Recent content from C.J.
C.J.: 'The Q,' a humble talk show host who wants to earn an appearance on "Wendy"
“The Q’s” mom lived to see her son achieve the career goal he has harbored since age 12. “I wanted a talk show,” said
C.J.: Nekima Levy-Pounds enjoys campaigning with baby on board
Minneapolis mayoral candidate Nekima Levy-Pounds has felt energized as she hits the campaign trail — while expecting. She and her entrepreneur husband,
C.J.: 'Chocolate Rain' and its many memes bring sweet success to Tay Zonday
“Chocolate Rain” singer Tay Zonday was in the metro recently working on a Best Buy project. “A small project with Best Buy’s internal production…
C.J.: Broadcaster Marcia Fluer talks love, marriage, depression
Pavek Museum Hall of Fame broadcaster Marcia Fluer, who also had a career teaching U personnel how to handle the media, should be in…
C.J.: Fox 9's "The Jason Show" is getting its second national test
This month it will air in the test markets of Orlando, Chicago, San Francisco, Phoenix, L.A. and Fox affiliates in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
C.J.: Twin Cities' Chef Marshall serves up Smart Nutrition Solutions
Chef Marshall O’Brien was full of insights into a consumer trend that perplexes me: businesses that package ingredients for meals to be cooked at…
C.J.: St. Bonifacius native gets a diploma and a little Oprah time at college graduation
Sarah Eiler cannot attest to whether Oprah is a good hugger, despite accidental research during the Agnes Scott College commencement in Decatur,…
C.J.: Stokley is reaching for a new 'Level' of fame apart from Mint Condition
Stokley is getting more recognition from people who are on his “Level.” The drummer and vocalist for Mint Condition has gone solo with…
C.J.: Remember Peter Thiele from AM 1500? He misses Minnesota and hates Dallas Cowboys
The guy who worked at KSTP (1500 AM) for nearly nine years and left Minnesota in 1996 has popped up videoconferencing comments for TMZ's TV show.
C.J.: PACER headliner Jay Leno definitely won't be a potty mouth at the gala
Here is Part Two of my interview with Jay Leno, the headliner at Saturday’s PACER Center gala. You have plenty of time to read…
C.J.: PACER headliner Jay Leno is happy he doesn't have to do political humor on TV these days
"I never questioned anyone's patriotism; I just questioned their judgment," he says in the first of a two-part interview.
C.J.: Strange has been liberating for Barry Bostwick's long, less than "Rocky" career
“Rocky Horror Picture Show” royalty Barry Bostwick will introduce a midnight screening Saturday at the Riverview Theater. The movie’s Brad Majors is scheduled to…
C.J.: YA author Jenny Han wants to nudge door open for more diverse books
Young adult lit darling and outspoken advocate for diversity in children's literature Jenny Han is making an appearance at Har Mar Mall's Barnes…
C.J.: Monster cookie maker Tina Rexing offers a 'special' T-Rex batch for Snoop Dogg
NBC's "Today Show" has showcased her cookies fit for a dinosaur, and more exposure might be coming.
C.J.: Proud papa Orenstein says writer Peggy learned early to stand her ground
New York Times bestselling author Peggy Orenstein had to withstand parental pressure to pursue a law career. As she was about to graduate…
C.J.: The Little Gym aims to put the play back in kids' sports
The franchise aims to create quality kids, not athletes.
