Recently I did an Interview with Starcade Producer James Caruso. Here's the interview. (Caruso talking is in red)

 

 

How's your day today James?

 

It's always a great day at Starcade Central and www.starcade.tv. Our Starcaders love it since we put complete episodes and another 500+ videos on the web site.

 

Before we get to Starcade I want to talk to you about the Maserati Racing.

How did you get fascinated by this kind of event?

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I'm Italian and it's in the blood. We were going to Italy and my wife insisted that I take the driving course at the Maserati track, Varona de' Melagara near Parma. Most of the instructors were F1 drivers and were top notch so it was a great learning experience. I had the pleasure of driving the Trofeo more than 80 laps on that track, what a thrill!

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What is your favorite Maserati Car type?

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My own of course, a Spyder GT that I've driven for three years. WE had not bought a car since 1984, a Datsun 300ZX so we went looking. We look at the new Nissan sports car, the Corvette, the Jaguar and finally the Maserati. It was no contest. My Maserati and I make friends wherever we go because they are rare and a lot of folks have never seen on for real.

 

Now to Show Business. 

About Starcade how many Pilots have you made before you got started the TV Series?

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We made the first pilot, even though it was broadcast with 24 contestants divided into three teams. Mike was the host because we wanted it to be a sporting event, Mistake. Then we made three more with Alex Trebeck. The NBC Oand O managers did not like the pilots so they turned it down. But it was the pilot that helped sell Starcade to Ted Turner.

The first host was Mark Richards why did you chose him as host?

We heard him interviewed on the radio. He was running a school to train game show contestants. His life's dream was to be a Game Show Host. He won out over six others that we auditioned.

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When Mark Richards left did you complain about it?

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Just to TPS, but they were putting up the bucks so not too loudly.

Some people liked Geoff Edwards as host why did you choose him as host?

Because he had experience and liked to play Video Arcade Games.

What other hosts we're you thinking of choosing before Mark and Geoff? All of the usual that were in the business and were not working. 

How's some of the crew members and what are they doing today including announcer Kevin McMahon?

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Most left the business because there's not a lot of TV produced in Northern California. Those who stuck it out went to So. Calif. and stayed on the tech. side. The last we heard from Kevin was that he was directing sports for ESPN. 

What was the most picked game in your series of shows?

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It depended on what was the newest and the hottest. Dragon's Lair, Track and Field and Pole Position. 

What was the rarely picked game (or Seen) in your series of shows?

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Games like Blueprint. 

What is your favorite video game past and present?

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 I really don't like many of the new games because of their violence. We have a Gyruss in Starcade Central that I like to play.

Do you still own some of the games seen in Starcade?

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No, most went back to the manufacturer, given away as prizes or went into arcades. Remember, most had never been seen before, 

Before you made Starcade and other shows have you actually try out for a game show?

 No, never had any interest in being a contestant. 

Now to different questions. 

According to your site you are a Photographer what photos do you want to take in the future?

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I take whatever hits my "eye". Cars are a favorite, of course. We attend "Car Week" in Monterey ever year. Our travels to Italy always present many pictures as you can see in Jim's Gallery. 

Which pictures have you taken recently?

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Mostly blooms as spring emerges. It's an exciting time of the year.

 

Now other than doing graphics and racing what is your favorite Hobby?

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 I don't really have a hobby because most of what I do is work. I do like to cook and drink wine. 

Are you planning to remake "Starcade" or any other shows in the future or making another show in the future?

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We would like to as soon as we find somebody to partner with that has $$$$$$$$$$$ 

Well I want to go to another site so what do you have to say to all our Starcaders around here?

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Thanks for your continued interest in Starcade. You have kept it going for over twenty six years and keep browsing www.starcade.tv, we want to get way past our million mark every month and we can with your help...thanks again.

Well take care James.