Stephen Seidel is a 33 year old host and creator of Renegade Reporting. He lives in Hollywood, California, United States.
DS: How did you hear about Dailysingle? What are you expecting from being on the front page?
Stephen Seidel: A close friend and amazing photographer, Anne Marie Fox, gave me the inside daily scoop. We have collaborated on many projects in the past, most recently 'Gotta Hand it To You' Blog and the film, May Mercy Lie.
DS: What are the most memorable years of your life and what happened to make them so memorable?
Stephen Seidel: 1977: Mother wanted to name me after Michelangelo’s statue of David, and Dad wanted his name. Dad sort of won, my middle name is David. 1978: Moved to Keystone State, home of the greatest teams ever: Phillies and Eagles. 1983: Met Incredible Hulk and choked on lifesaver, but he shook me upside down to save me. 1987: Saw Bon Jovi and Michael Jackson in concert for my first two concerts ever! 1988-1996: Played every sport I could, collected a zillion baseball cards, now worth 25 cents, worked tons of jobs from busboy and cart boy to Cashier-man. 1996: Graduated from same High School as Pink. 1998: Worked Disney World’s College Program and celebrated Mickey Mouse with a Mickey’s beverage on numerous occasions. 2000: Graduated B.S. Industrial Engineering from Penn State. 2000-2010: Lived in Austin, NY, and LA while writing, acting and reporting. Created Renegade Reporting.com, featured in Backstage Magazine on May 13, 2010. 2011: Appeared on cover of Daily Single?? Tears of Joy!
A goal of mine is to assist others in discovering their inner risk-taking renegades that will step outside of the box.
DS: Where were you born and where do you live now?
Stephen Seidel: I was born in Utica, NY, a town now known for ‘The Office’, but was a booming industrial city. My family moved to Philadelphia at the age of one, and I fell in ‘brotherly love’ with the food, sports, art scene, ‘Rocky’ and our Philadelphia Inquirer. Orlando was next, for a brief stint with Disney, followed by an engineering position at Motorola in Austin, TX. I decided then to take a bite out of ‘The Big Apple’, NYC, to pursue broadcasting, producing and acting. Hollywood is where I currently reside. I do enjoy the Left Coast weather, but could use some East Coast mentality, such as being on time and keeping true to both yourself and your ‘word’. My future homes will be in France, Philadelphia, and an island to be named later.
DS: How would you best describe yourself?
Stephen Seidel: I am the all-American dude with a metro twist. I love the caveman traditional diet of meat and veggies, but also need to have my pizza every Thursday night, a tradition from childhood. In addition, being raised by mostly women I do have a sensitive side, which leads well for performing, hosting and finding my ‘inner Martha Stewart’. That being said, a sense of humor was extremely important growing up, and runs thick in my veins. There is never a conversation where a joke isn’t maneuvered in there, so be on your toes. Let’s have some fun, I love adventures and getting to the bottom of things. I am a man after all, and we like to solve things. So I am constantly coming up with solutions, which is why I was an engineer out of college. Lastly, I love to create, wherever and whenever, albeit cooking, drawing, painting, I need to put my own special Seidel spin on it.
DS: What are the must-haves in your daily wardrobe?
Stephen Seidel: Accessories are key. The watch is a nice accent. Your shoes are what others will be drawn to immediately, so stand up straight. As a rule of thumb, courtesy of my close friend, Phil Gravuer, “When walking in a room the first thing people notice are your top 10 and bottom 10 percent. Your face and hair, as well as your shoes.” You also need to have a few nice hats to don, and always make sure they fit both your attire and the occasion. In addition, argyle socks are a must have. They give you style and flair. White and black v-necks are staples too. They are here to stay. And last but not least, a clean pair of underwear, because you just never know. Oh yeah, don’t forget a hidden twenty in your wallet.
DS: Who do people tell you you look like?
Stephen Seidel: I get compared to many actors such as: Andrew Shue, Dane Cook, Nick Swardson, Eric Szmanda, and many more. However, my favorite is Jake Gyllenhaal, which is a perfect comparison for me, not only because I have a famous sister and have dated Kirsten Dunst, but also because I like rabbit suits (Donnie Darko). In all seriousness, I am a fan of his work and his dedication to the process. He brings complex characters that are deeply rooted in reality, which audiences can feel empathetic towards. Sometime in the near future, I would love to act alongside him as his on-screen brother and challenge him to a battle over Natalie Portman (Brothers), or a thumb war. Winner gets to take his current girlfriend out to sushi on Sunset Blvd. Any takers?
