In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with executive producer Michael Levitt about his FOX TV Thanksgiving Day Special CAUSE FOR PAWS: AN ALL-STAR DOG SPECTACULAR. This celebrity packed extravaganza is focused on creating awareness and funding for shelter dogs so they receive the love, care and resources they need to find their forever home. The show airs on Thanksgiving night, Thursday November 27th from 8P to 10P on FOX and is co-hosted by Emmy Winner Jane Lynch and Oscar Winner Hilary Swank who also serves as executive producer. The TV special will include awards and celebrity presentations showcasing a variety of canine categories. Celebrities also will introduce the audience to rescue dogs, giving viewers the opportunity to foster or adopt a new best friend. Participating celebrities include Kristin Chenoweth, Whitney Cummings, Max Greenfield, Kathy Griffin, Julianne Hough, Randy Jackson, Cesar Millan, Jerry O’Connell, Kelly Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne, P!nk, Amber Riley, Rebecca Romijn, Emmy Rossum, Jenna Dewan Tatum, Paula Abdul, Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Fergie, Carrie Ann Inaba, Scarlett Johansson, Kesha, Miranda Lambert, LeAnn Rimes and Betty White. We talked to Levitt about the significance of CAUSE FOR PAWS: AN ALL-STAR DOG SPECTACULAR and his spin on our LGBT issues.
When asked what he would like to see happen for LGBT equality in the next few years Levitt stated, “I’m actually blown away by how far we’ve come since I was growing up. For me that’s amazing that at least in bigger cities, kids can be open, out and proud and for the most part nobody cares. That being said it breaks my heart when I hear of LGBT kids being rejected by their own families and for me this has to stop. I’m grateful for the support of the LGBT community to help these kids but my hope is that we can eventually live in a time where all people love their own children unconditionally and don’t reject them simply because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.”
Michael Levitt has produced reality shows, game shows, television award shows and TV specials for the last two decades. Among his credits are “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List”, “Skin Wars”, “The TV Land Awards” and “Billboard Music Awards.” In 2011 Michael learned the devastating news that his sister was dying of cancer. It was during this difficult time that he rescued two pit bulls and quickly learned through adversity that his dogs actually rescued him. The special bond with his two canine friends Trooper and Nelson inspired Levitt to become a rescuer in his spare time. Since then Levitt has saved over 500 dogs from local shelters and helped them find loving homes. By bringing his two worlds together of producing and rescue Levitt hopes that CAUSE FOR PAWS: AN ALL-STAR DOG SPECTACULAR could be a game changer for the 8 million animals that enter shelters each year.
For More Info: fox.com/cause-for-paws
The show sounds wonderful..I love that it has a positive spin to it and that it's celebratory. Michael is very sweet and heartfelt and that kind of dedication to a cause sets a great example for all of us.
ReplyDeleteThis show is SO long overdue, as is the acceptance of the LGBT community by the rest of the us. Mike makes a great point in terms of the strides we've made since we were all kids. Bit by bit, it's become more acceptable to just "be yourself." Let's hope that in this same way we will ALL pay far closer attention to the animal over-population problem, and dedicate ourselves to solving it. The show is a MAJOR step in the right direction. I'm thrilled at this auspicious jump-start. Thank you Mike Levitt, and everyone involved. --- Bob James, Los Angeles
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