April 23, 2008

Good Morning Texas


Good Morning Texas
Originally uploaded by Citizen Rob
Well, that was fast. My interview on Good Morning Texas is already online, so go check it out. I'm sorry to say, this clip cuts off before you get to see Schuyler and Julie sitting in the studio, so sadly it's just me and my unusually large meaty head.

I thought it went very well. It's hard in these very short segments to really get into very much of depth, but Paige McCoy Smith managed to cover an astonishing amount in a brief period. She asked me about my faith, which was a little unexpected (although she did give me a heads up before we started) but something that I was actually happy to talk about. It's funny, but the interviews for which I am the most prepared in terms of knowing questions in advance and what my answers will be, those tend to be my least favorite, and the ones that I think are the least interesting. Discussing my feelings about God on live television isn't something I would have ever expected to actually enjoy doing, but I'm glad she asked it. My answer was pretty much on the fly, and yet I'm entirely happy with it.

Another thing that Paige brought home to me was just how much I enjoy doing interviews with journalists who have actually read the book. That seems like an obvious point, but you'd be surprised. And it's always obvious, too. Not so much that they know facts that are pertinent, although that's part of it. (My favorite from a past interview was, about Schuyler's static brain condition, "Good luck with her continued improvement.") It's more that once you've read a book, you know a great deal about the author's personality and beliefs and such than you'll ever get from a press release or a book flap description. Paige McCoy Smith and KERA's Krys Boyd and Fox's Greg Groogan were responsible for interviews that I've enjoyed immensely, for just that reason.

Schuyler had a great time, of course, and charmed the pants off of everyone, as usual. The studio at WFAA is wide open, with glass walls everywhere, even the green room, so while you're waiting, you can see much of what's going on. She spent the better part of the morning having her mind completely blown, and finished off the experience by eating the strawberry smoothie prepared in a segment by "celebrity chef Jon Ashton". Julie finished up the morning by slobbering all over "celebrity chef Jon Ashton". It's sad, really, watching a woman of her advanced years lose her dignity like that. Really unfortunate.

Okay, so I really shouldn't tell this story, because past experience suggests that the chances of it getting back to the parties involved are somewhere near 100%. But it's been a while since I've started any trouble online (at least here; I've been poking a bees' nest on a parenting site on the topic of spanking, a metaphor that only works if you imagine really dumb bees), so I think I'm due.

While we were waiting for the show to begin, we were sitting in a room watching "Good Morning America" with two fashion models who were going to be on a segment before mine. GMA was interviewing Marlee Matlin about her appearance on "Dancing with the Stars", and she was signing away as she talked.

One of the models turned to the other and said, with absolute sincerity, "Do you think she's deaf?"

6 comments:

cd0103 said...

OMG-- that is priceless "do you think she is deaf?". Um-- yah think?

Linda Ball said...

Sadly you just can't make that stuff up, can you? Priceless.

PeanutandSweetPea said...

I loved the interview. You are right, she got deep quick. Obvious that she really liked the book.

Just a quick update on us: My dude is being video taped tomorrow by our SLP of him usng a loaner Vantage Plus so it can be sent to our insurance to show he can use the device. This was another hoop to jump through thrown at us from the insurance. I am hopeful it will do the trick. Our SLP says she does not accept the answer no, and is really expecting to get the device. I got to see him in action today. Awasome to see him take to the BBoW like he is! He is very excited about it and is taking it all in like a sponge! The SLP said that she has trained other kids on these, but has never had anyone learn as fast as my guy. I am very proud! Can't wait till we have one to take home.

Check out my little guy, his words are coming along, but can't wait to know more and more what he is thinking about!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLpgpY3PVWc

Anonymous said...

I recorded it on DVR, if you don't have it and want a source to put up a longer clip. Jes holla.

Robert Hudson said...

Thanks. Can you hang onto it for a while, at least until you see it pop up here? I've got it on my DVR and I'm going to try to put it on YouTube, but getting the other tv spots from the DVR to my computer to YouTube is a process that I sort of achieved by accident last time. I'm about to try it again; we'll see if I can be accidentally smart again.

Robin said...

Rob, I was a participant in the last discussion you started on faith and special needs kids. I think your answer to this interviewer's questions was dead on. We can't deny that we are on a journey and our children are a big part of that journey.

Thanks for sharing your journey with us (that is so corny but I can't think of anything clever.)