Travel Channel

beanjill,

I'm sorry I'm not familiar with that destination at all. No I have never been on any of those shows. I was a guest on the Oprah Winfrey show two years ago..I have the take home coffee mug to prove it.

blue2002,

I guess I don't know what you mean by you'll send the pictures to a website. I'm pretty sure you can't send the picturs to this website but what you could do is print them and send them via snail mail to Travel Channel c/o viewer relations. Usually when people want to show me their pictures they themselves have a website already in place which I can then visit. hope this helps

courtney_h

London has become that Americanized? I didn't know. If Travel Channel does send me to Europe it will absolutely be to the most famous cities just because that's where American's go or if they don't travel abroad it's what the arm chair warriors are familiar with so they'll watch...it's all about the ratings. I don't mind though I think that they are amazing cities. I'll have to do the lesser known places myself. Where in Ireland would you recommend I go to?

Sam,
I'm sure you watched the president tonight. What do you think about the new war against Iraq and how do you think it will affect travel?

Jill

oh boy-the war in Iraq-it's such a complex issue with me I just don't know where to begin. Although-I did have a good chuckle on Ari Fleisher's line that "the liberation of the Iraqi people have begun" Ahhh the spin-room in Washington-at work as always. I'm sure people will hold off on travel due to fear of retaliation although I wouldn't. I would have no problem with getting on a plane to London tomorrow. I'm still much more scared that the plane I'm on is going to go down due to mechanical error than a terrorist act. I've been watching CNN way to much lately it really starts to wear you down. I need to watch "Blind Date" or "Pop up Video" for a little while

Hey Samantha. It is Ashley. For some reason I cant post messages on my own user name so I am bugging paul to send them for me in the meantime hehe. I am so photogenic!!! I love the idea of posting home videos of hotel room tours and voting for whose is best (which should be mine.. just kidding). Although I did do a little "Samantha Brown" imitation in my Cancun video, I think I am going to go ALL OUT in my trip to Disney World in August. Hopefully the idea that you suggested will be available on the website by then and when I return from my trip, we can see the video on the website. So I agree.. you came up with a great idea I don't know when my user name will be working and I don't want to keep bugging Paul to help me (even though, he is so kind to do so) so if you want to keep in touch.. my AIM screen name is Crazycowgirl087 and my e-mail is the same as always... cooolash@optonline.net Keep in Touch. Love Ashley

Hey Sam,

I wouldn't say that London has become 'Americanized' but it certainly has a fair share of American stuff-Starbucks, Gap, McDonalds (of course!)... I don't really think those things take away from its Englishness (if that's a word) I just think if one is looking for the way the majority of the country lives and acts then perhaps it's good to look in other places too. I understand that your taping takes you to mostly well known and well travelled places. I was just suggesting for your own travels when you're free to go where you'd like.

As far as Ireland goes I suggest going anywhere...actually no, I suggest going everywhere!!! There are tours that you can take and you don't just see famous sights, you also see local sights and hear the legends that Ireland is famous for. Most of the time I spent in Ireland I travelled on my own to wherever looked nice on the map or where someone else suggested. In September I decided to take a tour so that I could see all of Ireland and it was the best tour I've ever taken. Our guide was amazing and we went to out of the way pubs and saw Ireland as it really is. Ok, I'll stop selling Ireland as a holiday spot now!

Take Care,
Courtney

BOOTH704@yahoo.com

Sam, thank you for responding. Having never written anyone like this (like in a forum-thingy)or read any of the other comments (I will so I can get some of my questions answered- ones that I am sure others have asked). I was surprised to check back and see that you so kindly responded. I read my 4 year old your reply and she was surprised, too. She is a joy. We watched The Breakers today and we were listening to your comments on "the view". Even if you had said the same comment on each show, you say it with such genuine surprise and pleasure (except for the parking lot views), that we don't notice. It sounds original each time. Thank you and we look forward to watching your show together each day (except Saturdays when it isn't on).