C.J.: Shaun LaBelle hopes to ride 'Wave' to another platinum seller
Multiplatinum smooth jazz record producer Shaun LaBelle says that releasing singles only, instead of albums and EPs, looks like the new normal in…
C.J.: Rented RV was just the ticket for the Brundidges' vacation with three special-needs children
Sheletta Brundidge didn’t know how prescient her decision to travel via RV on a family vacation was until that video of a TSA…
C.J.: Ben Tracy doesn't think he'll need the fire gear in Asia, his new CBS assignment
CBS’ new Asia correspondent Ben Tracy is scheduled to be in North Korea getting familiar with one of the hot spots on his overseas…
C.J.: Carleton-educated Andrij Parekh is eye behind gloriously shot 'Zookeeper's Wife'
The cinematographer for "The Zookeeper's Wife," starring Jessica Chastain, grew up in Wayzata and graduated from The Blake School and Carleton College (1995) before…
C.J.: Author Peggy Orenstein talks about how bad Kardashians are for girls' self-esteem
Sound Minnesota values and research for books such as "Girls & Sex" don't make bestselling author Peggy Orenstein a fan of the impact…
C.J.: Philanthropic Delta flight attendant knows how to make connections
When Richard Moody isn’t working as a Delta cabin manager on international flights, he’s busy connecting. He is a passionate connector of people for…
C.J.: WCCO-TV's original 'Good Question' anchor Ben Tracy is headed to China for CBS News
Minnesotans had the privilege of watching Ben Tracy work during the run-up to his current stature as a CBS News correspondent. The St. Paul…
C.J.: Former newsie Roxane Battle's 'Pockets of Joy' may get deeper
Woman’s Club of Minneapolis guests who hear Roxane Battle’s speech Wednesday will meet the former TV newswoman for the first time, so to speak.…
Guitarist/fireman Sam Breckenridge is used to getting his hands dirty
Every time I open a package of hand warmers, fingerstyle guitarist Sam Breckenridge comes to mind. He’s the nephew of satirist Lizz Winstead, co-creator of…
C.J.: Frank Kramer of 'Dish Nation' claims Porsha Williams isn't high-maintenance. Riiiigght
“Dish Nation” cast member Frank Kramer took the Minneapolis Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Minnesota last weekend. Kramer is one of seven DJs taped…
C.J.: Fine to call her 'Prez,' says Hamline University's new leader
Others might balk, but Hamline University President Fayneese Miller is fine with being referred to as “The Prez.” “It does not bother me. What…
C.J.: Jeff Passolt's broken hip may not allow a speedy return to Fox 9 anchor desk
Fox 9 anchor Jeff Passolt and his broken hip were motoring around his home pretty well behind a walker the day I interviewed him.…
C.J.: Filmmaker Keith Black shows romantic side in the short "Celebrity Sex Tape"
Keith Black is persistent. The Brooklyn, N.Y.-based math teacher and moviemaker e-mailed me with “an intriguing and humorous pitch regarding my short comedic film,…
Rodeo 'pickup man' Jeff Rector riding high in Minnesota
Jeff Rector is working the dream job of many kids. He’s a cowboy. He has the dangerous job of rodeo pick-up man. If you…
C.J.: A professor's documentary gets to the bottom of the N-word
What is your first or most memorable experience with the N-word? Southern Connecticut State University journalism professor Frank Harris III went around America asking…
C.J.: Fox 9 meteorologist Ian Leonard faces cancer with grit, blog
Fox 9 meteorologist Ian Leonard is starting to look camera ready now that he’s completed chemotherapy on his face. He’s due back at the…
C.J.: Pro bull jumper pumps up Cinch World's Toughest Rodeo
There was man jumping over a bull last week when Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo stopped by St. Paul’s X. Imagine a matador without a cape…
C.J.: Author says American Indians suffer because of dependency
Colorful, argumentative retired Star Tribune investigative reporter Joe Rigert sounds like a conservative in his fourth book, “The Dependency Curse.” The book examines the…
C.J.: Ernie Hudson will bust out the undergear if that's what Shonda Rhimes demands
Ernie Hudson’s career is going well, even though home base is Minnesota. He’s got three shows: “Grace and Frankie” on Netflix, “Graves” on Epix…
