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Saturday, March 29, 2003
Well, I don't know that I've ever been deluged with so many emails. From long lost friends and co-workers to old acquaintances who just wrote in to say, "hey, call me crazy, but did I just see you on Leno last night?"... I'm going to do my best to reply to all of them. Really. I also plan to chronicle the events of the Jay Leno Day in its entirety on this blog, but that'll have to wait a couple of days, as I'm underneath a few really, really stiff freelance deadlines and I don't have a couple of spare hours to throw away at the moment.
But, rest assured, the story will be told and, promise, it's all very outrageous... from riding in Barbara Streisand's limo to chillin' in the NBC Green Room to hanging out with Jay after the show... there's a whole lot to tell and a whole lot of scans/pictures to post.
Soon!
posted by Jeremy Bear 6:31 PM
And probably the most thrilling capper to one of the most surreal days I've spent in a long time, Carey and I came home to discover that my Jay Leno story had made it into Neil Gaiman's blog. The March 28 entry, in fact. Life is officially all downhill from here.
posted by Jeremy Bear 7:39 AM
Thursday, March 27, 2003
Tomorrow night (Friday, Mar 28), I'm going to be on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
No, seriously, as in ON the Tonight Show. Like on-camera. With Jay.
Seriously.
Here's what happened: My dad and sister visited over the weekend and, as part of the LA experience, Carey and I decided to take them to a taping of The Tonight Show on Tuesday. While in line to get in the door, an NBC rep came out and passed around index cards and pencils to those waiting. On the index card, it said, "What's something you've never confessed to anyone? Would you be willing and available to apologize for it on national TV on Friday?" So, me being me, I wrote something and turned it into the NBC rep.
About 45 minutes later (still in line), another NBC rep came out and asked for Jeremy Bear. He asked about the story on the card, so I elaborated and the guy was in stitches. He said, "hold on a minute."
10 minutes later, the rep brought out a couple of guys on the NBC writing staff. I told my story again. They all laughed and immediately pulled out their cell phones and started making calls to... to I don't know who.
Another 10 minutes later, and a producer came out to talk to me. He said, "are you available Friday? Where do you live?"
"Long Beach. Yeah, I guess I'm available on Friday. I usually freelance on those days, but..."
"Okay. Great. Jay wants to have you on. You've got a great story. Can you do it?"
"I, uh. Yeah. Sure. So, I'm going to make this big confession on the air?"
"That's right."
"Like on the phone?"
"No, like on-camera. It's a bit, you know, and Jay'll have a lot of fun with your story."
"Oh. Wow. Yeah, that's cool, I suppose. Will my wife come?"
"Does she know about your confession?"
"No."
"Yeah. Bring her. We'll have her on-camera to get her reactions."
"Okay."
"Terrific. We'll send a car to Long Beach to pick you up on Friday at 1:30. They'll take you to the studio and you'll wait in the Green Room. Also, if you like, bring a couple of friends and we'll get them seats. When the time comes, Jay'll pull you out of the audience and that's it."
"Friday."
"Friday."
"And the show airs...?"
"On Friday."
"Friday."
So, anyhow, that's it. The guy said that, once in awhile, bits like this are dropped if something big happens in the news or if someone comes along with something 3 times as funny. The chances of my getting bumped are slim, but it could happen. So, if you do tune in and I'm not on, don't mail me a Dirty Bomb or something.
But, hey, if you're interested, tune in tomorrow at 11:30 to see a very nervous me, a mortified Carey, and you may even catch a glimpse of our friends Kirk Millett and Kelly Larned, who agreed to ditch work and come with us for moral support.
posted by Jeremy Bear 9:19 PM
Monday, March 24, 2003
Because you would have DEMANDED it had you thought of it, we've added a very special new segment to the JeremyBear.com online Blogger: the interviews!
That's right, Jer asks the questions other reporters shy away from! (The only journalist in the business unafraid to end his sentences in prepositions. Dare to compare... you'll see!)
Our first interviewee is a fellow I've come to know rather well over the past 26-odd years or so - my Dad, Randy Bear. Dad and my sister, Lauren, took wing to Southern California for the weekend and the old guy agreed to answer the questions that are on everyone's lips. Without further ado...
