This last week Mind Press caught up with Lew Marklin, former host of ADHDtv and host of the
new TV show Icon News, due out this fall 2011 on Dish Network and cable:
Mind Press: Good morning Mr. Marklin, good to have this opportunity to have you on the blog
Lew Marklin: Good morning, thank you for having me!
Mind Press: So, tell me about your new show Icon News
Lew Marklin: Well, it's a 30 minute celebrity Icon News show. Each week an Iconic figure
comes to our studio via Skype, and discusses issues that they have faced in the journey to
iconic status. It's a very fast and positive show and offers viewers an insight into the
celebrities lives, cultures, passions and offers answers to help people in today's world
find answers to overcome the challenges that our economy has put us all in.
Mind Press: Now when you say cultures, what exactly do you mean?
Lew Marklin: Icon News does not just cover Hollywood actors and actresses. The show covers
music, political figures, anything deemed Iconic in the grand scheme of things, but also, we
like to cover figures that maybe do not get the coverage from the other outlets. Our first
episode showcases, actor, Dominic Rains, who has two break out roles this year in The
Tacquadores and JINN. Dominic happens to live and work in Hollywood, but his amazing story
starts when he was born in Tehran Iran. The two movies are amazing films that will not get
mainstream credit because of their Middle Eastern roots and Muslim conotation, therefor we
set out to cover the films and bring this daytime TV star from General Hospital a coming out
party as a noteworthy film star.
Mind Press: Now religion, that's a tough subject to tackle, you have a strong Christian
base, how does that translate?
Lew Marklin: You know, it's funny that you ask that, and this episode was a great example,
because you have Dominic talking about two movies that are based in Islam, myself, the host,
who is a strong Christian believer, and then Dominic talks about his own faith as a Buddhist
and if that's not diverse enough for you, later in the show, we showcase Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad
who is a Hindu, born in Detroit MI. I love the diversity and believe that in this world,
nothing truly changes until people come to a place where they can just sit and listen to
each other. Walls of prejudice break down and the world becomes a more informed,
understanding and peaceful place, if not just a smarter place to raise our children!
Mind Press: So, this show is a much different show than ADHDtv, how did this all come
about?
Lew Marklin: Yes, this is very true. ADHDtv was a very fun project. I learned so much
from that opportunity, but in the end, we learn and grow and mature and grow up and that was
probably a lot of "ands." It was sort of a crazy show. News has always been in my heart,
but ADHDtv was sort of the craziness and humor working its way out of my system, and my
passion for journalism eventually surfaced in Icon News. A lot of eye brows raised with that
show because it was so edgy. It was really a man show that was billed as a late night news
spoof. We would literally laugh ourselves into hysteria at times, on set, and just had a
blast, but then there were some intense times and hard knock learning that took place and I
would do it all over again in a heart beat, but I like where I am at now.
Mind Press: Where does your fascination with news come from?
Lew Marklin: You know, It's sort of weird, when I was a kid, I had a brother in law that
worked network news for NBC. My dad always bragged about how great he was and how great NBC
was, so I sort of grew up fantasizing about it. He would pull out a tape recorder when I
was 2 years old and record me talking, all the way up through elementary school, then when I
was about ten or so, my friends and I would record these crazy news reports on cassette
tapes. God we must have had a hundred tapes piled everywhere with our crazy news skits.
Then we got a hold of a camcorder and started using that. I eventually went to school to
study Broadcast Journalism in Santa Barbara California and began interning at a local ABC TV
station, KEYT TV, running teleprompter and floor cams for live morning and evening news so
that I could see how everything works. 5 Years later I was a Producer and Senior Editor at
that station, but that is not where I wanted to stop on my journey and I knew that.
Mind Press: So you have a production background as well as an on air background?
Lew Marklin: Yes, that is correct. I have been a camera man, an Editor and now a producer.
Mind Press: How does that translate in what you are doing?
Lew Marklin: It has been a true God Send. I really wanted to take a pro active approach
into taking my future into my own hands. In the beginning, no one believed that I had what
it takes to be an on air talent. The opportunities were not opening up, so I decided to
take matters into my own hands and create the opportunities for myself. I also figured that
it would give me a fall back plan if things went wrong. I could still live a very
comfortable life as a Producer or even editor, if the bottom fell out on my on air dreams.
So I built my future on a rock, and now I play a very active role in the pre production,
Directing and post production phases of the project. So, to answer your question, it
translates very well!
Mind Press: Yes and I see that you produce several projects, besides the shows that you
star in, simultaneously. This must keep you very busy!
Lew Marklin: Absolutely, and yes, it keeps me busy and out of trouble!
Mind Press: What are some of the shows that you are working on now, and have worked on?
