I remain so much happier behind the camera, then I do in front of it ...

When I am on camera ... I try to keep the speech brief ("Happy holidays fron newswest9.com") or nonexistent (playing cards in an ad for an insulation company) ...

Yeah, as the old saying goes, I've got a face for radio.

By the way, you and your blog were a topic of conversation on the webcast.

I caught the webcast late. Congratulations, Eric! I thought you did extremely well! It's not always fun being in the eye of the camera and before all your fans. You fielded questions with excellence, and once you got your arms unlocked (okay, observing body language is part of any saleperson's duties), really got into it! More times than not, you totally stole the show and kept it going your way. I'm impressed, as will be many others!

You and Jimmy play off each other very well - 2 wry and funny guys. "As visions of future shows danced in their heads..."

Encore! Encore!

Yikes! I forgot Abbye! She was magnificent in her webcast debut!

PS - You've got to teach someone how to spell "awful".....

Janie, you're much too kind (are you still highly medicated? ;-), but I do appreciate the nice words.

Jimmy does a good job at putting folks at ease, so anything that went awry was definitely not his fault.

About the crossed arm thing...you see other folks in situations like that and think you won't be like that, but then you get there yourself and it just happens, you know? I made a conscious effort not to do that, but, then, I had also decided against looking like a complete doofus and look where that got me!

And it gives you an idea of just how bad most of us would fail if we ever got on Jeopardy! We can sit at home all day long and out-guess the geniuses on that program ... but when we get up and do it ourselves, we're really all just a bunch of Wheel of Fortune people. :)

Eric ... you did fine. More than fine. Finer than fine. You sounded great. I on the other hand was a little rusty and am displeased with my hair and my posture.

It's why I don't make The Jay Hendricks bucks.

But it's like I said earlier ... even the Yahoo! guys started primitively.

And take note ... this is the first post I've ever written where I've used two exclamation marks!

Three now ...

You know what I've decided? The experienced media people (hereafter known as "the pros") find other ways to "cross their arms" that us laypeople really don't discern. They've got to be nervous in their own right - they're just familiar with it.

You really did well. And I like the parts where you almost made Jimmy laugh. Y'all did good!

Still highly medicated but healing finally.

LOL ... Jay Hendricks wishes he made those "Jay Hendricks bucks" we hear about! :-)

Jimmy, you're still OK even with three exclamation marks. It's when you use them like this that you're in trouble!!!

I do think you guys are onto something with your webcast and I hope you'll get the resources to continue to improve it. And even with all my whining...I still had a good time. You're a great host. No, wait....you're a great host!!!

Janie, you know that most of those folks aren't wearing pants behind those broadcast tables, don't you?

I think I'm going to recede back into heavy medication now..........

The thing that rocks my world is that genuine Texas accent. When I read your comments at my place and your posts here, I hear them in an accentless voice.

The picture of Santa Claus, I mean, Abbye was priceless.

I love the conversation about blogging that you and Jimmy got into, he said, "but blogging has also... kind of encompasses personal journaling in a way...", and you went into a social history of blogging. "A lot of us are voyeurs." Probably applies to all of us "regular people." Good stuff.

I actually choked up a little when Jimmy said, regarding blogging about personal hardship, "I've done it myself."

And I agree with you both: more posts from Jeff!

Eric, I thought you did great!!! It takes guts to go on live tv, or radio for that matter, and your crossed arms weren't noticeable at all until I had to fast forward through the video, returning to the spot I left off for work-related business...at that point (arms flying, fidgeting, fussing, crossing, uncrossing, all in rapid motion), I was laughing with you, not at you, I promise! ;-) Nice work.

Jim, I'll ask the question again: what Texas accent? ;-)

There were in places references to personal situations that wouldn't be completely understandable to those who haven't been reading Jimmy's blog (but the fact that people hundreds of miles away who have never met him did understand them is a tribute to the blogging phenomenon!), but hopefully the conversation was still meaningful on a higher level.

Gwynne, I guess I need to find a different persona, as the surfer-cowboy-hiphop act isn't playing out quite as I'd hoped.

