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Mark S. Allen p.g.a. is an American seven time Emmy Award-winning television producer/host; and, producer, writer, or director of multiple feature films including APParition with Mena Suvari and Kevin Pollak, Notorious Nick with Cody Christian and the FearPHarm franchise. He is the co-writer, co-director of the Eric Robert's thriller 616 Wilford Lane and director of the Cannes World Film Festival official selection and best dark comedy winner Amy's F- It List.
Mark S. Allen | |
|---|---|
 Allen in 2010 | |
| Born | Mark Allen Stell 1964 or 1965 (age 59–60)[1] Amarillo, Texas, U.S. |
| Other names | Mark S. Allen |
| Occupation(s) | Movie Producer/Director TV Producer, host |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Employer(s) | Make The Movie, TEGNA |
| Known for | Producer, writer, director: Movies, TV and Radio hosting and producing syndicated celebrity content. |
| Height | 6 ft (183 cm) |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Emmy Awards (7), “Best Dark Comedy” CANNES World Film Fest winner 2022 |
He is executive producer/host of the celebrity movie and streaming show “Take A Look,” and the Emmy Award-winning syndicated movie show Extra Butter TV and a cast member on ABC10 Morning news on KXTV in Sacramento. He was previously the host for of Comedy Central's award-winning series Short Attention Span Theater and the creator, producer and host of Mark at the Movies.
In 2018 he co-founded and continued to co-own The Smart Axe Co, the largest California based chain of World Axe League certified Axe bars.
He's the published author of 100 Things To Do Before You Die in Sacramento. (Reedy Press/Barnes and Noble).
Professional background
editRadio
editAllen got his broadcasting start as a radio personality, in Dallas, Sacramento (at KSFM FM-102.5),[2] and Southern California.
In 1988, to raise awareness and funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Allen agreed to live 24 hours a day, seven days a week on a billboard for a month. On the third night of the stunt Allen fell off the billboard breaking bones in both legs and feet while also suffering a concussion. The day after he fell off the billboard, the local American River Fire Department rushed out and took him to the hospital. But after getting casts, he still insisted upon returning to the top to complete the fundraiser.[3]
In 2011, he returned to radio in Sacramento on KZZO 100.5 FM.[3]
Television
editIn 1991, Allen was one of the hosts of the youth oriented news program Scratch produced by then-CBS affiliate KXTV in Sacramento. He created and hosted a segment about teen romance called Dateless and Desperate. In 1993, Allen replaced comedians Jon Stewart and Patty Rosborough as host of the Comedy Central network show Short Attention Span Theater.
From 1996 to 2016 Allen was the entertainment anchor, film critic, stuntman, and arts and entertainment host on Good Day Sacramento on CBS O&O KOVR.[4] On October 30, 2015, Allen swam from the new Bay Bridge nonstop to the Golden Gate Bridge on live TV,[5] days after the first recorded shark attack in the history of the San Francisco Bay was recorded.
Allen appeared as a co-host with Chris O'Donnell on the Critics' Choice Awards 2008 Red Carpet Pre Show.[6] In 2009, Allen created the movie review show Mark at the Movies. While it first aired locally, Reelz quickly acquired the rights and ran it until 2015. It won two Emmys in 2010 and a third in 2011.[3] In 2017, he created the celebrity interview show Extra Butter TV which he hosts and produces, winning Emmy Awards in 2017 and 2019. Extra Butter TV is syndicated in 27 countries.[citation needed]
Since 2016 he has been one of the cast members of The Morning Blend on KXTV, which had become an ABC affiliate in 1995.
Film
editHe is producer and co-writer of the 2019 feature film APParition [7] starring Mena Suvari and Kevin Pollak. In 2020. he was a writer and producer on Ballbuster starring Jerry O’ Connell, Fear Pharm, and Fear PHarm 2. He is a producer of the 2021 film Notorious Nick, based on the true story of MMA champion Nick Newell starring Cody Christian and Elisabeth Rohm. 616 Wilford Lane, which Allen produced, co-wrote and co-directed, is in post-production as of April, 2021.
In 2017, he was named California Film Commission Person of the Year.[citation needed]
Allen played an FBI Agent in Joe Carnahan's feature length debut Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane. He appeared as a journalist in the 2016 film Independence Day: Resurgence. He also makes appearances in films he has produced.
