JoseGrinan's Blog

There are photos from the Mayor's luncheon and the Jazz Festival itself at the web address below.

http://community.myfoxhouston.com/photos/ViewAlbum.
aspx?aid=36081&un=JoseGrinan

Comedian, actor and television host Bill Bellamy stopped by our studios Thursday morning for an interview and some laughs. He’s in town for a weekend stint at the Improv.

After a few hearty on-air laughs, I asked him about the recent death of fellow comedian George Carlin. Well, Bill had just returned to the U-S from Jamaica… and was totally unaware of Carlin’s passing. For a moment, he may have even thought I was playing a joke on him. But when he realized I was serious… he got serious, too. He then praised Carlin as a comedic pioneer who was one of the best in the business.

Bellamy will headline the comedy show at the Improv. He’ll be joined by Houston’s own Rene Garcia, a young funny guy from “the northside” who moved to LA to get his comedy career going. He’s returning home for his first gig at the Improv.

Both are excellent comedians. Check ‘em out… if you get a chance.

Character actor James Hong and his daughter April were in the FOX 26 studios Thursday for an interview, just a day before the "Kung Fu Panda" is released nationwide. 

And during the interview, James talked about growing up in Minneapolis and did a few impromptu impressions of Jimmy Stewart. Quite impressive, I must say. He says, while growing up there were not many roles for Asians, so he improvised.

Hong and his daughter were in Houston for a Houston premiere of the summer blockbuster movie “Kung Fu Panda.” Hong lends his voice talents to the character of Mr. Ping, owner of a noodle shop who’s also the father of the “Kung Fu Panda.” 

 And speaking of the premiere on Tuesday, close to 200 people showed up at the Edwards Grand Palace to get a sneak peek at the new film. Among them, Houston city councilmember Anne Clutterbuck, who gave the city's official welcome to the Hollywood star.

Houston Film Society critic Nic Nicholson,  and Ashok Rao, executive producer of the film “Before the Rains,” were also on hand for the Houston showing. 

Hong has a great way with crowds. He talked casually with many of his fans, and was easily accessible for them to snap souvenir pictures.

He also uses his celebrity status to help raise money for earthquake victims in China by selling photos of some of the characters he’s played in more than 400 movies.

 We may see more of him and his daughter April in Houston in the coming months. He is currently collaborating with a local producer on a film that would feature local Chinese Television anchorwoman Yi Tian.

So, are you and the kids going to see "Kung Fu Panda?" This big kid did... and I loved it.

San Antonio native (the guy in the center) Mike Robles says, he's on a mission... a mission to spread and popularize "Urban comedy with a Latino flair, or Latino comedy with an Urban flair." He's had the calling for some time... but he was given a bit of a spiritual boost after a chance meeting with author and motivational speaker Depak Chopra. Now, "Loco Comedy Jam" and Mike Robles are listed on Chopra's website. And Mike is super-excited about Tuesday's nationwide release ( on FOX 26 Morning News) of his new DVD the "Best of Loco Comedy Jam."  

As a producer/comedian he won an Emmy Award for "Video Mix Con Mike Robles." He's been involved with "The Original Latin Kings of Comedy," all of the "Loco Comedy Jam" DVDs and comedy concerts, including one here in Houston last year. That night in the Verizon Theater was groundbreaking for Latino/Urban (or vice versas) comedy in the Bayou City.  It featured 6 really funny comics in one venue: one White, two African-American, and three Latinos. 

Tommy Davidson( of "In Living Color" fame) Mike Robles, Chris Reid (from "Kid and Play" fame), Darren Carter, Joey Medina, and Houstonian Rene Garcia are the comedians who had outstanding on-stage performances that kept the audience in stitches for hours. Rene Garcia, whom I think is very talented, was performing for the first time in Houston. His mother was in the front row... and had never seen the act he performs in LA and on the road. For him... a little embarrassing... but she loved his performance. And so did his son, who was also there that night. 

The humor that night was very Urban and has been described as "cutting edge ethnic humor." I'm sure some of the language would disturb some of you. However, I thought it was funny, along with a few thousand more who were there that night.

Does Urban cutting edge comedy bother you? Why? Why not?

Deh-nahs-tileen

That is a greeting in the main language used in Ethiopia... and it was heard quite a bit last Wednesday evening at an outdoor reception held on the grounds of this year's Houston International Festival.

The event was sponsored by Ethiopian Airlines and featured entertainment from Ethiopia's National Theatre Ezra Folk Music and Dance troupe.

The music was great, and so were the dancers. And, the food was "par excelance." 

More than 50 people, many of whom are Ethiopian, and some who have lived in the U-S for more than 30 years, were there to enjoy a bit of their home cooking, indiginous music and dances, and the social atmosphere that shared their culture with the others (like me) who attended.

 This is the last weekend for I-Fest and to learn more about what used to be called the "Dark Continent."  It is now known as continent flourishing with culture and opportunity. Go out and enjoy the fun.

Mel-kahm-ken... Have  a Good Day!

FOX 26's Isiah Carey represented the station at the Opening Ceremony Friday at City Hall. This year's I-Fest theme is "Out of Africa" and will highlight the cultures of a number of nations on that continent.  

Because of close ties between Houston and Ethiopia that were forged over the past few years for the historic "Lucy" exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science, a number of Ethiopian dignitaries are here in the Bayou City over the next 2 weekends. Among them His Excellency Bernanu Hailu, Ethiopia's Minister of Information.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN, the Honorable Andrew Young flew in to Houston to attend the I-Fest openng ceremony.

Ambassador Young,  who has travelled extensively in Africa, was the keynote speaker at a luncheon hosted by the International Festival Foundation and the Greater Houston Partnership. 

The I-Fest 2008 Artistic Excellence Award was presented to Stephanie Hughley, the founding Artististic Director of the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, GA.

its More to come...

Are you planning on going to I-Fest. If not, tell me why? You can't blame it on the weather, either.

This past Sunday, in my search for a place to eat out. I stopped with a friend at a restaurant on 290 that has a "down under" connection. It wasn't  crowded at all... so I was thinking "quick service". But was I surprised!

We were seated immediately by a young African-American woman, who said our waiter would be with us shortly. Well, shortly turned into a hefty wait for service. So hefty in fact that several other tables adjacent to mine were seated and being served while my guest and I waited, and waited.

I decided to get up and leave with my guest. But not before demanding to speak with the proprietor of this "down under" restaurant, who appeared cheery and happy when he approached us. At that moment I was not feeling his joy, and reminded him that service was important when you are in a service related business. I told him I would rather spend my money elsewhere, and he should remind his waitstaff of the business they were in. Then I walked out.

Have any of you had a similar experience? Would you walk out for bad or no service? Would you take the time to speak with the manager or proprietor?  Or is it much ado about nothing as that bearded Brit from long ago might say?

Did ya catch Bruce Bruce last Friday on the 7AM newscast? I really think he is a funny man! But he seemed to be a bit subdued and not over-the-top.

I hope his weekend stint at the Houston Improv entices him to return to Houston, soon.

What were your impressions?