Sidewalks Entertainment has been a long-running series originating from the San Francisco Bay Area market. Launched in 1988, the multiple award-winning series is the brainchild of producer Richard R. Lee, who continues to direct, edit, and occasionally co-host the talk / variety program.

"The original concept was to feature sidewalk street performers - hence the title of the series," says Lee. "The early seasons presented dancers, fashion designers, cultural performers, independent filmmakers, magicians, other artistic and novelty acts, and rising musical talents."

Since the first episode, Sidewalks has introduced a diverse range of over two-hundred acts from the greater Northern California region.

As the series progressed, Sidewalks added interviews with nationally-known celebrities to its lineup. Some of the initial interviews included comedian Rob Schneider, actresses Tia and Tamera Mowry, actor Sean Patrick Flanery and then-newcomer singer Mary J. Blige.

Since 1999, Sidewalks has been a new TV destination for non-gossip celebrity interviews with stars from movies, TV, sports and music.

"Even though Sidewalks is considered a "regional" show," remarks Lee. "The program's ability to feature hundreds of celebrity interviews is quite remarkable for a televised program based outside of Hollywood and New York."

In 1992, a second series was developed called Sidewalks: Video Nite, a music video spinoff series. A number of special programs were also produced, including Backstage at the Bay Area Music Awards (later California Music Awards), two The Holiday Toy Guide Specials, and Summer Jam.  Currently, the producers have two shows (Sidewalks Entertainment and Sidewalks: Video Nite) in continuous productions.

"The program's official website at SidewalksTV.com has become a rising entertainment portal for interviews and segments," says Lee. "The site houses one of the largest collection of full-length interviews and specialty segments, which are available for free online. A new worldwide audience is discovering Sidewalks each day."

In front and behind-the-scenes, Sidewalks has given new TV personalities and production crew members opportunities to show off their talents. Longtime host / producer Cindy Rhodes has been with Sidewalks since 1993, while Rafael Siegel joined in 1994 and then returned in 2003 as the show’s east coast correspondent.

The Sidewalks team has been able to experiment with a variety of segment ideas and program styles, and, most importantly, test the program's content with a growing viewing audience.

In late 2005, the team began to expand the product. With a new business and production team on board, including business manager and music producer Dwayne Sparks, the Sidewalks staff is transitioning the popular show into a weekly one-hour program for cable and broadcast stations, with new elements that would include movie previews and on-going segments on how to make it in show business. Additionally, the producers will be providing segments and specific episodes available for other digital platforms.

According to Lee, "Our goal is for viewers to watch the Sidewalks brand on TV, digital media such as I-Pods and phones, screens in department stores, and other places. The staff behind Sidewalks have build an incredible vehicle from nothing. It's an entertainment project that will expand and go places."


For more information about the current and new Sidewalks programs, please contact us.