Performing on Radio and TV Like a Pro n 193 Chapter 15 Performing on Radio and TV Like a Pro made my television debut at the age of 7. The station in New Haven, Connecticut, had a show on which a man named Admiral Jack joked around with an audience of kids sitting on bleachers, and then showed "Popeye" cartoons. Occasionally, a featured boy or girl would demonstrate a talent by singing or doing magic tricks. One afternoon, I stood at the microphone in front of the cameras and read poems I had written. I recall being intimidated by the waiting room at the station, but not any attack of nerves when I took the spotlight. I must have done fine because no one in my family remembers it otherwise. Because I was young and so was the medium of TV, expectations were low. By the 2000s, however, the typical American adult has logged tens of thousands of hours watching smooth, professional performers on the small screen. In any TV appearance you or I make now, we have a lot to measure up to. But there is a simple trick to success on the air- waves, and it begins with a "p." I P REPARE , P REPARE , P REPARE Find out the format of any show for which you're scheduled, and watch or listen to it, if possible, to get a sense of the atmosphere. Is it live or taped? Will you be on alone or part of a panel of guests, and if so, who will the others be? Is it a call-in show, or is there interaction with a studio audience? Is the host cozy or confrontational, liberal or conservative? Negotiate ahead of time whether they will announce your telephone number, mention a freebie offer, or flash a close-up of N 193 n