Ted Williams, the Ohio homeless man who became a YouTube sensation due to his golden radio voice, returned to the CBS Early Show this morning to discuss his roller-coaster ride of sudden fame. Looking polished and more comfortable in front of the cameras, Williams reflected on his emotionally jarring recent experiences, including his decision to leave a Texas rehab center. “It was too much, too fast, and I was just not really focused on what I should be doing,” he said. “I felt scripted. I was doing live phone-ins (to TV shows) from rehab.”
Williams initially relapsed under the immense pressure he felt after his YouTube video made him a star. “The weight of the world was on my shoulders,” he said, with people in airports coming up to him, saying, “Hey Ted, don’t let us down.”
Williams is now living in a clean-living sober house in California, so he can simultaneously seek voice-over work. Though several job offers disappeared after he encountered personal troubles, Williams says there’s still opportunity. “Some of these offers have come back to the table under the provision that I do continue to live in a sober environment,” he told CBS’s Chris Wragge and Erica Hill.
Williams insisted that his public squabbles with his family have been resolved and that he’s dealing with the limelight much better now then when he was initially thrust into it, saying, “There’s no more of these five-minute interviews and waving on buses.”
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The guy is an addict. Pushing him back into the lifestyle that may have had triggers for his addiction was unfair to him and his family.
At least, he’s trying to get it together. He’s trying hard, not like that special someone we all know, so special that he went to rehab in his own house and 3 weeks later is reportedly heading back to work and to his 1.5 million per episode.
Exactly. And another thing, Ted could have chosen to take the Cleveland Caveliers job with the nice house…but he’s CHOOSING to live in a Sober House. I think he’s headed into the right direction. I like Dr. Phil, but his approach with him wasn’t the right approach. Too much ‘in your face’ confrontation on someone who has the whole world watching him.
You are absolutely right! Unemployment and homelessness were the “symptoms” of this mans problems. Until he is will to get down to the “origin” and deal with that, it will be like treating a gunshot wound with a band-aid
Exactly – and that famewhore Dr Phil exploited him. Phone call interviews from rehab?? What psychologist worth their salt does that? Getting him into rehab is one thing and I applaud that but even dr Phil had a hard time justifying it on the show and basically said we ar spaying for rehab so you get to do interviews for us. Shameful.
It has been through my experiences ,and coming from a long line of family with addictions and alcohol, including my self;rehab. is a beautiful gift to redeem your dignity and respect of the person who you where before you hit rock bottom. I have been down that road twice (Not rock bottom )but knocking on the door of bad mistakes and decisions with costly repercussions.needles to say through my experiences of rehab, their are people who go through that avenue who grab on to it and people who are their just to get through the judicial system. all that to say, i learned you re alley have to want itand once you get it you have to give it away in order to keep it. Mr. Ted apparently found in in his heart to make the conscious decision to rise from the ashes because only him and him alone had to step up with out his family support and with out the support of the public and if any friends.the media can be your friend or your enemy. in Mr.TED case , at that particular interview, Mr. Phil was his and that was a shame because their is so much greed in today’s world that it is sicking.every man must know his limitations and Mr. TED DID. him and our lord Jesus Christ has made a pact for recovery. God will live up to his bargain it is up to Ted to go through any lengths to live up to his.and in the mean time, we as the public should be supporting him instead of casting doubts through negative comments.God gave Mr. Ted a precious gift. now it is up to Ted to use that gift for the glory of his son Jesus Christ.
And yet here he is back on TV???
“The Early Show” wanted to do a follow-up on his progress–he didn’t seek them out.
Very true Garry. ‘The Early Show’ wanted to do a follow-up w/ Ted, not the other way around. It’s so funny how people are so quick to jump on Ted. And besides, the man has disappeared for a few weeks and it’s good to get some kind of update because people were wondering what happened to him. The man seems calm and more level-headed now and doing things at his own pace…instead of having EVERYTHING pushed on him for tv show ratings.
I’m sure Ted is familiar with the word “no”…just because the who asked him to be on doesn’t mean he had to do it.
Of course he didn’t have to do the interview but at the same time, there were so many rumors floating around and it was good to see this update. AT least he’s not going on EVERY show to do it. You heard him…all those 5-minute interviews are over and he’s concentrating now on more important things.
I was upset with him initially for leaving rehab, in fact, I lost hope for him, but after watching this, I feel a little bit better and I wish the best for him.
Why do people even give Dr. Phil the time of day?
One word…Oprah. Blame Oprah.
