‘The Lisa Robertson Show’: You Get To Ask Lisa One Question That She Has To Answer

We caught the first “episode” of “The Lisa Robertson Show” Friday night, and it was a pretty good effort.

Lisa has her own new set, which almost looked like a living room, and she looked great with a leopard print skirt and great black boots.

Designer Mark Zunino, a protege of longtime QVC vendor and Hollywood designer Nolan Miller, introduced his new line for QVC on the show.

Our favorite guest, however, was fellow Montclair resident and talk show host Wendy Williams, who sat on a couch by Lisa and explained the inspiration for her new QVC accessories line, which is called Adorn. Lisa was on Williams’ show earlier in the week.

Wendy was cool, and had a cute conversation with Lisa, who seems addicted to hair extensions, about wigs.

A stand in for Dr. Perricone, the nationally known skin doctor, was in the house, as well, touting his latest product, or “Fountain of Youth,” as she called it. Really? Does the FDA Know about that?

All the whole shopping networks are trying to make their segments jazzier than an infomercial, in an attempt to draw in new viewers who could become new home shopping customers.

Lisa looked natural in the role of TV show host.

The one thing that did annoy us (there’s always somethin’) was Amy Stran’s presence. She was trying to do the social media thang during the show, answer questions from Facebook and Twitter, and it ground the show to a halt.

There was one interesting bit that the show will be doing: Viewers each week be able to ask Lisa one question that she MUST answer.

Now that’s an intriguing concept.

Montclair Resident, And Talk Show Host, Wendy Williams Is On Her Way To QVC With ‘Adorn’ Line

Our fellow Montclair resident, talk show host Wendy Williams, is coming to QVC.

She has an accessory line called Adorn that will debut Feb. 16. So far there are four Adorn items on QVC’s website: a paw print ring; two chain necklaces; and a snakeskin cuff.

Here is a portion of an interview with Williams that QVC posted on its site.

This is the link: http://www.qvc.com/cgen/render.aspx?qp=promo|AdornByWendyWilliams&rewrite=no

QVC: How involved are you in the design process?

WW: “It’s important for my Wendy watchers on QVC — the people who will be trusting in my name — that I was there every step of the way getting this line together. Feeling fabric for the scarves…I love a thick waspy belt, I love a belt that accentuates my waist. Pull it tighter, no tighter, no tighter — ohhh, it’s OK, breathing is so overrated, but I look good, and it works for my pocket.”

QVC: Love your readers! Are they in your collection?

WW: “Readers are wonderful. I have readers every place around the house. I have readers by every TV; I keep readers out on my Hot Topics table. People know that when I get ready to read a card, I put my readers on. I get compliments on my readers. My readers are a reflection of my style and personality. They’re something I wear on my show and in my everyday life. I have full-blown glasses to drive in.” (Laughs)

QVC: Why are handbags so important to your collection?

WW: “My handbags are fabulous. And I put a lot of stuff in my handbag — I am a busy woman! So I need my readers and my cell phone. I’m still an old-school girl — I still carry a planner with a phone book with everybody’s phone number, I don’t have a BlackBerry. I always have a book that I’m reading, a bottle of water, and I need one bag that looks good and has all of my stuff. And hopefully with compartments and secret hideaways inside. And I don’t need the straps to break while I’m in the middle of my busy workday.”

QVC: Do you and your husband Kevin, an executive producer on The Wendy Williams Show, commute together?

WW: “We drive in together in the morning. We’ve been married for 13 years and together for 17 years and I’ve been a person in the public spotlight for the past 23 years of my life. He and I have been together during the most aggressive parts of the uphill climb. So there’s something really comforting about being able to have work conversations, home conversations, or say nothing at all — which hardly ever happens — we always have something to talk about, whether it’s QVC, or the day’s events, or our son, Kevin.”

QVC: How would you describe your fashion sense?

WW: “I love cheetah print and bold colors. As a fashion girl, I must say, there’s nothing like wearing dark colors. Honestly, I like the classics. I like a pencil skirt and a cashmere sweater…and I don’t like necessarily a lot of clothes in my closet at home. I like the adornments: the jewelry, a necklace, a handbag. I think that your handbag, your jewelry, your belt or not a belt (snaps!) can change your look instantly. They make a big statement.”

Here is the boilerplate on Williams:

Mother, wife, and best-selling author Wendy Williams burst onto the national talk show scene in July 2009 with the launch of the syndicated weekday program, The Wendy Williams Show. Called a “breakthrough in daytime” by The New York Times, The Wendy Williams Show, which airs in 52 countries, and is now in its third season, has just been renewed on Fox through 2014. The Wendy Williams Show is the provocative, must-see daytime talk show.

Viewers delight over Williams’ distinctive and entertaining personality, as well as a diverse mix of interviews with celebrity guests from television, film, music, and sports. Popular segments include “Ask Wendy,” during which she offers real advice to audience members looking for solutions to problems, and “Hot Topics,” in which she delivers her own unpredictably honest and authentically opinionated take on the juiciest headlines.

The Wendy Williams Show, taped live in New York, is a reflection of its star and host; the vibrant colors and upbeat soundtrack match Williams’ own personality and energetic sense of humor, and the show’s focus on entertainment and pop culture reflects Williams’ passion for those topics.

When she interviews the countless A-list celebrity guests for her show, it’s from the perspective of a fan, as she asks the questions that her audience wants to hear. Williams is a lover of classic television, and her TV idols growing up were Dinah Shore and Merv Griffin.

Before achieving success in daytime television, Williams built a devoted audience of fans throughout an enormously successful 23-year career in radio. The Wendy Williams Experience was Williams’ top-rated daily radio show. Syndicated nationally, it aired on WBLS in New York and was listened to by an audience of more than 12 million people nationwide. One of the most popular personalities in radio, Williams was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in November of 2009 — one of only a handful of women with that honor.

Williams recently competed on Season 12 of ABC’s smash-hit dancing competition Dancing with the Stars. Other television credits include serving as host of Game Show Network’s original series Love Triangle, and as a featured guest on ABC’s One Life to Live and Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva. Williams will star in Steve Harvey’s April 2012 motion picture release of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.

Williams is the author of The New York Times best seller The Wendy Williams Experience, as well as several novels including Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood. She contributes a weekly celebrity hot topics column to Life&Style magazine.

Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in journalism at Northeastern University in Boston. Both of her parents were university professors and Williams remains an advocate for education at all levels. Williams credits the start of her career with her decision to take an internship at a radio station on St. Croix, Virgin Islands immediately following her graduation from college.

Williams grew up in Ocean Township, NJ and currently lives in Northern New Jersey with her husband Kevin and their 11-year-old son Kevin, Jr.Our fellow Montclair resident, talk show host Wendy Williams, is coming to QVC.