Sidewalks Entertainment (1988)
Sidewalks Entertainment is a long-running, weekly American television series that is a combination of a talk show, magazine show and variety show featuring celebrity interviews, music, artistic and novelty acts, and rising performers. The 30-minute program is primarily produced in the San Francisco Bay Area with segments from other parts of the country, including Los Angeles and New York. Richard R. Lee is the creator and executive producer, as well as lead editor and webmaster of SidewalksTV.com. On-air personalities Cindy Rhodes and Rafael Siegel are also co-producers. During the first six years, the show was known as Sidewalks. The producers decided to add Entertainment to the program's title, so viewers would understand it was an entertainment show and not a show related to public works or about concrete walkways. On websites and television grids, the program is listed as Sidewalks Entertainment, although hosts, guests and on-air graphics may still refer to the program as Sidewalks. As of April 14, 2007, the show has produced 256 regular editions, along with a number of special episodes and temporary shows.
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Episode 1 - Lights Out
Release Date:A look at the group KRUSH (featuring their hit song, ""Let's Get Together""); performances by PEABO BRYSON & REGINA BELLE (""A Whole New World"") and TISHA CAMPBELL (""Push""); and an encore segment on how to make a realistic face wound with simple household materials by Bay Area make-up artist MICHAEL A. ORNELAZ. Hosts: Denise Yvonne and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 2 - Magic II
Release Date:Bay Area magician GLENN HAYWOOD performs illusions with Denise and Mel. Plus: performances by AMY GRANT (""Good For Me""), THE HEIGHTS (""How Do You Talk to An Angel"") and PETER CETERA and CHAKA KHAN (""Feels Like Heaven""). Hosts: Denise Yvonne and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 3 - Mel's Camping Trip
Release Date:While Mel takes Denise and her daughter on a wild camping trip, ""Sidewalks"" presents a special interview with musician FRED SCHNEIDER of the rock group The B-52's (""Love Shack""); and performances by MICHAEL BOLTON (""To Love Somebody""), JUDE COLE (""Tell the Truth"") and THE DARLING BUDS (""Sure Thing""). Hosts: Denise Yvonne and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 4 - Hosting Alone!
Release Date:Because co-host Denise Yvonne called in sick, Mel Menefee hosts the show alone (""not a good idea""). San Francisco band COAL TRAIN performs in two ""Sidewalks""-produced videos. Plus: music by FLEETWOOD MAC (""Paper Doll""), TOM COCHRANE (""Life is a Highway"") and R.E.M. (""Man on the Moon"").
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Episode 5 - Fortune Teller
Release Date:While Mel and the production gang see a ""fortune teller"" (played by Martha Del Rio), ""Sidewalks"" interviews the popular San Francisco rap group RAFFI AND THE RIGHTEOUS POSSE. Also: an ""industry trade"" segment on publicists in the print media (explained by Terri Hinte of Fantasy Studios). Plus: music by SHANICE (""Saving Forever For You"") and LO KEY? (""Sweet on U""). Featuring: Mel Menefee, Sibyl Motley, Denise Yvonne.
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Episode 6 - Aikido
Release Date:THE PINOLE AIKIDO GROUP performs and explains the art of Aikido, a self-defense technique. Also: a song by PAUL McCARTNEY (""Hope of Deliverance""). Hosts: Sibyl Motley and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 7 - Too Many Hosts
Release Date:Besides talking about how they got started, TV stars ED McMAHON (""Star Search""), LORENZO LAMAS (""Renegade""), DON CORNELIUS (""Soul Train""), RAY COMBS (""Family Feud""), and JANE WHITNEY (""The Jane Whitney Show"") give advice to aspiring performers on making it in the entertainment world. Also: a special look at actress/singer LONETTE McKEE (""Watch The Birds""). Plus: music by MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER (""Passionate Kisses"") and k.d. lang (""Miss Chatelaine""). Featuring: Mel Menefee, Sibyl Motley, Dave Wilson, Jewel Whitworth and Robin Murrel.
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Episode 8 - Host Search
Release Date:Original member Mel Menefee auditions possible on-air personalities in a game-show parody. Plus: a nite of R&B music featuring performances by JAMES INGRAM (""One More Time""), RACHELLE FERRELL (""Welcome to My Love""), GROVER WASHINGTON, JR. (""Love Like This"") and DINA CARROLL (""So Close"").