C.J.: You want to lose weight? Omaur Bliss says cook at home
Local fitness expert Omaur Bliss, a regular on the Fox 9 “Buzz,” learned a lot during this interview. The founder of Bliss Full Fit,…
C.J.: Camille Williams, Cory Hepola thrilled about sharing a KARE 11 anchor desk
Married KARE 11 staffers Camille Williams and Cory Hepola get their wish: Starting Feb. 3 they will co-anchor KARE 11’s weekend news shows…
C.J.: Smooth jazz's Jeff Lorber is cool about borrowing by Ashanti and Ja Rule
Jeff Lorber, the father of fusion and a pioneer of smooth jazz, was having a surprising amount of fun over a typo in his…
C.J.: Author Bruce Benidt joins "The Geezer Squad" in latest book
“The Geezer Squad” author and communications coach Bruce Benidt is such an elegant guy it may be difficult to imagine him as my writing…
C.J.: A month after breaking hip, Sid Hartman is back in action
Sports columnist Sid Hartman was not hip to any humor Wednesday when he returned to the office less than a month after breaking…
C.J.: Fabric mogul Sid Harris didn't like state of Minnesota sizing him up
If a bona fide state employee went to measure yardsticks at the SR Harris Fabric warehouse in Brooklyn Park, he would be lucky if
C.J.: Lizz Winstead promises scathing political satire in annual year-end review
"Deep. Breath," reads a promo for Lizz Winstead's annual shows at the Cedar Cultural Center. "Our Black president is leaving and our KKK endorsed…
C.J.: Home Depot is Matt Ferguson's opera house
Matt Ferguson is classing up the appliance business at St. Louis Park’s Home Depot. The 2016 bachelor of arts degree holder in vocal performance…
C.J.: Too early to know if Soledad O'Brien's kids will follow in broadcasting
When Soledad O’Brien brought one of her “PowHERful” summits for young women to St. Paul’s St. Catherine University, I did an interview with the…
C.J.: Miss Richfield, stubble and all, before her annual Illusion Theater holiday show
Miss Richfield 1981 is “running for president of Minnesota” in her 18th holiday stand at Illusion Theater. From the “Trailer House to the State…
C.J.: Social media star Connor Franta comes home to promote his Urban Outfitters clothing line
YouTube’s 5 Million Man and “Work in Progress” memoirist Connor Franta is scheduled to flex his entrepreneurial muscle Friday for Urban Outfitters at the…
C.J.: Former KDWB DJ Steve Cochran's flying high in Chicago
Remember Steve Cochran, the KDWB-FM morning show DJ back when that station was fun? He’s doing extremely well with a talk show in Chicago…
C.J.: Nekima Levy-Pounds talks about protests, policing, parking tickets
There was only one subject on which I was able to school former Minneapolis NAACP president, civil rights attorney and uber-protest leader Nekima…
C.J.: Kim Schultz found a play and a book among ruins of romance with Iraqi refugee
Minnesota-born, now Chicago-based, actor and writer Kim Schultz was in Syria in 2009 to interview refugees when she fell into her own unlikely love…
C.J.: Toure has sympathy for Prince and insight into Kanye West
It was a singular pleasure to interview Touré, the journalist, TV host and cogent cultural/political critic and music writer. Touré is a blunt, deep…
C.J.: Creative force behind Pleasure is coming to the Dakota with Jeff Lorber
Funk R&B fans may not remember Marlon McClain’s name until they hear Pleasure. Pleasure is the legendary funk R & B group that put…
C.J.: 'Team Ninja Warrior' Jennifer Tavernier takes her gun show to Women RISE to Lakeville
Not many of Soledad O’Brien’s PowHERful Summit speakers personified the word powerful quite like Jennifer Tavernier. Wearing a sleeveless top, Instagram’s @minneninja…
C.J.: Paisley Park was like summer camp at uncle Prince's for Brianna Nelson
We haven’t heard the last of Brianna Nelson, who was knocked off the list of Prince heirs. Nelson, who contacted me to set…
C.J.: After 38 seasons, Dehn's Garden's earthy Bonnie and Bob ready to retire
Bonnie and Bob Dehn of Dehn’s Garden didn’t work Minneapolis’ downtown Thursday Farmers Market this year. Bob’s hip just wouldn’t tolerate the rigors…
C.J.: Prince's 'wall of security' didn't keep Tommy Smith from getting great photos
“This is what they call an ego boost, big time. Wow,” said photographer Tommy Smith III as I set up video cameras for…
