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Ted Williams - Editorial Opinion

J

jefflaurence

Well everyone knows him now..Certainly a lot more than know me...and now rising up from the bottom of the swamp (as most knew would eventually occur) comes a lot of reasons why. Seems (according to the link below) Mr. Williams may have been "clean and sober" for the past 2 years or so, but not alltogether living a humble life striving to do the "next right thing" I find it kind of unnerving that he is constantly spouting AA phrases, and reminding everyone that he is "in recovery". IMHO this is not something that one ought to use as a banner. My opinion is that it should be used as a tool-kit to live a good life, and do right by others as well as yourself...and as quietly as possible.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/celebrity/meet-felon-golden-voice

Let's see..as recently as July..stealing from cars..peeing on commercial buildings..possible involvement in prostitution..not one of the 12 steps as far as I know. Frankly it doesn't appear that the lack of drugs and liquor has altered his daily behavior much. Am I being too judgmental here? If so I apologize...but c'mon 12 mugshots? That's a lot of "second chances"

Again..I would thrill to see all of this new found attention change him, and move him in the direction of a better life for himself and his (extensive) family. Something like 9 children..and several grand children. Perhaps they can use some support from Ted's new found fortunes? MAybe some of that KRAFT Mac and Cheese money will pay off his outstanding warrants.

Nobody here should be professionally jealous upfront..Sure it's a "why him, and not me" kind of world..but the same could be said for someone who wins the lottery. A few do..most don't and they all claim it SHOULD have been them...and many times that lottery windfall can cause damage to families, friendships and careers. We hear about it all the time. Again I am hopeful that after this all dies down in the next few days things will simmer down for him, and he can restart with an eye towards sincere moderation and humility..then he can do 50 and 100 dollar spots like the rest of us, and work on a real career path.

My guess is that after all this baggage becomes well publicized, organizations like the Cavaliers, and MSNBC will have to rethink how this behavior might reflect poorly on thier respecive brands.

Just sayin'
 
One of my favorite ZZ Top songs from my days in AOR/Classic rock is "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide." It came to mind after I read the Smoking Gun feature on Ted Williams. I laughed. Your opinion post is more than fairly stated, Jeff.

Who knows.

With a rap sheet like that published by the Smoking Gun, maybe Williams is better suited for a sidekick gig on a Morning Zoo, Showgram or Circus. He appears genuinely humble and overwhelmed by the whirlwind. Who wouldn't be. Maybe he can't wait till all the cameras go away and leave him alone. He did the intro Wednesday for the opening of the Today Show. Isn't that an AFTRA or SAG gig? Was he given a waiver? Is he now a member? Does it matter? I dunno.

Reportedly, NFL Films wants to sign Williams. Stunning. I remember the NFL Films days of John Facenda and the guy who mentored a lot of people in Buffalo, Jeff Kaye. Will we hear Ted Williams intone "the silver snowflakes danced across the field... the temperature haltingly reached five degrees as large men prepared to perform a bone crushing ballet for the right to claim the Lombardi Trophy." Will we hear the inflection, intonation and delivery of those great masters who came before him or audio hanging chad from a guy with a great set of pipes who's just reading copy. I dunno.

The real test comes 13 to 26 weeks from now when some of his big contracts expire or when the Cavs-minus-LeBron, 8-27 at the time of this writing, can't get arrested and their arena has the sound of Adobe's "Large Empty Gymnasium" setting.

I felt good for the Williams. I still think he has the media momentum to do good things for those who have nothing. But as you justifiably note, there are questions to ponder.

The spotlight will become brighter and harsher than ever. We know how the media works (Hell, we are/were the media.) The media cycle is 24/7/52 and delights in building up just to tear down.

The first time Williams is spotted at some chichi eatery or watering hole, the jig is up. Camera crews will perch on his lawn and follow him around not with today's giddy delight, but with a bullwhip. I hope he's prepared. I hope he doesn't have an entourage of people who suck him dry. I hope he has good physical and psychological advisers as well as ethical legal counsel. I hope the advertising world, now giddy with their new found sensation, reverts to a sense of stability or whatever stability it may have had before "Homeless Man With Golden Voice" hit You Tube.

It's just a matter of time before a sense of normalcy returns and the stalwarts who have been grunting and hustling for business get back their business. And could it be that advertisers and clients, because of all the attention given to Ted, will come to realize that a professional announcer with a good delivery does a better job voicing commercials than Eddie Domshitzki , owner of Eddies Ten Minute Oil & Lube, might be able to offer?

Again. I dunno.
 
Let's remember that the voice of Chevrolet and Campbell's soup was once in prison for cocaine trafficking. That, of course, is Tim Allen. Lighten up and give Ted a break.
 
What station/s did he used to work for? Any airchecks floating around out there?
 
I know that he worked at WJMO-AM/Cleveland as well as 2-3 stations in Columbus. Not sure of the NYC area station either. Allegedly in the 80s.