Lew Marklin: Well, hmmm, I almost have to check my own iMDB these days to remember, but
this year, I am producing a Christian TV show, entitled Arise & shine, that is slated to air
on Sky Angel Network, a new show called TwentySixMiles, starring John Schneider and Billy
Dee Williams is in the works and I have not received my paperwork, so I don't know what I
will be doing on that one yet, but we are looking forward to that. Then this last year or
two, I Co-Executive Produced on Ultimate Women Challenge, for LHP Productions and NBC
Universal. It is a Reality show that showcases 16 beautiful and talented female MMA
fighters who live and train together then duke it out to wear the crown. Then there is a
kids game show pilot, entitled That's Funny! starring Georgia Van Cuylenburg that we are
still working on. Going back a ways there are some talk shows, a hip hop music video show,
of course ADHDtv and a cooking show, Living Better with Steve Spitz, that should be airing
over on Ion this year.
Mind Press: Which do you like better, being the star or being the producer?
Lew Marklin: You know, on any given day, you might get a different answer. I have come to
like them both. Being a Producer is very challenging in a different way and I truly enjoy
taking a concept, branding it and watching it grow. I also like nurturing other on air
talents and watching them realize their dreams, but being on air is pretty cool. The
attention is fun and having the ultimate creative power is awesome!
Mind Press: What do you think is your most memorable moment thus far in your career?
Lew Marklin: You know, this may sound funny, but opening day 2004, of the Los Angeles
Dodgers. I was an intern at the time, working as a camera utility and editor. I worked at
the stadium 10 or more hours a day for almost 3 months before the actual baseball season
started, so the anticipation for opening day just grew and festered until I couldn't take it
anymore. I grew up a Dodgers fan, in Los Angeles, and this was like a dream come true for
the inner child in me. On opening day I met all of the announcers, then the players, some
other various celebs, then stood on the mound with a camera, next to 5 or 6 of the all time
great Dodgers Hall of Fame players while Fernando Valenzuela threw out the first pitch. I
tell ya, the hair on my neck stood on end at that moment and I almost got teary eyed. The
stadium was sold out and the crowd was absolutely nuts. I knew at that moment that I was
doing what I loved and was not even getting paid to do it!
Mind Press: There is so much more that we would love to ask you, but there just isn't
enough time or room on the blog. We can't wait to see the new show and wish you the best of
luck and hope to have you again soon!
Lew Marklin: Thank you, I really enjoyed the opportunity, and look forward to future chats!
Mind Press: Everyone, be watching for Icon News this fall on Dish Network and cable. You can sneak peek the show on You Tube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/IconNews
new TV show Icon News, due out this fall 2011 on Dish Network and cable:
Mind Press: Good morning Mr. Marklin, good to have this opportunity to have you on the blog
Lew Marklin: Good morning, thank you for having me!
Mind Press: So, tell me about your new show Icon News
Lew Marklin: Well, it's a 30 minute celebrity Icon News show. Each week an Iconic figure
comes to our studio via Skype, and discusses issues that they have faced in the journey to
iconic status. It's a very fast and positive show and offers viewers an insight into the
celebrities lives, cultures, passions and offers answers to help people in today's world
find answers to overcome the challenges that our economy has put us all in.
Mind Press: Now when you say cultures, what exactly do you mean?
Lew Marklin: Icon News does not just cover Hollywood actors and actresses. The show covers
music, political figures, anything deemed Iconic in the grand scheme of things, but also, we
like to cover figures that maybe do not get the coverage from the other outlets. Our first
episode showcases, actor, Dominic Rains, who has two break out roles this year in The
Tacquadores and JINN. Dominic happens to live and work in Hollywood, but his amazing story
starts when he was born in Tehran Iran. The two movies are amazing films that will not get
mainstream credit because of their Middle Eastern roots and Muslim conotation, therefor we
set out to cover the films and bring this daytime TV star from General Hospital a coming out
party as a noteworthy film star.
Mind Press: Now religion, that's a tough subject to tackle, you have a strong Christian
base, how does that translate?
Lew Marklin: You know, it's funny that you ask that, and this episode was a great example,
because you have Dominic talking about two movies that are based in Islam, myself, the host,
who is a strong Christian believer, and then Dominic talks about his own faith as a Buddhist
and if that's not diverse enough for you, later in the show, we showcase Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad
who is a Hindu, born in Detroit MI. I love the diversity and believe that in this world,
nothing truly changes until people come to a place where they can just sit and listen to
each other. Walls of prejudice break down and the world becomes a more informed,
understanding and peaceful place, if not just a smarter place to raise our children!
Mind Press: So, this show is a much different show than ADHDtv, how did this all come
about?
Lew Marklin: Yes, this is very true. ADHDtv was a very fun project. I learned so much
from that opportunity, but in the end, we learn and grow and mature and grow up and that was
probably a lot of "ands." It was sort of a crazy show. News has always been in my heart,
but ADHDtv was sort of the craziness and humor working its way out of my system, and my
passion for journalism eventually surfaced in Icon News. A lot of eye brows raised with that
show because it was so edgy. It was really a man show that was billed as a late night news
spoof. We would literally laugh ourselves into hysteria at times, on set, and just had a
blast, but then there were some intense times and hard knock learning that took place and I
would do it all over again in a heart beat, but I like where I am at now.