CONGRADULATIONS! I think you deserve to win.
My husband and I love your show. I have to laugh at him when he refers to you as his sister, though. The only problem we have with watching the show is that we want to go to most of the hotels you show. Unfortunately, we can't afford most of them.
On one post you wrote 'DISNEY HERE WE COME AGAIN'. I hope this is true. I would love to see you show off more Disney Resort Hotels. We have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge (1995). It was fun to watch you during the lobby shoot. I had forgotten some of the details. We taped this and all Disney Hotel episodes.
We have also stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside twice and love it. (a mansion room would be better for the show). I would most like to see you at the Polynesian Resort next though.

YOU MAKE THE SHOW GREAT! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

Hey...I'm back on! The computer would not let me post for like 24 hours! Even sent an email to the "contact us" people and that got bounced back.

Of course I try to put Matilda in her place. First she rolls over on her back and looks at me with those soft brown eyes, then she gives kisses and lastly she gives me the paw attatched to the leg that was broken when I rescued her. It's been over a year, we fixed the leg, I'm sure it no longer hurts...but works everytime. I'm a softie, she wins every time.

I read about Harriet in the Disney Club Magazine, Feb Issue I think. Although I'm sure you have connections to track her down. I'd be tickled to see her featured! She told me that she is now working on her second 500.

Thanks for your good thoughts about Mom...and a big "way to go!!!" for you and your mom. That means a lot to me coming from someone who has been there.

I'm off to work...talk to ya later!
kel

Hey Everyone, just interested in your thoughts about a chat room. xashleykristenx and I did a trial run setting up a room on MSN today. All it would require is registering on the MSN website and then entering the chat room. Don't worry, it's free!! Just an idea...
This way we can exchange travel ideas, advice and just relaxed chat.
Please e-mail me your thoughts.

Courtney

BOOTH704@yahoo.com

Hey Sam,

WOW ! I cant believe you take the time to reply to all your fans. Thats Awsome !!

Anyway, Have you ever talked to your boss about moving your show to prime time? This way you would catch a larger audiance, which means BIGGER ratings !! (just a thought)

Also, I have never said this to anyone before, but, Can I have an autograph pic? LOL
my address is:

Paul Czechowicz
101 Old Ferry Rd
Unit 1D
Shalimar FL. 32579

Thnx Sam !!!

Paul

Yes, you would do quite well on Letterman. I just got the Travel Channel in January though I've seen it in other areas during my travels. So, don't worry, all your shows are new to me! The thing that I noticed, though, is that in the Vacation Homes series, you interacted more with the home owners, and these shows were quite humorous. That is your forte...I can see why you say you wouldn't prefer to do stand up, unless you like interacting with hecklers. Funny thing is, I've seen all three seasons in three months!

And don't worry about travelling overseas, I work for the Army and travel a lot, and we get travel advisories all the time - so unless you're planning on going to Sudan or Aberbeijan, don't fret!

PS: When you mentioned Shaun Cassidy, you brought up some freaky memories. I know I'll be dating myself, but my very first concert was Shaun. We were in grade school, and decided the next day to wear our Shaun t-shirts under our Catholic school uniforms. The nuns didn't like that and we got detention. Shaun caused my very first detention. But I forgave him - it was worth it!

PPS: Tell the Travel Channel that their website is VERY comprehensive and has assisted me greatly in researching destinations. Kudos!

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one experiencing problems posting yesterday.

Your airplane story touched on the bane of my existence. I love to travel but hate to fly. I’m not one of those panic-stricken passengers but I do have this general unease when I’m on a plane. But to get anywhere in any reasonable time you have to fly, so I try to psych myself up by thinking of how cool it will be once I get to my destination or how glad I’ll be to get home. I have never even been able to sleep on a plane. I don’t drink much so I wouldn’t want to go that route. I would love to go to Hawaii someday, but the thought of flying for hours over large bodies of water gives me the shakes.

