[quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Feb 14 2004, 03:53 PM\'] Forgive my ignorance, Randy, but did you do a stint as announcer on 21? [/quote]
Not ignorance, just higher priorities in your life!
I was the warm-up for all episodes 21. Got the tote bag and T-shirt to prove it ;-)
I had done announce and warm-up on previous Phil Gurin shows and he liked my work. But I'm certainly not the best voice for the serious, dramatic style they chose for that show. Trivia: The original choice for announcer was Don LaFontaine. You've heard him a million times; Don is the archetype of the deep and a bit gritty, serious, almost snarling voice on movie trailers. He brings much of that same style to the many CBS drama promos he does (think "CSI", etc.) His is a fascinating story all his own that is OT.
Don couldn't be tied up in a TV studio for hours on end, so the search was on for a similar style right up to very near the first tape date. Although not right for me, I auditioned towards the very end in the same session as Ben Patrick Johnson (presently the voice of "Entertainment Tonight"). It went last minute to John Cramer who was a good choice. Our paths have crossed often partially because John does not do warm-up work.
Much of the 21 gang next went on to "Weakest Link". And now you know the rest of the story ;-)
Randy
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