Man With The Golden Voice On The Today Show

21 Comments

1. 1
   proda
   Posted January 6, 2011 at 9:42 pm

   America the land of opportunity. Where a bum with a good voice can be discovered and becomes a millionaire. Or he might end up in prison for past infractions and bitter ex wives (one of whom I have already seen on Inside Edition) Hope all goes well for ted, he sure is a looker!

2. 2
   sarcasatire
   Posted January 6, 2011 at 10:20 pm

   Damn…crabs in the bucket. He’s one his way to the top and the others are already pulling him back down. What’s the story with the ex-wife? I’m sure she cared less when she knew he was living on the street. But now that he is has a stab at redemption, here she comes..

   Ted is my 2011 hero. He really practiced and honed his skill and probably read The Secret and now things are looking up. I’m rotting for him..he deserves it.

3. 3
   classy drunk
   Posted January 7, 2011 at 4:47 am

   He looks a little like the President…

4. 4
   cattyfan
   Posted January 7, 2011 at 8:33 am

   Your hero? He’s a drug addict with a lengthy criminal record. that’s how he ended up on the street. Sorry…but I expect this man will implode, especially under the glare of the spotlight. (It would be nice if I was wrong, but I won’t hold my breath.)

5. 5
   cattyfan
   Posted January 7, 2011 at 8:34 am

   FYI…SmokingGun.com dug out a rap sheet that included theft, robbery, escape, forgery and drug-possession charges.

6. 6
   classy drunk
   Posted January 7, 2011 at 9:23 am

   Why not be happy that he’s trying to turn his life around after the poor choices he made earlier in life. He’s gotten himself clean and all he needed was a chance to earn an honest living.

   The rap sheet is probably stems from the addiction. It makes you do things you normally wouldn’t. There’s very few addiction who don’t break additional laws.

   Team Ted!

7. 7
   cattyfan
   Posted January 7, 2011 at 9:36 am

   I’m happy for people who are given second chances…but this guy is being given everything from lucrative job offers to a mortgage, after having CHOSEN to squander his first chance. What about those who end up in dire straights through no fault of their own? And in six months, where will this all be? Will someone have scammed the money from him? Will the pressure have sent him back to drugs? Will the multiple mothers of his nine children have sued him for back child support?

   There has to be a better way to help someone in trouble than by making him King For A Day.

   Additionally, his interviews reveal him to be a bit emotionally unstable. Is anyone helping him get some counseling?

8. 8
   vallegirl
   Posted January 7, 2011 at 10:00 am

   Yes, he has a rap sheet and has made myriad mistakes in his life, but he has also maintained his sobriety for 2 1/2 years while still being homeless so why not give him some credit for that as well?

   And people aren’t just giving him stuff willy nilly. They’re giving him jobs for which he is qualified and a mortgage on a home. He’ll still have to live up to the responsibilities of a job and a mortgage on his own.

   And I think anyone would be “emotionally unstable” if after 17 years of homelessness they found themselves inundated with offers. But he’s been given access to a therapist to help him with this transition. At least there was therapist on set at the Today Show.

   No one, including Mr. Williams, thinks this is a magic elixir and his life will be puppies and cupcakes from this point on, but why not at least give him a week to succeed before dooming him to failure. We can’t erase our past mistakes but that also doesn’t mean we are doomed to repeat them.

9. 9
   mulecitybabe
   Posted January 7, 2011 at 10:08 am

   If a real looza like Michael Vick can be given a second chance and get support from our alleged President, I don’t see any reason why this guy can’t be given another chance. I hope he does well.

10. 10
    sarcasatire
    Posted January 7, 2011 at 10:17 am

    @cattyfan: he mentions all of this in the above interview. I still think people deserve a second chance. He’s been sober for 2 years, and most of those crimes were committed when he was hooked on drugs. Now that he isn’t anymore, and he has a truly marketable talent, who not be given a chance to become a productive member of society. Or should he remain in shelters and soup kitchens forever?

11. 11
    classy drunk
    Posted January 7, 2011 at 10:25 am

    Agree Vallegirl. They aren’t just giving him things. He is qualified for the position. He went to college and also worked in radio for awhile before he got involved with drugs. So he’s now sober and needed some additional help to get his life back on track. You think if he didn’t have that baritone voice and he actually sounded like Ren from Ren and Stimpy he would have gotten quality gigs. No way.

    There are jobs you can get that offer rent included in your salary. For example, if you were to be moved overseas by your job.

12. 12
    classy drunk
    Posted January 7, 2011 at 10:30 am

    Oh I forgot this…he said on the Today show he can’t wait to become a tax paying citizen. Don’t most of us try our best to avoid that?!?!?

    FYI…I am not claiming my Vegas winnings. They are mine!! I already paid money on the taxes that I used to bet on the cards. That’s double jeopardy IRS!!! Double Jeopardy!!!

13. 13
    sheesh
    Posted January 7, 2011 at 10:31 am

    Thye boyfreind and I both got misty eyed hearing about this.
    We love a good underdog comes out on top story.

    Then we watch “Wipeout” and laugh and laugh at the people getting knocked into the water.

14. 14
    anonymous
    Posted January 8, 2011 at 7:23 am

    He named his daughter Tangela…love when people name their children after Pokemon.

15. 15
    k37744
    Posted January 8, 2011 at 9:56 am

    @sheesh – I second that. A good showing of Wipeout always clears the head. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood after that show. (Try Hole in the Wall as well. This is uber low-grade entertainment…and I. LOVE. IT).

    Right on, Ted. Cleveland always keeps it interesting. I wish him the best.

16. 16
    vallegirl
    Posted January 10, 2011 at 8:27 am

    In case anyone wants to see Ted’s first Kraft commercial, here it is. (My friend’s son is in it, too.):

17. 17
    whoochile
    Posted January 10, 2011 at 8:46 am

    vallegirl~cute commercial, the kid did a great job! The only thing about Ted’s voice that annoys me is that it just seems a little forced, kinda like when Phil Hartman would do his announcer/sales guy voice for schtick. If he could back it down a notch it would be more believable for me.

18. 18
    vallegirl
    Posted January 10, 2011 at 9:13 am

    I’m sure that’s the direction he got. He wasn’t in that studio doing it alone. He clearly has some vocal training and can dial it up or down as needed. Kraft likely wanted that announcery voice for the spot.

19. 19
    whoochile
    Posted January 10, 2011 at 9:19 am

    I agree that he was coached/directed, I just don’t dig it.

20. 20
    Val Silveira
    Posted January 10, 2011 at 10:41 am

    Agree with Classy Drunk, he resembles Pres. Obama! Thought it the first time I saw him.

21. 21
    cattyfan
    Posted January 10, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    Okay. I played the Kraft commercial…and now I have a REAL problem. I have a Siamese cat who is absolutely enthralled by this guy’s voice. It’s the same cat who will sit and watch the entire Enchanted movie.

    Everybody has an opinion…