Dean Rogers

Editor-in-Chief/Entertainment Reporter

I knew early on that I wanted to take my place among the stars. One day, my mother saw me reading The Washington Post at a very young age. Who would have known that it would be the building blocks of my journey? Since that day, I dedicated my life to learn all that is learnable. I read everything from encyclopedias, to books, to dictionaries, to magazines. I’m also an avid consumer of television, with my favorite genre being game shows. If you’ve seen me on Who Wants to be a Millionaire or Wheel of Fortune, then you know that this interest has served me well!

My unique style of reporting began back in junior high school, when I started to chronicle the events that shaped my life. Whether it was the annual family vacation or the local science fiction convention, I shot numerous pictures and recorded my thoughts so I could truly appreciate the history. During my senior year at Friendly High, I wrote what was to be my first masterpiece, “Advanced Space Academy – A One Week Journey.” I sent the eleven-page article back to the U.S. Space Camp staff. The article was highly praised for being “one of the best written articles in the history of U.S. Space Camp.” From then on, I knew what I wanted to do for rest of my life — to be a reporter.

Since then, I have trained in Broadcast Journalism at Bowie State University (2008) in Bowie, MD earning a B.S. in Communications. I gained experience in news production and editing through field experiences with Bowie Community Media Corporation, Prince George’s Community Television, and Bowie State University Television. I also wrote scripts for a variety of quiz shows for over five years.

As a lifelong movie buff, I now see close to 100 films every year. I took this love of movies to the next step when I became a co-host for Eclipse Magazine TV in the fall of 2005. While at EMTV, I interviewed celebrities, worked red carpets, and attended a wide variety of movie screenings. In January 2009, I took a leap of faith and started my own entertainment news magazine, The Rogers Revue. Shortly afterward, my life-long journey of studying the silver screen and writing about what I learned finally earned me a place in the Washington Area Film Critics Association.

All of this has led me here, giving you the latest entertainment news for the DMV and the entire nation, and I am truly excited for whatever will come next.

Dean on the Scene talks to actress/singer Alicia Witt about her acting and her 15,000 Days Tour

Alicia Witt Brings Her 15,000 Days Tour to Songbyrd

May 4, 2019 Dean Rogers Interviews, Music

Our next guest on THE INTERVUE has built both passions into a thriving business, balancing an acclaimed string of movie, television, and stage appearances with records like 2018’s 15,000 Days. Her fourth release as an independent songwriter, 15,000 Days is a sweeping, big-hearted record, its songs rooted in modern arrangements and timeless melodies. And now, this wonderful actress, singer, songwriter will be performing at the Songbyrd Music Cafe on May 9th. I had the honor of talking to the wonderfully talented Alicia Witt!

Dean interviews the cast of new Hulu series "Ramy"

The Cast of Ramy Talking Life, Hilarity and the Pursuit of the First Season

April 25, 2019 Dean Rogers Uncategorized

On this edition of THE INTERVUE, I talked to the cast members of the new Hulu series “Ramy”. The new comedy, launched April 19th, tells the story of a twenty-something, first-generation Egyptian-American who is on a spiritual journey in his politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. RAMY offers a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like being caught between a Muslim community that thinks life is a moral test and a millennial generation that thinks life has no consequences. I recently sat down with the star, creator and executive producer Ramy Youssef, comedian Steve Way who plays “Steve” and comedian Dave Merheje plays “Ahmed”

TRR's Exclusive Intervue with A Bronx Tale actress Ashley McManus

Ashley McManus: A DC Native Delivers A Bronx Tale

March 26, 2019 Dean Rogers Interviews, Theatre

On today’s edition of THE INTERVUE, A Bronx Tale the musical is making its round to the National Theatre for a one-week engagement starting Today through the 31st! My guest today is a DC Native and a graduate of AMDA. You may have seen her in the touring productions of “Dreamgirls” and “Rock of Ages” and now we have her back in the DMV! Let’s give a warm homecoming welcome to Ashley McManus!

