{image1}"The Don and Bo Show" starring former Summerfest leader Bo Black and former Milwaukee Public Schools spokesman Don Hoffman makes its debut Saturday, April 10 on WMLW-TV (Time Warner Cable Channel 7) at 10 p.m. It will air again at 11:30 p.m. on WDJT-CBS 58. The show continues for 10 straight weeks on Saturdays.
For those who have seen Hoffman's former Emmy Award-winning show "MTG (Making the Grade)," you'll be glad to know that the same edgy style is back not to mention the production talents of Erik West and Kimberly Schwandt. The show's press material says it "promises fascinating people, compelling segments and information on what's hip and happening around Milwaukee."
For some, though, the new show breeds skepticism. Doesn't any new thing or event in Milwaukee? An ambitious bus and billboard campaign is being used to promote the show and its personalities and readers are seeing ads on OnMilwaukee.com also. Given the celebrity of Black and Hoffman, the show could be a hit. Given the celebrity of Black and Hoffman, the show could be a flop. One thing is for sure, the show will be interesting. And, if it is anything like our recent interview with the pair, it also will be a bit crazy, boisterous and amusing.
OMC: Tell us about the show.
Bo Black: How long have we been talking about doing this?
Don Hoffman: I would say that you and I have been talking about this for more than two years. To have it actually happen -- and to ride around this town and see the dozens and dozens of billboards and bus boards -- to have it actually come to fruition is amazing.
BB: I don't want to look at anything, or see any (of those billboards).
DH: As far as the show, this is the first interview we've done since the first taping and I have to say that I'm more than happy. It's really clear that there is chemistry, and there are enough elements so that even if people hate Bo or I they gotta keep coming back. It's really good TV.
BB: How can anyone hate us?
DH: There is something for everyone.
BB: I'm doing this to really have some fun. People don't know how wacko my sense of humor is. I know that I'm known as sort of out-spoken, but I really like to have fun and laugh. You gotta laugh. Milwaukee should have some fun!
OMC: People have their ideas of what a talk show is, how do you live up to these notions?
DH: This show, no matter what happens after the initial 10 episodes, is groundbreaking for several reasons. The first reason is, never before has this town seen a show that has two people who are willing to make fun of themselves and in making fun of themselves and being really honest about who they are, they are able to highlight a great city. This city needs it and deserves it -- we are at the caliber of other cities that already have a show like this -- and it just took someone with some balls and chutzpah who said, "all right, the networks are not stepping up to plate." It takes two people who are not afraid of anyone and who just want to have a hell of a lot of fun and live.
OMC: Do you watch a lot of TV?
BB: I'm a political junkie. With the Orioles, I get to go to George Wills' party with all the broadcasters and personalities. But, I had never watched "American Idol" or any of those reality shows until Steph (her daughter) told me that she was hooked. But, I watch the news shows constantly. My dog Colby, when I'm gone, we leave CNN on for him. For nine years he's been watching CNN, he's the smartest dog ever.
DH: I watch some TV, but I'm always worried that if I watch too many shows that are like what Bo and I are trying to do ... I'm afraid that subconsciously and by mistake you try to copy them. One of the things we are tying to do is to bring something to Milwaukee that it really hasn't seen.
OMC: Is Milwaukee ready for Ruthie? Talk a bit about him/her?
(For background, the show will feature a segment called "The Big Wig" with drag queen Ruthie. Author of the defunct "Dear Ruthie" column that ran in one of the city's alternative weekly newspapers for nearly 10 years, Ruthie is from the South Side of Milwaukee and has been featured in many local plays including Bialystock and Bloom's "Psycho Beach Party.")
DH: When I said that I wanted to have this drag queen, you should have looked around the table. It was like finally (the team around me) thought that my medicine had gone down or I was in the middle of a medicine shift! The reason we do something like this, is that we allow people to have fun. It's like using a comedian in a show. Here's the bottom line, it's fun.
BB: She is a comedian, and is so knowledgeable. She's hilarious. She is "Brew City" all the way.
DH: Is Milwaukee ready, I'm not sure. Her first episode will feature her preparing for Opening Day.
OMC: Bo, why are you doing this?
BB: One of the reasons that I decided to do this was that I had worked with Kim (producer Kim Schwandt.) a bit at Summerfest when we did the MPS "best of fest" with local bands. She's an enormous talent, and I really like to see young women succeed. And Erik is talented, too. It's really nice to see young people succeed.
OMC: How will you benchmark success of the show?
DH: Obviously, we'll look at the ratings since TV is ratings-driven. We'd like to see huge numbers, but this is the kind of show that will start off slowly and gain momentum. We have commitment to 10 shows. Ratings are missing the boat a bit though, since this is about doing something new, good and different for Milwaukee. Local television is supposed to do something local.
BB: This city's self image has gotten better. But many still don't appreciate Milwaukee. Until people stop this (attitude) and say "we live in a really cool city" ... things won't change. Hopefully we can help with this in our first 10 episodes.
OMC: What can people expect, any juicy gossip?
DH: I think it's fair to say that people should watch the first two episodes. There will be some fantastic flair and fable about us including Bo's famed 1967 pictorial review. I'm not interested in using this show to grind axes, neither is Bo. But, I've been through a lot in my 10 years in this city. I will share experiences.
BB: The two things that I do want to get out in these episodes. If I can help other women succeed, great. Two, I've had a serious health problem and I continue to work hard. I'll use this vehicle to have some fun, and to help young people and Milwaukee grow.
OMC: What are two things that you could change about Milwaukee.
DH: Education in this city really needs to be a priority, not a campaign sound bite. We can't be afraid to find real innovative ways to education. We also need to figure out a way, as time goes by, to really work together to find ways to come together on common ground. I would like to see more collaboration. I'd like for people to put aside personal feelings that they might have ... and really try to work together. In huge cities people do this.
Bo and Don's new gig debuts Saturday, April 10 on WMLW (Time Warner Cable channel 7) at 10 p.m. and at 11:30 p.m. on WDJT-CBS 58.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
