How Did You Find Queen Bea?

People stumble across this silly little blog in all different kinds of ways, but there seems to be a bit of a trend. See if you notice anything.

Here is a list of the Top Ten Keywords used to find Queen Bea for 2008 ...

10) Kelly Repassy - The redheaded former plus-size model and recently-ousted HSN host.




9) The Jewelry Chanel - This struggling home shopping channel that was going out of business most of the year, only to reinvent itself into The Liquidation Channel.




8) Davinia Palmer - This little British cutie burned bright as a QVC host, but her time was short.




7) Pat James-Demetri (and her ex, Vince) - Poor Pat has had a rough year thanks to her no-good ex-husband, Vince.




6) Paul Deasy - Another former HSN and QVC host who, along with his wife, Judy Crowell, is trying to make a return to the home shopping arena in a new way.




5) Me! - Some of you got here by actually looking for Queen Bea on purpose ... golf claps ...




4) Bob Bowersox - After 22 years with the Q, Bob was shown the door right before Christmas and made a huge leap into the top five. (The crazy looking picture is from the set of a movie he was in. I just thought it was funny!)




3) Patti Reilly - Patti, Patti, Patti ... she's leaving! she's not! she's leaving! she's not! I swear, the speculation will never end. In the very least, she has certainly dropped to part-time. I still say she's leaving.

2) Models Prefer and its founder, Stacey Schieffelin - Stacy was in the middle of a nasty lawsuit with QVC that led to a complete reinvention of the Models Prefer brand into ybf and a switch to HSN (all while keeping that famous eyebrow pencil and patented hair roller makeup-less face shtick in tact)

And number 1 for 2008 is ... drum roll please ...

1) Dave King!!!

Here today, gone tomorrow. This well-loved host just disappeared without a word from QVC--not even a Bob Bowersox-style hostage video. I guess they just figured no one would notice??? In any case, he had many fans who missed him and didn't appreciate the treatment he got.

Here's a great video of Dave, great host and an all-around stand up kind of guy:



You can also check him out in his new job as a consumer electronics expert here.

The Jewelry Channel Melts

The Jewelry Channel has been going out of business for what seems like forever, and now they finally did ... or at least they changed their name. Same difference, right?

The Jewelry Channel is now the Liquidation Channel.

So what's changed? Well, they have this super snazzy new logo:
Pretty rockin', isn't it?

They are also now sell things like gloves and scarves along with usual assortment of gems and jewelry--so you can clearly see how it's a completely different company!

Did I mention that they redecorated the set too?

Here's my favorite quote about the change:

"The Liquidation Channel is a brand new concept in video retailing, and it's something we believe is going to take off like a rocket," said Dan Dennis, head of talent. "We're going to buy lots of jewelry from people that need to sell this stuff to survive."

First, it's Dan Dennis. Even if you don't remember him, check out his website here. There's even a page dedicated to spotting former home shopping hosts.

Second, he used the term "video retailing" for home shopping. I've been waiting for this one. Home shopping has such a huge stigma that it was only a matter of time before someone attempted to re-brand it. "Video Retailing Queen" just doesn't roll off the tongue though, does it?

Third, they are buying from desperate people needing to unload their goods to survive? Sounds like this place is worse than Big Lots or a Pawn Shop!

I think this channel is only on Direct TV, which means no Liquidation Video Retailing for me!

Can You Sell Jewelry On Live Television?

Have you ever pretended to be a home shopping host? If you haven't, just try to do a little sales pitch for something you're wearing today. Go on ... what are you waiting for? Do it!

Just try to talk about whatever it is in an interesting and engaging way for one minute. Just one measly minute.

I'll wait ...

Harder than it seems, isn't it?

Being a host is sorta like being a good politician, you have competing interest groups--management, vendors, producers, customers--all vying for their attention, you have to "let your personality show through" without ever offending anyone or being politically incorrect, you have to be approachable, but still above the fray. Oh, and you need to make sales--lots of them!

This is why I try to cut the hosts a little slack (with the obvious exception of a certain former HSN host), because their job ain't easy, baby.

If you still think that you can master this fine art, checkout this advertisement on Craigslist because The Jewelry Channel is looking for a few good hosts:

The Jewelry Channel, located in the greater Austin/Round Rock area, is looking for freelance hosts to sell fine jewelry on a nationwide, live format.

We have found that people with experience in news, reporting, commercials, infomercials, live tv or public speaking have worked out best for us, but if you think you've got what it takes to get it done, send us an email, along with a head shot or recent photo, and a resume.

We require our freelance hosts to live in the greater Austin area, for they may be called in on quick notice. Freelance hosts normally get their "baptism of fire" by working in the overnights. Truly, you must be willing to work any shift you are assigned to.

Reminder: All applicants must supply a head shot and resume. No exceptions. If you have a show reel, it would be welcomed but not required.

Auditions/interviews will be held at our studios in the Austin/Round Rock area this coming Friday, Nov. 14th beginning at 11am. Our last audition drew 18 freelance hosts, so our slots usually fill up quickly. Please respond quickly, with a time that would work best for you. Auditions usually last about 30 minutes. We will try to accomodate you whenever possible. As you might expect, all appointments are first come, first served.

Since you will be asked to sell at least one item during the audition/interview, it might do you well to watch the network, since we operate on a different format than the conventional TV shopping networks do. We can be seen on Dish Network ch. 218, DirecTV ch. 226 and via our web site at www.tjc.tv.

TJC is a great place to work, with a good bunch of people. Hope to see you soon!


Hmmm ... I thought that they were going out of business ...

The Jewelry Channel Shuts Down!

After going on the air last year, The Jewelry Channel--not to be confused with Jewelry Television--will broadcast for the last time on July 5th. President Sri Burugapalli blamed the shut down on not being able to find an investor and "the current disfavor of home shopping." (Queen Bea begs to differ! Home shopping isn't currently disfavored, it has always been disfavored! Hasn't this guy ever heard of the home shopping stigma?)

The Jewelry Channel is one of the multitude of shopping channels found on satellite. I just can't bring myself to watch them. However, I'll be stopping by their website over the next few weeks because there will most likely be some rockin' clearance deals.

Anyway, over one hundred people in Round Rock, Texas are losing their jobs. My heart goes out to them and I wish them all the best.