Dory

Still missing Robert Osborne and wishing him well. Thank you TCM for giving viewers an excellent choice to fill in during his absence.

I doubt, too, that her salary was the sole motivation for hiring her. Who's to say that she didn't have representation or advice during the hiring negotiations? I don't know her salary/contract package, so I don't know if they got her on the cheap or not. She initially was a fan pulled from the ranks, but the moment TCM and Ms. Vasquez began discussing her permanent employment was the moment (for me) when she became a professional. She was seeking and they were offering a professional position. I don't doubt that the future financial successes related to her position (for both TCM and Ms. Vasquez) will be main motivations for her continued employment. Her professionalism and popularity are also factors. She impressed TCM as a true fan, she has yet to prove the same as a true professional. She surely has a probationary period (which would have began in June?) before she begins her solid tenure. I imagine her contract with TCM addresses the harder edges of being a paid professional employed in the entertainment industry. I sincerely wish her the best because I am expecting her best. Thanks

It's kind of sad that so many people seem to have antipathy towards Tiffany. We should all face such extreme pressure when starting a new job-- and see how it feels. Well, honestly, some of us may have. We don't always reveal our true identities, do we? If you are, as your ID states, in a creative field, then you probably either experienced or witness, how pressured creative talents are. I certainly have and when it is extreme pressure for unjust reasons, I am always appalled. Sometimes, though, the extreme pressure is what ultimately motivates the recipient to become their best. I'm not saying Ms. Vasquez deserves extreme pressure, but it is incredibly naive to think it doesn't exist in showbiz (there are plenty of classic movies on TCM that tell that story). Likewise, she shouldn't be hired and then given free reign. And, I am not saying she is. I just feel that she is too uncomfortably, awkwardly amatuerish even for a fan turned pro. I don't like it that TCM doesn't appear to be providing her with better support to develop her talent at this critical time. It is unkind to her and to some TCM fans. Pulling for the underdog, I hope she ends up wowing all existing TCM fans and attracts new fans. BTW, on another note, I would like to add that the bright orange dress and long earrings she wears in one of her promos is fabulous. Very classic, yet age appropriate and very flattering on her. It raises her credibility with me. (I greatly appreciate that she never sex it up too much. I don't want painted on clothing or too much skin). Her hair and make-up enhance and don't overpower (and they never seem to). She looks like a young, professional woman that is also a lady. Something we aren't often presented and it is a relief and wonderfully refreshing! It represents a level of professionalism that I do expect all of the time from her and the network. I am not suggesting she become a fashion icon, but her on-air image in that promo makes me want to watch her and listen to her. She also appears more comfortable in front of the camera and her delivery seems natural and spontaneous. Regardless that she pulled this look together on her own or with assistance, this is the Ms. Vasquez I want as host. Thanks

I just saw that promo today and had to wonder why she isn't getting better assistance. Does she just have a camera crew? Doesn't she have an advisor to run through what she is actually saying. It is very unkind to her and I don't want to think that she really isn't that bright. It is ridiculous the way it is phrased and it has nothing to do with her age or demographic. It's simply a badly phrased commentary. She's been in the business too long to blame her Language Arts instruction. She needs to pick up where they (might) have dropped the ball.

I can go along w/you on this. We know what they don't yet, which is overnight they too will be a nonexistent demographic w/the exception of prescription drug and medical/life insurance ads. Wait for it...

