A Circle of Stars and Colorful Clowns

A Circle of Stars and Colorful Clowns was Originally Posted on November 30, 2009 by lavarock

I often tell you that events and people are very inter-related. Many years ago I was featured on the opening of GE College Bowl; which was broadcast from New York City. My Dad took me to New York and we had tickets to the TV show. By then I had spent a year or two in military school, so Dad had me often wear my uniform.

On this day I was in uniform and you can imagine how hot it was to be in wool pants and jacket under hot TV lights. Anyway, as they announced “the following show is brought to you in living color on NBC” a view of me shows up and then the shot widens out to show the audience.

This was not my first brush with TV. My Dad helped with a parade in Highland Park/New Brunswick New Jersey and Clarabelle the clown from Howdy Doody changed clothes at out house before the parade.

Speaking of clowns, as I was growing up in DC, I took my younger sister and sat next to her in the ring of the BOZO show. BOZO was played by a guy who would become quite famous as a radio man, TV weatherman and for playing another clown, Ronald McDonald. That man is of course, Willard Scott. Years later I would work briefly with him at WNVC and WNVT during a televised auction for Public TV.

While walking backstage in DC I saw another star or two. There on a table was the setup for a TV commercial for Wilkens Coffee. Along with the setup were a couple puppets used in the commercials. I think Kermit the Frog was also there (or an early version of him) because the puppets were the precursor of the Muppets, their creator, Jim Henson also did the commercials for the coffee.

So tonight on TV I am watching “The Muppets Take Manhattan”. One reason is that I have never seen it, but also because I wanted to see Mary Kay Adams (who is sitting in an office in the movie). I met Mary Kay at a few Star Trek conventions and we chatted for a while. I even have a video of her interviewing me about the food at dinner! She was interested in the fact that I wanted to move to Hawaii and she had never been. I spoke with her Mom also as she lived in a community near wghere I used to, in New Jersey, so we had a bit in common.

Years later I sent a photo of Mary Kay and I, and a bag of my coffee to the only address I had for her, her agent. I never got a response and don’t know if she ever got it. I would have sent a followup letter, but I imagined that it would look too much like I was a stalker or something, sending gifts and photos and messages like “Remember me from the conventions…”. It just seemed a bit earie, so I did not persue it. After speaking with her for a while I got the idea that she would have sent a thanks if she had gotten the gift. As you can see in the photo, we were having a good time that day! I think she is checking if my heart is still beating

As you know, the Star Trek series was created by Gene Roddenberry. I never met him, but I was at the U of Maryland show where he came and showed the Star Trek pilot and blooper reel.

So as you can see, over the years, TV, radio and movies have always been a part of my life. I have met stars, interviewed musicians and been on TV. I’ve never been in a movie (but not for the lack of wanting it), however, I think my lack of talent may be the reason. I still would love to have my name on the IMDB movie database, and still have time to perhaps be an extra in a movie, but I’d better hurry.

So, being in a movie or on a TV show is definately a dream of mine and based upon my desire to move to Hawaii, we DO know that dreams can and do come true!