Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Sept 29, 2004 15:41:06 GMT -6
After the Chicago Tribune article, I received a call from Fox Network news to see if I would want to do a five minute piece on Toutatis. Certainly, and I agreed.
They stated that I should be prepared to discuss Toutatis and it's details. Well, never left to do a partial job, I brushed up on the minutia of Toutatis. I now know more than I ever cared to about the rock.
I was picked up in a limo and whisked away to the Fox Studio in downtown Chicago. Where I sat...and sat...and sat. It was now approaching 2:45, my scheduled air time, and I was getting a bit concerned. At about 10 minutes to, I was beckoned to come into the studio. They did their sound checks, camera angle and lighting. I had an earphone and New York was talking to me...and asked if I had the potato. I raised it, and they said it looked good.
A bit nervous now, I didn't want to forget the pertinent info, as things were happening now rather quickly. At first I was told we were going to wait longer, and then a bit later, I was told we are going on within one minute, as they couldn't find some tape for the previous story.
And then, it starts abruptly. No countdown, no get ready...just go! I hear Smith in my ear describing the rock and introducing me. I had expected he was going to ask some background on the rock, it's orbit and other data. But it seemed like he wanted a worse case scenario if indeed the asteroid would hit. It threw me off a bit, as I now had to push all of that away and come up with damage assessment. I didn't want to step on his time and babble on either.
They were telling me to use the prop...so the Holy Potato made it's grand appearance. The producers did not notify the host that I had it, so I think it thru him off a tad as well. I think it bothered him.
Then the Guido comment came out of nowhere and unrelated to the topic. Smiling, I accepted it, and continued. I wanted to make it light and knowledgeable, and not stuffy. And then... it was over.
Rather cold and impersonal I thought.
I felt I could have done better with more serious inquires, but it was...ok, condsidering it went rather off subject. It was quite an experience and our Forum got some publicity...and I showed a sweet potato on television! Friends and fellow astronomers started to call me while the limo was bringing me back home, and passed on their congrats.
Thank you very much to all who sent me encouragement and advice emails. The phone calls in support were nice too. I appreciate them all, and they made a difference. I am quite glad I did it, and would do it again....but better armed.
You guys are too cool!