So I make sure I have a good book and my tunes and just try to forget where I am. I must admit I haven’t had any truly frightening episodes during a flight. The worst was coming into O’Hare to land when suddenly the landing gear came back up, the engine revved and we made a quick steep bank into the sky. I had visions of a near miss but as it turned out, we simply didn’t have the proper separation between planes and the tower instructed us to go around.

A friend of mine was also on a plane that was hit by lightning. I guess it’s not an uncommon occurrence but if it happened to me, I could almost guarantee that it would be my last plane trip. When are they going to get around to inventing the transporter?

Long time fan, Ms. Brown, but first time poster on your board. I'll echo your comments about your skill as a television personality, your sense of humor and your fun-loving personality. If you didn't already have a boyfriend, I'd propose marraige.

One thing I've noticed about "Great Hotels" is that the hotels are all at the high-price range. I think most viewers would love to stay at a lot of these places you've unleashed havoc on (just kidding!), but a lot of them are outside of their travel budgets. Then while watching Rachael Ray's "$40 A Day" on the Food Network (am I allowed to mention a competitor channel?), I wondered, why not combine both cost ranges on one travel show, highlighting both the pricier and less expensive activities of a given destination per show? You would handle the expensive features, a co-host would handle the cheaper features, and the two of you would compare notes and then find something all budgets can do together.

For example, Maui, a place you know well. (Loved "Girl Meets Hawaii", btw!) You would stay at a Wailea resort while the co-host stays at a Kihei condo (cook your own meals there, save $). You would attend a luau, the co-host samples plate lunch or a homemade barbecue. You would do a helicopter tour, the co-host the Hana Highway drive (equal excitement, different prices). You would bike down Haleakala at sunset while the co-host learns to snorkel. Then at the end, the two of you would spend a night strolling down Front Street in Lahaina together, something all budgets can accommodate.

I think you could cover most cities/areas with this type of compare/contrast/combine concept. London (high tea/pub lunch), Vegas (Strip hotel/Downtown hotel), Australia (Ayers Rock resort/camping in the bush), New York (Broadway show/Off-Broadway show), even a cruse (spa treatments/free yoga class). It would also be a lot of fun to see you play off someone who also shares your perky personality (Ms. Ray, perhaps?), or someone with a deadpan sense of humor that can rebound your one-liners back to you (Ian, the British chap from the old "Lonely Planet" series?).

Just a thought. I'd love to see what you, The Master Of Travel Shows, thinks of this.

-- Mike Ligot, from the Seattle area

[This message was edited by liggie on 03-20-03 at 09:36 PM.]

[This message was edited by liggie on 03-20-03 at 09:37 PM.]

Hey Sam did you get my letter to you yet?
i hope. i cant talk long, i am experiencing some spring weather. i am ready for summer. talk to ya lata

Sam, have you ever been to see Saturday Night Live? Perhaps we met or ran into each other. My friend lived in NY from 1987 til 1994 and from about 88 til 93 we went to SNL every weekend! I took the bus from here in Reading, PA. The cast at that time (the best in my opinion) was Dana Carvey, Victoria Jackson, Dennis Miller, Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks, Mike Myers etc...They referred to us as their "dolls" and the shows "best fans." They even use to tell us which sketches to laugh the loudest at so they made it from the dress rehearsal to the live show - and they would put a boom mic over our heads because we laughed loud! We brought them cakes and went to all the cast parties where we got to meet and hang out with celebrities and had a blast.
And funny you should mention Guiding Light. My partner in crime who I stayed with all the time in NYC, Angie, worked at CBS at the time. And she used to sneak me in on the set of Guiding Light after hours! We would hang out on the furniture (which actually looks kinda ****** and small when you see it up close!) and I use to rearrange the magnets on the refrigerator to see if they were still like that when the show aired so I could say, "I did that!" Silly huh?
Anyway, just wanted to share my NYC story with you since you share so many great stories with us. Who knows, we probably bumped each other atleast once in all those years.
Thanks again for the great job you do on the Hotels show and making us all smile.
Your friend,
Kathy

