Cat Greenleaf
WNBC
Mentor: Jeffrey Gurian
Cat Greenleaf serves as lifestyle contributor for WNBC, providing human-interest reports for
the station’s morning program “Today In New York” and other News 4 New York programs. Her
amazing reports are also featured on NBC’s owned and operated television stations and the
weekend NBC “Today” show.
Prior to joining WNBC, Greenleaf worked at NYC-TV, where she served as entertainment
correspondent for “NY360” and hosted and produced various programs for the station
including, “On The Prowl with Cat Greenleaf” (a weekly series on the culture and characters of
New York City); “9.99” (a guide to spending under $10 a day in the city); and “Backdrop NYC”
(a showcase for independent films made in New York).
Greenleaf hosted The Travel Channel’s “Vacation Home Search” and “Chasing History Home.”
She was also a daily roving craft reporter on the DiY Network’s “Craftlab.”
WNBC
Mentor: Jeffrey Gurian
Cat Greenleaf serves as lifestyle contributor for WNBC, providing human-interest reports for
the station’s morning program “Today In New York” and other News 4 New York programs. Her
amazing reports are also featured on NBC’s owned and operated television stations and the
weekend NBC “Today” show.
Prior to joining WNBC, Greenleaf worked at NYC-TV, where she served as entertainment
correspondent for “NY360” and hosted and produced various programs for the station
including, “On The Prowl with Cat Greenleaf” (a weekly series on the culture and characters of
New York City); “9.99” (a guide to spending under $10 a day in the city); and “Backdrop NYC”
(a showcase for independent films made in New York).
Greenleaf hosted The Travel Channel’s “Vacation Home Search” and “Chasing History Home.”
She was also a daily roving craft reporter on the DiY Network’s “Craftlab.”
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Robert George
New York Post
Mentor: Gladys Simon
Robert A. George is an incredible editorial writer for the New York Post and an occasional
stand-up comic and improv performer.
He is a former Senior Writer for Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Coalitions Director
for the Republican National Committee.
His written work includes contributions to National Review, Reason, The New Republic and
The American Conservative. He also operates Ragged Thots and contributes to the Political
Capital blog.
New York Post
Mentor: Gladys Simon
Robert A. George is an incredible editorial writer for the New York Post and an occasional
stand-up comic and improv performer.
He is a former Senior Writer for Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Coalitions Director
for the Republican National Committee.
His written work includes contributions to National Review, Reason, The New Republic and
The American Conservative. He also operates Ragged Thots and contributes to the Political
Capital blog.
Wendy Gillette
CBS News
Mentor: Bernadette Pauley & Al Ducharme
Wendy Gilletteis a phenomenal television reporter and anchor with more than 10 years
experience. She currently freelance reports for CBS NewsPath, providing reports for all the
CBS affiliates in the country, News 12 Long Island and News 12 Westchester. She is also an
anchor for News 12. She received her bachelor's degree from Rutgers College and her
master's degree from Boston University.
CBS News
Mentor: Bernadette Pauley & Al Ducharme
Wendy Gilletteis a phenomenal television reporter and anchor with more than 10 years
experience. She currently freelance reports for CBS NewsPath, providing reports for all the
CBS affiliates in the country, News 12 Long Island and News 12 Westchester. She is also an
anchor for News 12. She received her bachelor's degree from Rutgers College and her
master's degree from Boston University.
Rob Hoell
WPIX
Mentor: Billy Bingo
Rob Hoell joined the CW11 News Team in 2005 as the Long Island reporter for the CW11
news at Ten. Since that time he has been honored with 2 FOLIO awards for his outstanding
reporting and a New York Press Club Award for Best Anticipated New Story for his coverage
of "Flight 800 Ten Years Later."
Hoell grew up on Long Island and has been covering news there since the late 90's. He got
his start at WLNY and worked for News 12 Long Island and Westchester.
Hoell graduated from New York Institute of Technology with a Masters Degree in
communications. He lives in Nassau County, where he enjoys sailing with his wife and 2
children.