But, you did catch the boots, didn't you? ;-)

The boots? The boots! Oh my!!! I fast forwarded right over them...how could that happen? It's no wonder the fast forward version was so laughable...not only were your arms everywhere, but your legs too. And thems sum mighty fine boots! Thanks for the plug...I feel famous now. ;-)

I agree with Jim...the photo of Abbye w/ Santa...priceless! The lives of regular people "more fascinating" than Brad and whatzhername...heh. ;-) The display of all your "stuff" near the end...shameless. As for my overall impression of the show, it reminded me a little of a movie I once saw, called "My Dinner with Andre," about two intellectuals discussing the minutia of their lives...funny stuff.

I completely missed the "surfer-cowboy-hiphop" act...sorry, Master Font Geek.

Oh, and you referred to me as a "reader." I'd like to be referred to as a "voyeur" next time. ;-)

...about two intellectuals discussing the minutia of their lives...

Well, that analogy never got off the ground!

I was going to refer to you as the "Plato-reading, Veggie-Tale loving CPA in Kansas City" but that would have blown your cover. I'll try to remember the proper title for next time.

Gwynne said: "The display of all your "stuff" near the end...shameless"

I thought the superimposed "shameless plug" line was awesome. I'll bet neither of you had any idea it was on there.

I'll bet neither of you had any idea it was on there.

Well, I certainly didn't! In fact, I wonder if it was added post-production? Did you see it live?

That IS funny... ;-)

Heh, you're right...the generic term "reader" should pretty well keep me covered...thank you. ;-)

I also liked the "Eric says he's an 'aweful' cook" line, superimposed.

I also liked the "Eric says he's an 'aweful' cook" line, superimposed.

Oh, so that's where the reference in Janie's earlier comment originates. I didn't realize they were adding captions to the program.

Dang, I may have to watch it after all, if for no other reason than I know a really good libel attorney. ;-)

I may be wrong, but I think they meant to spell it that way, in response to your comments about your cooking skillz. Yes, I think you should view it for yourself, Eric. And do try it in fast fwd mode for a good laugh.

Unfortunately, I didn't see it live... for some reason the internet connection in the downtown coffeehouse I frequent was being unkind to me at webcast time. So, I don't know if the captions were inserted in real time or later on. In any event, if was sheer inspired lunacy.

Re: my "aweful" comment - I'm glad Gwynne cleared that up so you wouldn't spend the rest of today thinking I was a-trashin'!

I bet you were wondering what I was talking about!:)

Janie, I was totally confused...I went back through several posts looking for where I used that word and finally decided you were still delirious...or I was! ;-)

I meant to spell it like that, or at least I think I did? All the captions were real time. They were all meant in good fun, promise. :-)

I was trying to make them look like news bulletins, but had a hard time keeping up with the conversation...

Jim - what accent? I didn't hear no stinkin' accent!!!

Bravo, Eric, Bravo! A brave man that first did a webcast about his blog...

Jim, I finally went back and watched the show, and I thought the captions were great! (Yeah, "awful" was misspelled, but so what? I wore a tacky shirt and Jimmy didn't shave!) I was so focused on not drooling on camera I didn't even notice you tapping on the keyboard.

You guys are doing a great job and I hope you're able to keep working to make it even better.

PS - I only have one itty bitty gripe: liberal slanted media? Heck, I only see conservative slanted media...

*grin*

What, you only watch Fox too? Hermana! ;-)

I watched the webcast :). I'm thinking I might have to get me a pair of cowboy boots! I also liked the nice touch of the Abbye photo! You did fine :D

I watched some of the web cast (listened to all of it) and I rather liked it. It sounded much like an informal conversation which it much better than that scripted stuff we get from the regular media.

Kudos.....

Rachel, there's really no way you can come to Texas without getting a pair of boots (and maybe a hat!). ;-)

Shannon, thanks for the feedback. I agree that the conversational tone was the best part about the whole thing, and that's a tribute to Jimmy's interviewing skill. I would have preferred to leave out the part about the relationship between blogging and the MSM, as that's not a hot button issue for me and I wasn't really comfortable discussing it.

BTW - your voice is deeper than i imagined.

The bias of that mainstream media webcast was obvious: both you guys talked about Texas almost the whole darn time. Not that I could understand half of what you said, you know, because of those accents. ;-D

Seriously, I hope you will do more of that sort of thing Eric, it was awesome! I'm even thinking of doing a serotoninraincast... if I ever get the equipment for it, that is.

