Zo Wesson On "America's Next Producer"

Cincinnati filmmaker Alphonzo "Zo" Wesson III definitely will be noticed as a contestant on "America's Next Producer" -- for those who will be able to see the new reality competition on the TV Guide Network.

Wesson, 47, who has directed everything from P&G commercials to the "Real World" and segments for "Oprah Winfrey," is one of 10 people competing for the $100,000 prize, a Hollywood office and a first-look production deal with the TV Guide Network. Here's the link to my stories today:
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070718/ENT/707180306/1086/LIFE

As one of the oldest and most experienced producers on the show, Wesson quickly emerges as a take-charge guy in the premiere. And that will rub some people the wrong way. It's clear from tonight's show, and previews for next week's episode, that Zo -- the only African-American man on the show -- will clash with Sharon Nash, the only African-American woman. And like Zo, she's older than the rest and more experienced. The big difference, however, is that she likes to tell everyone that she's older and more experienced. She won't last long.

"America's Next Producer" is an excellent production, which is what you'd expect from Magical Elves Inc., makers of "Top Chef," '"Project Runway," "Project Greenlight" and "Last Comic Standing." It's fun to watch.

Here's the problem: How to watch it. TV Guide Network execs were stunned to find out that Time Warner Cable doesn't offer the channel in most communities. Only a handful of suburbs get TV Guide Network on channel space devoted to public access programming in most communities here. So you have to watch on the TV Guide Spot on-demand channel on either Time Warner digital Ch. 1219, or Insight on-demand Ch. 99. Or you can watch online at
http://www.tvguide.com/Channel/
The show is available now -- minus the "reveal" at the end, when they send the first of the 10 cast members home. The full episode won't be available online until about Thursday noon.
And about that same time, next week's episode will be available for preview on TV Guide Spot and online, I'm told. TV Guide Network is doing all it can to promote the show, the centerpiece of its new strategy to transition from a listings channel to a programming channel.

It's a good show. You should check it out.