Yes, folks. That's Dennis Rodman on your left. Yours truly on the right. I'm the one without the makeup. What was it for? I was in Vegas for a Halloween function. We took our GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS there for some fun and games. And then Dennis walked up as....me.
Good lookin'. Don't you think?
ROCK AGAINST DRUGS
Here is a tv anti drug campaign I did in the late 80's.
That's me in spfx wiz Rick Baker's prosthetic makeup.
New letters posted...
Why you were right. Why Kodak was wrong.
Kodak has always been about the PROCESS of photography. The Kodak camera, maybe. Kodak Kodachrome or Ektachrome film. Kodak processing. Kodak labeled slide mounts in a Kodak red and yellow box. Shown on a Kodak Carousel slide projector.
Gene’s interpretation of this looked at Kodak in this larger sense. (I quibble with his slogan but fully support his strategy.)
Kodak’s ad guy’s interpretation looked at this and REJECTED everything that Kodak, its history, its identity, its brand, its product line stood for. And replaced it with this overriding marketing concept:
CHEAP INK. HALF OFF.
All Academy Award nominees were shot on Kodak film, so why his rejection of film for this marketplace distortion? I may have found out why.
The January 2008 issue of CONDÉ NAST PORTFOLIO has an article on the new-ish CEO of Kodak, Antonio Perez. Seems when he was at HP, Carly Fiorina aced him out of the top job and now he wants to prove he was right (printers and ink) and she was wrong. Maybe he has a larger view of the world of "imaging," but so far, it's just a sale on cheap ink.
Their stock, EK, is near its 52-week low.
As to Gene, I define a team player as someone “who goes along to get along.” That’s a passive way to exist. Gene is a team leader or, if I may, a pack leader. Calm, assertive, with conviction. I think César Millan would be proud.
Zipper #3
From: IDW/Simmons Comic Group
Written by: Tom Waltz
Art By: Casey Maloney, Marc Rueda
Reviewed by Tim Janson
Created by KISS bassist, Gene Simmons, Zipper is the epitome of a “stranger in a strange land” story (with apologies to Robert heinlein). Xeng Ral has fled from his world where individuality is non-existent and all its beings are a part of a great collective. He refused to conform and give up his free will, escaping to Earth and to the city of Detroit. Xeng Ral’s Exo suit gives him the ability to cloak his appearance so he can pass for human, as well as being able to translate any language, not to mention imparting various physical abilities such as enhanced strength and speed. In the first two issues he has befriended a small-time crook named Ronnie and a Detroit Detective.
Xeng’s race, the Etherians, have tracked him to Earth and set four hunters on his trail. They are intent on bringing Xeng back so their collective can be made whole again. The result is an all out war on Detroit’s streets with Ronnie and Detective Maki caught in the middle of the fight between the aliens. There is also a slowly developing subplot regarding a Los Angeles minister who has had visions of Earth being invaded by an alien race and he is gathering an army of followers to combat them.
While you obviously can’t hear the aliens speak, through Waltz’ script and the letterings of Chris Mowry, you get the sense that their voices are smooth, eloquent and soft, perhaps even a bit monotone, or even toned might be a better description. This unique lettering style does a very subtle job of conveying just how different these aliens are. Casey Maloney’s art is very smooth and I especially enjoyed the fluidity of the battle sequences, which were unfortunately too short. The one thing I really want to see is more background on Xeng and the Etherians. What caused Xeng to discover his free will and desire to break away and why do the Etherians want him back so desperately? You get the feeling that it could be a catastrophic situation if Xeng is not brought back. I’m looking forward to seeing how Waltz continues to develop this story and the character of Xeng Ral.
I just watch the Apprentice. show and I agree totally with your vision, myself as a Creative Director, in several occasions went against the executives of top brands (Marlboro, Pepsi, Ford, Kellogg’s) and their objectives, sometimes they are too framed and their egos, don't let them see the big picture, by the way, at the end we (my team included) proved we were right (increasing sales and corporative image positioning). It's very hard in a fast TV show to enjoy and measure in an objective way those results. Now I rather write screenplays (just finished the second of a trilogy).
I probably had fired Almarrosa in the second show. (She doesn’t understand or allowed the sublime game of seduction, maybe one day blah blah bla)
Keep up with the good work in the female arena, success is not fun without a lady to share it with (not the same one, variety makes the humble man reach the stars of creativity and wholeness)
Sincerely
Carlos
PS I might sound full of it, but your creative proposal for Kodak, for that particular situation was better, good taste, straight forward and authentic. (my humble, respectable and honest opinion)
Just wanted to say how wonderful we thought you were on the apprentice and you are totally right when you say that Kodak had it wrong. Your positioning was right on when it comes to, IT IS A Kodak world. Welcome. I think the executives believe that they are in the printer business and camera business. Not a place I would want to be for very long. The way you positioned it was a people business. Awesome work! They couldn’t even see that they could extrapolate it out to everything under the sun. In a Kodak world your dreams are twice as big. And Then tie in the silly ink that everyone will copy within 6 months. In a Kodak world you money goes further. We loved your I am Indy as well.
