Freelance writer/author in the Washington D.C. area, with 20-plus years writing experience in sports, travel, entertainment, technology branded content and more. Clients include Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Entertainment Tonight, Northwestern University, Skyword, Washington Speakers Bureau, Red Bull, The Washington Post and MLB.com. Author of 20-plus children's books for Capstone and Lerner Publishing.
ENTERTAINMENT
Amazon Prime Video It's hard to imagine the indefatigable Jean-Claude Van Damme ever tapping out, but after wrapping his new Amazon series, Jean-Claude Van Johnson , the actor needed time to recharge after a surprisingly emotional experience on what, on the surface, seemed like a lighthearted action-comedy show.
For five seasons in the mid-90s, Martin was appointment viewing for sitcom fans, part of a wave of Black comedies that anchored network lineups and developed major stars like Will Smith and Queen Latifah. was so popular, it drew viewers away from NBC's powerhouse Thursday night lineup, lifting Fox to new heights in the ratings.
Jason Statham took an interesting route to becoming an action superstar. Growing up in England, Statham was a competitive diver for many years, participating on Britain's National Swimming Squad for 12 years and competing in the 1990 Commonwealth Games, a pseudo-Olympics for British countries and territories.
"Early on, it was a lot of my friends [cast as voice actors], but now as we moved on and expanded, it goes beyond my personal rolodex," Kroll said. Before premiering in 2017, " Big Mouth" may have looked like one more coming-of-age teen show built around its off-color humor, where kids crack jokes and embarrass themselves amid the wild waters of puberty.
"This is a show that is very much about exploring consequences," showrunner Dave Andron said of the central duo's simmering relationship. Consider This: Conversations highlight television's award-worthy productions through panel discussions with the artists themselves. The above video is in partnership by FX, produced by IndieWire's Creative Producer Leonardo Adrian Garcia, and hosted by Elliott Smith.
SXSW: The first two episodes of Little Marvin's terror anthology on Amazon Prime Video are a promising start to a corrosive tale of racism. Even if it seems like the easy way out, it's hard not to compare the new Amazon Prime Video series " Them " to HBO's buzzy "Lovecraft Country."
Of the dozens of offerings available at launch, here's what to watch on Day One. Quibi launches today with tons of content available, and even though recent events have provided us all with a large amount of time for entertainment, that doesn't mean you want to spend it wading through underwhelming content, even at Quibi's easily digestible lengths.
In the 1980s, MTV revolutionized the way people listened to music, and the channel was the place to see the latest and greatest videos - so long as it was rock and pop. Because, by the end of its first decade on air, MTV was still an inhospitable outlet for black music.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Sony Pictures A few years ago, during the downtime of filming his motion picture debut, , Shameik Moore thought back to an image that had stuck with him and decided he would try whatever he could to make his vision become a reality.
Getty Images On the surface, perhaps represented by the garish plaid jacket worn by its titular hard-living baseball announcer, the IFC hit Brockmire is a profane comedy about a smooth-talking anachronism trying to keep his place in a rapidly changing world.
There's no question that America continues to struggle with race, whether one views it through the country's horrific past or its complicated present. That's something that Jussie Smollett found out first hand when he tackled the topic for the docuseries America Divided , which returns to EPIX with a second season of celebrity correspondents exploring inequality throughout the United States.
StudioCanal Prior to 2008, Liam Neeson was an Oscar-nominated actor best known for his ability to shine in period pieces and his unfortunate mullet in The Phantom Menace.
Hugh Hefner built an empire and created an entire lifestyle based on the simple premise that people are always fascinated by what is considered taboo.
Getty Images Stephen Glover was certain that was going to be an acquired taste, and as a first-time screenwriter, he was fine with letting the show, created by his brother and star Donald Glover, find its voice in its first season.
When the first season of HBO's buzzy sci-fi showcase wrapped, Thandie Newton had been put through an emotional roller coaster -- and loved every second of her wild ride. "It was so profound, the feeling of freedom I had afterward," Newton tells ET.
TRAVEL
By Elliott Smith Traveling by yourself is fun, but I've had some of my best, and most educational, travel experiences in a group of like-minded people who are interested in experiencing new areas and understanding how history shaped those places. Of course, it's not always easy traveling in a group.
Atlantic City offers world-class gambling and high-end nightlife at action-packed casinos, where one spin can make you a winner.
