Bogged down with logs

It was an early morning today again, but I requested it in order to watch Sarah Palin as the guest host. Honestly, she was funny and entertaining, and even informative during certain segments. She co-hosted for one hour, and the segment I remember most was the one about raising teenage daughters. For all the hullabaloo raised yesterday, it was a pretty tame episode. We did get a bunch of calls anyways, but at least they weren't all negative. Some people still called just to rant and hang up, c'est la vie.

I logged a bunch of tape today, luckily it was on a subject that I enjoy: river monsters with Jeremy Wade. It was very interesting listening to his interview, especially the parts where he reflected on his viewership, and the qualities of the series that he thought contributed to it's success. I learned he'll be in on the show on Thursday, so I'll have to make sure to watch that segment.

River Monsters finished filming their 4th season. Logically and truthfully he admitted that the series didn't exactly have the legs to keep on going as it's going, but he mentioned that perhaps the show would morph into something else to keep fresh. I'm trying to think of ideas that would modify the premise while keeping the theme. It's unlikely that I come up with something legitimate before Thursday, but it's not unimaginable. So far I've learned that potential is everywhere, except when you rule it out, so I might as well brainstorm.

A full bin of comments

I thought I got a bunch of negative calls after the Brinkley fiasco, but it was nothing compared to the shitstorm that blew in after people realized that Sarah Palin is actually going to co host for an hour tomorrow. It wasn't an April Fools joke, although it is (or should be) kind of funny. After about an hour at the desk the comments line was full. That didn't bother about a third of callers, however, as they would call with a shaky voice, full of rage, and blurt out a tirade only to end it with a stick-it-to-the-man hang up, not leaving me a chance to say anything. The first time that happened it really bothered me, because I really do try to help people when they call, but after a few more I found solace in apathy. If it makes them feel better to rant to an intern, so be it. After a while I ended up enjoying being a rage sponge for these lonely people.

I'll be going in tomorrow early to work control room, and I'm looking forward to it. I feel like ratings season must be close or something, because it seems like the show is pushing it's self-defined status quo. Of course I've only been here a week so I could be way off base, but it seems like the programming is getting more tumultuous than normal.

In other news, I met candidly with a producer in the mail room towards the end of the day. His reputation as a nice, genuine guy proceeds him, and for good reason. We chatted about sit-coms and he showed me a cave of all sorts of shows and movies, and he also recommended that I watch a few series in particular, seeing as I want to eventually write and produce my own. He gave me the same sort of advice that I've been hearing, that I should make the most of this experience in various ways; but I really took it to heart this time. I felt like he was talking to me instead of at me, but that may be because I was paying particular attention to what he was saying. Something about his personality or character piqued my motivation to pay attention. I wish I could put my finger on it, maybe he's just a good leader.