Dean catches up with Ana Galeli with her new single "All Because of You"

Ana Galeli Drops New Single “All Because of You” Today

March 1, 2019 Dean Rogers Interviews, Music

On this musical edition of INTERVUE, I recently sat down with artist Ana Galeli to not only catch since our last interview in 2018 (Click here to read the first interview about her single “In the Moment”) but to talk about her latest dropping TODAY. “All Because of You” is a new love song with a twist that followers, old and new, will enjoy!

Awesome Con returns to Washington, D.C. (April 26 – April 28)

February 26, 2019 Dean Rogers Arts & Entertainment, Convention News

The seventh annual Awesome Con by LeftField Media, the Mid-Atlantic’s premier pop culture convention, will unite 80,000 fans of comics, technology and science, television and film, custom art, over-the-top cosplay, and more at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from Friday, April 26 through Sunday, April 28, 2019. The convention floor and panel rooms will buzz with hundreds of hours’ worth of programs including: celebrities and experts hosting panels and exclusive reveals; cosplay fashion shows; gaming tournaments; iconic pop culture memorabilia collections; and as always, a diverse array of activities for the whole family.

Full cast and creative team announced for JUNK

February 6, 2019 Dean Rogers Uncategorized

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and author Ayad Akhtar’s (Arena’s Disgraced) timely tale Junk. Inspired by the real junk bond giants of the 1980s, Akhtar explores how the riveting, hostile takeover of a family-owned manufacturing company paved the way to expose the rise of greed, power, race and wealth that led to reshaping the rules of Wall Street and the world. Directed by Jackie Maxwell, Junk runs April 5 – May 5, 2019 in the Fichandler Stage.

Celebrity Journalist and TRR's own Kyra Davenport talks about why we need more Black writers and coping with sexual assault in our Inaugural edition of UP CLOSE

Up Close with Kyra Davenport

January 30, 2019 Dean Rogers Interviews

For years, the staff at TRR has interviewed hundreds of personalities. From A-list celebrities to upcoming local talent. We have given you access to the stars. Now, the tables are turned with our new segment called “Up Close”. Every month, we are going to feature a different member of the team to get their story – up close & personal. It’s a way to put the faces to the names who have delivered the news, reviews and interviews to TRR for the past ten years.

There are some women who have a drive and ambition that seems unparalleled, Kyra Davenport is the kind of woman that keeps going and going until the job is done and done well. An Army veteran of 12 years, a two-time HBCU graduate, shout out to her Alma Maters Tuskegee and Howard, it’s a pleasure to have her on staff amongst her busy San Francisco schedule. When she’s not busy on a full time Communications/Journalism contract, she spends her time bringing yoga to the Oakland community and regularly interviewing celebrities.

Middleburg Film Festival Exclusive with Capernaum's director Nadine Labaki

Nadine Labaki’s Capernaum – A World Away

January 10, 2019 Dean Rogers Interviews, Movies

For our FINAL interview from the Middleburg Film Festival last fall, I sat down with the writer/director Nadine Labaki to talk about her latest film. Capernaum! Inside a court, Zain, a 12-year-old Syrian refugee boy, is brought before the judge. To the question: “Why are you attacking your parents in court?”, Zain answers: “For giving me life!” The film retraces the incredible journey of this child in search of his identity and who rebels against the life that was imposed on him. Here’s the inside scoop of our interview, enjoy!

Exclusive Interview with Kids Baking Championship contestant Misha Jones

Misha Jones Bakes His Way to the Kids Baking Championship

January 3, 2019 Dean Rogers Interviews, Television

On the very first 2019 edition of INTERVUE, Annapolis native Misha Jones is one of a dozen kids to take part in the Sixth season of Kids Baking Championship this Monday, January 7th on The Food Network. Up for grabs is a feature in the Food Network Magazine, a grand prize of $25,000 and a year’s worth of bragging rights. For Misha, its an unique experience he’ll never forget!

TRR Exclusive interview with If Beale Street Could Talk Screenwriter/Director Barry Jenkins

Barry Jenkins Takes Us to Beale Street This Christmas

December 24, 2018 Dean Rogers Interviews, Movies

In our second part of If Beale Street Could Talk interviews, I was part of a roundtable with Screenwriter/Director Barry Jenkins.