Just saw Norm in the hallway and happy to report that he still has his golden glow from his recent Caribbean assignment. Norm and some of our TV crew spent a few days in St. Vincent and the Grenadines - exploring the sights & resorts of this increadible paradise getaway.

While on location, Norm reported on these travel must-haves. Got your own Spring getaway coming up? Be sure to take note of his picks!

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To find out more about St. Vincent and the Grenadines — including exclusive travel packages for The Shopping Channel viewers — visit theShoppingChannel.com/paradise

Shop our full selection of Travel Essentials. 

The Shopping Channel’s TV Host Norm Murray was recently on location in the Caribbean paradise of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (a tough job, but somebody had to do it).

Planning your own Spring getaway? Be sure to watch Norm’s picks for travel must-haves:

To find out more about St. Vincent and the Grenadines — including exclusive travel packages for The Shopping Channel viewers — visit theShoppingChannel.com/paradise

Shop our full selection of Travel Essentials.

As The Shopping Channel celebrates another Birthday on the air, I find myself also reflecting upon some of my favourite moments, both on-air and off.

February is also my anniversary of 17 years with this crazy and wonderful channel. Since the passing of Ted Rogers, I have often looked at an 8X10 photo I have of one of my favourite moments of all time, for me personally. Our 15,000 square foot Toronto Outlet Store opened in 1999 and I was fortunate enough to not only be there when hundreds of viewers joined us for the grand opening, but I was also the emcee for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

So, there I was, cameras from other television networks all around us, hundreds of people in the store and 3 prominent shopping ambassadors standing beside me: Rael Merson was the President of The Shopping Channel at the time (left), Joan Rivers held the scissors to cut the ribbon (joking out loud that the scissors would also be for sale later in the store) and Canadian media legend, Ted Rogers (whom I was meeting for the first time) were ready to officially open the store.

I simply had to introduce them, watch the ribbon being cut and put a wrap on what had been a very successful and fun day! Over 600 people were waiting outside our doors by 9am for free giveaways. We began broadcasting from the store at 7am and Joan Rivers, Carol Smith (crafts) and Jerome Alexander (cosmetics) all appeared live with their shows at the store. Security was tight, alright. Extra tight around Joan, as there had been some, shall we say, strange phone calls received at The Shopping Channel pertaining to her visit with us. The Mariachi Band outside kept everyone entertained and several of the Hosts were there also.

Here’s to many more wonderful memories!

Love, 
Norm Murray

Dear Santa,

If you speak to my boss, you may find that I’ve been a bit naughty in not always cleaning up my mess in the Host makeup room after I’m done, or more than occasionally showing up late for Host meetings in the past year. I’m working on my time management skills. And, I promise I will eventually re-plenish the hair spray I keep borrowing from Denise Wade’s stuff without her knowing it.

Now that we’re clear on that, I was really hoping you’d overlook some of my shortcomings and bring me at least one of my favourite things from The Shopping Channel.

There is so much to choose from, as you know. But could you fit #294610 Hey’s Toiletry Bag (grey) in to your red sack? Or, the Men’s Samsonite Leather Wallet #610699?

To get caught up on all the celebrity gossip, I’d really like a one-year subscription to HELLO magazine #606230. I’d also appreciate if you could squeeze #608090 Toronto Maple Leaf Car Floor Mats under your feet on the sleigh since I left mine at the car wash last week.

Are these gifts getting bigger, or is it just me? Anyways, #369020 is an LG 42-inch television that would look great on my wall and the Herrington Empire Pool Table #606782 would bring so much joy to everyone who came over to my house!!

I’m getting a bit carried away, you say? Ok, sorry. You know me. A little chocolate and I start thinking a mile a minute! (#611197 Saxon Extra Dark Hazelnut Truffles)

Merry Christmas, Santa!!!

Love, 
Norm Murray

Thank you to all who leave comments for my blog posts! And, pardon my absence in this space for the last several weeks. Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and is gearing up for the Holidays. I started Thanksgiving Sunday in Montreal, drove 3 ½ hours to Belleville, Ontario for dinner in the afternoon, then made the 2 hour mad dash to The Shopping Channel to come to work that evening. A lot easier to drive when the top button is un-done because of a big meal!

