Montauk Pioneer - March 20, 2009

"The American Dream Show" With Ingrid Lemme Brings Some Power Players To Gurney's Inn

For fine local television viewing of dynamic personalities telling their version of the American Dream, one should watch Ingrid Lemme's WVVH Show "The American Dream Show," shown in Montauk on cable Channel 78. The show is directed by Ernest and Greg Schimizzi and is without a doubt, the best of its kind out on the East End of Long Island, as well as being telecasted into over 5 million homes in the tri-state area. This award winning show, showcases the interviewing talents of Lemme, the director of marketing and public relations at Gurney's Inn. Warm, personable, and knowledgeable, Lemme handles the chore of hosting this show with the skill and expertise she has acquired by being on the air for over a decade. Her questions bring out the best in her guests while entertaining the TV viewing audience. At the most recent taping of the next eight shows, once again Ingrid was on her game, sometimes prompting her guests to peel the onion of what is their lives, and sometimes finding out new things about themselves right there live on the set. The really fantastic aspect of the show is the warm fuzzy interviewing technique Ingrid uses that extracts un-rehearsed replies.

The first show was the husband and wife team of Andrea and Neil Garvey, who are the publisher's of Creations Magazine.The two talked about how they met each other, how they married each other, how they ended up buying Creations Magazine, and how as husband and wife they manage to put out a fine magazine and stay married. This fun and talented couple seemed to have it all together. It's fun how Ingrid draws their story out.

The next show featured J.Z. Holden, a long time local freelance writer who is marketing a new book. Once again, Ingrid slides up and down the levers of what makes a great TV show.

The third show featured aspiring actress Julia Wennstrom, whose dad, Jon, work's at Gurney's, as well as being an expert on world currencies. Wennstrom, who was born in the Swedish part of Finland, is a soft, pure presence with so much charm and beauty there can be no doubt she has a fine future ahead for her in the performing arts. Lemme walks Julia through the story of how this Ross School graduate exemplifies the essence of a very bright mind, a beautiful face and a well-balanced girl at such a young age. The lenses of the camera couldn't get enough of Julia.

The fourth show featured Montauk resident Bill Wilkinson, the already nominated Republican candidate running next November to be East Hampton's next Town Supervisor. If you have been unhappy with present East Hampton Supervisor Bill McGintee, this will be easy viewing for you.

There can be no doubt that the next election will be interesting and this show helps to set the stage.

My favorite show of the eight taped was the one that featured Anne Grager, a Montauk artist. Anne is a beautiful, complex woman whose camera seems to capture the light embedded within the depth of a shadow. Her concepts on life, love and art seem to flow like streams forming a river that empties into the sea. This show will not bore you.

For star power, TV star Darrell M. Smith, who stars in the show "The Wire," was interviewed. He was the guest on the next show taped which had the audience in smiles due to the powerful force of Darrell's personality. If you are a fan of "The Wire," you have to see this show too. Ingrid seems to have a little extra smile on this particular show.

The second to last show taped featured two members of the Internationally recognized band Suddyn. The two members are brothers Alan and Jarrett Steil, who just happen to be from Montauk. The boys are fun, and their story is energetic, as they tell tales of working in The Montauk Bake Shoppe to rising to fame in Ireland playing and singing their music.

Once again, Ingrid has put together a fine collection of shows, which will be beamed out to your home televisions soon. Make sure to find the channel, listing and times in your town.