Bonnie C ~ I have to agree, loyal TCM viewers deserve better than what we are initially being offered from TCM and Ms. Vasquez. I always hope for the Underdog to win and I am watching and hoping that Ms. Vasquez will improve her on-air talents. I do not find her youth a problem. It's a wise move on many levels. It is also refreshing. She is at ease with pronounciation and enunciation. Overall, her inexperience does not present problems for me. The problems that I have with her Saturday hosting are with the poor level of professionalism at which she is beginning with her on-air presence and the incredibly bad delivery of her presentations. I pay more every month just so I can enjoy watching TCM. I do not watch TCM for the movies alone. I want them to be presented to me with the facts, the fun, cast and crew info, the history; etc. I want the presenters to let the warmth of their own personalities shine through. I don't want someone that is too slick and homogenized. I keep hoping Ms. Vasquez is going to become comfortable enough in front of the camera with us that she will allow herself to show us her warmth and enthusiasm. Granted, she is under the spotlight. Which is exactly where she asked to be, yet is so ill-prepared. She reminds me of a student who was in art school with me. Everytime this well-liked, talented student would present her work to be critiqued and juried, she became an entirely different person, and not in a good way. She was terrified, but that is not what everyone saw. We saw someone quite like Ms. Vasquez's current on-air presence. Ms. Vasquez is no longer in school and, from her resume, has spent adequate time in her chosen field to be better at presenting. She is surrounded by top professionals and cannot expect to keep performing at a low amateur level. So far, she is not convincing me that she has done her own film research or has the enthusiasm. I am more convinced that someone from Central Casting pointed at her and said, "Hey you! That's right, YOU. Come over here. Stand here. Look into the camera. Read these lines. And, for Heaven's sake try to act like you want to be here!" I would like to ask Ms. Vasquez that she is not at TCM by accident or a case of mistaken identity? I do not want to cringe and turn off the sound whenever Ms. Vasquez has her Saturday host spot. Today, I did see some changes she gave her deliveries. But in the main, they were lateral. An injection of a smile here, a liitle laugh there, open both hands now, look to the left, then right. (Including a squint of one eye while talking out of the side of her mouth with a curled upper lip like she just smelled that bad milk Ben Mankiewicz refers to in the TCM Wine plugs. Please, please lose that!) She delivered them as she does with her scripts, line by line. Reading every single line with the same stiff cadence, predictable and dull rythym and missing the beat on the words to be emphasized. Even when she tried to show her enthusiasm, she didn't. I can't but believe that Ms. Vasquez is the only one holding her(self) back. She needs to spend less time practicing in the shower and more time reviewing her taped presentations mindfully with an encouraging, constructive coach. Fashion is fun and trendy. Each generation enjoys contributing their own sense of style and their take on previous eras. Nobody wears fashion better than when they are comfortable in their apparel, hair and make-up. Ms. Vasquez is a very vibrant, attractive young woman. The camera definitely likes her. She apparently enjoys 1980s fashion. That's fine. Last Saturday, Ms. Vasquez looked like she wore her PJs to work when she showed up in an ill-fitting jumpsuit. Dress Casual is fine, especially on a Saturday. Just don't look like you are ready to curl up on the sofa with Grammy's afghan. Ms. Vasquez needs to pony up for an image consultant or personal shopper to help her develop her professional appearance and sense of style. She can be fashionable, fun and hip without being stiff and boring, but she needs to do it with some class. I don't believe TCM fans are afraid of someone new or the changes they bring. Classic Movie fans quite obviously like things classic, even the new classics. We have a level of expectation that Ms. Vasquez isn't giving to us, yet. I am definitely disappointed, but I do keep hoping she will be a quick study and become the star we all want hosting on Saturdays. TCM and Ms. Vasquez are asking us to watch and listen to her. We are. I hope they will please listen to us. We are an invested and vocal group. We won't be afraid to let you know when "It's time to either fish or cut bait."

Yes, Robert Osborne's absence is immensely difficult. Aside from being a wonderful host, he has set such high standards that we have come to expect. Ben is irreplaceable and delightful. As for the temporary hosts, keep them temporary. Ms. Stowe's lip plumping has left her with mild speech impediments making her the perfect host for "Sunset Boulevard." Honestly, she creeps me out. She works too hard at being seductive with the painted on gowns, hair extensions, heavy makeup and no close ups, please. Annette and Michael are both very talented and wryly witty, but in this gig I feel like they are going to say "Schweaty Balls" any moment. Annette is so relaxed that I am concerned she is going to slide out of her seat. Dave Karger? Sorry Robert. If you did hand pick him, no way. Not a good choice for TCM. Does TCM upper management even watch their own network? It seems they have neglected to hire a top notch casting firm to bring the talent to them. And, what a coup to win a hosting spot on TCM! I know changes are inevitable, but I am worried TCM higher ups might lose sight of what makes TCM in a league of its own.

Bland hosts? That is Tiffany to a "T". TCM please help her with her presentations. Bland, boring, unenthusiastic, stiff as a board. With all of the young available talent from which to choose this is what loyal TCM fans are offered. And her promo spot... referring to practicing her presentations in the shower as "a dream come true." I want to believe that she means the job is a dream come true. Obviously (hopefully), a bad editing job, but it is hilarious and, regrettably, it doesn't help her struggling start.