I was in Syracuse, NY with my Mastermind Group last Monday evening when I received a message from Kim, a producer for the weekend edition of The TODAY Show. She said she was doing a segment on adult ADD, and wanted to know if I could help her out. Of course, I was very excited to hear from her and, after a few emails, it was confirmed! Kim came to my house on Friday to interview me.
After taking some time to find the right spot for the interview, we got to work. The interview was fun, and it flew by. Then Kim wanted to get some shots of me doing my thing around the house, so she filmed me walking the dogs, working in my office, pouring myself some coffee, and watering my precious blueberry bush. When we were all finished, Kim said, "You're really comfortable on camera! I know it's short notice, but would you want to come to the studio on Sunday for the live segment?"
She didn't have to twist my arm. I was thrilled, honored, and excited to be asked.
When Sunday came, I was up and getting ready at 4:15am. Those of you who know me well know that for any other reason, getting up at 4:15am would be torture for me. Erin came with me, of course, and the car came for us at 5:45am, and we enjoyed a relaxing ride to the studio.
We arrived at the NBC studios at 7:15am, and Dr. Janet Taylor and I were whisked away to Wardrobe, where they steamed my jacket. Good thing, because there was one wrinkle on the right shoulder of my jacket, and I just wasn't organized enough to worry about one wrinkle--especially at 4:15am!
Next it was off to Hair & Makeup. The hairstylist blew out my hair, and then sprayed it so heavily that a hurricane wouldn't have moved it. The makeup artist covered me in a thick layer of foundation to even out my skin tone. It looked great on camera, and quite a few people have commented on how good my makeup looked, but up close I looked like I was going to my own funeral.
As soon as Hair & Makeup was done, we went into the studio. Jenna Wolfe, the anchor for the
segment, came over and introduced herself. "I have to tell you a story," she said.
She then explained that when she was in college, there was a guy on her dorm floor named Bob Talia. Her friends used to joke with her that if she married Bob, her name would be Jenna Talia. ("Jenna Talia" sounds just like "genitalia.") She told us that whenever she does a segment with Janet Taylor (who regularly makes appearances on The TODAY Show), she thinks "Janet Taylor / Jenna Talia." We all laughed.
The segment was about to start, and Jenna asked Janet, "Should I call you 'Janet' or 'Dr. Taylor?'" Janet said "Either is fine, just don't call me 'Janet Talia!'" We all laughed again, and then the segment began.
I hadn't yet seen the 2-minute clip that was filmed at my house, and I tried to watch it through all the hustle and bustle in the studio. I was thrilled to see Trixie and Rascal, my little dog babies, in the clip, and not so thrilled to see how fat I looked on camera! But, alas, I couldn't think about that, or the fact that I was about to go live to millions on viewers. I had to focus!
The four and a half minute interview flew by. I couldn't believe how quickly it was over. I managed to remember all the things I wanted to say, and I wasn't nervous at all.
At the end of the interview, Jenna Wolfe thanked us, and accidentally said "Thank you, Dr. Janet Talia." Uh-oh!
It sounded just like "Thank you, Dr. Genitalia." And while Janet, Jenna, and I knew the reason behind the flub, no one watching the segment at home knew why she accidentally said what she did. And since then, the clip has gone viral due to the blooper, making it all the way to The Howard Stern Show!
Although I feel for Jenna, who really was very sweet and professional, and for Janet, who probably has a new nickname, I have to say that the blooper has been good for me. The more people pass around the video, the more people will hear my story and learn about Adult ADD. And sure, not everyone will watch the whole clip, but some will, and that's a good thing!
My TODAY Show experience was really fantastic, and I am so very thankful for the opportunity to share my story with so many people!
This afternoon I'm taping another TV show, Taming the Cubicle Jungle with Donna Scimia. We'll be talking about Adult ADD in the workplace. And although this is a local show, I'll be sure to post a video as soon as it's ready.
And if you missed my TV debut on The TODAY Show, you can watch the clip--and the blooper--below. Enjoy!
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