Front Row is a vastly entertaining half-hour show made for and by fans of genre films. Produced by "friend of the B-Movie" Paul Scrabo, Front Row is hosted by the charming Rich Scrivani, who looks like a '50s Matinee idol in his own right.
While the show itself runs on cable in only a few markets, Producer Scrabo has made it accessible to fans via the internet, streaming segments of the shows in Real Video.
The most recent show is Episode #10, and the guest is non-other than the multi-talented B-Movie diva Debbie Rochon. She and Scrivani display an instant chemistry, as they talk about her earlier work, life before her career, and her current success in the indie industry.
This is a damned good show, people. Admittedly, I wasn't sure what to expect at first. The low-key set is indicative of it's "cable access" standing, but instead of a drawback, this is actually an asset, as nothing detracts from the host and his guest. And the production values go through the roof in terms of editing. Throughout the half-hour, stills and scenes from Debbie's movies are run over the commentary, and some of these included rare stills from her famous "lost" film debut Ladies and Gentlemen: The Fabulous Stains which were a treat to see. And yet none of this seems slick, self-aware, or over-done.
Scrivani is a rare host, the kind you don't really see anymore. He has a quiet charisma that would seem to put the guests at ease, but he does one thing unlike any other talk-show host: he lets the guests talk. Scrivani is not so impressed with himself that he overshadows the focus of the show, and definitely seems to have mastered the rare art of the interview. He asked all the right questions of Ms. Rochon, and received some fascinating stories from her. Even her most rabid fans will hear some new tidbits in this interview.
All in all, Front Row cannot be more highly recommended. My only hope is that Scrabo and Scrivani can some how get the show into wider syndication (attention Independent Film Channel: anyone paying attention here?), because it is a rare-breed of talk show: entertaining and informative without being sensationalistic or annoying.
Everyone should rush over to the Front Row website at www.scrabo.com and download all the available clips.