JER: So, welcome, what brings you out to California? Just up for a little fun in the sun?
DAD: Well, yes… I thought it would be a good time for Lauren and I to come and pay a visit since I haven’t seen you and the Carebear since November. Sheesh… NOVEMBER! Where has the time gone? And there’s a chance we won’t get to see you again until, what, August? And Lauren, that little button, hasn’t seen the sights and sounds of the LA area, so opportunity knocked and we answered.
And we're glad you did. Hoh-pah! What about the trip out here? Eventful?
Hmmmmmmmm… to say the least. First of all, security was tighter than, well, it was very tight. Had to stand in a very long line while security people looked in our bags, checked our shoes, pockets… you name it. So off we were to Chicago for the 1st leg of the trip. And surprise, surprise, we had an hour and a half delay in Chicago due to what they called “plane availability.” Go figure. Finally, after boarding a plane something like unto the size of Peoria, we were off to LA. Lauren and I, of course, were stuck in the very back row of this behemoth of an airplane. Row # 243 or something like that I think. Couple all of that with rotten food, a screaming kid directly in front of us, and all the bumpiness that the tail end of the plane brings and we just had a picnic.
Well, we all have to endure a slice of Hell to enjoy a heap o' Heaven. Or something like that. Anyhow, moving on... I’m going to cut to the chase, here… you’ve recently had some exciting developments in your life, haven’t you? What are they and how much can you tell us?
Whatever could you mean, Jer? Well, let me just get right to it. I have for the past year and a half have been enjoying what I have come to realize is the absolute love of my life. Yessir; what a blessing God has bestowed upon me to be sure. So finally, after much thought and debating with myself, I “dropped de knee and popped de rock.” And what a good decision it was as well! My precious Pat is more than any man deserves. We just have to find us a preacher-man to hitch us up sometime reasonably soon and we’re good to go.
Any nervousness? Jitters?
What… me? Nervous? Surely you jest. Nah… the nervousness came before I popped the big question. Now that that’s done, I have perfect peace about the whole thing. Not that it wasn’t a little bit of a rough road getting to where I am… but yup, I got peace like a river. Never mind that her folks are both flaming democrats… which I’m sure will make for some interesting Thanksgiving dinner conversation. I’m past that (finally), and ready to make a life of it.
As if being a democrat weren't burdensome enough... but "flaming" besides? Zounds! God be w'ye! So, what else is going on right now? As I understand it, you’re considering a fairly large purchase in the near future. Is that correct and what is it… or, I guess, more accurately, where is it?
Yup, there’s no doubt about that one. Gonna be puttin’ the ‘ol homestead in Hartville up for sale and my little buddy Skip and I will be moving in with Pat and 2 of her stellar children; Mike (truly a stud of a young man) and Kris (a walking Babe-fest if there ever was one, at least according to the 8th grade boys in Wadsworth), and Ripples the wonder dog in beautiful (?) Wadsworth, Ohio. Well, at least we’re fairly sure it’ll be Wadsworth. You see, Pat needs to sell her homestead as well.. so all of this may be a bit easier planned than practiced. But here’s hoping (and praying) all goes well. Destiny calls.
"Stud"? "Babe-fest"? Very creepy, Dad. Very, very creepy. Hie thee hence to college, Kris. Double-quick! Anything else you’d like to say to the readership out there? This is, after all, your big moment.
Nah, not much else. I’m just looking forward to getting on with life with my precious one (a term formerly reserved only for Erin and Lauren). But more immediately looking forward to tomorrow in LA with Jer, the Carebear, and Lauren. And what a day we have planned. Complete with Leno, Hollywood, the Chinese Theatre, Beverly Hills… you name it. We’re going to have a time of it in southern California. Can’t wait, can’t wait. So, as they say, that’s the news from Lake Wobegon, where… well, you know the rest.
And that'll do it for this premier installment of the JeremyBear.com interviews! Thanks for joining us, Pop, and be sure to check in with us again soon!
And much thanks to my dwindling audience for reading. Join us next time as I try to snag an interview with other influential figures in contemporary American culture such as, I don't know, my sister I guess or maybe a cousin or our mailman.
JeremyBear.com: Catch the Feeling! |
posted by Jeremy Bear 10:26 PM
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