Personal life
editAllen has three children.[1]
In 2016, his book 100 Things to do in Sacramento Before You Die was published on Reedy Press in their 100 Things series, and volume two was released in 2021.[8]
He has a Guinness World Record for jalapeño pepper eating.[citation needed] He has been Mark Zuckerberg's guest at the Facebook campus on numerous occasions to host celebrity movie screening Q&As. He has also hosted screenings for two California governors.[citation needed]
In 2017 he was awarded the Children's Miracle Network "Person Of The Year" award for his ongoing efforts to raise funds for children's hospitals.[citation needed]
Controversies
editDrunk driving arrests
editIn late 2006, Sacramento County sheriff's deputies pulled Allen over near the Sacramento International Airport, where he was eventually arrested for driving while under the influence. He was suspended from KMAX-TV and did not appear on "Good Day Sacramento" while the case proceed its way through the court system. He entered a guilty plea to a single misdemeanor count of DUI,[9] served three years on probation and performed community service as part of his sentence. The station re-instated him a short time later. He later addressed the arrest during a "Good Day Sacramento" broadcast, noting that he had been dining with friends and believed he was sober enough to drive home.
In December 2015, Allen was charged with another DUI offense. According to police, Allen was discovered parked on a side street in historic Roseville, CA[10] He was booked into the Placer County Jail on DUI-related charges. KMAX did not issue a statement about Allen's arrest until the Sacramento News & Reviews newspaper published a story about the incident. He resigned from KMAX-TV the following March after agreeing to plead no contest to DUI. He paid several thousand dollars in fines and attended mandatory alcohol addiction treatment classes.[11]
Each year in the anniversary of his arrest, he does a live televised ride along with his arresting officer to promote sober driving.
Celebrity interview comments
editIn 2007, Allen was criticized for his line of questioning during a Good Day Sacramento interview with singer Janet Jackson and actor Tyler Perry.[12] The entertainers appeared on the morning show as part of a press junket for Perry's film Why Did I Get Married?. Prior to the appearance, Perry said he told Good Day Sacramento producers that he would not discuss Jackson's family or her controversial 2004 Super Bowl halftime show performance. Despite this agreement, Allen repeatedly asked Perry and Jackson about the Super Bowl halftime show,[13] during which Jackson's breast was briefly exposed. The station later apologized via e-mail to viewers who complained about the interview.
In 2009, Allen was again criticized for a celebrity interview when he accused comic Joan Rivers of nepotism.[14] His questioning prompted a stern rebuke from Rivers, who ended the interview with a profane remark. The station apologized for Rivers' use of profanity during the interview, but not for Allen's offensive question.
Blurb usage
editHe has been frequently castigated by Erik Childress of the now-defunct efilmcritic.com for his frequent use of movie blurbs.[15][16]
References
edit- ^ a b "The 916: A Humble Comeback". Sacramento Magazine. August 19, 2016.
Allen, 51, is married with two children
- ^ "Sacramento Radio History - KSFM in the 1980s". Playlist Research. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ a b c Mendick, Jonathan (August 28, 2014). "Being Mark S. Allen". Sacramento News & Review. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
- ^ "Mark S. Allen". Good Day Sacramento. Archived from the original on August 2, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ "Mark's Bride-to-Bridge Swim". Good Day Sacramento. October 29, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
- ^ "CCA Red Carpet: Chris O'Donnell & Mark S. Allen". VH1. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
- ^ APParition
- ^ "100 Things to Do in Sacramento Before You Die – Reedy Press". www.reedypress.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021.
- ^ "Sacramento TV personality Mark S. Allen arrested on suspicion of DUI | The Sacramento Bee". February 1, 2016. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ Keys, Matthew (December 18, 2015). "Mark S. Allen, "Good Day" personality, arrested for DUI". The Desk. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ "New day, sober outlook for Sacramento TV personality Mark S. Allen | The Sacramento Bee". March 28, 2016. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ "Don't Mess with Madea!". TMZ. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ "Mark S. Allen apologizes for CW 31 'Good Day Sacramento' interview with Janet Jackson and Tyler Perry – Shawn P. Williams Blog". Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ "Rivers Rips Reporter -- Drops F-Bomb, Live!". TMZ. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ^ Childress, Erik. "Criticwatch 2008 - The Whores of the Year". eFilmCritic.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ Childress, Erik. "Mark S. Allen - Don't You Have A Soul?". eFilmCritic.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
External links
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