WPIX
Mentor: Billy Bingo
Rob Hoell joined the CW11 News Team in 2005 as the Long Island reporter for the CW11
news at Ten. Since that time he has been honored with 2 FOLIO awards for his outstanding
reporting and a New York Press Club Award for Best Anticipated New Story for his coverage
of "Flight 800 Ten Years Later."
Hoell grew up on Long Island and has been covering news there since the late 90's. He got
his start at WLNY and worked for News 12 Long Island and Westchester.
Hoell graduated from New York Institute of Technology with a Masters Degree in
communications. He lives in Nassau County, where he enjoys sailing with his wife and 2
children.
Tasha Harris
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
STAGE TIME
Tasha Harris is the founding editor of STAGE TIME, a leading online publication that covers
the craft and business of stand-up comedy. Best known for her revealing interviews and
acerbic commentary, she has established herself as one of the most outspoken comedy
critics. Harris was the former news editor of Two Drink Minimum and a contributing writer to
The Comic Bible. She also serves as the comedy editor of Talent in Motion magazine and is
credited for expanding the magazine's coverage of comedy and creating a new award
category, best comedian for their annual Timmy Awards.
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
STAGE TIME
Tasha Harris is the founding editor of STAGE TIME, a leading online publication that covers
the craft and business of stand-up comedy. Best known for her revealing interviews and
acerbic commentary, she has established herself as one of the most outspoken comedy
critics. Harris was the former news editor of Two Drink Minimum and a contributing writer to
The Comic Bible. She also serves as the comedy editor of Talent in Motion magazine and is
credited for expanding the magazine's coverage of comedy and creating a new award
category, best comedian for their annual Timmy Awards.
Ryan McCormick
Executive Producer
Ryan McCormick is President of Rising Sun Public Relations and Publicity Manager of
the New York Underground Comedy Festival (since 2004). McCormick's unique
relationship with the media stems from the fact that he is one of them at heart.
McCormick is a former CBS Producer, Editor for Long Island Business News, and
Production Assistant for K-ROCK radio. He also penned articles for a number of
publications ranging from the New York Post to Good Times Magazine.
In 2005, McCormick was named one of PR News' "15 to Watch" and in 2006 he became
the Comic Strip Live's first publicist in over 20-years. In June 2008, McCormick planned
and orchestrated the Comic Strip Live's Guinness World Record for "The Longest Stand
Up Comedy Show In History." He worked 50 straight hours on the event along side Sean
McCarthy - both setting their own Guinness World Records in the process.
Ryan has produced New York's Funniest Reporter Show since it's inception, and always
seems to be having an unbelievable day.
Executive Producer
Ryan McCormick is President of Rising Sun Public Relations and Publicity Manager of
the New York Underground Comedy Festival (since 2004). McCormick's unique
relationship with the media stems from the fact that he is one of them at heart.
McCormick is a former CBS Producer, Editor for Long Island Business News, and
Production Assistant for K-ROCK radio. He also penned articles for a number of
publications ranging from the New York Post to Good Times Magazine.
In 2005, McCormick was named one of PR News' "15 to Watch" and in 2006 he became
the Comic Strip Live's first publicist in over 20-years. In June 2008, McCormick planned
and orchestrated the Comic Strip Live's Guinness World Record for "The Longest Stand
Up Comedy Show In History." He worked 50 straight hours on the event along side Sean
McCarthy - both setting their own Guinness World Records in the process.
Ryan has produced New York's Funniest Reporter Show since it's inception, and always
seems to be having an unbelievable day.
Sean McCarthy
The Comic's Comic
Mentor: Macio
In 2007, Sean L. McCarthy brought down the house and won the 2nd Annual New York's
Funniest Reporter Show. The creator of the Comic's Comic (an explosively popular blog about
all things comedy) has written about comedy for the New York Daily News, Entertainment
Weekly, the Boston Herald and other publications.