Sat/ Mar 29th - Homestead-Miami, Fla
Sun, Apr 6th - Streets of St Petersburg, Fla
Sat, Apr 19th - Twin Ring Motegi, Japan
Sun, Apr 27th - Kansas Speedway
Sun, May 25th - 92nd Year !!!! INDY 500
Sun, Jun 1st - Milwaukee
Sat, Jun 7th - Texas Motor Speedway
Sun, Jun 22nd - Iowa Speedway
Sat, Jun 28th - Richmond, Va
Sun, Jul 6th - Watkins Glen Speedway, NY
Sat, Jul 12th - Nashville Superspeedway
Sun, Jul 20th - Mid Ohio Sports Speedway
Sat, Aug 9th - Kentucky Speedway
Sun, Aug 24th - Infineon Raceway - Calif
Sun, Aug 31st - Raceway, Detroit
Sun, Sep 7th - Chicagoland Speedway
Come on out to the races -- see the Fastest Cars On Earth.
Log on to INDYCAR.COM....for the thrill of a lifetime!!!!
January 25th -
"Ugly Betty" Kiss Meter: Gene Simmons Says Farewell Donald Trump, Hello America Ferrera 1/25/08
With Gene Simmons' unceremonious exit from The Celebrity Apprentice last week, Rock Daily felt a certain emptiness. But clearly the Demon was saving the real juice for his guest spot on last night's episode of Ugly Betty. In the tradition of the "Kiss Meter," we rate Simmons' performance based on one of his band's classic albums.
This Week: Bubbly Amanda (the blonde in the above video) has been searching for her estranged father ever since her mother's murder. She knew that she was the result of a hook-up at Studio 54 and had worked through a number of possibilities (including Jimmy "J.J." Walker) before settling on Simmons.
Simmons' Contribution: Despite the fact that Ugly Betty is fictional, Simmons seemed more himself on this show than he ever did on the reality-based Celebrity Apprentice. He admitted to regularly Googling himself and cracked a joke about annoying Cher-no doubt things he's actually done in his life.
Kiss Album Rating: Simmons was clearly saving his best performance for the higher-rated show, as last night's appearance was absolutely on par with 1976's Destroyer. It was all the power and spectacle that the Demon can muster, cranked up to 11.
Miss Pam and yours truly at the recent opening of PLANET HOLLYWOOD in Vegas.
New letters posted...
Gene,
I am very close to someone who works for Kodak and he said you were spot on with your assessment of Kodak. Management could learn a thing or two from you, but it's too bad the Kodak management on the Apprentice didn't and chose to make the company's name not as strong by choosing to reject your slogan. The Kodak company needs to change it's image, not just one product, of which you were absolutely correct about.
They don't seem to realize that people are NOT printing pictures at home as much as they seem to think they are. All of the people I know take digital pictures and then have them developed at their local drugstore, not print them at home on their personal printers. They need to focus on the company as a whole not cheap ink.
I do want to commend you as well for your response to Omarosa when she complained about how unfair it was that she was always the scapegoat and you commented, "Oh, you're hardly the victim". That was priceless!
I appreciate that you do stand up for your beliefs and you don't back down no matter what pressure you're put under.
Ok, kids. Set your TIVO's to 8 pm, Thursday (Jan 24th) on ABC. I'm someone's daddy. You'll understand when you see the show.
See the promos.
New letters posted...
Dear Gene
You were the Real Deal , You were the only one with the vision of the BIG PICTURE and how to market a Brand Name and Position the company to be Dominant in the Global Economy. I believe in your Concept for Marketing and How Best to Strategically Reinforce a House Hold Named Brand to the level of World Exclusivity. The Selling feature of Cheap Ink does not in itself define the innovative entrepreneurl Technology of the Kodak Company and you clearly understood that important paramount fact in your illuminating Presentation. I know that viewer's to the Show had to learn from you that Marketing a product has to go beyond its current Domestic Market. The Plan you envisioned detailed a comprehensive Strategy to Capture the ongoing Industrialization of the Emerging markets through your focus on continuing Market Share Penetration.
Hey, if you can't sleep at night, or if you find yourself at home mid afternoons, check out my cartoon show, MY DAD THE ROCK STAR on NICKTOONS. Now in it's FIFTH YEAR.
If you were watching TODAY, the schedule would have been:
2:00 pm
2:30 pm
3:00 am
3:30 am
To find out when my show is playing, check your local listings.
You have a new true fan in Arizona. Taking the leadership role to help the ladies then not allowing one of them to be fired was TRUE CLASS. I'll bet you and Donald had a great chuckle about it after the show. I'll bet he also absolutely agreed with you about Kodak as well. INK!?! Who the hell cares about ink? Your message was excellent. Maybe Canon will be smart enough to use it. You're the man!
LETTERS - READ MORE ABOUT THE APPRENTICE. CLICK HERE.
Well, this Apprentice story just keeps on going. We've gotten truck loads of your emails and I must admit to being humbled by your overwhelming support of my decisions on the show. I must admit to you all that, although it means the world to me that you supported my decisions, I would have made those same decisions if every single one of you panned me for it. And, here's why. I believe you have to stand by your convictions. If you are qualified to make an assessment (and this statement is difficult to qualify and quantify, I will grant you), AND I AM!!! And, if you are convinced it's the right one -- first, listen to other arguments and then make a decision.
And, stand by it.
If you watched the Apprentice, you will notice the first thing I did, was open up the "challenge" to a discussion -- a "think tank", if you will. After I heard all the variable ideas, as team leader, I was given the responsibility of making decisions. And, that's what I did.
No one else chose to ignore the "ink at half the price" (an idiotic marketing idea, if ever there was one -- pardon me, Kodak). I did!!! It was my decision. Therefore, if the execs thought based on not emphasizing "ink" in our campaign cost us the contest, THEN ONLY I SHOULD BE FIRED.
