Leslie Gold, the Radiochick, is tearing it up on Fox News Radio and with 'The Gong Show Live-Off Broadway'

The Canessa Commentary

By KEVIN CANESSA Jr.

NEW YORK CITY —

Leslie Gold 'The Radiochick'

I will preface this by saying I consider her a dear friend, someone who I care greatly for — and someone I’d take a bullet for. With that said, this piece is instantly OK to dub “biased.”

And yet, that matters not one bit, because whenever I get a chance to share the good news about what Leslie Gold is doing — you remember her as The Radiochick — I enjoy it.

For those of you in New York, you will no doubt remember Leslie from her days on three prominent New York City radio stations — 102.7 WNEW, 92.3 when it went talk and Q-104.3. For years, she came into our homes and cars with her two sidekicks, Butch Brennan and Chuck Nice — and she made us laugh, she made us cry. She made us think, she made us shake our heads. 

Unfortunately for us — the FM hot talk genre didn’t do well in New York (though Leslie’s shows were always the antithesis to the norm of the stations … they ALWAYS did well ratings-wise and in billing). So after her days on terrestrial radio were over, she and Butch did a podcast for about six months.

And then, in 2009, I got to meet Leslie when she founded Shovio.com — and did her show there for more than a year.

But it’s the post-Shovio days that have been extremely intriguing for Leslie — she’s the owner of the rights to “The Gong Show Live--Off Broadway,” — yes, that “Gong Show,” and she’s constantly filling in on Fox News Radio.

Imagine that — our Leslie is doing fantastic work on Fox News radio. If it first it’s hard to envision Leslie talking Republican politics, think again. She’s so damn good at it that even this left-wing nutcase goes out of his way to tune in whenever she’s filling in for Brian Killmeade, Tom Sullivan or John Gibson — or whomever.

She brings humor and deep insights to politics in ways no one — and I mean no one — at the network can. She can make a story like the Manti T’eo hoax come to life. She can make the most ardent Barack Obama supporter (like me) think twice about his decisions. She can make the most ardent liberal actually want to listen to Fox News Radio.

That’s how good she is.

And it shows.

Though she doesn’t call herself “The Radiochick” on the air, quite often, callers remind the audience she’s still the Chick. So she’s certainly not averse to remembering back to those days.

It’s just the topics that are different.

She still offers an amazing perspective on the news of the day.

She still gives the audience a real reason to tune in whenever she’s on the air.

In other words, though she’s Leslie on Fox News Radio, she’s really still the Chick — and brings something special — something intangible … to the mic. 

I’m going to do my best to post whenever she’s on the air, both here on this website — and on Facebook and Twitter, too. If you’re like me, and miss the days of Chick, Chuck and Butch, trust me when I tell you — you won’t be disappointed when you tune in to her Fox News shows. 

If the most ardent liberal in the world can do it — and I can’t put Sean Hannity of Bill O’Reilly on for more than 20 seconds without flipping the channel  — you certainly can, too.

The Gong Show Live Off-Broadway

But her new incarnation goes well beyond the radio. In fact, she’s running a show she loved when she was younger. And a few years ago, when the rights to the show were for sale, she jumped and bought them.

Now, once a month, “The Gong Show Live-Off Broadway” is brought to life, off Broadway, at the Cutting Room in Manhattan — 44 E. 32nd St. This isn't an amateur deal either — this is as professionally run an off-Broadway show as you're going to see. No amateurs. We're taking the real deal here.

Leslie, seen here waving, at a recent 'Gong Show Live-Off Broadway' performance.

Each month, the sold-out shows bring the audience to their feet, with rip-roaring laughter and an all-around great experience. And the show has been in other places throughout the country — and could be, again.

Perhaps the most amazing of the shows was a few months ago, after Hurricane Sandy.

Leslie got a few sponsors together — and an entire performance was done in front of a house packed with people whose lives were turned upside down by Sandy. Each person went to the show for free — and got a free drink and appetizer, too.

And you see, this is what Leslie is all about. 

For as long as I’ve known her, her biggest concerns were for others. She had every right to be angry when things didn’t work out with certain radio stations. Same with Shovio, too. And yet, in a real way, she’d taken every adversity she’s been faced with, and has turned it around and make life better for so many people.

Whether it’s those affected by Sandy, or wanting to get me a job in radio when I was first dipping my toes into the water — whatever the scenario — she’s always put others first.

And that’s just one of many things that make Leslie special.

As for “The Gong Show Live-Off Broadway,” if you’re interested — or if you’d like to perhaps do an office outing at the show — the show can be tailored to any office’s needs — I want you to go to the show’s website, www.gongshowlive.net. 

Check out “The Gong Show Live-Off Broadway.” And check out Leslie’s work on Fox News Radio.

If you’re disappointed, I’d be shocked.

Then again, I’m not worried about disappointment one bit.