Mind Press: Where does your fascination with news come from?
Lew Marklin: You know, It's sort of weird, when I was a kid, I had a brother in law that
worked network news for NBC. My dad always bragged about how great he was and how great NBC
was, so I sort of grew up fantasizing about it. He would pull out a tape recorder when I
was 2 years old and record me talking, all the way up through elementary school, then when I
was about ten or so, my friends and I would record these crazy news reports on cassette
tapes. God we must have had a hundred tapes piled everywhere with our crazy news skits.
Then we got a hold of a camcorder and started using that. I eventually went to school to
study Broadcast Journalism in Santa Barbara California and began interning at a local ABC TV
station, KEYT TV, running teleprompter and floor cams for live morning and evening news so
that I could see how everything works. 5 Years later I was a Producer and Senior Editor at
that station, but that is not where I wanted to stop on my journey and I knew that.
Mind Press: So you have a production background as well as an on air background?
Lew Marklin: Yes, that is correct. I have been a camera man, an Editor and now a producer.
Mind Press: How does that translate in what you are doing?
Lew Marklin: It has been a true God Send. I really wanted to take a pro active approach
into taking my future into my own hands. In the beginning, no one believed that I had what
it takes to be an on air talent. The opportunities were not opening up, so I decided to
take matters into my own hands and create the opportunities for myself. I also figured that
it would give me a fall back plan if things went wrong. I could still live a very
comfortable life as a Producer or even editor, if the bottom fell out on my on air dreams.
So I built my future on a rock, and now I play a very active role in the pre production,
Directing and post production phases of the project. So, to answer your question, it
translates very well!
Mind Press: Yes and I see that you produce several projects, besides the shows that you
star in, simultaneously. This must keep you very busy!
Lew Marklin: Absolutely, and yes, it keeps me busy and out of trouble!
Mind Press: What are some of the shows that you are working on now, and have worked on?
Lew Marklin: Well, hmmm, I almost have to check my own iMDB these days to remember, but
this year, I am producing a Christian TV show, entitled Arise & shine, that is slated to air
on Sky Angel Network, a new show called TwentySixMiles, starring John Schneider and Billy
Dee Williams is in the works and I have not received my paperwork, so I don't know what I
will be doing on that one yet, but we are looking forward to that. Then this last year or
two, I Co-Executive Produced on Ultimate Women Challenge, for LHP Productions and NBC
Universal. It is a Reality show that showcases 16 beautiful and talented female MMA
fighters who live and train together then duke it out to wear the crown. Then there is a
kids game show pilot, entitled That's Funny! starring Georgia Van Cuylenburg that we are
still working on. Going back a ways there are some talk shows, a hip hop music video show,
of course ADHDtv and a cooking show, Living Better with Steve Spitz, that should be airing
over on Ion this year.
Mind Press: Which do you like better, being the star or being the producer?
Lew Marklin: You know, on any given day, you might get a different answer. I have come to
like them both. Being a Producer is very challenging in a different way and I truly enjoy
taking a concept, branding it and watching it grow. I also like nurturing other on air
talents and watching them realize their dreams, but being on air is pretty cool. The
attention is fun and having the ultimate creative power is awesome!
Mind Press: What do you think is your most memorable moment thus far in your career?
Lew Marklin: You know, this may sound funny, but opening day 2004, of the Los Angeles
Dodgers. I was an intern at the time, working as a camera utility and editor. I worked at
the stadium 10 or more hours a day for almost 3 months before the actual baseball season
started, so the anticipation for opening day just grew and festered until I couldn't take it
anymore. I grew up a Dodgers fan, in Los Angeles, and this was like a dream come true for
the inner child in me. On opening day I met all of the announcers, then the players, some
other various celebs, then stood on the mound with a camera, next to 5 or 6 of the all time
great Dodgers Hall of Fame players while Fernando Valenzuela threw out the first pitch. I
tell ya, the hair on my neck stood on end at that moment and I almost got teary eyed. The
stadium was sold out and the crowd was absolutely nuts. I knew at that moment that I was
doing what I loved and was not even getting paid to do it!
Mind Press: There is so much more that we would love to ask you, but there just isn't
enough time or room on the blog. We can't wait to see the new show and wish you the best of
luck and hope to have you again soon!
Lew Marklin: Thank you, I really enjoyed the opportunity, and look forward to future chats!
Mind Press: Everyone, be watching for Icon News this fall on Dish Network and cable. You can sneak peek the show on You Tube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/IconNews
I used to watch ADHDtv!! What the hell happened to his hair!! Didn't even think it was the same guy at first!!
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