My decision, and I still stand by it, is to position KODAK as a worldwide brand (hence the "World" in the positioning phrase) and to MAKE YOU FEEL SOMETHING...not load you down with details you will not remember or care about after you read something they want you to know about (...) "Ink." . AT HALF THE PRICE...??
Ultimately, I thought it was a huge mistake to make KODAK appear like a DISCOUNT COMPANY.
I thought KODAK should position itself as the Rolls Royce of its kind. Ink is besides the point. EVEN IF it's a big profit area for the company.
The problem with trying to sell the public an "idea" about "ink" is...IT'S COLD. In plain English, "It ain't cool. And, we don't give a squat."
"IT'S A KODAK WORLD!!!"
That's brilliant!!!
GENE SIMMONS and IVANKA TRUMP
January 19th -
January 18th was a busy day.
Started off day viewing some new GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS edited shows. We think you'll get a kick out of them. Lots of fun. We have 34 new shows coming!!!
Then the phones started ringing and I was running all over town to talk about the Apprentice story.
We tried to do EXTRA, who are the coolest folks in town -- they are the people who air our NGTV.COM stuff. Check it out, if you haven't seen it....but couldn't get there in time.
We did ACCESS HOLLYWOOD and as usual, when asked about the events, I pulled no punches. Tell it like it is.
Thanks to JIM CRAMER for his kind words on his MAD MONEY show (CNBC) -- Jim interviewed me after Access Hollywood and supported my campaign positioning for Kodak.
JIMMY KIMMEL, had me over that evening and we talked about the Apprentice and Jimmy got wind of the next book I'm currently writing - LADIES OF THE NIGHT - A Personal and Historical Perspective of the Oldest Profession In The World. It will come out late Spring.
And today (January 19th) the entire family shot some hilarious promo stuff for our next season of GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS...then, we took young Nick to a Bowling 19th Birthday Party...then took in CLOVERFIELD, the film. Some of you may get a kick out of the film. I loved the special effects. But, that's about it.
New letters posted...
Thought you’d want to see what Jim Cramer had to say about you today.
Thank you, one and all for the kind words re the APPRENTICE show.
For the record, KODAK is a quality brand and you should continue to buy it. They have a terrific line of products.
I don't believe now, or then, that positioning their brand as a "buy our ink at half the price" is a good idea. In fact, it's a horrible idea. Kodak stock has been going down on Wall St., and my appraisal was and continues to be, that it has to re-position itself as a WORLDWIDE, QUALITY BRAND. Period.
IT'S A KODAK WORLD. That was my invention. And, I stand by it.
Respectfully, the two execs who were sent to the show to judge, may not be as qualified as I am to make that assessment. Arrogant? Perhaps. But my question to anyone who offers assessments and opines is, "and what have YOU done lately?"
Be sure to watch NBC's EXTRA for the very special NGTV.COM "Jack Black" interview. You'll see what I mean. Check it out on NBC, January the 18th.
New letters posted...
Dear Gene:
Am really enjoying "Celebrity Apprentice"; you are a silver tongued devil and living under a lucky star while you antagonized Ivanka Trump in "The Donald's" presense...tell me how did you get by with it? It must be pure charm. I doubt she'd put up with much abuse;
Thursday, January 17th at 9 pm on NBC -- Celebrity Apprentice. Tune in.
Participating celebs did it for their charities. Mine is the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric Aids Charity. Click here.
January 15th -
Gene to appear on Ugly Betty
The air date has been set for the Ugly Betty Episode that will feature Gene Simmons.
Set Your DVRs for 8pm on Thursday, January 24th, on your Local ABC affiliate.
GENE SIMMONS on THE APPRENTICE
January 15th -
NGTV.COM on EXTRA - Wednesday, Jan 16th
Hey, check out EXTRA on NBC on Wed, January 16th. You'll see why NGTV.COM has become the monster of the internet.
January 14th -
Zipper #2 From: IDW
Written by: Tom Waltz
Art By: Casey Maloney, Stacie Ponder
Reviewed by Tim Janson
In Gene Simmons’ Zipper, an alien named Xeng Ral has fled from his world where there is no such thing as individuality and all are a part of a great collective. Xeng Ral’s free will cast him as an outlaw amongst his race and he escaped to Earth and to the city of Detroit. Xeng Ral wears a cybernetic Exo suit which conveys numerous powers on him such as the ability to cloak his appearance so he can pass for human, translate any language, as well as various physical abilities. For lack of a better term the suit looks like a leather bondage outfit adorned with all sorts of zippers. It was created by Gene Simmons, after all. This eventually earns him the nickname of “Zipper” from a small-time hood named Ronnie J. whom Xeng rescued from a street gang.
Written by: Tom Waltz
Illustrated by: Casey Maloney
Reviewed by Dan Head for his Friday Mad Science column at Paperback reader.
IDW’s new series Zipper just keeps zipping right along, getting better as it goes. The third issue is by far the most action-packed and violent, getting at last beyond the story’s initial set-up and into the real meat of the basic plot. Our hero, Denizen Xeng Ral (aka Zipper) is in a bad way. Lost in downtown Detroit and wanted by police, a cult-like quasi-religious private army, and his own people’s dreaded Enforcers, the time has come for Xeng either kick ass or run like Hell. And while that might not be so great for Xeng, it’s pretty cool for us as readers.