Before that, he also worked as a professional stand-up and improv comedian, opening for
many comedians you know and some you don't know but should. In June 2008, McCarthy
defied nature by blogging all 50 hours of the Comic Strip Live's Guinness World Record
"Longest Stand Up Comedy Show in History" event.
The Comic's Comic
Mentor: Macio
In 2007, Sean L. McCarthy brought down the house and won the 2nd Annual New York's
Funniest Reporter Show. The creator of the Comic's Comic (an explosively popular blog about
all things comedy) has written about comedy for the New York Daily News, Entertainment
Weekly, the Boston Herald and other publications.
Before that, he also worked as a professional stand-up and improv comedian, opening for
many comedians you know and some you don't know but should. In June 2008, McCarthy
defied nature by blogging all 50 hours of the Comic Strip Live's Guinness World Record
"Longest Stand Up Comedy Show in History" event.
Laurel Touby
Founder & Senior Vice President
mediabistro.com
Show Judge
Laurel Touby started her career at Young & Rubicam, in the Media Planning department,
back when there was one! After three years trying to break into the Creative Department at
Y&R, she busted out of the Ad Agency business for good. After a long stint as a journalist
(working for everyone from Working Woman Magazine to Business Week to New York
Magazine), she launched her business, mediabistro.com.
The original idea for mediabistro.com was cooked up in 1993, when Touby -- who was still
contributing to Glamour magazine at the time -- and a friend decided to host a mixer for
media people. The parties quickly grew, and soon Touby had 4,000 of New York's top media
talent on her email list. After creating a web site in 1997 and adding features such as job
listings, bulletin boards, classes, e-classes, and a freelance marketplace, Touby's business
began to take off. Today, 700,000 media professionals have registered for various
mediabistro.com services around the world. Users log upwards of 7 million page views a
month.
Founder & Senior Vice President
mediabistro.com
Show Judge
Laurel Touby started her career at Young & Rubicam, in the Media Planning department,
back when there was one! After three years trying to break into the Creative Department at
Y&R, she busted out of the Ad Agency business for good. After a long stint as a journalist
(working for everyone from Working Woman Magazine to Business Week to New York
Magazine), she launched her business, mediabistro.com.
The original idea for mediabistro.com was cooked up in 1993, when Touby -- who was still
contributing to Glamour magazine at the time -- and a friend decided to host a mixer for
media people. The parties quickly grew, and soon Touby had 4,000 of New York's top media
talent on her email list. After creating a web site in 1997 and adding features such as job
listings, bulletin boards, classes, e-classes, and a freelance marketplace, Touby's business
began to take off. Today, 700,000 media professionals have registered for various
mediabistro.com services around the world. Users log upwards of 7 million page views a
month.
Dylan Gadino
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Punchline Magazine
COMING SOON!
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Punchline Magazine
COMING SOON!
Ellis Henican
Newsday / Fox News
Mentor: Jim Mendrinos & Geno Bisconte
Ellis Henican is a staff columnist for Newsday, an electrifying political analyst at the Fox News
Channel and the voice of “Stormy Waters” on the prime-time Cartoon Network series, Sealab
2021.
Henican’s award-winning newspaper column -- a personal, opinionated look at the news of the
day – appears in the paper’s front section every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Before taking
on his current assignment, Henican wrote Newsday’s subway column, leading the paper to a
Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Union Square train wreck.
At Fox, Henican appears frequently on “The O’Reilly Factor,” “Hannity & Colmes,” “Fox &
Friends” and many of the network’s other programs. He also fills in as a guest host. Fox viewers
know Henican for his lively take on the news and for dissecting complex issues in an engaging,
understandable way.
His work has been recognized with the Meyer Berger Award for Distinguished Writing About
New York City, the National Clarion Award for Column Writing and shares of two Pulitzer Prizes
for spot news.
Newsday / Fox News
Mentor: Jim Mendrinos & Geno Bisconte
Ellis Henican is a staff columnist for Newsday, an electrifying political analyst at the Fox News
Channel and the voice of “Stormy Waters” on the prime-time Cartoon Network series, Sealab
2021.
