Friday, January 15, 2010

Backstage At Today: Part Two

Yesterday’s action-packed visit to NBC's Today Show began in the crowded greenroom at 30 Rock.

Ben and me in the Today Show greenroom

I joined my Tourism Queensland client Shana Pereira, along with Best Job In The World winner (and one of the coolest guys on Planet Earth) Ben Southall. As we waited for Ben to be called up to the set, a show producer approached and quipped—

“Do you have Take Your Daughter To Work Day? Can I be your daughter?”

Ben’s highly-publicized six-month stint as Island Caretaker has everyone wishing they could be in his well-traveled shoes. As a tourism ambassador for Queensland, he’s visited 74 of the 600 Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Talk about dream gigs.

Speaking of dream gigs, that’s exactly what my job felt like when we were finally escorted upstairs. As Ben was getting miked up, I was excited to spot Jeremy Renner, one of my favorite actors, on set.

Jeremy’s been generating Oscar buzz for “The Hurt Locker,” but I first fell for his talent and charisma on ABC’s fantastic, short-lived cop series, “The Unusuals.” I told him so after his interview, and he graciously posed for this picture with me.

Actor Jeremy Renner -- what a sweetheart!

Surprise #2 -- anchor Meredith Vieira strolling by and introducing herself to me and Shana.

Today co-anchor Meredith Vieira and me

After Ben’s lively interview with Kathie Lee and Hoda (watch it here), he answered a few questions for Today correspondent Sara Haines. She was delightful.

Today correspondent Sara Haines and me

Follow Sara on Twitter for great behind-the-scenes tidbits from the show.

Coming up…a visit to my old stomping grounds at Fox News and the differences between dating and relationships.

2 comments:

Queen of Quirky said...

I think people fall in two camps - GMA and Today Show. And I'm a huge Today Show fan. Always have been. Cried when Katie left. Crushed on Matt. (Who I suppose was in Haiti so you didn't get to see) Celebrated with Al's weightloss. Awwed over the Smuckers birthdays. The works. And so I can't imagine getting such an up close and personal view of the show. That is amazing.

Melissa said...

Couldn't agree more! I grew up watching Today, then switched over to GMA but still have a soft spot for the 30 Rock crew -- and the set too. I've seen some amazing concerts there, and walked right Ricky Martin once as he made his way to the stage. *Swoon*