In general, I’ve found Zipper to be a well-written, well-dialogued book, but in issue #3 it’s all about Casey Maloney’s art. There are any number of gorgeous splash pages and smashing take-downs. There’s also a fairly large collection of whips, chains, and bloody severed limbs. All the good stuff. The whole issue is a big-old eye-popping spectacle of violence of the kind that you can only ever find in comics. And it’s cool for that, both because it’s energetic and because, being a cartoon, it doesn’t make us want to puke our guts out. It’s fun, gory stuff with a strong S&M influence on the culture of the work, and I dug it the most.
Like a lot of the stuff coming out of the Gene Simmons school of comics right now, Zipper has an underlying pain-for-pleasure sexuality that adventurous adult readers shouldn’t fear. It can’t all be sweetness and light out there, and I say, “Thank God” for that. Zipper—and a lot of the other Simmons comics—gives us a chance to walk on the wild side and while keeping it really wild. That’s a good thing. Science fiction should challenge and this does. I mean, jeez, it doesn’t ALWAYS have to be a Hero’s Journey, you know?
Once again, I recommend Zipper strongly to sci fi fans looking for something new. This book isn’t some rehashed boilerplate licensed property. It’s a thinking, feeling, challenging work, even when it’s mostly action. After all, the action only works because it’s been set-up with solid storytelling. And it’s got terrific art. If that doesn’t sell you, then hey, I don’t know what to say.
Gene Simmons Shares Secrets of Success with Hawaii Business Owners
Special from Small Business Hawaii News
By Sam Slom, 1/14/2008 12:09:02 AM
Editor's Note: All photos by Mel Ah Ching
Gene Simmons (yes, that Gene Simmons of KISS rock n' Roll fame) was the keynote speaker at the 32nd Annual Small Business Hawaii (SBH) Business and Investment Conference in Honolulu last Wednesday, January 9.
Gene Simmons joined a long and distinguished list of former SBH keynoters including Steve Forbes, William Simon, Dr. John Rutledge, John Fund of the Wall Street Journal, Wally "Famous" Amos, Howard Jarvis, Governors, Mayors and Congressmen, among others.
Many business people asked me - before they heard Gene Simmons speak - why would I invite a rock star to address a business conference, sprinkled with many top business and political leaders?
My response prior to the speech was that I had not invited just a music legend - most people (like myself until three years ago) had not the faintest idea of the depth and reach of this imaginative, successful and rich entrepreneur-but I invited him for his marketing genius and many paths to success. (By the way, Gene Simmons doesn't like that word, entrepreneur, because he says, its too hard to pronounce, spell and most people don't know what it really means or even care anyway.
When my second of four sons, Stuart Matthew, now 40, was a teen, he loved Gene Simmons and KISS. I remember once telling him, "turn off that damn noise, and tear down those freakish hippy posters!" Stuart has had the last laugh now.
When I first saw Gene Simmons three years ago on the A&E television hit, "Gene Simmons' Family Jewels," I was hooked. I don't as a rule like "reality" shows, especially those that featured the Osbornes and the family of gangster John Gotti. But Simmons is different. His beautiful partner of 25 years, former Playboy Playmate of the Year Shannon Tweed, their two personable over-achieving and respectful teens, Nick and Sophie, and Shannon's sister Tracy Tweed, bring something different. The show is about Gene Simmons' business, family and life. And it's a good life.
"Ozzie and Harriet," it's not. But the Simmons' series is about a family that does many things, is wealthy without being ostentatious, and lives by (without being preachy) solid core values.
The kids from an early age learned a work ethic-neither have ever been given an allowance-and they know business. And business is what Gene Simmons is all about. They also know respect and how to negotiate with all kinds of people.
Gene Simmons' background is incredible. Born in Israel, immigrating to New York at age 8 with his Mother who survived the Holocaust-his greatest inspiration and driving force-he spoke no English and was ridiculed for it. (Guess they didn't have enough lawyers and ACLU to file lawsuits for language adaptation in those days).
Today, he only half jokingly says, many of those people now work for him. He celebrates the careful branding of products and services.
Without Gene Simmons, and his marketing acumen, there would not be a KISS band and legend, still going like the Energizer Bunny 35 years later. He has licensed more than 3,000 items under the KISS name, which he and his partner still zealously own and guard, from "condoms to coffins."
Gene Simmons shows off his KISS credit card
He owns a book company, a record company, founded NGTV.com on the Internet, a Simmons Comics group, his clothing line, Moneybag, co-starred in three movies, has written three books, appears on many business and investment television shows as well as hosting his "Gene Simmons: Family Jewels."
He recently did a smash show in Las Vegas, will be the subject of an upcoming celebrity roast and appears weekly on "Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice." (NBC-KHNL, Thursdays, 8 pm).
He and his marketing partner, Simmons/Abramson Marketing, are the worldwide branding entity for the Indycar series, which operates more than 18 major auto races, including the fabled Indianapolis 500.
And, contrary to what I and others erroneously thought in the 1970s, he and KISS never did drugs, and talks of the dangers of all substance abuse to young people, is passionately pro-American (the American Dream is Gene Simmons' reality), and strongly supportive of the U.S. armed forces. (He and Sophie recently made a tour of military facilities in California and visited veterans and the injured from past and present wars. He is a man of many interests and a big heart.
But getting Gene Simmons to Hawaii was no easy task. As you might imagine, he is in demand-and pricey. It took more than four months of letters, emails, phone calls, and begging to get Simmons to take a chance on Hawaii and SBH.
Along the way I became more acquainted with lawyers, television execs, the entertainment pecking order, giant egos, marketing people, airlines, hotels and car rentals.
