could answer, he started belting out "That's Entertainment!" in his best Ethel Merman impersonation. I cracked up. Is this what I have to look forward to at every stop on the tour?
As I was rushing through the airport on the next stop of the tour in San Diego, I was informed that Larry King wanted me on his show that night to discuss the Senator Craig scandal that had just broken. I’d need to go to a studio directly from the airport for a live satellite interview. Wow! What a GREAT beginning to my new career!
The euphoria was short lived, however, as the airline lost my luggage. I'm in jeans and I'm on national TV in two hours. PANIC!
Luckily, my partner Scott is great in a crisis. Before I knew what was happening, he was talking on my cell phone with the Sony publicist, telling her what to ask for from Nordstroms. She called ahead and Scott and I ran through the store in literally five minutes. He picked out a new outfit (waist up only) and we were back in the car on the way to do the studio. And I considered myself the shopper! I went on the show as scheduled, and it was great. Larry was so gracious and dedicated—how does he do this every day? David Theall, “Larry King Live’s” producer, called afterwards to thank me, and I was thinking that I was one the one who should be calling thanking him!
The next afternoon we met with the GM from San Diego's XETV, Richard Doutre Jones and his team of truly dedicated salespeople. What a great operation Richard is running! I had a wonderful time on their morning show -- commenting on Leona Helmsly's suddenly wealthy female dog (OK, maybe I didn't use the words ‘female dog’). I have to remember not to be so colorful on morning TV.
The next stop of the tour was San Francisco. I met the incredibly energetic and capable Akilah Monifa who works for CW 44. She did a remarkable job getting the San Francisco leg organized with tons of radio, several print interviews and an appearance on “Bay Area Focus with Susan Sikora.” Later I had a chance to meet and thank all of the sales, programming and promotion people at the station, which I love to do because I know they work so hard.
Adding to the memorable San Francisco excursion was spending a sunny Labor Day afternoon at Dolores Park with our friends from www.crackle.com, a user-generated content website. Under the direction of executive producer Matt Labate, rising star comedian Jacob Sirof and I strolled around the park promoting “Judge David Young” and taping segments for “Judgment Day,” a hilarious online show that can be seen on the site. Jacob and I got along great as we canvassed the park-goers, making snap judgments and seeing how correct our assessments really were. Some very interesting rulings came that day!
Having covered the entire park with an entourage of ten people and two cameras, the whole park knew who we were by the end of the afternoon!
The excitement I felt as the plane was landing for the next stop in LA was indescribable and the folks at the station put me at ease right away. It was such a pleasure to see Leslie Lyndon again (we first met at FPEC in Orlando in July) and two key promotion people for KTTV/KCOP, Kathleen Bracken and Marla Schulman, dropped in to take photos and say hello. Even John Frenzel, director of programming and publicity for the station stopped by.
Just before I went on their local news program, “Good Day LA” (great fun!) I met James Brolin and had my photo taken with Frankie Avalon. My mother was thrilled. Afterwards, Marla had me do some lively promo reads for the “digital lounge” section of the My13LA website, which was a hoot. [A sidebar note: James Brolin's wife's niece and I were friends in college at Tulane University. "Small World isn't it..."]
Afterwards, I was whisked off to be a celebrity clue reader on “Jeopardy.” So cool. I walked on the set and asked if I could stand behind the podium where Ken Jennings (the all time champion from the show) stood.
The taping was done in the Wheel of Fortune Studios where I got to not only play Vanna White, but actually meet her too! I was in heaven.
Next up, Seattle; a magnificent city.
The impressive director of creative services for Q13/FOXMyQ2, Jamie McDowell, set up my appearance on their morning show, where I made a constructive comment about their traffic reporter's tie. It was hideous, but the people in the studio laughed and loved it. That night, I had dinner with the station’s general manager, Pam Pearson and Natalie Grant, the regional program director for Tribune Television. We dined at a beautiful restaurant with a breathtaking view of Mount Rainier. Pam was born in Miami so we spoke about our hometown and we clicked immediately. What bright, fun, amazing people.
The final leg was the Big Apple. On launch day (September 10), I was beside myself with excitement. The first stop of the day was on FOX's morning show, “Good Day New York.”
After getting to the studio and getting all made up to look good (I swear make-up people are magicians) I realized that in my excitement, I left the hotel room with the pants from one suit and the jacket from another. UGGHH. I DO NOT MATCH. There is NOTHING worse! I wanted to leave and go back to the hotel, but no time. Luckily the cameraman told me that he would not film my pants. The hosts, Jodi Applegate and Ron Corning were great (and even better looking in person!).