Valid point about Tim Allen. However, he paid his dues with jail time, etc and went on to become a citizen of value. Difference between Tim and Ted... Ted hasn't learned his lesson after 12 mugshots. He was on the streets in the same town as his kids. Yet, he didn't live with any of the adult children. Why do you suppose? I'm all for a leg up, a second (or third or even fourth) chance. A gig in line with his experience/skill set? Yes. But the red carpet? Not warranted. Being offered VO gigs that he never was offered when he was in the business? No. If he auditioned blindly like most of us he'd never have gotten the Kraft gig.

Joe Cip invited him to L.A. Good for Joe. Class act. Joe (and Randy Thomas) welcome Ted to the Don LaFontaine VO Lab. Airs tonight (Monday 1-10) on The Insider and ET. I'm sure JC will hook Ted up with coaches and producers... the best available to produce a demo or two. Fine... but I don't agree with it. He hasn't earned it. The Cavs gig? Cool. A radio jock offer. Great. But to be taken in and GIVEN national commercials, etc etc... Ridiculous.

Hadn't heard about the NFL Films offer. The late Harry Kalas took over for Facenda years ago. I think Nick Michaels would do well for NFL Films. When I was with CC he voiced many a NFL Films type of promo. No one is Facenda... but read wise Nick is close.
 
I totally agree with VO Dood, and these people like Kraft, et al who are giving him these gigs aren't doing him any favors in the long run..once these companies have gotten their positive publicity out of him, Ted will become old news, and have to compete for gigs like the rest of us....my honest assesment of him? great pipes, but his technique needs A LOT of work.

Maybe with guidance from guys like Joe Cipriano, he'll get better, I just hope the fall back to reality doesn't drive him back to his old ways
 
50-50 chance that Ted will blow his 15 minutes of fame, and that's too bad because he could or should use that money to support his many children and the mother of his children. Can he be counted on to show up for work on time? Once this all starts being work, and not fun glorification by the media, we'll see. With money in his pocket, will he need help not to fall back on drugs and booze? Will it be hard for him to stay humble if he gets heady with success?
 
Here's a post by Beau Weaver, longtime national voice talent, on his Facebook page today.

Here is the release from Ted's handlers:

TED WILLIAMS; THE MAN WITH THE "GOLDEN VOICE" Official Tour Cancellation

Columbus, Ohio – Al Battle, CEO of Battle Plan Promotions has announced the official cancellation of all interviews, and media appearances, for Mr. Ted Williams, allowing him the chance to decompress, rest, and get the professional help that he needs."After consulting with several psychologist and doctors we all agree that it time to allow private healing to take place. Ted would like to express his sincere thanks for all the love and support he has received," stated Battle.We want to reassure everyone that Ted's emotional and physical health is our first priority. The Battle Plan Promotions Team is working hard to set up a solid network of support and assistance when he returns home.We are asking the local, national and international community to embrace and welcome Ted home to a safe, stress free, and supportive environment.

________________________________

Beau comments...

I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that Ted's "manager" has come to his senses. They had him jumping through hoops like a trained seal. This would be an emotional roller coaster for a media savy guy with many years of sobriety......for Ted, this media feeding frenzy could kill him.

When I met with him, I told him privately that the "miracle" is not that he is in Hollywood on national television. The miracle is that he is sober.....and that if he does not make that his number one priority, he will lose everything he has gained. He agreed enthusiastically when I asked if I could take him away from the circus to get him to a 12 step meeting, and a reality check. I made arrangements with his handlers for several meetings, but they changed plans each time. I just could not get him away from the entourage.

After the altercation at the hotel, the execs at Entertainment Tonight, advised by sister show's Dr Phil, agreed that all this attention this was potentially disastrous for Ted. So it was agreed that they would pull the plug, and get Ted into a residential rehab, to help him find his footing.

It was with many reservations that my colleagues at the Don LaFontaine Voice Over Lab decided to get involved with Ted. We did not want to just "jump on the bandwagon." But, knowing that the media feeding frenzy would soon end, we wanted to establish an ongoing relationship with Ted, so that he might have some friends in the industry to help him negotiate waters that are treacherous for stable people, let alone someone in a fragile recovery state. We will continue to reach out to him when he has found his equilibrium once again.

Thanks to so many facebook friends who have sent messages of support, good wishes, and offers to continue to hold him up in prayer.

Ted is a sweet, good hearted man. He is not a Saint. But he deserves a shot at redemption like all of us.

I am continuing to expect a good outcome
 
Beau is a gentleman and a compassionate soul to really get it. I read unfortunately that Ted indeed may have been "slipping" and even if not true, one with a few years of recovery behind him might just see all that and say "what the hell..might as well" so the true concerned populus out there that are sincerely tying to help are to be commended.

What is sad is that apparently his own daughter has such resentments that she felt it her duty to go public and enumerate his alleged shopping list of liquor ordered as recently as last week. His family may turn out to be the biggest stumbling block here. Ted is set to get help, and this time he will have alot more support than ever. If sobriety doesn't stick it wont be for lack of trying.

Kudos to Beau Weaver and the LaFontaine VO lab folks.
 
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