Brooklyn Diocese: Currents Studio Collapses

The holidays often bring with it unexpected disasters. In this case I received this horrible note from our friend and fellow blogger Deacon Greg Kandra, who I often refer to on this blog as "the good deacon." Deacon Greg recently left CBS TV where he worked for many years to take over a budding new TV operation with the Brooklyn Diocese at Net TV as their news director. He has been producing a show called Currents on the diocese's NET TV (New Evangelization Television). As opposed to many other efforts in "Catholic TV" Currents' set looked extremely professional and their staff were the consummate broadcasters. Read below and be heartbroken.

(Here) you see a photograph taken on the afternoon of Tues, Dec 22, of what remains of our beautiful studio.

At 3 o'clock, just as we were set to start taping the show, the anchors and I were chatting in the studio, going over copy, when we heard a loud "thump" on the roof. Must be reindeer, someone joked. Ha ha. We got ready to start and we heard a louder THUMP, and the lighting grid began to tremble and groan, and it looked for all the world like the roof was about to cave in. "Get out!," one of the technical directors yelled. We scrambled, grabbed our things, and streamed out into the parking lot. No one could figure out what was going on. Someone called 911 and the fire crew went in and looked around. The rest of the grid had started to come down right after we fled the building. Part of the interview set was damaged. Fortunately no camera equipment was hit. It was a miracle no one was hurt.

Long story short: the studio is out of commission for about three months. Maybe longer.

We're figuring out a Plan B for continuing to tape "Currents" in the new year.

I'm not one to solicit funds often, and Deacon Greg is probably too proud to ask for this himself. So if you've got a Christmas shekel to spare, drop them a donation here.

Tonight on Net TV...Once Again...

is me.

I did an iWitness segment with them on my ministry to young adults. I was quite moved by some of the questions so check it out by going to NetTV.net. And if you didn't see our cast of characters from the Busted Halo Cast and our editor in chief Bill McGarvey check out this episode from a few weeks back.

Tonight on Net TV...

is me. I believe! Rumor has it that I will appear on the show Currents along with my colleagues Fr Dave Dwyer, CSP and Brittany Janis doing our weekly podcast. Matt McClure (pictured here with co-anchor Tai Hernandez) comes by and plays a role on the podcast where we explore Angels and Demons.

No, not the movie--actual Angels and Demons.

It was a fun time taping and I'm sure that it'll be a great show to watch.

Tonight at 7:30 or 11:30 on netny.net

Pics from Deacon Greg

Deacon Greg has posted pictures of my recent visit to the Studio over at New Evangelization TV--where he serves as the news director. Rather than steal them, just jump over to The Deacon's Bench and give them a look-see! I don't even look fat!



We barely scratch the surface on ministering to youth and young adults but I liked the segment and thought we gave a good overview. Matt McClure (pictured right) was an excellent anchor for the segment, which I can say as a former media person. He comes to the station from Atlanta and they made fun of the fact that he doesn't yet have a desk--he's using a fold out table at this point. I said to him, "Well at least you got a nice Mac computer." Nice guy with a great sense of humor. Welcome to the Big Apple Matt.

The show is scheduled to run June 10th.

Net TV: Currents

I made a guest appearance on the Brooklyn Diocese's new television venture NetTV today. The show will air on June 10 tentatively and I discussed young people and their practice of faith with the Diocese's standout young adult faith formation director Marilyn Santos.

But you don't have to wait that long to tune in to currents. Check them out on the web or just watch this compilation.



The set is beautiful and I wish I had brought my camera with me because they had a lovely chapel where I'm sure they will go and relax and pray often as there is a lot of work to be done. Deacon Greg Kandra of blog fame is the acclaimed news director and he is just so excited to be part of this new and exciting venture.

We'll be getting a clip from them soon and Deacon Greg took some pictures--so I'll steal them from him later.

I think it went well--but I kept the makeup artist in business with my shiny crome dome.

BTW--if you're in the Youngstown, Ohio area, I'll be speaking at their First Friday club (which ironically meets on Thursday) this week...so come on by.