Henican’s award-winning newspaper column -- a personal, opinionated look at the news of the
day – appears in the paper’s front section every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Before taking
on his current assignment, Henican wrote Newsday’s subway column, leading the paper to a
Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Union Square train wreck.
At Fox, Henican appears frequently on “The O’Reilly Factor,” “Hannity & Colmes,” “Fox &
Friends” and many of the network’s other programs. He also fills in as a guest host. Fox viewers
know Henican for his lively take on the news and for dissecting complex issues in an engaging,
understandable way.
His work has been recognized with the Meyer Berger Award for Distinguished Writing About
New York City, the National Clarion Award for Column Writing and shares of two Pulitzer Prizes
for spot news.
Heather Kovar
News 12
Mentor: Tim Krompier
Heather Kovar is the blogger for the New York Press Club. www.newyorkpressclub.org/blogs.
She is also Morning Anchor and Reporter for News 12 Connecticut.
This year she won a New York Emmy in the category of On-Camera Talent:
Commentator/Editorialist.
She began her career in Dallas, and has worked across upstate New York. She has also
freelanced for Reuters in New York City presenting updates from the Nasdaq.
Heather lives in New York City and keeps in touch with her family by keeping a blog for her
dog. It has also won awards. www.Heather-Kovar.blogspot.com
News 12
Mentor: Tim Krompier
Heather Kovar is the blogger for the New York Press Club. www.newyorkpressclub.org/blogs.
She is also Morning Anchor and Reporter for News 12 Connecticut.
This year she won a New York Emmy in the category of On-Camera Talent:
Commentator/Editorialist.
She began her career in Dallas, and has worked across upstate New York. She has also
freelanced for Reuters in New York City presenting updates from the Nasdaq.
Heather lives in New York City and keeps in touch with her family by keeping a blog for her
dog. It has also won awards. www.Heather-Kovar.blogspot.com
Debbie Nigro
FirstWivesWorld.com
Debbie Nigro is one of the founding partners of First Wives World, LLC, and its “Chief
Executive Girlfriend”. Her insightful, “tell it like it is” videos, posts and blogs are viewed and
enjoyed by millions of divorced women daily on www.firstwivesworld.com. She is also a
consultant to producers of “The First Wives Club Musical,” which is scheduled to premier on
Broadway in 2008.
A pioneer in self-syndicated, female-targeted talk radio programming, Nigro built and ran
her own radio and television syndication company from 1993 to 2000. During this time, she
developed a reputation for creating award-winning branded programming with creative
product integration. Her radio shows and vignettes aired in over 450 markets with the
backing of corporations such as Avon Products, Inc. and Blockbuster Entertainment.
Further, her television features aired inside news broadcasts across the country in well over
50 markets.
Nigro’s media experience includes radio, pod casting, television, publishing, television
shopping, new product launches, program creation, breakthrough public relations concepts,
event and media sponsorships, and “unique” strategic introductions and alliances.
FirstWivesWorld.com
Debbie Nigro is one of the founding partners of First Wives World, LLC, and its “Chief
Executive Girlfriend”. Her insightful, “tell it like it is” videos, posts and blogs are viewed and
enjoyed by millions of divorced women daily on www.firstwivesworld.com. She is also a
consultant to producers of “The First Wives Club Musical,” which is scheduled to premier on
Broadway in 2008.
A pioneer in self-syndicated, female-targeted talk radio programming, Nigro built and ran
her own radio and television syndication company from 1993 to 2000. During this time, she
developed a reputation for creating award-winning branded programming with creative
product integration. Her radio shows and vignettes aired in over 450 markets with the
backing of corporations such as Avon Products, Inc. and Blockbuster Entertainment.
Further, her television features aired inside news broadcasts across the country in well over
50 markets.
Nigro’s media experience includes radio, pod casting, television, publishing, television
shopping, new product launches, program creation, breakthrough public relations concepts,
event and media sponsorships, and “unique” strategic introductions and alliances.
