Sept. 25, 2006

Straight Talk

If making the transition from hard news journalist to daytime talk host to Hollywood actress wasn't enough for multimedia talent Rolonda Watts, the Winston-Salem, North Carolina-native is now venturing into another entertainment medium. Starting next week, Watts will kick off the nationally syndicated radio program, 'The Rolonda Watts Show,' as part of the newly instituted GreenStone Media radio network that's being launched under the auspices of an all-female team that includes Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem.

"We're excited! As one of my mentors said, we're going to change this decade when it comes to women in radio. It's going to be a real defining moment for us because what we are doing at GreenStone Media is really groundbreaking. Women have left radio in droves because radio has left us. The programming has been very male-oriented and very heated and political. There really has not been an opportunity for women in talk in radio until. GreenStone specifically programs issues that women are interested in. Things about our family, things about style; we just like to laugh, have a good time…it's a girl moment, honey! But guys like to listen in too because they learn so much just from hearing what women are saying honestly. And we always like dialogue from men," an excited Watts told us over the phone from her home in the Hollywood Hills.

Watts got the bug for radio after guest-hosting on the morning show for Los Angeles station 100.3 FM The Beat and filling in for radio personalities like Larry Elder and Gloria Allred. "I liked it a lot," she said of the experiences, before adding: "The timing couldn't have been better! I was a bit frustrated with television and just trying to look for new avenues to bring what I do to the table. And radio, I had thought about it and said, 'That would be cool.' And then when I got this call from GreenStone and they said, 'would you like to come in?' They had the nerve to wonder if I could talk for three hours! I really enjoyed it! I just thought, 'wow, this is really special.' It doesn't get better and meatier than that!"

In addition to launching her new radio show, Watts will resume her recurring role as attorney Cameron Reese on the NBC soap opera 'Days of Our Lives' starting on Oct. 3. "Who knew? And in a time when they are killing off people, they brought me back," she said laughing. "They're bringing her in for a big case. I was really thrilled because I love that character and people remember the character and it's really cool. Until they drive me off a cliff I guess I'll just keep showing up in Salem."

Watts also voices the character of Professor Wiseman on the PBS series 'Curious George.' "I play this rocket scientist and I was just excited they made her black and a woman. As somebody who is a big proponent of literacy in this country, if you're going to do a cartoon do 'Curious George' because it's a real good educational vehicle for kids," she said. Her voice can also be heard narrating the court show 'Judge Joe Brown' and in national commercials for McDonalds, Boeing, Southwest Airlines and Tropicana, among others.

The former TV-talker's name has been tossed around as one of the frontrunners for Star Jones Reynolds' seat on 'The View.' I asked Watts straight-out had she been offered the job. "My phone is beeping now, that could be the call," she guffawed, before putting me on hold for a second. "No, it wasn't them," she said upon her return. "You know something, never say never. Life presents all kind of exciting opportunities and you know, I'm a big fan of those women and if they wanted me to come in and guest host, I'd be more than happy."

To get Watts warmed up for her talk radio debut (for details on the show visit www.greenstoneradio.com), I had her weigh-in on some recent hot topics.

Hollywood's fascination with being skinny: "I'm so happy I'm in Hollywood and I don't have to play the ingénue. I can be my size eight, which is huge here, and be okay. I'm just in that age group. But there is a fascination with weight and there are times when I start getting neurotic and I'm a size eight and that's not huge in the rest of America. I think that what everybody has to realize is that there's New York, there's Los Angeles and then there's the rest of America. Things are very different in New York and L.A. in terms of how people value your worth."

The allure of Paris Hilton: "As obnoxious as some may find her, you have to admit that there's a brilliance about her too. She ain't doing it for the money! And I think she does a lot of things just because she can. I don't know if its flaunting freedom in daddy's face-all of us have a bit of rebellion in us at that age-but you can not deny how brilliant the woman is in terms of her public relations and promo campaign outside of her multi-billion dollar inheritance."

Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown Divorcing: "Ain't that something? I was at the birthday party years and years ago when he was with New Edition and he sang to her for the first time. He was a little boy. That's how old I am. I knew there was love a long time ago. Then they got married and I went to the reception. I know that, that was real love. I am happy to see any kind of movement where people are claiming their own lives and they're going to make the best out of whatever the situation was. I'm happy to see that movement and I hope that there's life at the end of the tunnel. I don't like to hear about anybody breaking up, especially when there's children involved, but if they're going on to better and bigger things…God bless them both. They'll do the right thing eventually."

Vote on who you think should replace Star Jones Reynolds on "The View" here.

You've Got Mail

Rolonda Watts wasn't the only one who had something to say about Whitney Houston filing for divorce from Bobby Brown. So many others flooded my e-mail box with their thoughts on music's most notorious couple calling it quits. Take a look:

"I think Whitney and Bobby will be fine together or apart. My wife and I have been together for 14 years. It's a running joke between us that if those two can stay together, anyone can. Now, I'm worried. As far as their careers go, I don't think their marriage affected them one way or another. Truth is, I'm just going to really miss seeing people being dissed by Whitney on 'Being Bobby Brown.'" - Gary Anthony Sturgis, actor, 'Daddy's Little Girls'

"Any real celebrity couple will tell you that it's very difficult to maintain career and family. I commend them for sticking it out this long. I know she still loves him and that he loves her; but sometimes to keep it at a place of mutual respect and love, it's better just to be apart." - Tonex, singer

"This divorce seems more like a campaign than the dissolution of a union. Bobby is on the cover of a major magazine and Whitney is already being called upon for comeback performances at high profile events via her self proclaimed svengali, Clive Davis. Bobby and Whitney are both superstars; iconic in their own right. Funny thing is...we prefer them individually anyways." - Kevin R. Scott, SOHH.com

Read Page 2 of the BV Buzz