Without our superstar cosponsors, Jeff Stone's Ko Olina Resort & Marina, Robin Campaniano's AIG Hawaii, The Edwards family's 1 Hot Garage, Joe Nicholai's JN Automotive and others, it could not have happened.
Part of the arrangement is that A&E is filming two half-hour Hawaii episodes to highlight the beauty and the business of our state. (The programs should air at mid-year).
In his keynote speech to SBH, before a packed, sold-out, admittedly curious audience in the Ala Moana Hibiscus Ballroom last week, he spoke not of the "Ten Points to Make You Rich Like Me," but of the many more points and paths to personal success and happiness.
He stuck to the basics, like dependability, standing by your word, showing up, and the importance of a good work ethic. He was very specific and graphic. He stressed the fact that young people should do many different things and learn from each.
Gene Simmons emphasized the importance of business relationships and of the art of listening. He was hard on some people in the audience who asked him questions after his presentation - hard on them as a good mentor should be. He said they talked abstractly of their "ideas," but had not thought out the path to realization of those dreams and ideas.
Simmons, however, has a real soft spot for women (Mothers in particular) and girls who he said should go to organizations like Junior Achievement early. (That made the local JA Hawaii execs in the audience want to shout out loud).
His speech ended with a prolonged standing ovation.
Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann presented an official proclamation declaring "January 9, Gene Simmons Day in Honolulu."
Mayor Hannemann and Gene Simmons
Simmons was generous with his time afterwards. Yes, he signed autographs and took pictures, but he also listened to and engaged local investors with more than just business ideas.
Gene Simmons hugs Debi Halcro of Valenti Printing and
Winnie Chan of Winnie Chan Piano Studio
Simmons is always listening to new business proposals and has a sharp eye and sharper mind-"dress British, think Yiddish" -to stay ahead of trends, preferring to set them himself.
Will there be some business and new Simmons investment in Hawaii? Possibly. For those of us who want a diversified and more self-reliant market-based Hawaii, and one that is taken seriously for its business opportunities, Gene Simmons, Inc. offers an outstanding opportunity. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, after the Simmons speech, akamai business and investors told me, now we know why you brought Gene Simmons to Hawaii as the SBH keynoter. "He was the best ever."
Sam Slom, is a 1963 graduate of the University of Hawaii Manoa, a professional consulting economist and president and executive director of Small Business Hawaii. He is also a Republican State Senator from the 8th district Oahu, Hawaii Kai to Diamondhead.
The Ultimate KISS Collection DVD box is the best seller in the first week of release out of the three volumes. Whereas Volume 1 sold over 52,000 units in its first week and Volume 2 sold more than 46,000 units in the first week, the latest one sold over 54,000 units in the first week. Meanwhile, Volume 1 has been certified 5 times Platinum by the RIAA while Volume 2 has been certified 6 times Platinum. Since Volume 3 contains the most discs, this one turns into a multi Platinum success very quickly too.
January 13th -
GENE SIMMONS Wet From: trademork.com
Posted: January 13, 2008
On January 2, 2008, KISS guitarist and vocalist GENE SIMMONS filed to protect the trademark GENE SIMMONS Wet in relation to "bottled spring water, bottled drinking water and bottled flavored water drinks".
Its not surprising that Simmons, a tireless entrepreneur and self-promoter, wants a piece of the bottled water business. But "GENE SIMMONS Wet"? Mork wonders if its going to taste like plain water, or like a salty, hairy Jewish guy (Simmons’ birth name is Chaim Witz). Tasty!
Mork also found that GENE SIMMONS has registered the trademark Zipper in relation to comic books.
New letters posted...
I was at the Hawaii Small Business Conference on Jan 9th, 2008 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Gene was the main speaker. I asked the Hawaii Small Business if they recorded it and if I could purchase a copy, they told me no, they didn’t record it, that I would need to ask Genes party. Where can I purchase a copy of it?
Melinda Pettibone
Response from Gene:
I was the Keynote Speaker at the Hawaiian Small Business Conference, at the behest of SENATOR SAM SLOM. Our GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS tv crews were there to film the event. And, I'm afraid you'll have to blame me for not letting the Conference record and make available my speech. You will see it (in good time) on our forthcoming Season III.
Gene Simmons is an apprentice. KISS frontman and reality TV mega star.
By Fred Topel
CraveOnline
January 10, 2008
You've got to admire Gene Simmons. He could just do KISS reunion shows the rest of his life and still be awesome. But no, he starts other businesses like his own magazine and reality show. He could just do Playboy Playmate Shannon Tweed for the rest of his life, but he doesn't even have to lock that down. He certainly doesn't need to compete for a job he doesn't need, but that's exactly what he does on The Celebrity Apprentice.
------------------------------------------
Crave Online: Why did you want to be on The Celebrity Apprentice?
Gene Simmons: You know, I'm lucky enough, blessed to I guess be the king of my own domain, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. The question is: if the rug is pulled out from under you and you don't have your support system, your staff, your, you know, your infrastructure, how good are you really? The other thing is the entrepreneurs, it seems to me, by and large are self motivators, self starters. They'd rather do it themselves and sort of outsource and use somebody else's infrastructure to get to where they want to go. It's a cheaper business model and so on. The question is how's Gene Simmons in a situation where you've got other people? In other words, in a team situation. So it's a totally different model and I was curious how good I was. I'm the rat that knew the maze to get to the cheese. But how good am I in a brand new maze?
Crave Online: And how were you?
Gene Simmons: Oh, I am fantastic.