The video
DS: What is the compliment you most frequently get?
Stephen Seidel: A frequent compliment is that I am a great guy. I get that a lot from my mom, pretty much everyday, and she also says I’m have favorite too! Sorry sis. Handsome, funny, and my smooth skin are regulars too. Oh yeah, I am told I have big..… toes. My college roommates may or may not have called them ‘Finger toes’, and made me put them on the table during a Holiday party. Daniel Day Lewis ala My Left Foot would have a deep appreciation for them. One other compliment I often get when driving others is that I am a gentleman, and that’s only because my driver side door doesn’t open. Shhhh, it’ll be our little secret.
DS: How did you end-up being a host and creator of Renegade Reporting?
Stephen Seidel: As a child, I loved radio, television, film, and any sports programming. My father, Stephen V. Seidel has an extremely low voice. He often spoke of missed radio opportunities, which inspired me. Listening to well-broadcasted program has always been a favorite of mine. I would sneak into my bedroom and record my broadcaster voices into a tape player. I dreamed of being like OJ Simpson, by excelling in sports, then broadcasting, as well as starring in films like Naked Gun. He did it all, but eventually my role model took an ugly turn, and I followed my own path. I decided to interview New Yorkers about the craziest thing they’ve seen on a subway, and Renegade Reporting was born. A year later I moved to LA, and shot a cross-country doc about the effect of high gas prices on American’s dreams and goals, titled ‘Fueling Our Dreams’. My laid back and real, down-to-earth approach enables me to connect with others using both laughter and heartfelt moments to bring each story to life.
DS: Can you tell us more about your job?
Stephen Seidel: A journalist must always be informed of the news and pop culture on globally and local level. I often attend red carpets to interview those in attendance, as well as travel onsite to create innovative content for companies and events. I enjoy the process of creating visionary ideas, by fusing education with entertainment, yielding Edutainment. A few of my favorite pieces were my studio interview with LA Business Today and freestyle rapping with Ron Jeremy, where he called us Romeo and Julio. I also convinced Peter Fonda to permit me to don his glasses, something very few have done. My ideal job would be creating video content to make others laugh and love life, while learning valuable lessons. A goal of mine is to assist others in discovering their inner risk-taking renegades that will step outside of the box. I suggest everyone do one scary thing a day, to propel yourself one step closer to your dreams, for a new adventure. Six Flags is also an option.
DS: Let's talk more about you and your tastes. Any hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time? Any thing you like and recommend?
Stephen Seidel: I love New York Sicilian pizza; it’s a sandwich and slice all in one! Village Pizzeria in LA is no joke. I also crave truffle oil on burgers at Umami, and would run a marathon to eat one of my hometown Philly cheese steaks, preferably from Pat’s. Reese’s Cups are also a guilty pleasure, as well as sitting down to watch a good drama on television, in the past it was Six Feet Under, but now it’s Breaking Bad. Don’t get me wrong, I never miss Modern Family, or Tosh.O, but if I had my choice, I would be clowning around on the set of Parks and Rec and Punk’d. Painting and poetry has always been a creative outlet, but a good run helps clear my mind of any cobwebs. Watching my hometown Eagles with a Pepsi and Fritos is also fan-freaking-tastic, because I used to do it with my step dad Tom. Currently, I am back in the gym to rediscover my washboard abs, and save money on laundry. I also like to partake in a Penn State football game with lots of brewdogglers. Yep, that’s my word.
DS: What is a typical week for Stephen Seidel?
Stephen Seidel: A typical week is atypical, but there are a few essentials. Days are for hustling the streets and nights are for pimping the information superhighway. I am usually going from the time I rise, until I hit the hay. Bedtime is usually 2am, wake-up is 8am. Monday I leap into the abyss, in search of new projects to pursue. Occasionally, I Skype my dentist and lawyer to remind them I still exist. I also visit Runyon Canyon for some hiking, and do my workout routine at my house, which consists of 10 sit-ups and my weight loss visualizations. Wednesday nights I go to Agape for a daily dose of abundance, and Thursdays I participate in play readings at Lab 26 in Sherman Oaks. On Friday, I sip beers with buddies and text message my mother. Saturdays I work on keeping my creative gluts in shape. Lastly, Sundays are for catching up on things, whether it’s tossing my brownanas, or remembering to cancel my subscription to the magazine that comes in the black saran wrap.
