The Producers...

[JohnTChance]

Jerry wrote:

> Amazing how many people remember Post Time. That show was ahead of its time.
> Unfortunately, for the producers.

Years after Post Time left the airwaves, I could have sworn I saw
one of the show\'s producers on Entertainment Tonight, hawking
his new project: either a wet t-shirt contest, or a video with a new
starlet he somehow represented, Anna Nicole Smith.

Jerry, have I got the right guy? If so, consider the switch in trainer
stat handicapping terms: Post Time to Anna Nicole. Is that a big drop
in class, or a step up? And does the \"adding bandages\" category apply
to the switch?

JohnTChance

[TGJB]

John, that is an UNBELIEVABLE catch. Yes, Post Time was the brainchild of Elliot Bellen, who had previously done travel specials, and went on to do them with the estimable Anna Nicole (she wears a t shirt to this place, she wears a t shirt to that place). Elliot was ahead of his time, seriously-- his original idea was to make money by tying Post Time to a national handicapping contest, but they couldn\'t figure out a way to do it legally. He was the king of barter-- I never got paid a dime for being on that show, but I got so much ad space (which no one in the industry was willing to buy to support a show promoting betting on horses, shame on them) that lots of people thought it was my show.

Jan Rushton got her start on that show. We did a piece on exercise riders (she was getting on Shug\'s best, several champions), and since she was looking ahead for a second career, she asked Elliot if he needed an intern. One of her first jobs was taking me to the airport, but she went on to learn how to use all the editing equipment, produced my stuff, then the whole show at times, and eventually went on-camera. This led to the shot at NYRA, and I think she is the best and most informative at what she does-- the trainers know her and tell her things you don\'t usually get.

[JohnTChance]

Reference is made to Jerry\'s mention of Jan Rushton, the current
NYRA paddock \"reporter\" for their simulcast feed.

I like Jan, but I think she\'s capable of much better. Too often these days,
her pre-race insights are things anyone with a program can see on their
own. Sometimes her entire commentary consists of how people in the
Belmont Park picnic areas are having a good time. A directive from track
management? More typically though, especially in the doldrums of
Winter racing, she\'ll say something like:

\"The number 5 broke her maiden last September by three lengths and is
making her second start off a layoff for trainer Howie Tesher. The horses
are moving onto the track for the 3rd race. Good luck with your wagering.\"

Oh.

It wasn\'t always like that. Years ago, when the NYRA RaceDay show
began, it seemed Jan was more aggressive in getting pre-race stories,
interviews and handicapping angles of relevance. Her stuff was more
interesting and there was a liveliness to the show. I\'ve been told the
reason for the demise has to do with the fact that she had field producers
to help her then, and that subsequent budget cuts eliminated those
producers, leaving her to dig for angles on her own.

I\'ll never forget a funny moment from one of the initial RaceDay shows.
In the Belmont paddock before a race in mid-card, Jan was eager to give
viewers insights about a layoff returnee from Rene Araya\'s barn, who
may also have been dropping way down in class. In something of an
\"ambush\" interview, Jan approached Araya, put her microphone in
his face, and asked the sly-dog claiming trainer whether his horse was
ready. Araya, a small, beady-eyed Chilean with distinctive looks, was
clearly stunned with such a pointed question. His face got red, his eyes
tightened, and he froze, apparently unwilling to reveal ANY hole card
about his horse. Then, after an uncomfortable moment, he finally gave
in and uttered a response: \"Do I HAVE to tell you?\" he said. Hilarious!

JohnTChance