Future Ed Mc 'Merman'?
QU alumnus swam away from campus and into the spotlight in the television, radio and internet mediums.
Kaitlyn Arness and Marissa Kameno
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Features
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Thomas J. Kelly may say he is a comedian, but after his latest project, he can proudly call himself the first ever Merman of Florida's "Weeki Wachee Springs".
His innovative style has taken him beyond a series of stage acts and stand-up tours. The Quinnipiac alumnus has not only performed live comic shows, he has extended his talents to communication's most recent mass medium, the internet. He hosts an internet talk show, and has produced and written, not to mention starred in the internet video show 'Little Merman'. However, right here at Quinnipiac is where Kelly started it all.
Reminiscing about his college days, Kelly says that he came to Quinnipiac because, "they took me, and I was lucky they did." Among the first generation of communications students to experience the Ed McMahon Communications building, Kelly was introduced to a wide variety of faculty which aided him in his steps toward the entertainment industry.
"I know this will sound corny, but it was accessibility and a few caring staff members who I met when I was looking for 'the college,'" Kelly said.
As Quinnipiac's first station manager of Q30, the on-campus television station, Kelly created what we watch today on Channel 30. "I'd come on two or three times a semester and host a talk show that I call either dumbed down Letterman or a smart Tom Green," Kelly said.
He continued, "It was young people with dreams putting on shows for the sake of putting on shows and learning a bit on the way."
The comedic side of Kelly has taken him far. His first job was an internship at "Conan O'Brien" which lead to a job at the "Rosie O'Donnell" Show. Each step Kelly took in his career lead him to another great job; making connections and staying in touch along the way. "Rosie recommended me to Bill Geddie and Barbara Walters. I auditioned and they hired me."
Today, Kelly works for, "The View" in New York City as a performer before the show and during commercial breaks. Kelly says of the job, "The audience is full of women who want me to date their sisters and daughters, but who wouldn't date me themselves if they were still single."
His innovative style has taken him beyond a series of stage acts and stand-up tours. The Quinnipiac alumnus has not only performed live comic shows, he has extended his talents to communication's most recent mass medium, the internet. He hosts an internet talk show, and has produced and written, not to mention starred in the internet video show 'Little Merman'. However, right here at Quinnipiac is where Kelly started it all.
Reminiscing about his college days, Kelly says that he came to Quinnipiac because, "they took me, and I was lucky they did." Among the first generation of communications students to experience the Ed McMahon Communications building, Kelly was introduced to a wide variety of faculty which aided him in his steps toward the entertainment industry.
"I know this will sound corny, but it was accessibility and a few caring staff members who I met when I was looking for 'the college,'" Kelly said.
As Quinnipiac's first station manager of Q30, the on-campus television station, Kelly created what we watch today on Channel 30. "I'd come on two or three times a semester and host a talk show that I call either dumbed down Letterman or a smart Tom Green," Kelly said.
He continued, "It was young people with dreams putting on shows for the sake of putting on shows and learning a bit on the way."
The comedic side of Kelly has taken him far. His first job was an internship at "Conan O'Brien" which lead to a job at the "Rosie O'Donnell" Show. Each step Kelly took in his career lead him to another great job; making connections and staying in touch along the way. "Rosie recommended me to Bill Geddie and Barbara Walters. I auditioned and they hired me."
Today, Kelly works for, "The View" in New York City as a performer before the show and during commercial breaks. Kelly says of the job, "The audience is full of women who want me to date their sisters and daughters, but who wouldn't date me themselves if they were still single."
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