Contest and Voting Kick Off Nationally On-Air and
Online at ABC.Com, Live, Monday, November 15
A unique turn of events finds producers of ABC’s “The View” shining a spotlight on select members of their crew for a special backstage “hidden talent” competition – from Elvis impersonator to piano player – kicking off live, MONDAY, NOV. 15. Each of the five participants will be showcased in a :45 submission clip, shown one per day on-air, Monday, Nov. 15 – Friday, Nov. 19, with viewing and voting opportunity on the show’s official website, abc.com/theview. Online voting ends Sunday, Nov. 21 and the grand-prize winner will be announced live, Monday, Nov. 22. The winner will then perform his/her winning material on “The View,” Friday, Nov. 26.
The list of contestants is as follows:
Darcy Bowman, originally from Charlotte, NC, is a promo editor for “The View.” Darcy’s vast experience in television has lent itself to developing odd quirks, for example crying like an infant and cursing with her mouth closed. These techniques were honed from working closely with her producer, Bernadette Piccolomini, who developed the same quirks. Darcy also enjoys yoga, whistling and knitting sweaters, but especially knitting body parts.
Brian Connolly, from Long Island, NY, currently serves as head carpenter at “The View.” He has been with the show since its debut on ABC. For the past 25 years he has been part of a 10-piece band who currently perform with “The Rhythm Kings.” This married father of three entertains audiences throughout the New York-Metropolitan area as a singing piano player in piano bars, nightclubs, weddings and special events. Additionally, Brian also writes, arranges and performs some of his own original material.
Tom Diaco is a 32-year-old Italian American who is a life-long resident of Scarsdale, NY. Besides engineering on “The View,” he has his own production company and is an avid photographer and cinematographer. Each day on “The View” he works with various camera systems such as the Steady Cam or Jib. A fascination with Elvis started when he was 12-years-old, and he has performed at the 20th anniversary concert at Graceland, at weddings and in music videos. Like his idol, Elvis, Tom strives always to be the “best of the best.”
Michael Glazer hails from Oldbridge, NJ and currently resides in Bedminster. He has been an audio engineer/producer making records, doing live sound and broadcast television for many years. Michael has had the opportunity to sit across the console (and behind the console) with/for many talented artists, writers and producers. He has also worked in news television at ABC, CNN and MSNBC. Michael hails from a musical family. His grandfather was in Vaudeville and his grandmother taught voice and piano in her home. His music projects have included the Grungy Bunnies (his college band), Swill, OverC’s (his very brief stint on guitar opening for Guster in Boston) and as a singer/songwriter. In addition he was nominated for a few Asbury Park Music awards.
Eric Kendra is from Great Meadows, NJ and has a wonderful wife of 19 years and a 14-year-old son. Eric has won two Daytime Emmy Awards while working on “The View,” where he has been since the show debuted 14 years ago. In addition to composing piano music, he also enjoys brewing beer when he is not running camera.
Bernadette Piccolomini hails from Menominee, MI and currently resides in NYC. She is the promo producer for “The View.” Bernadette learned to cry like an infant and curse with her mouth closed from her editor, Darcy Bowman. During down time in the edit room they developed these irksome techniques to amuse themselves. Bernadette also mimics the musical sounds of a trumpet, as well as expertly mocking people with irritating British accents.
“The View” features Daytime Emmy Award-winning hosts Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd. It’s the original forum in which real women discuss everyday issues, share their opinions and engage in colorful conversations. “The View,” broadcast in HDTV and produced in 2-channel stereo sound, is now available to watch online daily at 4:00 p.m., ET/1:00 p.m., PT on the ABC Digital Full Episode Player at ABC.com. “The View” is produced by ABC Daytime and Ms. Walters’ Barwall Productions, with Ms. Walters serving as executive producer along with Bill Geddie, who also serves as executive producer for “The Barbara Walters Specials.” “The View” is directed by Mark Gentile.
For breaking news and updated videos follow “The View” (@theviewtv) and hosts Barbara Walters (@BarbaraJWalters), Joy Behar (@JoyVBehar), Elisabeth Hasselbeck (@ehasselbeck) and Sherri Shepherd (@SherriEShepherd) on Twitter.(tm)