Alison Rosen
Page Six Magazine
Mentors: Leighann Lord & Ray Ellin
An established journalist who has written for Rolling Stone, Vibe, Spin, The Village Voice,
People and Seventeen and a go-to TV guest commentator, Alison Rosen has a quick wit,
sharp tongue and a keen sense of pop culture, news and humor.
Alison began her career as a professional journalist early – scoring a contributing writer
byline for the Los Angeles Times while still in high school in California. A prodigious writer
and guitarist in a punk rock band, Alison worked at the OC Weekly in Orange County as a
music writer and then as Features Editor before moving to New York and helming the "Hot
Seat" section of Time Out New York where she worked from 2005 to 2008.
Alison has also carved a niche for herself as a pretty, witty and slightly devilish TV writer and
guest, appearing regularly on the late-night gab-fest "Red Eye" on Fox News Channel, where
she helped to develop the show's distinctive double entendre guest introductions.
Previously, Alison’s weekly segment "Best Bets" ran on New York's WNBC-TV from 2005 to
2008, where she highlighted and discussed events going on in the city. She has appeared on
A&E's "Biography," "The Montel Williams Show," “Hannity & Colmes,” E!’s “Chelsea Lately,”
Fox & Friends,” Fox 5's “Good Day New York,” the CW 11 “Morning News,” the CBS 2 News
“This Morning” and hosted numerous “Time Out On Demand” segments.
Her blog can be found at http://alisonmrosen.blogspot.com/. Clips from her TV appearances
are posted at http://www.youtube.com/user/AlisonRosen. Alison lives and works in New York
City.
Page Six Magazine
Mentors: Leighann Lord & Ray Ellin
An established journalist who has written for Rolling Stone, Vibe, Spin, The Village Voice,
People and Seventeen and a go-to TV guest commentator, Alison Rosen has a quick wit,
sharp tongue and a keen sense of pop culture, news and humor.
Alison began her career as a professional journalist early – scoring a contributing writer
byline for the Los Angeles Times while still in high school in California. A prodigious writer
and guitarist in a punk rock band, Alison worked at the OC Weekly in Orange County as a
music writer and then as Features Editor before moving to New York and helming the "Hot
Seat" section of Time Out New York where she worked from 2005 to 2008.
Alison has also carved a niche for herself as a pretty, witty and slightly devilish TV writer and
guest, appearing regularly on the late-night gab-fest "Red Eye" on Fox News Channel, where
she helped to develop the show's distinctive double entendre guest introductions.
Previously, Alison’s weekly segment "Best Bets" ran on New York's WNBC-TV from 2005 to
2008, where she highlighted and discussed events going on in the city. She has appeared on
A&E's "Biography," "The Montel Williams Show," “Hannity & Colmes,” E!’s “Chelsea Lately,”
Fox & Friends,” Fox 5's “Good Day New York,” the CW 11 “Morning News,” the CBS 2 News
“This Morning” and hosted numerous “Time Out On Demand” segments.
Her blog can be found at http://alisonmrosen.blogspot.com/. Clips from her TV appearances
are posted at http://www.youtube.com/user/AlisonRosen. Alison lives and works in New York
City.
Our Unbelievably Prestigious Judges
Our Unbelievably Courageous Reporters
Todd Jackson
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Dead-Frog
COMING SOON
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Dead-Frog
COMING SOON
Our Unbelievable Executive Producer
Adam Ferrara
Show Headliner
www.adamferrara.com
A proven favorite in comedy clubs, festivals and sitcoms, Adam Ferrara has earned a name
for himself as one of today’s leading comedic talents. His popularity as a stand-up has
been validated with two American Comedy Award nominations for Best Stand-Up and two
“Comedy Central Presents” half-hour specials.
Adam’s stellar list of stand-up television appearances include multiple appearances on
Comedy Central, as well as “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Late Show with David
Letterman,” “The View,” “Politically Incorrect,” “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” and “The Late
Late Show with Craig Kilborn.” Adam has also been a featured performer at the Comedy
Central Roasts of Rob Reiner and Denis Leary.