DS: Some quick questions: What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Stephen Seidel: I wake up and check my phone for messages from ex-girlfriends. Then, I scan my email to see if anyone has any unanswered questions or large settlements to be claimed from Nigeria. Next, nature calls and I answer. I turn on my radio to get my groove on and start to envision a successful day. Oatmeal is prepped, while I shower, and I eat my breakfast, which also includes: yogurt, coffee, and a banana, before it turns brown. I look at the clock and realize I am running out of time. Good thing my clock is 5 minutes ahead, because now my brain is working too, because I have subtracted 5 minutes to determine the real time! However, I’m still late, so I panic, and I’m off….
DS: What is your favorite word?
Stephen Seidel: My favorite word is probably Johnny. I like to get descriptive with my analyses of situations and people, but its much more fun to personify my descriptions with a name. For example, if someone were in a huge hurry, like I sometimes am after falling asleep over oatmeal, I would be called, Johnny Skittish, or Johnny Tardy. Another example would be, when your buddy decided to take ten shots of Patron and woke up in a laundry room, he would be Johnny Blackout. One last note, if it were a girl, she would be Sally. So if a girl were writing this, she’d be Sally Descriptions.
DS: What it your favorite quotation? Or make your own for posterity...
Stephen Seidel: “Life is a journey, and you should be with someone you want to share that adventure with. “ Not sure who said it first, but I know my Aunt Betty recently told me this, when I was visiting Doppie, my grandmother.
DS: What is your favorite "drug"?
Stephen Seidel: My favorite drug is music, I take it as soon as I get up, when I turn my Ipod Home on. It infiltrates my soul and brings me into any mood I desire. Some pump-up favorites are techno, trance, and rock. Rage Against the Machine gets me amped for games and events. As of late, I have been listening to more sentimental music and self-improvement seminars such as Tony Robbins, Deepak Chopra, and The Secret. Which means that I am, in one word, Deep. However, I like to think of myself as a self-proclaimed all around music lover, in five and a half words, but who’s counting?
The photo shoot
DS: What magic power would you like to have if you could choose one?
Stephen Seidel: I would like the power to be at two places at one time. It’d be amazing to share the genuine moments with my family, but also simultaneously bring the relevant issues of our innovators to the screen. Sounds like quantum physics for all those science nerds and techies. Just imagine the possibilities; being on a quiet vacation in the Caribbean with your loved one, but ALSO downing brewdogglers at the Superbowl tailgate with your old college roommates. The opportunities are endless.
DS: If not yourself, who would you be?
Stephen Seidel: John F Kennedy, bar none. JFK was one of the most amazing presidents to date. His ability to lead a nation as a loving father and husband to Jackie O, a lover to Marilyn Monroe, while also navigating our country through the Cuban Missile Crisis is unprecedented. Now seriously, talk about a pimp. He rules the world and rules the ladies AT THE SAME TIME, and doesn’t even need magic powers! Not to mention the time period he lived in, where everything was much slower, with chivalry alive and well. If only he didn’t get in that car in Dallas, he might also be alive and well, with the USA not shooting itself in the …foot. One will never know. If not myself, I would be JFK and would circumvent the final seconds of my life by taking Jackie O on a quick breakfast break to Dunkin Donuts. Oops, Marilyn called, I have to run.
DS: What is in store for you? Any key projects for the next months? Anything you want to share? Can our readers help you with anything?
Stephen Seidel: Currently, I have two television shows optioned, and am expanding Renegade Reporting to make industrial Edutainment videos to showcase my clients, but also have a few laughs while doing it. A web series, Workshop, I appeared in Episode 2, is the first independently produced half hour comedy airing on Hulu. In May, I will be acting in the independent film, 8-Ball, the pool playing 8-ball, not the Charlie Sheen kind. I am also looking to collaborate and host any new programming, as well as bringing an editor on board my team. Any sponsors and investors looking to reach Gen YKK, this is your chance! If anyone has an extra Ipad or bike lying around, send it over.
DS: Anything you want to add to close this interview?
Stephen Seidel: Renegade Reporting produced a short film that I wrote and acted in called May Mercy Lie, which was inspired by a true story. I will be screening the film in Hollywood next month. My dream is to work with Johnny Depp. If you know Johnny, can you please have him tweet me (@StephenSeidel) or fax me? One final note, I think that Renegade Reporting should be sent on a journey to find the best pizza slice in the world. Any takers?
Johnny Pizza-lover signing off.
DS: Thank you Stephen Seidel
Stephen Seidel: Every goodbye is a rite of passage, a new beginning or birth of sorts. While growing up, my birthday meal was always Meatloaf. It’s all about the Ketchup.
– StephenSeidel.net