Crave Online: How did you surprise yourself?
Gene Simmons: I care. The question is, and this is what any champion in any field will eventually have to ask himself or herself, once you've got enough money, once you've got enough fame and the glitz, and the glamour and the power, and the accoutrement of the American dream, when all the flashbulbs are gone and the girls stop kissing you, and you put the awards away and the sun comes up the next morning, and you're there by yourself: will you get up at the crack of dawn and try to beat your own record? In other words, ultimately every champion hopefully is only in competition with themselves. I care. I want to thank Donald for giving me, personally, the opportunity to get out there, roll up my sleeves and just go for it. I mean, this was a delicious experience.
Crave Online: How were you actually approached to do the show?
Gene Simmons: I went to a restaurant and I saw the powerful, attractive and world-famous Donald Trump there. On the way out, we exchanged pleasantries and it was sort of "Hey, you want to do the show kind" of thing. It was very fast and I went to myself, "Well I got a lot of stuff, KISS is going back out on tour. I got to tie my shoe and wait a minute. That's an interesting idea." Of course I thought, because I'm delusional, I thought I was going to sit in the judge's seat. He was going to throw me right into the pits of hell, which you know what, was even more exciting. Let me tell you something about the lady, Marilu Henner, all smiles and innocent, and little miss goody two-shoes. She's a killer. She's a killer. Don't let the lipstick and the "I eat health food stuff" [fool you]. She'll kill you.
Crave Online: You've been the boss for so long, how hard was it to take orders?
Gene Simmons: The description of that isn't quite on, so respectfully, here's how it worked. You're given a task, the team is. Then the team is responsible for picking their leader, who's the team leader for that task. Then everybody has to go out and the team decides, but certainly the team leader basically picks "You're going to tie the shoelaces at 3:00. You're going to shine the shoes over here. You're going to do that." So the challenge for me, I have to say and it bears repeating, is how am I in a team situation? I'm used to basically looking to myself for inspiration. I pick up the phone. I try not to have assistants and it just gets in the way. This was really exciting because you're dealing with people who are successful in different areas. It's like pieces of a puzzle except they're from different puzzles. You put them together, you're not going to get the picture you think you're going to get. Let me tell you something, this is about as exciting television as I would ever want to watch. You got men and women working together. That's enough.
Crave Online: How did you like the living situation with your teammates?
Gene Simmons: My problems went farther than the end of the day shooting. We would sometimes finish at midnight, sometimes at one o'clock, and during the day cell phones are off. I can't get to do my emails. So then you'd have to sit down and keep the plate spinning, like the guy that's got ten plates. If you move away from one of the plates, they fall so you got to keep them all spinning. I'd have to do that in the middle of the night. It was tough. The disadvantage I had respectfully is that I come from the boogeyman world which is that if you're in the rock world you're supposed to be big and bad, and you're supposed to be surrounded by beautiful women all the time. The accoutrement, the posse and the guys, you flinch and somebody brings you champagne. I don't drink at all by the way. So in some ways this goes certainly against what I'm supposed to be projecting. But so what? Marilu was a very clean roommate.
Crave Online: Was it easier for you to agree to this because you've done your own reality shot?
Gene Simmons: No, this is not a television show. I mean, it is because you're going to be watching it on TV, but when 15 people line up at the front line and when the gun goes off you're in a race, you're too busy running the race and trying to win. You're not looking what's my best side, better pull in my gut so I look good on TV. This is different. This is not a reality show. This is more like a news truck catching and event as it happens.
Crave Online: We've seen a lot of the real you on Family Jewels, like how intelligent you actually are.
Gene Simmons: Oh, I think you're being kind. I think it's fair to say that if it wasn't for the guitar hanging around their necks, [most rock stars] would probably be asking the next person in line if they'd like some fries with that. Let's call it for what it is. I think you're being too kind.
Crave Online: What else could you have wanted to be for a career other than a rock star?
Gene Simmons: Oh, anything I wanted to do. I started off as a sixth grade teacher in Spanish Harlem. Worked for Vogue Magazine as the assistant, the Man Friday to Kate Lloyd, the Editor in Chief and just did lots of stuff. Worked as the Assistant to the Director of the Puerto Rican Interagency Council, a government funded research and demonstration project. You don't want to hear it. You'd get bored to death. I used to be a Kelly Girl before there were Kelly Services, because in my high school all the girls took the typing classes, so of course I wanted to be there. So I became a Dictaphone typist. Just all kinds of stuff.
Crave Online: At Vogue, did you have any Devil Wears Prada type experiences with your boss?
Gene Simmons: In those days, in the early 70s, that was before the culture sort of became aware of itself. Almost before supermodel became the catch phrase and the cliché. The culture of fashion and style still didn't have a sense of itself, so it was more a magazine is a magazine. The editors were not yet stars. That was to come later.
Crave Online: How is the family?
Gene Simmons: Terrific. Nick just got offered his third movie role. He already said no to it, a Naomi Watts movie. Look, this is going to go on too long about me. The Celebrity Apprentice, that's the exciting thing.
Crave Online: As businessmen, what do you admire most about Mr. Trump?
Gene Simmons: I like that he changed his own business model, respectfully, and this is from the peanut gallery on the outside. Being in the real estate business of getting banks and having them hound you and actually going in there, the idea that Donald has become his own brand, his name and likeness are even bigger than his business. So it's gotten to the point where Donald Trump is the Good Housekeeping seal of good business, which is to say that if I want to do real estate or almost any other venture, you stick the name Donald Trump on there and he appears once, and you've got a business that's going to go sky high. That is a real accomplishment.