It seems there's been a glich in the system and it's been difficult getting to post on the forum. I'm a bit relieved though, the number of posts were down so significantly that I thought-Did I offend Everyone? It's like I threw a party and no one came. Hopefully it will be cleared up shortly

Courtney_h,

Thanks for your tips on visiting Ireland. Did you do a group tour? I really try to stay away from those where you pull up in a big bus and are ushered out like a heard of cattle. I've definately started taking more advantage of guides when I visit as oppossed to reading about things along the way. Tour books can become so boring, reading them is like doing homework so with a guide telling you all about a place or special point of interest it's more like story hour-I like being entertained.

czechowpj,

They've been discussing us moving to prime time or around 7ish as a lead in to primetime. The one hour Great hotel specials we were aired on Primetime and got very good ratings. I know they were measuring some future programming based on that soooooo who knows? I'd be happy to send you a picture.

sneech416,

It's something we have always missed making the switch from Vacation Homes to Hotels. I loved the different people and having fun with them. The Hotel show is so different because the hotels are a business and everyone is an employee. And each Hotel wants their employees to appear and talk a certain way so we loose a ton of potential personality for fear that they may look unprofessional. I understand the Hotel's position but, then all the humor, and entertainment is on my shoulders. I've said this before but I really get sick of hearing myself talk. It's like blah, blah, blah will she ever shut up? I'm sorry that's me venting. I don't know how we change that because hotel staff are hotel staff and we can never bug guests so really the only thing I can do is become a ventriloquist and have a wise-crackin dummy as my side-kick.

djardins,

Yeah, with a fear of flying i don't think I'd go to Hawaii anytime soon. Have you ever thought of taking melotonin on the flight or maybe your doctor could prescribe something stronger to knock you out. Usually I'm up to about 3:00am packing for my 7:00am flight so I'm basically passed out before they do the soda and roasted peanut lap. It works out well. Flying over water weirded me out for some time as well but when you really think of it if the plane goes down whether it's water or land the result will pretty much be the same. Gosh, sam how morbid! sorry.

liggie

She seems very cool and I like her cooking show as well. And do I detect a NY accent with Ms. Ray?

That's something I've wanted to do for a long time now-a destination series that deals with more than just hotels. Do Girl Meets Vegas or Girl meets Rome. They actually have that show that you just described on the National Geographic Channel I think (I wouldn't be surprised if Discovery considers THAT channel a bad word and atomatically blurbs it out on this post) or maybe it's A&E. It may be called He said she said. I would really enjoy the chance to work along side of Ian he is such a hoot. But to make it really funny we would have him do things like go to tea and get a spa treatment while I hung out at the Pub and then went to the horse races or something. Either way it's a great idea.

my gosh Michelle I get SOOOOO much fan mail I couldn't possibly remember it all! I don't believe I received it yet but let me double check okay, I'll get back to you.

Hi Sam,

How do you possibly stay in such great shape during all the months of shooting? Are there gyms around or are you on a diet that restricts certain foods? Also, I was glad to hear you say that you'd still have no problem getting on a plane with everything going on. I am so nervous about flying at the end of April to Punta Cana. I hear it is only a few hours away, but with this war it made me a little queezy. Thanks, Jill

kthynoll,

I cant' believe you're from Reading PA. My entire family is from Reading PA! My parents were born and raised. Everytime I visit we go get italian sandwiches at A&S and a cherry coke (fountain of course) It was a mixed blessing when Tasty Cake got a better distributor. Butterscotch Krimpetts are my downfall. It was funny when I visited Philly and had one of their cheesesteaks for the first time I was like YOU CALL THIS A CHEESESTEAK? they needed to t