wednesday @ 8:30pt
chat with Chris Rene

mondays @ 7e/4p
sundays @ 8:30et
watercooler chat with
Super Bowl XXXIV Champion Roland Williams

tuesdays @ 3e/12p
watercooler chat with Buck


thursdays @ 8e/5p
join Vampire Diaries live chat party with Buck

@ 8/7c
live chat during The Vampire Diaries


@ 9/8c
live chat during Glee

fridays @ 3e/12p
watercooler chat all things
The Vampire Diaries with Carina

Four months after nailing his The X Factor audition with a show-stopping performance of the self-penned “Young Homie,” Chris Rene released his fiercely personal anthem as a single. Newly signed to Epic Records, the Santa Cruz-based rapper/singer/songwriter/musician came in third place on The X Factor and enamored audiences with his breadth of talent. To create the intensely infectious midtempo track, Rene joined forces with J.R. Rotem (Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross). In laying down his redemptive story of surviving addiction and “turning negatives to positives,” Rene swings from soulful singing to rapping, revealing his remarkably dexterous flow. For Rene, making the bold choice to perform an original song at The X Factor audition was a no-brainer. “I wrote that song when I’d had three years clean, and it was my way of telling everyone what’s up,” he says. “It’s like, ‘There you go, world. Judge me, love me, push me, hug me. I’m just gonna be myself.’” Still, Rene found himself floored by The X Factor audience’s ecstatic reaction and by the outpouring of support from the judges (particularly Reid, who stated that “I’ve worked with some of the greatest hip-hop artists, from Jay-Z to Kanye West, and all of my boys, they would be proud of me today to tell you that you are the truth”). “When L.A. said that, it blew me away beyond belief,” says Rene. “He’s been in this business a long time, and he’s got a really strong sense of what’s good and what’s great.”

Roland Williams grew up in Rochester, NY and attended East High School. He graduated from Syracuse University where he was a tight end for the Orange. Roland was selected in the 1998 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. He played for the Rams, Raiders and Buccaneers. Roland has been awarded the NFL Unsung Hero Award, the Oakland Raiders Man of the Year (twice), and has been a multi-year finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. In 1999 he founded Youth Lifeline America. Roland is married to wife, Rona, and has two children, Justice and Trustin.


Athletic Achievements

Michael Buckley is a current YouTube sensation, comedian and video blogger. He maintains one of the most popular channels on YouTube called “What the Buck,” where he discusses pop culture and celebrity news. Because of his success, Michael has appeared in magazines and newspapers discussing Internet entrepreneurship. In 2008, he won a YouTube award for best commentary.


Buckley joins ConnecTV on Tuesdays @ 3e/12p in pop culture Watercooler conversation. Michael chats live Thursdays @ 8/7c during The Vampire Diaries on The CW and at 9/8c during Glee on FOX.

Carina MacKenzie is a current TV writer for Zap2it, where she covers television shows including the CW’s hit series The Vampire Diaries. Prior to zap2it, Carina worked as a production assistant, and was a television writer for the Los Angeles Times.


Carina joins the ConnecTV Watercooler on Fridays @ 3e/12p to share insights and highlights from The CW’s hit series, The Vampire Diaries.