Crave Online: What did you learn about Donald Trump from this show?
Gene Simmons: Well, the people who have a problem with Donald Trump and the "You're Fired" routine aren't pragmatic. They think you're supposed to say nice things in life and that nobody can be fired. The truth is that in life, if people don't like what you do or you don't make sense, it's nothing personal. It's business. So last time I checked, this is business and how you feel about it personally is beside the point. So my suggestion for everybody watching this show is put on your thick skin because, buckle up. It's going to be a rough ride.
Crave Online: Who impressed you in the competition?
Gene Simmons: You may think you understand who's really good at what they do and who's not. Let me tell you something, the women on this show will not only surprise you, they will kick your ass. They are every bit as competitive and entrepreneurial as the guys. And that's all I can say. We're about to be hired, my Simmons Abramson Marketing firm is about to be hired by the Island Nation of Turks and Caicos to be their marketing branding entity. Lennox was talking about finding a nice home someplace where it's private and this is paradise. So when he comes up for air and when I do because the show is not over filming yet, and we may or we may not be in the final episode, I intend to introduce him to the premiere, Michael Misick and I'm sure it'll work out.
LOUIS’ SERIOUS ISSUES >> 1.10.08
Author: Louis Fowler
Scouring out the weekly singles scene... in comics!
You are going to see the name “Gene Simmons” quite a bit on this list. No, it’s not a mistake.
You see, while other comic critics’ lists will have maybe one or two superhero books, they are all usually filed with one-shots or graphic novels, all drawn “stick-figure”-style and feature plots about young women who are Tori Amos fans, cut themselves and ruminate non-stop about how much they hate George Bush.
And let’s not even get into the ones with titles like MALIK TRIUMPHANT: AN ORPHAN’S JOURNEY OUT OF DARFUR.
No one honestly “enjoys” reading those types of comics. Critics feel like they have to put them on their lists because they are “important,” in their never-ending quest to find the next MAUS. With SERIOUS ISSUES, I say “screw that.” I read comics for fun. Yes, fun.
So, in accordance with that ideal, why wouldn’t my year-end list be made up of comics that I thoroughly enjoyed? These are issues and story arcs that brought me a great deal of pleasure, and while they are in no danger of winning a Pulitzer (or even possibly an Eisner), they earned something even better: my hard-earned dollar.
And if I know Gene Simmons, that’s all he wants anyway...
The five best books of 2007
5. GENE SIMMONS’ DOMINATRIX (IDW) I know this isn’t going to win me any fans, but normally I hate comics featuring, um, “strong female characters.” Not because I have anything against strong women, for the most part, but mostly because they are always written by guys who have no idea how to write women – they replace “courage” with a ball-bustering, unlikable attitude, all wrapped in a bosom-heaving package, delivered in the name of faux-feminism.
And while at first glance this is exactly what DOMINATRIX is, the difference is that this is all done without pretension. It knows it’s a goofy book, acting as a satirical take on those big-breasted mythos without any apologies. Add to this the fact that Dominique who, while being a dominatrix, is actually a sweet and likable character in between the action, and you have a book that demands a second look. Appearances, in this case especially, can really be deceiving.
1. GENE SIMMONS’ HOUSE OF HORRORS (IDW) I would never – I repeat, never – recommend a comic book with a $10 cover price unless I didn’t think it was worth it. And boy howdy, is this book worth it. Proving that the first issue’s awesomeness was no fluke, issue 2 upped the ante, with Lovecraftian sea monsters piloting downed WWII aircraft, a delicious tale of cannibalism that fans of torture-porn films will cream themselves over and a dark rocker filled with Robert Johnson-style diabolism.
Not only is HOUSE OF HORRORS the best horror comic around in a getting-crowded field, it’s also the best comic around period. Everything is short and to the point, with not a single page of filler, combined with top-notch writers and artists who are precise and clear in their storytelling, just like the good ol’ E.C. days. And that’s something for which I’d gladly pay $100 an issue. (Wait a minute, I’d better retract that, lest I give Gene any ideas... )
Our #1 top celebrity search this week is KISS' Gene Simmons. I guess that his antics on 'The Apprentice' caused quite stir.
'Family Jewels' Star Says Son Has "Usurped" His "Throne" as the Ultimate Alpha-Male
Monday, January 07, 2008
Rock icon and reality star Gene Simmons has a tremendous effect on women. By his own count, he claims to have slept with more than 4800 women. Nowadays, however, it seems the ladies have set their eyes on another Simmons, and it's none other than Nick Tweed-Simmons, Gene's teenage son.
"Nick has usurped my throne, as the alpha-male of all alpha-males," Gene Simmons, who stars in A&E's Gene Simmons Family Jewels, told an Australian publication called The Advertiser. "So when I'm in public and the girls run over and I'm thinking to myself, 'Simmons, you devil you've still got it'. And you know when they giggle? [That's when] I'm thinking, 'Yeah babe, I've still got it' and they go: 'Where's Nick?'"
Gene Simmons and his long-time partner Shannon Tweed don't have to worry about Nick misbehaving, however. As seen on Family Jewels, Nick and sister Sophie Tweed-Simmons are polite, intelligent and well-behaved, positive traits that their 58-year-old father takes credit for.
"The old adage of you'll do as I say as long as you live under my roof is a very good rule," he said, adding that many parents today have become too tolerant of their children's behavior. "I think society has become far too permissive, that's why you have 12-year-old crack addicts running around, because there's no repercussion for bad behavior. And that's why both Sophie and Nick are A-list students and are charming and well-behaved, because [they're] not allowed not to be."