One of the underrated pleasures of spending a string of days at the beach: Showering off the sand after sunset and heading to a nearby bar to hear a great local band, alongside a roomful of other music lovers, drink in hand.
While the one-eyed specter of Mr. Boh looms figuratively and literally over the city, Baltimore's beer scene has much more to offer than National Bohemian, which hasn't been brewed in the city for years.
The MLB All-Star Game returns to D.C. this summer - find out where the action is throughout the city.
In 1935, the Gottfried Krueger Brewery made drinking history by selling the first-ever canned beer, choosing Richmond, Virginia, as its test market. But the innovating spirit of the city's brew scene didn't settle, leaving the town far behind in the race for craft dominance.
Washington, D.C. is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Tens of millions of visitors flock to the nation's capital each year to experience a piece of the city's history and culture. It's no wonder D.C.'s top sights can be overrun with people-not every traveler's ideal sightseeing environment.
A trip to Georgetown Cupcake in Washington, D.C. is a feast for the senses, and that's even before you get a taste of the delicious treats that have made it a dessert destination in this landmark-filled city. "It's a very visual, very sensory experience," says Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne, who opened Georgetown Cupcake in 2008 with her sister, Katherine Kallinis Berman.
FEATURES
Elliott Smith Farmers around the globe may cultivate different crops and apply distinct growing techniques, but they all have a keen knowledge of weather and how it can lead to a boom or bust harvest. Moussa Moukoro is no different. A farmer in Mali, Moukoro's crops include millet grain and Guinea corn.
It's not an exaggeration to say that Washington, D.C.'s NFL franchise has built a reputation for controversy over the past 20 years. The team's owner since 1999, Daniel Snyder is known as one of the most litigious people in the capital region.
The collected ocean plastic presented a challenge for the engineering team attempting to create the resin because the material has already started to degrade due to heat, ultraviolet light, moisture and salt exposure. Water bottles are made from a resin known as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), more commonly known as polyester when used in fibers or fabrics.
The crash of the waves is a clarion call. For Gwenna "GiGi" Gainer Lucas, the pull of the sea is a low-thrumming signal that reverberates through her being. The surf brings reflection and rebirth. "I am very aware of the joy and peace that surfing brings to me," says Lucas '01 from her oceanside home in Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
What is the difference between organizational success and failure? For Northwestern Engineering adjunct professor Eric Odderstol, the deciding factors can be difficult to determine. "People know when they are being poorly led, but they don't necessarily know when they are being well-led," said Odderstol, who is Deputy Director of Marine Corps Facilities at the Pentagon.
Parents try to do everything in their power to make their children happy. But Simeon Pieterkosky's eight-year-old daughter had a big request for her father: Use all his experience as a robotic engineer to "save the seas." How does a person who's spent a good portion of his career as an animatronics designer help one of the planet's most precious resources?
Frances Tiafoe will never forget his 21st birthday. After the biggest victory of his career-upsetting Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov at January's Australian Open to make his first Grand Slam quarterfinal-an emotional Tiafoe strutted shirtless across the court, flexing his muscles and letting out a primal, celebratory yell as the 10,000-person crowd launched into "Happy Birthday."
It takes a singular amount of talent, focus and dedication for athletes to reach the pinnacle of their chosen sport. For Alex Morgan, that drive is on full display as the forward is a key part of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team that's currently competing in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.
All it took was a simple dinner conversation to lay the groundwork - or should we say airspace - for an NBA Hall of Famer to play a unique role in the history of Coca-Cola.
When Shea Serrano taught middle-school science in the Houston area, the notion of becoming an acclaimed author was not on his radar. Life, however, has a funny way of pointing you in the right direction - like seeking writing gigs for some extra cash to support a pregnant wife.
By the time Shirley Hasley became an advertising pioneer, she'd already made history in her day job. In 1965, Hasley was hired as the first African-American teacher in Mill Valley, Calif., a predominately white and affluent suburb of San Francisco.
With his speed and strength, Baron Batch's career path was obvious. He would become a professional football player. One problem: He was happier when he was painting.
Finding sources of motivation isn't normally a challenge for David Huey- as a member of the Georgia State football team, the senior nose guard has a bevy of coaches and a host of teammates exhorting him to do his best on and off the gridiron.