I recently came in for a brief Host meeting to be introduced to a new laptop computer we will be offering shortly at The Shopping Channel. I love Host meetings, which usually happen monthly. However, when we are all in the same room together, it is truly unlike any board meeting in any other professional arena. Greta, Renee, Carol, Denise, Lisa and Richard were there also. As you can imagine, when a group of people who yak creatively for a living get together, hardly anyone else can get a word in and the one-liners are non-stop. The pent-up pressure of spending our work day in a live-television environment is often released here. 

I made the mistake of sitting next to Carol. She and I go way back to the Canadian Home Shopping Club days, so very little is held back in our similar sarcastic humour when we are together. I truly feel for the representatives from the various vendors who visit The Shopping Channel to explain and demo their new products for us :). They are selling to the sellers. On this day, we are learning about a truly incredible notebook computer that has it all. Power, speed, memory, software, webcam and it’s lightweight.

Besides the nuts and bolts under the hood, it also has a fingerprint recognition pad for security, to keep others from opening your computer. Carol and I muse about having to wake your significant other just to use their finger to access a favourite recipe on-line. “Hooooneeeey! Can I pull your finger……..over to the computer?!” Beyond this, there is a face-recognition feature, for added security! Well, Richard starts with the Star Trek comparisons and I’m wondering if any technology exists which can recognize me first thing out of bed in the morning. I’ll have to brush my hair first, I guess. Then, Carol and I start with the future of laptops and the various body parts that my new computer will have to identify before allowing me to send an e-mail to my mom. I wish I could elaborate more, but the plug on any future blogs by yours truly would be pulled pretty quickly if I let loose (If it hasn’t already). The vendor representatives were very good sports about it and the deal is an amazing one so be sure to keep your eyes open for it! Guess I should put off that face-lift I was pondering……

 
Be well,
Shopping is life
Norm

You know, back in 1999 I actually started writing a book about my experiences at The Shopping Channel. I’m at about 30 pages so far, but it’s only been 9 years…… 

Earlier this month I launched a Sterling Diamonelle Today’s Showstopper with an on-air guest, Lesley Young. She is a jewellery specialist who appears several times a month for different jewellery lines and has done so for probably 10 years or more. I am mentioning this today because I am particularly proud of my friend Lesley after this recent experience I had with her.

As I am walking towards the jewellery set at 11:59pm, after having just finished an electronics show and grabbing a quick swig of my water bottle from on top of the Associate Producer’s desk, Lesley calls to me while looking at me with a somewhat tired, sad look on her face. She has been crying. This is not the normal greeting from Lesley, who is usually smiling with excitement in her voice and chomping at the bit to begin her show. She asks me if I have been reading the papers about “the boys” up north. I had no idea what she was talking about. 30 seconds to air-time, they tell me in my ear. Lesley quickly informs myself and Charlotte, who was modelling the jewellery that hour, that a very close friend of hers lost his 20-year old son in a terrible car accident in cottage country involving 4 young adults in a car that lost control, veered off the road and landed upside down in the water. As a parent, I can’t even imagine the shock. 10 seconds to air-time. I simply said to Lesley that I was terribly sorry and that sometimes work is the best distraction. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1……’you’re up Norm’. “JUST FOR YOU, THE SHOPPING CHANNEL BRINGS YOU TODAY’S SHOWSTOPPER………!!! And away we went, full of excitement and enthusiasm for the Diamonelle simulated diamond necklace, bracelet and earrings deal.

Lesley was informative and energetic for the entire show, even though I could clearly tell that her heart was not in to being “on” today. There have been many moments for all of us on the air when we have had personal tragedy or just angst going on in our lives and being cheerful is not an option we would ordinarily entertain. Les is a pro. And, she’s my friend. The show was a success, and it’s because of her.

Have a great day and make it count…

Regards,

Norm Murray