My Mary Tyler Moore Moments

The other day I was feeding Dear Bebe when I decided to turn the TV on. There was Oprah. Even though I rarely watch her anymore, I was completely taken in by a show she was airing. It was a Mary Tyler Moore reunion show. It appears Oprah had been infatuated with the show and I do think it had a lot of influence on her career choice, local TV. She got her start at a station in Baltimore.

The funny thing is, when I was a young producer living out on my own in America's Heartland, I too felt that familiar urge to run outside and throw my hat up in the air. Except I didn't wear hats. But I was going to get one if it meant re-enacting that famous moment.

Now that I am a stay at home Mommy, I too can look back at my early days in TV and smile at how much fun I had.

So here I am, in a photo with Oprah herself! Yes, it looks like we are best buds, but the reality is, there was a line of people waiting to get their chance for a photographic moment. I was attending a PROMAX conference in Chicago and we (local TV promotion producers) were invited to her HARPO studio.

My first TV station job was located near the beach. I decided the low pay was well worth getting to wear shorts and interviewing hot lifeguards. Looking at the photo now I'm wondering why I didn't stand CLOSER? Then I realize I was not supposed to be in the camera shot! I was a producer, not a reporter.

Here I am with Joan Rivers right after a friend and I handed out the statues during an award ceremony at the 1990 NATPE convention. NATPE (National Association of Television Program Executives) is where TV station managers buy their programs. Joan had a show at the time and was there to promote it. This was probably before her QVC days, or maybe right near the beginning. Gotta love my hair there!

Here I am with Merv at the same convention. Note Alex Trebek of Jeopardy in the background right....

Merv was really nice and funny! I remember asking if I could take his photo and I tilted the camera vertically in order to get his whole picture...and he shook his finger in the air and said "NOOOOO BODIEEEEEEESSSS." This was the same week I was asked to run out and buy makeup to cover up the shiny spot on Ted Turner's forehead. I was in New Orleans and had no idea where to go. I did what any other producer would do... I hailed a cab, asked for the nearest drug store and guessed which color to buy!

While working for an NBC affiliate I was able to participate in an NBC Marketing and Promotion conference. Loved the parties NBC threw. All the promotion folks at my table were thrilled when Kelsey Grammar decided to sit at ours! I almost didn't ask for the photo and now I'm glad I did. Why miss a moment like that? Again, look at that hair. I think I could only afford one hair cut every six months at the time. Ha! Now that I think about it...it is so not Mary.

I have loved my career in local television. I have met all kinds of people and celebrities from Oprah to Jay Leno. There were days when I wondered why I ever decided to go into the industry because the money is in sales or the on-air talent. But it was a LOT of fun and I followed my dream .

Will I ever go back? This has not been decided yet since I am going to be with Dear Bebe for a few years until she can attend school.

But, now that I reminisce, looks like I made it after all.