Tag Archives: Olympics

Rafer Johnson, Two-Time Olympic Gold and Silver Decathlon Medalist–Guest 1/15/2015

Entertainment, Interview, Talk, , , , ,
Rafer Johnson
Rafer Johnson

We are proud and honored to have the legendary Rafer Johnson as our guest this week.  As you are likely aware, Johnson is an American former decathlete and occasional actor. He was the 1960 Olympic decathlon gold medalist after receiving the silver medal four years earlier at the 1956 games. Additionally, he was the 1960 Olympics flag bearer, and he lit the Olympic Flame at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Many today also remember Johnson’s heroic actions during the moments immediately after Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 assassination, where he along with Rosey Grier, both who happened to be in the vicinity at that moment, tackled the assailant, Sirhan Sirhan.

Rafer Johnson - 1960
Rafer Johnson – 1960

After the Olympics, Johnson turned his celebrity into acting, sportscasting, and public service. For instance, he was instrumental in helping to create the California Special Olympics. For further biographical information, please see Johnson’s Wikipedia page.

This promises to be an exciting show. Both Ken and Tai look forward to this most special interview.

We have limited seating available for audience members. If you would like free tickets to our in-studio broadcast at the TVSB studios in Santa Barbara, please click here. This show tapes on Monday, January 12th. Audience members generally arrive by 6:30 pm and take their seats at 6:45 pm.

(This episode first airs Thursday, 01/15/2015, 10:00 PM, on TVSB-17, and is replayed numerous times throughout the following 14 days. You will find a complete schedule of times here. Additionally, a YouTube link to this episode, available about 24 hours before original airtime, will  display immediately below.)

Randy Gardner, Two-Time Olympian & World Champion Figure Skater–Guest 12/04/2014

Entertainment, Interview, Talk, , , , , , ,
Randy Gardner
Randy Gardner

For this episode we have a singularly exceptional guest–Randy Gardner, the former champion pair skater. Together with his long-time skating partner Tai Babilonia (who, as you know, happens to be our permanent KBL co-host), he won the 1979 World Figure Skating Championships and five U.S Figure Skating Championships from 1976 through 1980. Additionally, the duo qualified for the 1976 and 1980 Winter Olympics.

Tai and Randy began skating together when Tai was eight and Randy was ten. They became five-time U.S. national champions and won the gold medal at the 1979 World Championships. They were favorites to win a medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics but, tragically, were forced to withdraw, a result of a show-stopping injury to Randy.

Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner
Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner

Considering all the events Tai and Randy have shared throughout their professional lives–from their pre-teen years, through adolescents, and later young adulthood–this interview will have a bottomless well of possible directions.  And we plan to take you there.

Although Tai and Randy no longer professionally skate together, they will always remain tethered together, eternally skating  the magic they perfected, both within our collective memories and surely within our collective hearts. Expect a very memorable and poignant interview.

In place of our regular 30-minute interview format, in honor of this very special occasion–having Randy and Tai together–we will produce two 30-minute episodes. Please check our showtimes menu for scheduling details.

We have limited seating available for audience members. If you would like free tickets to our in-studio broadcast at the TVSB studios in Santa Barbara, please click here. This show tapes on Monday, December 1st. Audience members generally arrive by 6:30 pm and take their seats at 6:45 pm.

(This episode first airs Thursday, 12/04/2014, 10:00 PM, on TVSB-17, and is replayed numerous times throughout the following 14 days. You will find a complete schedule of times here. Additionally, a YouTube link to this episode, available about 24 hours before original airtime, will  display immediately below.)

Tim Wood, Figure Skater–Olympic, National, and World Champion –Guest 08/28/2014

Entertainment, Talk, ,
Tim Wood
Tim Wood

Tim Wood, an American figure skater, is our next Ken Boxer Live guest. Born in Highland Park, MI, in 1948, Wood is a three time U.S. national champion, two-time world champion, and 1968 Winter Olympics silver medal recipient.

Wood’s medal at the 1968 Olympics was somewhat unexpected, as he had been only 9th at the previous year’s World Championships. He attributed his success to hs becoming mature enough to conquer his competition nerves, and to his training harder. While also a pre-law student at John Carroll University, he spent many long hours, daily, in perfecting his moves.

Tim Wood
Tim Wood

Tim Wood also holds the honor of holding the all-time highest score in figures for both men and women at the Olympics and at the world games.

We have limited seating available for audience members. If you would like free tickets to our in-studio broadcast at the TVSB studios in Santa Barbara, please click here. This show tapes Monday, Aug 25th. Audience members generally arrive by 6:30 pm and take their seats at 6:45 pm.

(This episode first airs Thursday, 08/28/2014, 10:00 PM, on TVSB-17, and is replayed numerous times throughout the following 14 days. You will find a complete schedule of times here. Additionally, a YouTube link to this episode, available about 24 hours before original airtime, will  display immediately below.)

Tai Babilonia, World Champion Pair Skater – Guest 03/27/2014)

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Tai Babilonia
Tai Babilonia

Our next guest on Ken Boxer Live is considered one of the greatest ice skaters of all time. We are delighted and fortunate to have the very lovely and talented Tai Babilonia joining us. Tai, along with her life-long skating partner Randy Gardner, achieved many sports awards during their competitive period. You may read her biography here.

Tai’s competitive  highlights include:

  • Youngest pair team to represent the U.S. at the World Championships
  • Five consecutive U.S. Senior Pairs titles
  • 1979 World Figure Skating Champions – first Americans to do so in 29 years, upsetting a fourteen year Soviet domination, which has never been repeated to this day
  • Two-time Olympians, heavily favored in 1980 to win the Gold but had to withdraw due to an injury sustained by her partner Randy Gardner
Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner
Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner

Currently Tai is extremely busy with her new line of chocolates, Tai Treats.  Check it out here…very impressive: http://thecandyfactoryla.com/

I guarantee this is a show you will NOT want to miss! Tai Babilonia, live on Ken Boxer Live. 

To join us as an in-studio audience member during live production, please click here.

(This episode first airs Thursday, 03/27/2014, 10:00 PM, on TVSB-17, and is replayed numerous times throughout the following 14 days. You will find a complete schedule of times here. Additionally, a YouTube link to this episode, available about 24 hours before original airtime, will  display immediately below.)