Islanders Illustrated on MSG Plus Premier 6-18-08

Shaky called him “Hollywood.” He may be living up to the name as Josh Bernstein and his staff have just finalized the first installment of Islanders Illustrated TV production, a slick ½ hour news and entertainment gem premiering tomorrow night at 6:30 pm on MSG Plus.

On Tuesday morning, at a Lowe’s theater, a group of Islanders’ staffers and a handful of guests were witness to the “world premier” of show number 1 of probably 18, or 24 if they make the playoffs next season. “Where are the sponsorship guys who are supposed to be selling this show?” asked Chris Dey as he surveyed the room. But then he smiled as I think he was just trying to rattle Josh just a little.

When the ITV staff was established, they probably never thought they’d be producing a full blown TV show. But as Josh said “We can, we did, and we will continue to.” The finished product is far better than MSG standards and they’re very excited about it. (We’ll see.)

Shawna Ryan is the host of the show, conducting certain interviews and introducing segments. I can’t tell you anything about her because I don’t have a face book account. She’s blonde, she’s pretty, and she’s a cross between a reporter and a flight attendant. She’s perfect for the gig.

The show that airs tomorrow covers the draft possibilities, the year in review and the I.C.E. tour. Steve Mears hosts a spot with Bill Jaffe and Chris King where Billy was clearly on fire discussing what he believe the direction for the team next season should be. Garth, take note as it was a lot of fun to watch.

Some of the content has been stolen from previous ITV productions, but not much of it. If Bernstein doesn’t garner another Emmy for this series, Billy Guerin just may. He’s quite the actor. There is also the Hungry, Hungry Hippos Two Man Advantage segment with Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau and Jeff Tambellini which will give you a few laughs and a little bit of insight into Kyle.

But the draft day segment that everyone is looking for right now with Friday fast approaching basically recaps what we already know. Ms. Ryan conducts a brief interview with Garth Snow regarding his thoughts on this year’s draft and his memory of last season’s. There’s some combine footage of the draftees that is always good for a girlish giggle. But what will bring a tear to any die hard Islander fan’s eye is the year in retrospect which relived all the great moments (and yeah… there were a FEW) from last season.

The look and feel of the show is very youthful with its stencil lettering font, splashes of color and almost comic book graphics. For the rabid internet fans, there is even an IslanderMania Minute from their “official message board” which literally is a minute. If you blink, you may miss it.

All in all, it’s a good production from a really great staff. Check it out, but don’t forget that for all your Islanders draft day coverage for Friday and Saturday, it’s ITV on the web all the way. Also check out Islesblogger.com and TigerTracks as Mike and Tom will be on the floor in Ottawa with their first hand accounts of the day. The rest of us Blog Box bunch will be at the draft party or live blogging, so you never know what tidbits we may come up with.

So congratulations “Hollywood” on a job well done.

2 Minute Minor: Actually more like 12 minutes as those in attendance had to actually sit through SIX movie previews. The Love Guru, Rocker, Wanted, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Hancock and Step Brothers. Now I know why I don’t go to the movies.

Off Season? What "off-season"?

This normally out-of-control puck junkie that dreads June - August, and who sometimes turns to a private collection of Islanders videos from 2002-2006 (featuring Jason Blake goals of course) in order to get me through the lean months of no-hockey, can’t believe her eyes when she looks at the Islanders website and their summer community calendar.
What the heck? I mean we usually get a week’s worth of prospect mini camp in July and then you don’t see anything with an Islanders logo on it until the end of August, if we were lucky! But I guess this year will be different. “Last Comic Standing” won’t be the only thing to divert my attention while I wait for pages of the calendar to turn.
So as I had mentioned a few weeks ago, the new Islanders Illustrated TV show will be premiering this June 18th on MSG Plus at 6:30 pm, just two days before the draft party on the 20th. Maybe MSG Plus won’t be such a bad thing for the NY Islanders, but we’ll have to make sure of that. If we feel they are continuing to belittle our team and its fans, then we’ll have to speak up. But at least with airing a show produced by ITV for Islander fans, this is a good start.
Speaking of Draft Day… Look forward to a very exciting announcement from some fellow Blog Boxers in the near future. Ok, maybe “very exciting” is a bit much, but when I heard it, it was exciting to me as I‘m extremely happy for them and very proud. Leave it at just another way the NY Islanders will be innovative with their fan base access. You’ll know soon enough what it’s all about.
On a personal note… I had to go to the doctor on Wednesday, and like everything else in my life, the doctor I’ve been going to since I am 19 happens to be about ¼ mile away from the Coliseum. I can’t seem to stay away from the place even when there isn’t anything going on. But since I was in the neighborhood, I had to drive by anyway. Sure, I probably could have stopped in for a cup of coffee and piece of cake as any friend who just “happens to be in the neighborhood “ can do. But my mom always told me to never go anywhere empty handed, and since I didn’t have a crumb cake or bottle of wine with me, I just drove by looking at the parking lot. There were plenty of cars in the executive lot as they seem to be really, really busy. But I also knew there were plenty that are missing from their usual spots.
I stopped at the Starbucks across the street, just because. An older gentleman in a van I parked next to stopped me to say how much he loved the color of my little orange car. I told him it went with my license plate. I ordered my “tall traditional, room for milk” and an apple fritter. Hell… the doctor didn’t yell at me about my weight, so why not. I stood in front of the store and stared across the street at the squat oval behind the chain link fence. I tried to imagine the new landscape when the Lighthouse project is completed. I couldn’t. It’s basically beyond my comprehension even though I’ve seen the plans about 30 times. I drove away shoving the apple fritter in my face and shaking my head.
It’s going to be an interesting “off-season.” I think I’ll need more Starbucks.

NYI Open House 5-14-08 & 20 Questions

Well, if you missed it, and I know it certainly seemed like a lot of you did, there was some interesting information to come out of tonight’s event. It’s too late for me to go through all the stuff that will be covered by the website, and everyone else. But I will tell you a little secret.

We complain we don’t get enough TV coverage? That should soon change. Look forward to the debut on June 18th of an all Islanders TV show to air on… dare I say it? ACTUAL TV! Yep. The people who bring you ITV are going to try their hand at a half hour Islanders Illustrated TV show that should air once a month over the summer, and then once every two weeks once the season starts. A grand undertaking, but we certainly deserve it.

On another note that made me supremely happy (ok, all things considered, just somewhat less miserable) we are being treated to a very, VERY special guest MC for the June 20th Draft Party: ESPN’s own John Buccigross. I have loved reading this man’s work for years, and his latest book “Jonsey” is one of my favorites.

Now, for all of you who have ever had burning questions about the NY Islanders but were afraid to ask, or just didn't have anyone TO ask... NOW is your chance! Whether it's a question about the glory day Islanders, present day or just hockey in general, you've got a limited window to ask away.
Check out http://nyipointblank.blogspot.com/.


There are other interesting events planned throughout this “not really” off-season for the NY Islanders, but it’s late, and I’m tired. So I’ll try again to fill you in another day.
Night all in NYIC.