• Tuesday, September 6th, 2006   NORTH SHORE Star Reporter   

Up Close & Personal:

Mickey Burns & Co. Brings Intelligence Back to Celebrity Interviews

     Each day, Mickey Burns goes to work at his Snug Harbor office, returning phone calls, researching the latest news on celebrities and getting in touch with some big-time New York publicists. But Burns isn't a gossip columnist or a PR guy looking to make connections.

     A native Staten Islander, the West Brighton resident is the Host of the NYC TV Show, "PROFILES", a 30 minute, one-on-one interview-style talk show that features notable guests from all walks of the entertainment industry.

Guests who've appeared on the show include Joan Rivers, Eli Wallach and Joe Montana.

     With studios nestled in a second-floor room of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Livingston. Burns said the show strives to put the focus back  on the celebrity. Too often, Burns said, mainstream talk shows stick to a select list of questions about a person's new book, a touring schedule or a movie release, while leaving out  the rest of the entertainer's career.

     "We bring out stuff  no one else asks. Networks are set on what they can ask," the native Staten Islander said. "They [the celebrities] often don't get a chance to express themselves."

     Behind the scenes, the news pro works closely with a small, yet multi-talented staff, to form Quest Media Entertainment. Staff members include Bill McCreary, executive producer Gary Huminy of  Bay Terrace; technical operations Steve LaManna, of Todt Hill; associate producer Mo Montenegro, co-host Marlie Hall; and our field producer Ralphael Munoz.

     Everyone wears multiple hats at the studio, editing footage, producing shows, even producing commercials for local businesess, which is how the show is funded. With a budget of  $100,000.00 a year and a staff of about seven, the quality of the show mirrors that of  FOX, or any other network affiliate whose budget surpasses $1 million a year.

     Celebrities see the value in appearing on the show, too. "PROFILES" boasts a viewership of six million and counting. Of course, interviewing famous people can be challenging, as they're used to journalists poking around for personal information, according to Burns. So how exactly does the veteran reporter get the celebs to open up on air and talk to him for 30 minutes?

     "Within the first few minutes you have to build trust. With celebrities, the shield is always up", said Burns, a former producer at FOX 5 News. "Some reporters don't know when to back off", added executive producer Gary Huminy, "What makes us different is that we put them on a pedestal. We don't pound them like a lot of people do. We want to put them at ease".

     Unfortunately, not every interview goes smoothly. "Some celebrities", Burns said, "think they are better than everybody else". Gossip columnist Cindy Adams once met the production team at a New York City restaurant for an interview. Upon her arrival, she rudely looked at her watch and asked, "How long is this going to take?" She gave us a good interview though. "I can't knock her for that", Burns said with a smile.

     Some of Burns' favorite interviews include quarterback Joe Montana, comedian David Brenner and TV personality Dick Cavett.

     "PROFILES" started out in the late 1990's as a seven-minute segment on a Staten Island TV show called "Special Edition". Disapointed that so much entertainment footage had to hit the cutting room floor, Burns and Huminy got the idea to create "PROFILES" in 2000 for Staten Island ch. 76. Eventually it was picked up by Mayor Michael Bloomberg's flagship station ch. 74 in 2004. The show will soon be acquiring Comcast audiences in New Jersey.

     Though this news is exciting for the hometown production team, they admit it's more of a labor of love than a means to turn a profit. "Having the challenge of interviewing these special people. It's something to be proud of", Burns said.

     "PROFILES" airs on NYC TV ch. 74 on Tuesdays at 7:30PM and on Time Warner Cable ch. 76 on Thursdays at 10:00 PM. There are encores throughout the week.