For 50 years, the USO and NFL have joined forces to keep service members connected to family, home and country. More than 180 NFL players, officials, coaches and executives have taken part in 49 tours to 24 countries during that span, creating a partnership that has become essential to both organizations.
COPYWRITING
Many of the people who left other work weren't content to just sit on the couch. Instead, they were ready to create a business of their own. Pandemic relief funds provided critical seed money for people to invest in a new business. As a result, new business applications have soared over the past year.
Discover a selection of gear that will supercharge the hobbies of kids of all ages.
Fall is the perfect season to embark on those outdoor adventures you've been putting off because of the sweltering heat and stifling humidity. With autumn festivals, colorful leaves, and the right mix of temperatures in full swing, now's the time for some much needed, on-the-go fun.
Football season is right around the corner, and you know what that means. It's time to start making plans for your 2021 fantasy football draft.
Sample pages of tip book for customers in order to avoid utility service scams
As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread, it is important to gain as much information as possible in order to keep yourself and your loved ones safe during this unparalleled time of crisis.
Central Washington is home to beautiful scenery, friendly people and many hidden treasures, including Helen McCabe State Park in Ellensburg, an oasis of fun and recreation recently upgraded for maximum enjoyment. The park has been around since 1967, but a decade later, it was renamed in honor of the late Dr. Helen McCabe, a longtime professor of recreation at Central Washington University.
One of the most successful coaches in sports, Jill Ellis remains committed to teaching improvement both on and off the field - through constant adaptation, lessons in leadership, and the fight for equality.
Armed with one of the most powerful voices in R&B, the stunningly beautiful Tamia is back on the road for the 'Love Life Tour', named after her most recent, chart-topping album. The six-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter will perform songs spanning a two-decade career, including 'Stranger in My House,' 'So Into You' and new songs 'Stuck With Me' and 'Sandwich and a Soda.'
SPORTS
FAIRFAX, Va. - After an uncharacteristically sloppy first half Wednesday night, St. Louis University coach Travis Ford felt like he had to get his charges refocused on the task at hand. "I was pleading with our team to play with a little more energy, to be a little more active and to make things happen," he said.
WASHINGTON - It took a span of four minutes to turn the University of Washington's College Cup dreams into a nightmare. In a taut, physical Elite Eight contest at Shaw Field, No.
"Unfortunately, we came up about 20 minutes short," Huskies coach Bill Coen said. "It was a very competitive game overall and these guys played their hearts out."
BALTIMORE -- There's a small bug moving through the Twins clubhouse that has left a couple of players feeling under the weather. But there's something else floating around that everyone wants to catch -- it's whatever Eddie Rosario has at the plate. "I don't know that you can get much
When building a fantasy football team, the wide receiver position should be one of your main priorities. Effective fantasy football receivers, especially in the PPR format, can make the difference between a championship squad and one that misses out on the playoffs. Targets are the key.
WASHINGTON -- Two teams heading in opposite directions collide when the Nashville Predators face the Washington Capitals in a New Year's Eve matinee Monday. The Predators are mired in a six-game skid after blowing a third-period lead in a 4-3 loss to the Rangers on Saturday.
Not that long ago, it seemed as if the weight of the basketball world was on John Wall's slight shoulders. As he slogged through a solid, if unspectacular, rookie season with the Wizards in 2010-11, he wore the expression of a kid just told he wasn't going to Chuck E.
Not many players have had success against Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer. Marlins third baseman Martin Prado is one of the outliers. Prado continued his dominance of one of the game's best pitchers Friday, going 2-for-3 with a home run against the starter to lead Miami to a 4-3 triumph over the Nationals.
OTHER WORK
Elliott Smith is a freelance writer in the Washington, D.C. area who has covered sports and athletes from high school to the pros, and has written about a wide variety of subjects, including entertainment, travel, business and technology for a range of clients both print and online.
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator? I always loved writing stories, even as a child, and being able to inspire readers through my words and ideas is exciting. Plus, it’s fun!
Elliott Smith is a freelance writer, editor and author. He has covered a wide variety of subjects, including sports, entertainment and travel, for newspapers, magazines and web sites. He has written a nonfiction book about the Washington Nationals and a children's book about Bryce Harper. He lives in the Washington, D.C.
This title introduces readers to Bryce Harper, providing exciting details about his life and going deep inside the key moments of his MLB career. The title also features fun facts and quotes, a...