Adam’s range as an actor has grown substantially from his early start, when he appeared
as the recurring role of Pete on NBC’s “Caroline in the City.” Since then he has moved onto
larger projects, such as the critically acclaimed ABC series “The Job,” in which Adam co-
starred opposite Denis Leary. Adam played the role of “Tommy Minetti,” a young NYC
detective in the prime-time series. He also starred in the behind the scenes Improv
documentary “Contest Searchlight” on Comedy Central and wrote and co-starred opposite
fellow actor/comedian Lenny Clark in the Comedy Central pilot “Lenny & Adam.” Adam has
also appeared as a guest lead on the NBC hit drama “Law & Order” on the episode entitled
“Smoke.” Most recently, Adam was a recurring guest star on CBS’s “King of Queens” and
is currently a regular on FX’s hit series “Rescue Me,” playing Chief “Needles” Nelson.
Adam’s feature debut was seen in the 9/11 film “Ash Tuesday” which was received at the
Tribeca Film Festival with rave reviews. Adam has also recently appeared in a number of
feature films including the award-winning feature “Dark Descends,” Universal Pictures’
“Definitely, Maybe,” starring opposite Kevin Kline and Ryan Reynolds, and “Winter of
Frozen Dreams,” starring opposite Keith Carradine and Thora Birch.
Adam performed for all 48 of the Democratic Senators at the annual Caucus (with special
guest Bill Clinton). Adam was delayed in traffic on the way to the event. Later that evening,
Adam was quoted as saying, “I’ve waited this long for healthcare, now, they can wait for me.”
Show Headliner
www.adamferrara.com
A proven favorite in comedy clubs, festivals and sitcoms, Adam Ferrara has earned a name
for himself as one of today’s leading comedic talents. His popularity as a stand-up has
been validated with two American Comedy Award nominations for Best Stand-Up and two
“Comedy Central Presents” half-hour specials.
Adam’s stellar list of stand-up television appearances include multiple appearances on
Comedy Central, as well as “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Late Show with David
Letterman,” “The View,” “Politically Incorrect,” “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” and “The Late
Late Show with Craig Kilborn.” Adam has also been a featured performer at the Comedy
Central Roasts of Rob Reiner and Denis Leary.
Adam’s range as an actor has grown substantially from his early start, when he appeared
as the recurring role of Pete on NBC’s “Caroline in the City.” Since then he has moved onto
larger projects, such as the critically acclaimed ABC series “The Job,” in which Adam co-
starred opposite Denis Leary. Adam played the role of “Tommy Minetti,” a young NYC
detective in the prime-time series. He also starred in the behind the scenes Improv
documentary “Contest Searchlight” on Comedy Central and wrote and co-starred opposite
fellow actor/comedian Lenny Clark in the Comedy Central pilot “Lenny & Adam.” Adam has
also appeared as a guest lead on the NBC hit drama “Law & Order” on the episode entitled
“Smoke.” Most recently, Adam was a recurring guest star on CBS’s “King of Queens” and
is currently a regular on FX’s hit series “Rescue Me,” playing Chief “Needles” Nelson.
Adam’s feature debut was seen in the 9/11 film “Ash Tuesday” which was received at the
Tribeca Film Festival with rave reviews. Adam has also recently appeared in a number of
feature films including the award-winning feature “Dark Descends,” Universal Pictures’
“Definitely, Maybe,” starring opposite Kevin Kline and Ryan Reynolds, and “Winter of
Frozen Dreams,” starring opposite Keith Carradine and Thora Birch.
Adam performed for all 48 of the Democratic Senators at the annual Caucus (with special
guest Bill Clinton). Adam was delayed in traffic on the way to the event. Later that evening,
Adam was quoted as saying, “I’ve waited this long for healthcare, now, they can wait for me.”
Our Unbelievably A-List Electrifying Headliner
