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FRONT ROW # 10
Produced and Directed by Paul Scrabo
Host - Richard Scrivani
Special Guest - Debbie RochonAs of this past Friday I had another review for this episode of Paul Scrabo's show FRONT ROW all written and ready to go. It was one where I talk about how personable the guest, Debbie Rochon, seems and how stiff and awkward the host looks next to her. Thrown into the mix were some jabber about how gorgeous Debbie looks and a feigned moronic tale about me going gaga when Debbie talks about her awaking sexuality during the first 2 minutes of the program. Now you've got a pretty good picture of what the review was about and how bad it turned out.
That review didn't tell you what the show is about or whom the people involved are, it just didn't work. It was written for fanboys and an insult to people who love the intelligence and artistry of ultra independent movie making. Funny thing is I would have ran the review if I hadn't gone to the Fannex convention in Baltimore, MD.
So just who is Paul Scrabo? The producer-director of FRONT ROW is a man who loves b-movies, both old and new. His love for these films is so great that he dedicates a good portion of his time putting together this cable access program where he gets a chance to hob-knob with the b-celebrities he idolizes. FRONT ROW is a labor of love from a man who truly loves the world of cult film and it's his chance to spot light those that have made an impact on him.
But who is Debbie Rochon?
Yes, she's gorgeous. Yes, she's an actress in New York who pays the bills by playing everything from serial killers to sex-starved tarts. And yes, she's someone Paul finds interesting or he wouldn't have her on his show.
But who is Debbie Rochon?
Fast forward from Friday to Saturday you'll find me at the Fannex convention is Baltimore, MD. This is where I realized I didn't learn a thing about Debbie Rochon from watching FRONT ROW; at least not anything about Debbie the person. Not even about Debbie the actress, just Debbie the icon.
As we walked around, a friend of mine, out of the blue, professed his love for her and bragged that he was able to talk to her for 5 minutes at some convention. Not even 10 minutes later we overheard another fellow talking about being on her old eYada.com show and arguing with her over NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD 30, the poor guy didn't like the movie, but he loved the attention she was giving him over it. During lunch we overheard a third man arguing with some folks at his table over who was the better B-queen, Debbie, Brinke Stevens, or Michelle Bauer. It was at this point I realized there was a lot of Debbie chat going on, which surprised me as was no where in sight and Fannex is celebration of older, classic cult film. The gentlemen arguing had to be pushing 50 and I wouldn't have thought them knowledgeable of a gal so young.
So who is Debbie Rochon?
I don't have the answer to that and I wish I did. All I can say is that like any good actress she's whoever you need her to be. Debbie is a beauty worthy of your admiration. Debbie is a loyal actress who defends her friends and her work. Debbie is a woman worthy of discussion. And Debbie is a modern B-movie icon, just as Paul Scrabo sees her. I just wish we could have gotten to see the woman underneath, but after watching FRONT ROW I got the impression that only a select few were privileged enough to see past her public veil.