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CLEAR CHANNEL'S GREG ASHLOCK PICKS CLEAR CHANNEL'S ELLEN K FOR HOLLYWOOD STAR

D

Dave Atonement

Bad enough that last year nobody in LA Radio was deemed "worthy" to receive a coveted Star on the Hollywood Blvd. walk of fame. At the time this oversight was mainly attributed to the fact that not a single person from the Radio biz was even part of the nominating process. So in its infinite wisdom, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce "fixed" that problem by naming Clear Channel's market manager Greg Ashlock to the voting committee to decide this year's recipients. Lo and behold, when the new winners were announced this morning, Radio was indeed represented -- by none other than Clear Channel's Ellen K. Gee, what a complete utter surprise!

Can anyone spell "Conflict-Of-Interest"? Obviously, with the elevation of Ashlock to the powerful position of being Radio's sole representative on the deliberating panel, The Fix was clearly in from the beginning.

And in the unlikely event anyone is still unsure where that peculiar rotten stench was coming from this morning, anyone with a working sense of smell (and/or ethics) would have no difficulty whatsoever in tracing the whole thing back to its point of origin: a straight line, running all the way from Hollywood Blvd. directly to 3400 W. Olive in Burbank.

Too bad about all the clearly superior LA air talents who might have deserved a chance at their very own star along the Hollywood "Walk Of Fame," but -- unless they were Clear Channel employees -- they obviously never had a chance from the beginning.
 
Ellen can be in a new wing (or street) on the Hollywood walk of fame - "Sidekick Alley".

Cause you know how many times you tune into a great show to see or hear the sidekick.

Somewhere, Ed McMahon wholeheartedly approves.
 
So how much does a Hollywood Star go for these days? Last time i heard it was 40k...nomination commitee...whatever.
 
At one time I had believed that getting a star on Hollywood Boulevard had some sort credibility and was a real honor. But after being at least peripherally involved with the process to have a local deceased celebrity so "honored" while living in San Fernando I found out the truth. I have no idea what the dollar value is these days but there is a lot of politics involved as well.

Bill Handel got his star even before Mr. Ashlock got in on the nominating process so it is more the politics overall than one person in particular.

In any event if there is anyone who thinks that any of these so called awards or honors are anymore than industry hype and PR butt smooching then I've got a deal on a bridge just for them.
 
Can anyone name the afternoon oldies DJ who has been shamelessly lobbying for years to get his own star? I don't know what's worse, cronyism allows a lightweight like Ellen K to get a star or the brazen begging to get your own.
 
canyouhearmenow said:
Can anyone name the afternoon oldies DJ who has been shamelessly lobbying for years to get his own star? I don't know what's worse, cronyism allows a lightweight like Ellen K to get a star or the brazen begging to get your own.
Click to expand...

I can guess the person to whom you refer and he is not on a Clear Channel station but also deserves a star over Ellen K or Bill Handel for that matter. But as I've said it is not merit that gets you there anymore, if it ever did. It is cronyism, and money, and politics.
 
As in any professional competition for a high-profile award like this, I'm sure there's a lengthy application process involved -- dealing with a bunch of prima donnas like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce hardly seems like a mission for the faint-hearted.

Also, this being Hollywood (babe!), anyone who lacks a certain healthy level of ego probably wouldn't have made it very far in this business in the first place.

But if our previous poster is referring to who I think you are, then your use of derogatory terms like "shamelessly" and "begging" is, almost certainly, grossly overstating it. Not to mention being more than just a little unfair!

Actually, I can't think of one single person currently on the air in Los Angeles, who's more deserving of being recognized with a star on Hollywood Blvd., than the one & only Shotgun Tom. Not just in recognition for being an outstanding radio talent, but in all the other areas they probably look for as well...name recognition & visibility, longevity on the air, plus important areas like community involvement, and a proven track record of public service (like hosting the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon every year for several decades, among many other achievements over the years).

(Then there's the ability to attract a sponsor or two, willing to pay the relentlessly mercenary Hollywood Chamber's exorbitant application fee -- that probably counts for something too, doncha think?!)
 
That's interesting..."The ability to attract a sponsor or two,"....hmm. I think what you are trying to say but are not, is that people have to pay big money to get their star on. It's pay to play. First you lobby, then you have to pay....a lot more than just the physical cost..

And with regards to the renowned DJ, did you know that said DJ asked Dick Clark and many others with juice to write letters on his behalf to get a star? Well, you do now.
 
Well, I actually don't see anything wrong with Shotgun lobbying for his star as getting those with a little more power and sway is quite normal. It has been pointed out that Shotgun Tom Kelly has used his position to give back to the community and is very visible in public service. That, along with working in radio for many decades.

As for getting a star on the Walk of Fame, among the other things mentioned here, where you want your star to sit, or what position on the sidewalk the committee assigns to you, you usually have to get formal support and in many cases direct sponsorship from the building owner where to have your star placed outside in front of their building. -I've heard, unsurprisingly, more than a few stories these owners get "greased palms" for sponsoring certain stars.

It's life in Hollywood, what more would you expect?
 
Exactly correct, in terms of How Things Work. Obviously lots of politics involved in the nomination and selection process for this, also lots of promotion (i.e. salesmanship), if you really hope to pull it off. Remember what they tell young sales personages is the most important thing about selling: don't forget to ask for the order. Nothing at all "brazen" and/or "shameless" about that.

I looked up the "Official" Hollywood (TM) Chamber Of Commerce Walk-Of-Fame (TM) info page. Sounds like the application process ranges from very precise, to very demanding if not downright tedious. But, why not find out for yourself? Perhaps you'd like to apply for your own Star on Hollywood Blvd. to be awarded in next year's round of Bestowals? Be my guest!
http://www.walkoffame.com/media/walkoffamenomination.pdf

Two things you should know: You must promise to appear personally at your Star's dedication ceremony, also the cost is $30,000*.


*"subject to change without notice"
 
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