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Episode 9 - Band Nite
Release Date:While Mel tries to create his own band to follow tonight's ""band"" theme, San Francisco Bay Area band THE BIG PICTURE performs in two ""Sidewalks""-produced videos (""Hungry For Your Kiss"" and ""Upside Down"") and is interviewed. Also: performances by DURAN DURAN (""Ordinary World"") and DAMN YANKEES (""Silence is Broken""). Featuring: Mel Menefee, Veronica Davis, Dave Wilson, Darrell Crow.
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Episode 10 - Mel and His Beeper
Release Date:While Mel is waiting for a call from NBC on his new beeper, the hosts welcome R&B singer/songwriter EMGEE of Fairfield, Ca., who performs in a ""Sidewalks""-produced video (""Do Now""). The ""Sidewalks"" trade segment features an interview (on tape) with syndicator MICHAEL KING of King World Productions, whose syndication company distributes such TV shows as ""Wheel of Fortune,"" ""Jeopardy,"" ""Inside Edition,"" and ""Oprah Winfrey Show."" Plus: performances by AARON NEVILLE (""Don't Take Away My Heaven"") and singer/actress TISHA CAMPBELL (""Love Me Down""). Featuring: Mel Menefee, Mechelle, Veronica Davis, Lenora Hay and Sibyl Motley.
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Episode 11 - Mel & The Rock
Release Date:Choreographer and founder Amelia Rudolph talks and showcases her PROJECT BANDALOOP dance group, whose routines are usually performed in very high places, like off the side of El Capitan mountain in Yosemite. Also: performances by PAUL McCARTNEY (""Off the Ground"") and CHRIS ISAAK (""Can't Do A Thing [To Stop Me]""). Plus (on location in Marin County): Mel attempts rock climbing. Hosts: Veronica Davis and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 12 - Boogie Down
Release Date:San Francisco's THE BOOGIE DOWN JUGGLERS performs. Plus: performance by STING (""If I Ever Lose My Faith In You"") and VAN HALEN (""Dreams""). Hosts: Dave Saffell, Veronica Davis and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 13 - The Birthday Gift
Release Date:A special look at the national group THE JAYHAWKS and an encore performance of the popular San Francisco Bay Area band THE JENNY THING (performing ""Too Long,"" a ""Sidewalks""-produced video). Plus: performances by TARA MORICE and MARK WILLIAMS (""Time After Time"") and LEE RITENOUR WITH MAXI PRIEST (""Waiting In Vain""). Also (in our host segments): Dave Saffell and Veronica Davis send Mel Menefee -- who haywires every bit -- to get a gift for the president of the production company.
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Episode 14 - Without The Crew
Release Date:A special look back at our interview with R&B singer MARY J. BLIGE (""Love No Limit""), along with clips from her previous performances; and our host VERONICA DAVIS performs her original hit, ""This is The End,"" a ""Sidewalks""-produced video. Plus: a song from CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS (""All I See Is Your Love""). Also (in our comedy segments): the show is produced without the entire production crew. Hosts: Veronica Davis and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 15 - Classic Classical
Release Date:Bay Area classical guitarist and instructor RON GALEN and two of his students perform. Plus: performances by ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE BRODSKY QUARTET (""Jacksons, Monk and Rowe"") and TONY BENNETT (""I'll Be Seeing You""). Hosts: Dave Saffell and Mel Menefee, with Jewel Whitworth and Darrell Clow.
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Episode 16 - Mel's Shopping Show
Release Date:A special look at the rock group VINCE NEIL and a behind-the-scenes making of their futurist-looking, special effects filled ""Sister of Pain"" video. Plus: performances by ROXETTE (""Almost Unreal"") and ELTON JOHN (""Simple Life""). Also (in comedy segments): a TV-shopping parody. Hosts: Veronica Davis and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 17 - Fan Letter?
Release Date:A performance by the San Francisco Bay Area dance band NEON DREAM and a special look at R&B singer REGINA BELLE. Plus: performances by JAMES INGRAM (""Someone Like You"") and II D EXTREME (""Cry No More""). Also: Mel receives a mysterious fan letter. Hosts: Veronica Davis, Dave Saffell and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 18 - Set Improvement
Release Date:A special interview with national reggae group, THE WAILING SOULS; and ""Sidewalks"" continues to celebrate its run by taking a look back at a belly dancing segment featuring LYNETTE and her special friend (a snake). Plus: performances by THE GOOMBAS FEATURING GEORGE CLINTON (""Walk The Dinosaur"") and BIG MOUNTAIN (""Touch My Light""). Also (in host segments), Mel attempts to put up the ""Sidewalks"" set. Hosts: Dave Saffell, Veronica Davis and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 19 - Foley And Miles
Release Date:A special look at MILES DAVIS with comments from Bill Cosby; an interview with former Miles Davis band member and Motown recording artist FOLEY (""If Its Positive""). Plus: performances by JADE (""One Woman"") and WAR FEATURING HISPANIC M.C.'S (""Don't Let No One Get You Down""). Host: Veronica Davis.
