August - September 2002 Edition 

Reality Check    A new TV show Reality Check debuted on Channel 66 this Summer.    Hosted by the fast paced Lloyd Dorfman, the show is co-produced by Fair Lawn Creative Cable and Fair Lawn News   Dorfman said, "There are so many people who have great stories to tell as residents and business owners. We've found them, we want you to meet them and have a little fun along the way."   Candice Vivino, the show’s producer said she was delighted how the first show turned out.  “I loved it.  It showed a real sense of Fair Lawn as a community which was the goal of the show.”   The first guests were Phil Plotch, editor of Fair Lawn News who talked about the Fair Lawn News web site and showed pictures of the gum wall (See article).   Vivino and Dorfman hope to bring Plotch back to future shows and bring on contributors to Fair Lawn News such as the Kitchen Elf.   Dorfman said “I am looking all over town in Fair Lawn to uncover slices of the real Fair Lawn.”  Like the Tonight Show, Reality Check had a musical guest on its first show – hot dog vendor / harmonica playing Smokin Jim Gianonne.   Dorfman said he’s excited about getting the Kitchen Elf on his show, because she’s like the Martha Stewart of Fair Lawn (without the big contracts and big headaches).  Dorfman said “I was definitely shaking a bit for the first show, but I expect to feel a lot more comfortable in front of the camera next time”.   Dorfman also did a segment at Ray Anthony’s Hair Stylist.  Vivino said “We are looking to spotlight people, not businesses.  We chose Ray Anthony because his family has been cutting hair in Fair Lawn for over 50 years; we showed pictures of his Dad, a silent movie star, who started the salon.   Participants on the Fair Lawn News Discussion Forum gave the show mixed reviews for their first effort. The posts ranged from “I thought it was refreshing” to “I never thought I'd want Electric Football or a test pattern so bad”.         Volunteers Helping Behind the Scenes.  The producer, Candice Vivino  oversaw the lighting, sound, cameras, set design, scheduling guests and studio time.  Vivino said that Rose Angela Klingler, the Associate Producer, will start to take over production for the show, soon.  Dorfman said Klinger's assistance was invaluable, "she did everything from scheduling to babysitting my kids."    There were three camera people for first show:  Dana Reubin, Stephanie Pilenyi, and Kath Heytink.   While the show was being taped, Vivino sat in a Control Room where she chose which camera’s output went onto the videotape and directed the sound person (Bob Weiner) who was adjusting the levels of the five microphones.   Kath Heytink designed the opening graphics -- Dorfman stealing books from Dolly Messing’s bag in front of the library, hanging out from the windows of the Radburn Building, checking his watch against the clock in the tower, and lying on the tracks by the train station.       Note: Mr. Neidenberg is a talented local writer looking for a job. If you have a job tip for him, send an e- mail to chrisneidenberg@hotmail.com