Good idea. I usually blame her for everything.
personally i would not go on any of them shows at all what i do with my life is up to me an i am the only person who has to answer for my own. it is all good to get the help but not all up in my face all the time with question
Way to go Ted,Your Awesome!!!!
Now is not the Time to blame DR PHIL or TED for being Human
DR PHIL does what he does, and it helps his TV ratings.
The main focus of this story is TED.
Who among us in Ted’s situation could adjust to his new found fame
and the pressures of it combined with REHAB and all that goes with
overcoming his addictions.
Instead of taking out our poison pens and trashing the guy.
Let’s Pray for him and let’s see
what he does with his second chance at life.
If this opportunity was given to him by God-Then let’s see what God
can do with it.
Didnt, he give us a chance redemption through his son Jesus Christ
I’m not blaming Dr. Phil for “being human.” I am blaming Dr. Phil because he – Oh, how did you put it? – “does what he does, and it helps his TV ratings.” The man puts himself in a position to offer people help in improving their lives, but then he turns around and EXPLOITS the ones who needs help, all for his tv ratings. I doubt Jesus approves.
Thank you thank you thank you. Exactly.
no, he didn’t. god didn’t do anything, and neither did jesus. because god is made up for weak minds to justify existence, and jesus is dead.
Oh stop. Stick to the subject at hand.
jesus is god..he died and rose again and will forever live
You go Ted,I’ve been where you were and i did it,don’t listen to anyone who’s negative.
Good luck Ted!
Your fifteen minutes are up dude and you blew it.
I agree–if he had been clean for 2 years why didn’t any of his 9 children help him find a home. It’s because he was still drinking and acting totally irresponsible. He didn’t earn or deserve the job offers, etc. The State of Ohio has supported him, his children and women for too long.
Ah, I’m so glad Andi has such insight into how his children would behave, so that she can draw huge conclusions based on her own opinion. Good to know understanding and compassionate people out there still exist. You know, just not Andi.
How do you know that! That’s how LIES get out! Remember that what you write about Mr Williams is NOT FACT but of YOUR OPINION! It is a FACT he is doing things at his own pace. Mr Williams was overwhelmed with emotion and you have to remember there where cameras in his face every second of ever day
He is an alcoholic and people with alcoholism can’t take a lot of stress and for him this was very stressfu and overwhelming and I’m sure he felt confused and very lonely.
We don’t know who he’s been talking to regarding his work as a Voice Over Artist Mr Williams DOES NOT have to PROVE ANYTHING TO YOU OR TO THE PUBLIC! For the PUBLIC to ridicule and judge this man of God is just wrong.
This makeover he got was just the thing he needed. It helps him build back his confidence. In this interview he was more composed more well spoken
What he is doing is getting his life and family and career back together one step at a time!
Mr Williams is a grown man of God who does not need to be ridiculed, chastised or judged by the PUBLIC!
Go HEAD TED! HANDLE YO’ BIZINESS! Hope to hear his Golden Voice again very soon!
All the best Ted. I will keep you in my prayers. Go and get em’!!!!!!
Have a drink on me, Ted! Bottoms up, buttercup!
Jackass.
I still wish him the best. He’s not running away or hiding his problems from the public. I wish him the best!
@DOUG… GOD IS DEAD
God is NOT dead and you will suffer for saying that!!
Let the guy be human, and let the guy have the opportunity to turn his life around.
No one can blame the publicity. His actions made him homless and his actions screwed up his second chance. He does need help, but creating excuses for his own actions and blaming others does more damage to his recovery than help it. Society did not make him homeless, he did it all himself. Society gave him a second chance and he screwed it up all on his own. He will not get better or any real help until he and everyone elses realizes this.
using ” The Truth” as your screen name doesnt mean you are right or telling the truth for that matter. People all around the country have drinking as a downfall and its hard to get back on your feet. AA is one of the most popular therapy groups in the nation. YES it is the medias fault (as usual) for jumping all over him to fast. I feel sorry for him, he looked overwhelmed and confused and excited all at once. I think it always best to wish some one the best. Wishing ill-will on someone is very vain and cruel.
Very well stated! I agree and will continue to wish him the very best in life.
Actually, society may very well have made him homeless – we have no idea of what happened in his life to lead him to where he was. Perhaps he became ill and couldn’t work or pay his medical bills. Wouldn’t THAT be society making him homeless? There are many ways the system screws people over, and just reading your post makes it clear that you yourself have never interacted with the system in a needs based way.
Your post is why America lags behind other countries in taking care of our poor and disadvantaged – this ridiculous belief that people are most successful if they don’t have help. How did this bullsh*t idea even get propagated?