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08.28.06 03:54 PM
On Being The News
The date was August 15, 2006. I was confirmed to be recorded live for a segment of ABC's World News This Morning. I figured I could handle it. I'd been on on Public Access TV, been reocrded for Webcasts, screen tests, and other TV news programs, spoken on panels, and have taught large classrooms. This was going to be a piece of cake. Or was it?
I thought so...and so I looked over the story I'd be referring to a bit the night before, got myself about 4 or 5 hours of sleep, and arose around 2:30 AM ready to knock it out the box.
The gear and hair were all in place by the time the private car arrived at my building to take me to the studio. A PA came down to take me to the studio floor. I was dashed into hair and makeup and then got mic'ed up, then was walked over to the newsroom desk besides the newscaster. No problem. I smiled at her as she went through her papers making notes. We sat there in the silence, she looking at her papers, and me looking at the cameras and teleprompters all around me. And looking, and waiting...and waiting...and...
10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...and live. Oh shit. What was it I was talking about again? Oh yeah, new forms of advertising. It's 4:40 am, and I'm sitting here ready to answer questions from this newscaster who I haven't even shaken hands with. OK...breathe. You know this kid. You know this advertising stuff, Besides, this is one-on-one, you've spoken in front of large groups—so this should be nothing. Where are your eyes going? Why are they roaming and not focused on the news chick? This is live. Get your A game back.
Oh there it is. Whew, last question. Slam dunk. Smile. Engage. On point. This is easy. No, it's not. It's live not recorded. No rehearsals. No mistakes. But you definitely almost totally lost it. Almost couldn't reel it back in. Better get more than just your look ready next time. This shit ain't as easy as it looks.
all this aside...i won't be YouTubing, blipping or PhotoBucketing the video - even if my continued existence depended upon it. as the kids say, it wouldn't be a good look.
(tags: abc world news | advertising)
posted by lynne | link to this |
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Comments
Congrats on th spot. I hate doing live stuff, too. It's nerve-racking. But I'm sure you came across calm & on point.
posted by j. brotherlove![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.lynnedjohnson.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| August 28, 2006 7:19 PM #
well j, actually, one kid told me he said to himself, "who is this woman bugging on tv." as for my family, they loved me, but just said i wasn't as on point as i usually am.
posted by lynne![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.lynnedjohnson.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| August 29, 2006 12:21 AM #
This was a fascinating read, thanks.
Great pic, btw.
posted by Sour Duck![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.lynnedjohnson.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| August 29, 2006 2:46 AM #
Right on. congratulations! i wish i had seen it!!
posted by Cinque | August 29, 2006 9:42 AM #
Congrats on this! I too wish I had seen it. But for some reason I find myself glued to the far trashier Good Day New York each morning. :|
posted by Carmen Van Kerckhove | August 29, 2006 12:09 PM #
Congrats Lynn!
wish i could have caught it in the T-dot.
BTW, You look beautiful!
posted by Lainad | August 31, 2006 2:06 PM #