TOUGH TO SAY GOODBYE TO 'FLASHPOINT'

The year 2012 was what it was. We lived through Sandy -- and the horrors of Newtown. And yet, one thing was consistently awesome in 2012, and that was television. There have been some good new shows this year -- my list is topped by "Chicago Fire." And we said goodbye to others.

But no show was more difficult to say goodbye to, for me, than was "Flashpoint."

It was, by far, Canada's greatest TV import. It'll be hard to find other shows where the same could be said, save for "Rookie Blue," and for the younger generation, "DeGrassi." But there was just something about "Flashpoint" -- I think most viewers could relate, in some way, to at least one character, if not more -- that will make this one a tough one to not have back in the fall.

The cast is so unassuming in real life.

And for crying out loud, Sergio DiZio, who played Michelangelo Scarlotti, responds to Tweets all the time.

The show ends after five intense seasons. And there's no doubt, it goes away on an extremely high note. They really could have gotten five more seasons out of it. And if there's one recommendation I could make that you follow, it's that you check this show out if you've never seen it.

If you like believable, intense police drama, without the New York spin and attitude, I can't imagine you'd be disappointed in any way.

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'Combat Hospital' Not Afraid to 'Go There'

Just finished watching the third episode of ABC's Canadian-import "Combat Hospital," and I must say it has been one of the most enjoyable medical dramas I've seen in some time. It's a show that isn't afraid to hit difficult issues of war -- as it's set in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2006. A full review of the show -- as well as another Canadian import, "Rookie Blue," is forthcoming. In the meantime, I can't suggest both shows any more than these. You will enjoy both if you like medical and cop dramas. More soon.

Fey plays Palin on SNL

Tina Fey played the role of Sarah Palin on the season premiere of "Saturday Night Live," and you'd hardly know--based on looks and accent--that it wasn't really Palin. [I'll admit it: it took me a while to realize it really wasn't Palin]. Here's a look at the two of them. Can you tell which photo is Fey and which is Palin?

Update: Here's YouTube video of the segment. Not sure how long it'll last up on YouTube once NBC realizes it's up--so feel free to let me know if it gets yanked.

'24' movie set for November on Fox

Fans of "24" will be happy to hear a special "24" movie event will air this November on Fox. The show, which was last seen in May 2007, was completely canceled last season thanks to the Writers Guild strike. The New York Post has details of the movie—but be forewarned: the story's a big-time spoiler. Click here.

'Boys from Baghdad High' is a riveting HBO documentary worth sitting down to watch

The other night, I had little to do. So, as I do every time I'm bored, I searched my digital cable lineup for something to watch. Though it wasn't on when I'd be awake, I saw something called "The Boys from Baghdad High." It was a documentary about four teenagers — all living in the war zone of Iraq, and all of whom were entering their senior year of high school — who were given video cameras to document their school year.

All four of the teens knew each other, though some were better friends with others. They weren't a traveling group of friends, so to speak.

Three were Muslim and one was Christian. They Muslims were from different sects. And yet, all four went to school with each other, and without issues — hardly the way things were in their very surroundings.

When all was said and done, the producers of the show took some 300 hours worth of footage and packed it into a 90-minute documentary that was some of the most riveting television that I've ever seen outside of "24" and "ER." 

Perhaps it was the sheer reality that what was on the screen was as real as it gets. Perhaps it's the notion that I can relate to the lives of teenagers having spent years as a teacher. Perhaps it's the shocking value of seeing these kids struggle as teens do with teen issues — girls, academics, family, growing up — all as guns were being used, as explosions were happening, as buildings burned, right in their very own neighborhoods.

The documentary brought to life the War in Iraq — a war we often only see in 30-second sound bites on the news or on cable. It brought to life the harsh reality that kids, just like the kids we know in this country, struggle with day-to-day issues. But unlike their American counterparts, they've got to deal with the horrors of war. They've got to worry about getting shot at and killed as they drive from their homes to school. They've got to worry about whether they'll be able to keep the electricity running through the night with their power generators, since electricity is staggered throughout Iraq.

Yes, the Iraqi teens are a lot like American teens. They wear ripped Abercrombie jeans. They listen to hip-hop. They like to use the Internet. They worry about whether they'll do well enough to go on to university. But seeing the side shows they deal with — seeing their incredible struggle to survive — demonstrates just how difficult this war is ... how difficult life in Iraq is ... how different things are for the teens of the United States of America.

"Boys from Baghdad High" is absolutely worth a watch. If you have onDemand and HBO, you can watch the program anytime through August. Check listings for other air times. 

If you watch the documentary, be forewarned: some of the scenes are hard to fathom. One thing's for sure though — if you don't come away after watching the show with a better appreciation for what we have here in America, then nothing, I repeat, nothing, will ever affect you in any way.

Isaac Hayes dead at 65

MEMPHIS — Singer Isaac Hayes has died, The New York Daily News is reporting. He was 65. Reports say family members found Hayes unresponsive near a treadmill. An hour later, the '70s icon was pronounced dead at a Memphis hospital.  Click here for the full story.