I meant to say something else yesterday, in response to your puzzlement over why your more articulate, eloquent posts go without comment while your "throw-away" posts rack 'em up. I've often noticed this inverse relationship and I think it's because we (your voyeurs) are in such awe of your better posts that we're afraid to speak up. But we've all got 2 cents to throw in when the stakes are much lower. Take our silence as affirmation of your good work...that's how I see it anyway.

Jim, maybe next time we'll try to talk about Iowa. Or maybe Rhode Island. RI doesn't get a lot of press.

Count it a blessing that you couldn't understand more of what we said. ;-)

You really enjoyed that, huh? Interesting. It was kind of fun, and perhaps one gets better at it with practice. Anyway, I'll watch your "Raincast."

Gwynne, were you actually able to type that whole thing with a straight face? Especially that part about "awe."

I can't imagine any of you guys being "afraid to speak up." While I appreciate the generosity of your sentiment, I have a hard time believing it's accurate. But, feel free to lay that stuff on me anytime...I'm a sucker for it! ;-)

Well, I very rarely say anything with a straight face, but I was being sincere, if that's what you mean. :-l

Gwynne, I didn't mean to question your sincerity.

Your sanity is a different matter. 8-)

Yes, it is. :-)

Next webcast, I think you and Jimmy ought to mug a series of emoticons, using your faces. I'm dying to see that one above.

Such as when Jimmy starts talking about his rostrum again? ;-)

Y'all are all too funny. I needed that today!

We just need to keep the comments coming... Eric, what's the record for largest number of comments on a Gazette post? Or is that a trade secret?

Hmm...my post on John Kerry's Nuisance Alert System got 38 comments, so we've blown past that. But it also got almost 20 trackback pings (I got 20,000 hits a day for a couple of days off that one).

Those comments weren't as enjoyable as these, however. Some people need to learn to lighten up, y'know?

I just checked that nuisance thingy. I thought it was pretty funny. I think people who can't laugh at themselves are funny too, and you certainly had a couple of them chiming in on that post.

And talk about trackbackapalooza!

You did very well in your webcast.

I particularly liked how the new blue background was introduced before you were.

:-)

Thanks, Julie. That means a lot coming from someone who has participated in actual live radio interviews...you understand well the ups and downs of going live and unscripted.

I thought all set changes got top billing over guests. ;-)

I have y'all all beat. Have you been interviewed, on Channel 9 news (and 7!) while shooting sporting clays (and hitting them)?

And I've done a simultaneous radio interview with Mike Carrell while teaching Dana to shoot sporting clays....

And though I wanted to, you absolutely cannot cross your arms or show anyone your boots while you're doing that! (But they are a little nicer since you've a loaded 12 gauge!)

Just keeping the number of posts climbing upward!

Hey, did you see the reference at Jessica's Well? Too funny!

Janie, that's an important tip for all TV (and webcast) interviewees: always show up packing heat. I've made a note of it. ;-)

I'm late to the party here, but I just watched the webcast and loved it!

Just to throw one more comment on the pile, I too was interviewed on the news, a long time ago when a news crew was covering my alma mater's 50th Annual Boar's Head Dinner and I was the chair of the event. Dang liberal media, they cut out most of what I said and the eviscerated clip that aired made me sound like a moron. That, plus I was dressed in full medieval garb.

Deb, bless your heart for sitting through that thing! ;-)

Jim, in my experience, it's always best to be dressed in medieval garb when sounding like a moron. (That's yet another tip for you potential interviewees.)

Jim ... I can tell you from living 8 hours a day inside the hallowed walls of a professional news organization ... I'm almost embarrassed to admit it ... there is a definite medieval bias that exists in today's MSM ... we see someone comin' at us with a sword -- sheathed or not -- it's hard to be warm and fuzzy about 'em. I'm here to tell you those What's in Your Wallet?" commercials featuring all those primeval nordic goobers ... they foretold the future of just how scary the medievillians would eventually become.

I couldn't let this comment string record die as such an odd number. I like the finality of the double-nickel.

Actually, 55 is an odd number, not 54.

Oops.

Just caught the MRT interview. It was great and made for great SB half-time entertainment. :) I totally lost it when you set out the Fireant mug. That was hilarious! You and Jimmy should make interviews like this a regular web feature!

Denise, I'm quite flattered that you'd choose us over the Aging Stones! Altho, now that I think about it, most people would probably have preferred to watch anything other than the Stones.