While Simmons has imposed the necessary restrictions on his children, he has lived his life quite freely, following a set of rules that rest outside of the norm.
"Most of the people on the planet don't have any choices… You know, you go to work at jobs you hate, you wind up having to go to your mother-in-law's house, the church forces you to get married,” the Family Jewels star said. "I refuse to lead my life that way, I do what I want to do... I pick what I want from the menu of life."
-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: The Advertiser
(Image Courtesy of View Images)
FLASH!!! EXTRA!!!
...Just in, Young Nick has just gotten his grades in his first semester in College and they are (...oh, you of little faith) STRAIGHT A's.
Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about.
“Celebrity Apprentice” Kiss Meter:
Gene Simmons Will Sell You a Hoover
Though we all love Stephen Baldwin, Marilu Henner and Tito Ortiz, our favorite contestant from NBC’s Donald Trump-hosted Celebrity Apprentice has got to be the Demon himself, Gene Simmons. Each week, we’ll be tracking the Kiss frontman’s progress and rating him based on one of his band’s legendary albums.
This Week’s Task: Trump charges the two teams (one male, one female) with selling hot dogs on the streets of New York. Much sniping and phallic humor ensues.
Simmons’ Contribution: After naming his team “Hydra,” the Demon got to work calling his famous friends (including bandmate Paul Stanley) in an attempt to get them to pay ridiculous amounts of money for frankfurters, all while spouting typical Simmons-esque philosophy and calling himself a vacuum cleaner salesman (see video, below).
Kiss Album Rating: 1974’s self-titled Kiss. It was a strong debut with plenty of “Strutter,” and Simmons probably celebrated with a little “Cold Gin.”
Celebrity Apprentice -
Props to casting especially GENE SIMMONS
From: MSNBC.com
Whether you love or hate the guy, GENE SIMMONS is impossible to ignore and the previews for next week hinted at the ever-so-cool rocker having a run-in with Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka. Whatever the outcome of that is, Trump will do well to keep Simmons around for the long haul.
January 3rd, 2008 on NBC at 9 pm (check your papers for local times), we're going to be on. Who's going to be last man or woman standing? Watch and see.
Here's a promo clip from the show.
Kodak has always been about the PROCESS of photography. The Kodak camera, maybe. Kodak Kodachrome or Ektachrome film. Kodak processing. Kodak labeled slide mounts in a Kodak red and yellow box. Shown on a Kodak Carousel slide projector.
Xeng’s race, the Etherians, have tracked him to Earth and set four hunters on his trail. They are intent on bringing Xeng back so their collective can be made whole again. The result is an all out war on Detroit’s streets with Ronnie and Detective Maki caught in the middle of the fight between the aliens. There is also a slowly developing subplot regarding a Los Angeles minister who has had visions of Earth being invaded by an alien race and he is gathering an army of followers to combat them.
I just watch the Apprentice. show and I agree totally with your vision, myself as a Creative Director, in several occasions went against the executives of top brands (Marlboro, Pepsi, Ford, Kellogg’s) and their objectives, sometimes they are too framed and their egos, don't let them see the big picture, by the way, at the end we (my team included) proved we were right (increasing sales and corporative image positioning). It's very hard in a fast TV show to enjoy and measure in an objective way those results. Now I rather write screenplays (just finished the second of a trilogy).
You were the Real Deal , You were the only one with the vision of the BIG PICTURE and how to market a Brand Name and Position the company to be Dominant in the Global Economy. I believe in your Concept for Marketing and How Best to Strategically Reinforce a House Hold Named Brand to the level of World Exclusivity. The Selling feature of Cheap Ink does not in itself define the innovative entrepreneurl Technology of the Kodak Company and you clearly understood that important paramount fact in your illuminating Presentation. I know that viewer's to the Show had to learn from you that Marketing a product has to go beyond its current Domestic Market. The Plan you envisioned detailed a comprehensive Strategy to Capture the ongoing Industrialization of the Emerging markets through your focus on continuing Market Share Penetration.
Hey, if you can't sleep at night, or if you find yourself at home mid afternoons, check out my cartoon show, MY DAD THE ROCK STAR on NICKTOONS. Now in it's FIFTH YEAR.
My 87 year old mother and I will boycott Apprentice now that you have been fired.
You have a new true fan in Arizona. Taking the leadership role to help the ladies then not allowing one of them to be fired was TRUE CLASS. I'll bet you and Donald had a great chuckle about it after the show. I'll bet he also absolutely agreed with you about Kodak as well. INK!?! Who the hell cares about ink? Your message was excellent. Maybe Canon will be smart enough to use it. You're the man!
Well, this Apprentice story just keeps on going. We've gotten truck loads of your emails and I must admit to being humbled by your overwhelming support of my decisions on the show. I must admit to you all that, although it means the world to me that you supported my decisions, I would have made those same decisions if every single one of you panned me for it. And, here's why. I believe you have to stand by your convictions. If you are qualified to make an assessment (and this statement is difficult to qualify and quantify, I will grant you), AND I AM!!! And, if you are convinced it's the right one -- first, listen to other arguments and then make a decision.
January 18th was a busy day.
From: IDW
The third installment of the KISSology –
You are going to see the name “Gene Simmons” quite a bit on this list. No, it’s not a mistake.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Subject: You kicked ass on The Apprentice!
From: MSNBC.com