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Episode 20 - Past Instrumental
Release Date:Celebrating our series' run by looking back at some of instrumental performers, including performances by 3RD PLANE (in a new mini-video version) and Andean music group, KARUMANTA. Plus: music by sax performers DAVE KOZ (""You Make Me Smile""), ERIC MARIENTHAL (""Walk Though the Fire"") and EVERETTE HARP (""When I Think of You""). Hosts: Veronica Davis and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 21 - Summer Jam
Release Date:A special look at the annual KMEL-Radio ""Summer Jam"" benefit that designed to promote peace on the street in Northern California. Episode features concert highlights and/or backstage interviews with the nation's top hip-hop, rap, pop and dance artists, including TONI BRAXTON, JEREMY JORDAN, H-TOWN, ROGER/ZAPP, QUEEN LATIFAH, SWV, MARY J. BLIGE, LEVERT, REAL SEDUCTION, HI FIVE, DIGABLE PLANET, RUN DMC, UNV, RODNEY O & JOE COOLEY, PHARCYDE, TOTAL DEVASTATION, ROBIN S, and SHAI. Also: a video performance (""One Last Cry"") and interview with singer BRIAN McKNIGHT. Plus: talks with KMEL Radio celebrities LISA ST. REGIS and DAVEY D. Special Guest Host: Lovelle Robinson.
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Episode 22 - Favorite Female Artists
Release Date:The music of popular female recording artists: WHITNEY HOUSTON (""I Will Always Love You""), TINA TURNER (""I Don't Wanna Fight""), MARIAH CAREY (""Dream Lover"") and MADONNA (""Rain""). Plus: a Tina Turner marionette by LEE ZIMMERMAN. Hosts: Veronica Davis and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 23 - Tribute
Release Date:A tribute to the late GEORGE BUCHANAN and his marionette acts; and a mini-concert of the rock group DIRE STRAITS (performing ""Money for Nothing"" and ""Walk of Life""). Hosts: Veronica Davis and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 24 - Via Satellite
Release Date:A look at actor/singer JOEY LAWRENCE of TV's ""Blossom"", who performs ""Nothin' My Love Can't Fix"" and ""Stay Forever."" Plus: performances by BOBBY ROSS AVILA (""All That I Do"") and PERFECT GENTLEMAN (""Don't Forget to Call""). In comedy skit, Mel and Marcelo attempt a via satellite hookup for an interview with Joey Lawrence. Host: Veronica Davis, with Mel Menefee and Marcelo Acevedo.
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Episode 25 - Camera Control
Release Date:Episode features an interview with R&B group REAL SEDUCTION (""Ain't Nuthin Wrong""), and a look at viewers attempting to introduce the show. Plus: performances by MAVIS STAPLES (""The Voice"") and JODECI (""Lately""). In comedy skit, Mel takes a remote camera and plays with it in the studio. Host: Cindy Rhodes, with Mel Menefee and Marcelo Acevedo.
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Episode 26 - 5th Anniversary Highlights
Release Date:A look at our 5th anniversary ""parking lot"" party that featured live entertainment: music by RON MATTHEWS AND SERIOUS LICKS and TUPELO; belly dancing by ALEXANDRIA AND THE NEAR EASTERN DANCE COMPANY; choir group CHILDREN OF CHRIST; and ""carnival"" dancing by MAS MAKER MASSIVE. Also: a ""Sidewalks"" mini-video performance by Bay Area rock group, BIG PICTURE (""Hungry For Your Kiss""); and performances by KENNY LOGGINS (""This Is It"") and PATTI SCIALFA (""As Long As I [Can Be With You]""). Hosts: Cindy Rhodes and Mel Menefee.
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Episode 27 - Highlights From Past Christmas Shows
Release Date:A look back at some of the moments from previous holiday shows. Included: polynesian dancing, Christmas caroling, hosts singing solo numbers, a visitor from the North Pole, and video performances by AMY GRANT (""Grown-Up Christmas List"") and STING (""Gabriel's Message""). Hosts: Cindy Rhodes and Mel Menefee.