C.J.: Soledad O'Brien brings "PowHERful" summit to St. Kate's
Emmy-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien’s “PowHERful” conference for young women is rolling into St. Paul. The PowHERful Twin Cities Summit is Oct. 29 at St.…
C.J.: Carl Hiaasen's an 'equal opportunity SOB'
Carl Hiaasen, the Florida-born and -based journalist, columnist and writer of outrageous bestselling novels, recently came to speak at the Star Tribune. I interviewed…
C.J.: Former ride-share driver Evan Kail doesn't curb himself with new book "Ubered"
Former Lyft and Uber driver Evan Kail was flunking my road test and not because of his driving skills. As you will see on…
C.J.: Marriage is making restaurant savant Steve Schussler much more mild
Restaurant creator Steve Schussler has a Donald Trump business story that is a showstopper! However, telling the Trump story — I’ve been sworn…
C.J.: Nekima Levy-Pounds' eye-opening take on so-called 'black-on-black crime'
The video from this Nekima Levy-Pounds interview contains sounds and facial expressions not normally seen when the Minneapolis NAACP president is on local newscasts.…
C.J.: FOX 9 meteorologist Ian Leonard recovering from removal of a third of his lip due to cancer
Fox 9 chief meteorologist Ian Leonard will return to work beard-free and, more importantly, cancer-free after surgery to remove squamous cell skin cancer from…
C.J. apologizes
A column I wrote and that was briefly published Wednesday has created a lot of anger and confusion among some readers. I want you to…
C.J.: Music writer Toure attracts attention while here for the Revolution's Prince performances
Cultural and music critic Touré was in the metro for the trio of reunion shows at First Avenue performed by Prince’s band the…
C.J.: Market BBQ now smoking on a truck
The transition from father to son has worked remarkably well at Market BBQ on Nicollet Avenue. Owner Steve Polski comes in when he wants,…
C.J.: Feast your eyes on social media's photo of bearded Fox 9 meteorologist Ian Leonard
Based on Twitter’s response, there’s a great deal of interest in a photo of Fox 9 meteorologist Ian Leonard with a beard. As…
C.J.: Former metro meteorologist Patrick Hammer still scheduled to become chief at WGRZ
A "bonehead" DWI arrest in Buffalo, N.Y., didn't cost Hammer the promotion he was expecting.
C.J.: R.J. Fritz came to the WCCO-TV 'Old Timers' party with a heavy, noisy gift
Retired WCCO-TV sports guy R.J. Fritz brought retired sports photographer Larry Kohout a camera that Fritz's son found stored at R.J.'s home.
C.J.: Fox 9's Shayne Wells on TV, motherhood and out-of-line fans
Fox 9’s Shayne Wells was just fine not being on camera. When she was producer of “The Jason Show,” I would look at her…
C.J.: WCCO meteorologist Molly Rosenblatt turns cool on 'Michael'
WCCO-TV meteorologist Molly Rosenblatt was blowing up a guy’s cellphone recently while he shopped at SR Harris Fabric in Brooklyn Park. There was apparently…
C.J.: Family matters land HGTV's Nicole Curtis in court
Nicole Curtis, the host of “Rehab Addict,” challenges the report of an incident Sunday at the St. Paul home of her youngest child’s father,…
C.J.: Josh Hartnett smiles pretty at the Birdie
Josh Hartnett was reportedly observed doing something sweet when he poked his head into Birdie. Birdie is a chef’s table restaurant with a U-shaped…
C.J.: NAACP chief lauds Uber-nice move for Philando
Uber provided free rides to Philando Castile’s funeral. NAACP President Nekima Levy-Pounds had a hunch the online transportation company was doing this because…
C.J.: KARE 11's Camille Williams and Cory Hepola's family of 5 almost didn't happen
When it comes to the Williams-Hepola romance, it came close to not happening. They were working in upstate New York. He was at the ABC station and she at the NBC.
C.J.: Cotty Lowry billboards once decorated, now just defaced
Sunday afternoon a new Cotty Lowry billboard went up “and by Monday morning it was pretty well destroyed; less than 12 hours,” he said.…
C.J.: MC Hammer has a beef with Market BBQ mini truck
MC Hammer can Command a crowd again, I guess, thanks to his funny 3M commercials. Market BBQ owner Anthony Polski swears that…
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