I have always been a fan of theirs and I just couldn’t believe I was actually on their set in New York City talking about my new show.
The sad thing is that the tour had to end. I love to meet new people. I believe it's crucial to thank the people who have faith in me and my show. I will be eternally grateful for all their efforts.
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Comments (9)
Hello Judge David!
I thoroughly enjoy your show. You had me hooked when you questioned someone in the Courtroom about having care and compassion for their fellow humankind. A little bit of that could go a long, long way in this world. I also very much admire your work with the Humane Society. May God bless you and your partner with good health and success.
Posted by Patricia | October 9, 2007 12:15 PM
Your Honour:
My husband and I have been watching your new syndicated television program "Judge David Young" since it first aired.
We want to tell you how much we enjoy it. You are like "a fresh breath of air" in television court room reality shows.
We especially enjoy your "Off The Bench" segments where you explain to the audience what the laws of jurisprudence are in the case you have ruled upon.
Although we are Canadians and some of our laws are different from those in the United States, your quick sense of wit and humour make your program a success as far as we are concerned.
Wishing you many blessings in all of your endeavours, now and in the future.
Mrs. D.M.Horn Midland, Ontario Canada
Posted by Mrs. Dawn Marie Harvey-Horn | October 16, 2007 11:20 AM
Particia and Dawn, thank you for those kind comments. I'm so happy that you are enjoying the show. If you have a myspace page, please look me up so we can become friends. My myspace name is, ready for the originality here--JudgeDavidYoung.I hope to hear from you again.
Posted by David Young | October 17, 2007 7:39 PM
I watched your Nov 20 th show and was appalled that you gave the gay tenets over $4000!! they admitted that they did not pay rent and the landlord was not racist..
Where was the proof and coraberation to those allegations,
I feel you are trying to make a point that is reverse discrimmination and hold gay people to a lower standard of proof and against the rule of LAW!! You are doing injustice to the title of JUDGE and I resent that!!
Posted by Edie Rupe | November 20, 2007 3:14 PM
Edie, you are a bigot bitch. Judge Young is awesome. I saw the show and that man, like you, is a bigot. You go Judge David!!!!!
Posted by Jena Simons | November 21, 2007 11:42 AM
Cheryl, have a happy and healthy 2008. Hugs, David
Posted by David Young | December 29, 2007 4:28 PM
Judge David,
I too watched the segment about the lesbian couple you awarded $4,000.00. They were complete slackers. I, too, believe that you are using your show as an agenda to 'bully' people who are not "gay correct" a legal blow because you call them a bigot. In fact, one of your promos is "I know a bigot when I see one". You need only look in the mirror to find a bigot of equal or greater magnitude. The case that Edie Rupe was speaking of had nothing to do with the lesbians sexuality - but it had everything to do with their responsibility to be honest, upstanding, decent citizens. Which they were not. You based you decision on that case solely on the fact that they said that the landlord was a racist bigot because #1) one of the lesbians were black #2)they were lesbian.
And despite the fact that the landlord had truly presented his case with facts and details you overlooked all of that because of your own personal prejudices against anyone who doesn't proport to support a gay/lesbian lifestyle. When in fact, he (the landlord) stated that he had not done so. But because the 2 lesbians (who know you are sympathetic to "the cause" used that card as a trump card) despite the fact that they were wrong legally in every way, shape or form.
You segment after the show also wreaked of your own prejudices as well because you didn't talk about the legality of the decision - but of bigotry. Better to put you back on a Miami bench where you have to uphold the law and keep your opinions to yourself, rather than put you on t.v. so that you can ignore the law just so that you can promote you own personal agenda.
Posted by Anne | February 27, 2008 3:06 AM
I wonder if Edie and Anne are one of the same? Hmm.. They are both bigoted bitches. Keep up the great work Judge David. I never miss a show. You are two snaps in my book.
Posted by Jena Simons | March 6, 2008 5:24 PM
Serious question for the Judge.
Exactly how legal are your decisions? Do they have any weight in a juridical sense? As well, in at least one episode you used a lie detector. is that ever actual court procedure, or is it just part of your show? Is a lie detector actually admissible evidence in real court? I am not a lover or a hate of your show, I just want some answers.
Posted by Loperspest | March 4, 2009 11:40 PM