[Anne] Gross Point Blank

Submitted by Terrific1 on July 19, 2007 - 4:23pm. ::

I feel lousy for being out of the blog loop...especially with the terrific behind-the-scenes discussions initiated by Rebecca and April.

So the remaining lady chimes in...

It has been really interesting trying to gather ideas for the Round 3 interview. I mean who hasn't had conversations about this very scenario. But after the initial geek out of possibility passed, I felt the very real danger of paralysis setting in.

So I rallied my troops for help. What I found out was that a lot of people had the same reaction as I did - elation, followed by a sort of expansive emptiness. Their silence was usually replaced with a halting apology and then maybe, in a deflated tone, they said they felt badly because everyone they would want to talk to is dead. (It seems Eleanor Roosevelt is a popular lady in 2007.)

So I put it to you all. Who would you go for to talk with next week? Would you put your eggs in a celebrity basket? Cash in on the glittering possibility that the contest would provide some cache to actually talk with someone famous you have an insane heart on for? Or would you go for more for the issue/idea?

On the issue/idea trajectory, I keep coming back to interviewing someone who has overcome fear. Clearly, something that is pulsing and pushing and swirling about me lately.

I have always wanted to talk with Philippe Petit. He's the Frenchmen who secretly set up a high wire across the (then uncompleted) Twin Towers in the 1970's. He ended up making his way across the two steel silver ladies no less than 8 times.

Even before the big contest free fall, there is something totally incomprehensible to me about a person who has not only conquered such a deeply human fear but actively seeks spectaularly creative ways of upping the risk factor.

Totally bananas.

Having said all that, the fame lane is enticing. And the speed it delivers is exhilarating.

Yesterday I was tempted. And I ended up calling Terri Gross. Yes. Before I knew what I was doing I dialed the number for WHYY. As though I was channeling a Katherine Hepburn heroine, I loudly glided out with, "Yes? Terry Gross, please."

The insane thing is that they put me right through to her producer. And like an airbag on impact, some intense shtick billowed forth. I claimed my position as a finalist in the contest. Baked goods were offered as blackmail, as well as catered meals for the producer's children. And then I followed that all up by saying, "Tell Terry (pause) this is really woman to woman."

What in the hell that meant I have not an idea. But it seemed to amuse the producer enough to eek out a genuine laugh.

And then she said she would indeed ask Terry about the whole matter and get back to me.

For the next 87 minutes I was in the truly absurd position of thinking there was a chance that the first live interview I did record would be with T. Gross.

On the 88th minute, as I was kneeling in prayer, the producer axed the dream.

Quite a ride though...

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Celebrities are a mixed bag
Submitted by Rich Meitin on July 21, 2007 - 10:13am.

In my experience, you have only about a 50/50 shot of a celeb being an interesting conversationalist. So if you go that route, I'd suggest selecting a known quantity - someone known to interview well and consistently. Also, you have a better chance of landing the interview if it's with someone who really wants to be publicized - say, an author with a book on the shelves.

And, rather than cold-calling someone like Gross directly, I'd suggest trying to reach out to such a celeb through a common friend or former classmate or some such scheme. Someone who can vouch for you personally, either directly or through an intermediate friend.

Rich Meitin
www.richmeitin.com
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1038

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Glickman pulls out the big guns!
Submitted by Al Letson on July 20, 2007 - 8:03am.

I think I'd be too freaked out to interview Terry. She is masterful in her guidance of an interview. I don't think I'm ready to be on the other side of that equation.

I had my heart set on my favorite actor, who will remain nameless until I officially get the rejection. I love him, love him, love him and want the rest of the universe to love him as well, if they already don't. (Most of the world does). But I don't think the gatekeepers were impressed enough with our little competition to give me access to the man. That being said, I hate interviews where the host is too impressed with the guest. Therefore it's probably a good thing I didn't get him.

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So close!
Submitted by rebecca on July 20, 2007 - 5:32am.

Nice try on Terry. I think the most important thing is that you shrug it off immediately and don't lower your sights.

In regards to the celeb-or-not question, allow me to quote a very wise Go!Team: everybody's a VIP to somebody. So long as you find someone you're jazzed about, we're going to get jazzed, too.

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I like that!
Submitted by Jim Barfuss on July 20, 2007 - 6:02am.

Enthusiasm is contagious!

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Good question
Submitted by TracyT37 on July 19, 2007 - 8:01pm.

So I put it to you all. Who would you go for to talk with next week? Would you put your eggs in a celebrity basket? Cash in on the glittering possibility that the contest would provide some cache to actually talk with someone famous you have an insane heart on for? Or would you go for more for the issue/idea?

Personally, I would go local and there are tons of stories to go to in DC. In my neck of the woods, I got Virginia passing law that speeding over 20 mph over the limit would cost you $1,000 (side note, I totally agree with it and I'll mention it in the next couple of weeks in my blog), Eastern Market Reconstruction, Roy Pearson and his never ending fight for his pants, and a woman who had a pet monkey, even building a $4,000 addenum for the monkey, got taken away by pet control because the operator for some vet company ratted her out.

Interviewing famous people is a tough get and good, I don't think the interview would be intriguing. But if I had to choose, I say Tony Kornheiser, John "Junior" Feinstein, Bill James (the father of MoneyBall), Mark Warner, or the Pittsburgh Mayor whose 27 years old.

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stalking the (at least semi-) famous
Submitted by wheattoast on July 19, 2007 - 6:00pm.

Yeah, about ten minutes after they announced the round three challenge, I shot off an email to the publisher of the great science fiction writer Michael Moorcock (who apparently keeps a summer house in Bastrop, TX). And then one to the mayor of Austin. Still haven't heard a peep from either. Next thought was Britt Daniel of the beloved Austin band Spoon, but I soon remembered he'd moved to Portland (hint, hint, April).

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Britt, is the restraining order still valid????
Submitted by aprilbaer on July 19, 2007 - 10:19pm.

He actually breezed past my desk about two years ago--coming by to do an ISDN with David Brancacchio. I almost fainted dead away.

Yeah, we love us some Spoon. But...

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eeking out an eek
Submitted by Theresa Bakker on July 19, 2007 - 5:37pm.

Great story, Anne. Thanks for taking us along on that ride.
Half the fun is getting the interview. I can relate to that queasy-stomach ride while you dial the numbers and then make the pitch and see if they take the bait. Good on you for trying. I can't wait to see who you hook.
Theresa

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