This is the second part of the taping for the John Stossel Pilot. The first, of course, was the video insert in California. This part consisted of speaking in front of a studio audience filled with New Yorkers. In other words, to see if I could "hold my own" without cracking. Here is an account of events on our trip to The Big Apple!

Marc (my boyfriend & bestfriend) & I were flown to New York at the expense of Faded Denim Productions to take part in the taping in front of a studio audience (on April 15, 2000) and to complete my part of the "Body Image" segment.

We arrived at the San Francisco airport about an hour before take off at 10:45 PM Pacific Time. We arrived at the airport later than desired because I thought I just HAD to curl my hair for a red-eye flight. We were unable to sit together so I learned my lesson. We arrived at 7 AM Eastern Time, remember, we lost 3 hours due to the time change. We arrived tired and hungry.

Faded Denim Productions arranged a car to pick us up. So, we were greeted by a very professional looking limousine driver. The driver was this extremely cool Russian guy, I have forgotten his name, as I was extremely tired and groggy. He was very intelligent and familiar with computers, programming & systems operation. I gave him a card and hope that he will see this and write to tell me his name. We were dropped off at The Avalon Hotel at 16 East 32nd Street. This hotel is beautiful! The staff was so wonderful! Especially the bellman. He was very young, energetic and eager to help. The hotel room itself was opulent, also at the expense of the Faded Denim Productions. I am so very thankful for their kindness and generosity! We had a fabulous time and were treated so well the producer, the staff and basically everyone we came into contact with.

We arrived very early so the room was not available. They immediately gave us breakfast vouchers and said they would have the room ready shortly. They allowed us to check our luggage and eat in peace. We sat by the window and watched the passersby. Everyone was so busy (a Friday). It was great to just relax and watch the bustling crowds.

We were then shown to our room where every imaginable amenity was made available to us. Lovely rooms and great service. We called into the studio and spoke to Daniel, a wonderful and funny man on their production team. Daniel is a cutey and I want to set him up with C.M. Ha Ha! I don't know if he has a girlfriend but I like him and C.M. so you know how meddling women can be. Oh, come on! Like you have never wanted to set people up before. : ) Marc told me to mind my own business, hehehe. Daniel told me to get some sleep and enjoy New York when we woke up. Which, we did immediately.

Marc & I in Times Square, eating hot dogs

We awoke at 1:00 PM, absolutely famished. I took a shower and got ready to "rat the streets" of New York... I LOVE NEW YORK!!! It is the coolest city. So much available. I remember my first trip and thought everyone was just plain mean. I was wrong. We were in the wrong part of town and I had just moved from New Orleans, where EVERYONE is overly friendly. Now, after living in California for 3 years, I realize that the people of New York are just minding their own business and WILL be nice and talk to you if you solicit it. I didn't mind it at all. Almost everyone that we did come into contact with was great!

Hooters in NY	Times Square

I am so excited about this...I took the Subway!!! Twice! Ha ha! I know it is no big deal, but I have never been on one and it reminded me of a larger and faster version of the trams at larger airports. I expected it to be the dark and scary graffiti-covered place as depicted in the movies, but everyone takes the subways to get around. I mean everyone. Of course, I would not go for joyrides at 3:00 AM on one either. We got off at Times Square and wandered around seeing the sites.

Getting ready at the hotel
(nose is 18 mo. post-op)

Saturday! Time to get to "work". We caught a cab to the studio (USA Studios 15 Penn Plaza (Grand Ballroom) New York, NY 10001)...also where Maury Povich and Sally Jessie have their show. We met with the other guests of the show and signed our waivers and what not. I was called in for make-up. Now, I already fixed my hair and did my make-up so all she did was put this horrid, trendy pale blue eye shadow on because I was wearing a light blue sleeveless blouse. Of course, I toned it down a bit. Sorry, make-up chick but I thought I looked like a harlot. Plus she put on this nasty pinkish-coral glossy lipgloss by Stila. Okay, I like Stila, don't get me wrong, but this color looked awful on me! I changed it when I went to the restroom to freshen up. Plus she used this powder puff previously used by other people, I don't know how many times. So, of course I had superficial breakouts the next day. Too much of other people's oils being pressed into my face. Yuk!      

Me & Daniel

I got to meet Lauren, also part of the production staff. She originally called my Surgeon to ask me if I'd like to be on the pilot. She was so much younger than I thought she would be. I just figured her to be some older woman in a suit. But, she was a younger, beautiful, very warm and caring woman with really cool boots! I liked her. She was one of those calm individuals who somehow can rub their calmness onto you. And thank goodness, because I needed it. She was really busy that day and I didn't get to talk to her as much as I would have liked. And of course, there was Emily! I met Emily in the lobby earlier that day when they dropped off my per diem or expense money (you know to eat and take cabs and subways). I originally got a message from the Hotel "to meet Emily in the lobby to pick up perdim". I called Daniel and said "uh, what is 'perdim'"? He said "you mean per diem?" I said, I don't know, it just says p-e-r-d-i-m, no space. We got that straightened out and I now know it was spelled wrong to begin with and I now know what per diem actually means. It is Latin roughly translated into "Money with which to buy PRADA bags in SoHo" or something like that. : ) Once again, they proved extremely generous, as I had NO idea I would receive this. Emily is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. She was very naturally pretty and gave me pep talks backstage. You know how some women can be pretty and have a bad attitude that makes them ugly? Well, Emily has a great attitude that makes her even more beautiful. Hmmm, I wonder if she is single? Then I could hook her up with... (I'm kidding, Emily!). She said that she saw my before pics and thought I needed no surgery. She told me not to worry about how people are and to live for my happiness. She also gave me a quick lesson in voice control. She explained the reason a person's voice gets higher pitched when nervous is due to the constriction of the muscles in the throat. Makes sense, although for some reason I thought it was caused by adrenalin. She taught me how to relax my throat muscles and that helped a lot.

Me & Danielle

While Emily was giving me voice lessons backstage, there were 4 women on stage discussing what they would change or what they didn't like about their bodies. This girl I met backstage, Danielle, who also did a video insert like me, was up there talking about her butt. This girl works out like crazy and has one of those serious "weightlifting butts". You know, the Round-hi-I-do-squats-a-lot butt type. I told her that she should thank her lucky stars to have a butt like that. She was really nice and hope she keeps in touch with me.

Meeting John Stossel

Then I was called out on stage... and THANK GOODNESS I didn't have to come out to an applauding audience. We started my "part" with an introduction by, yes! the man himself...John Stossel! He is so cool. I didn't tell him, "Hi, I know you are famous and all but I had no idea who you were prior to this opportunity. I am a product of the internet and do not watch television. I watch DVDs and get my news from online!" Ha Ha! But, he was neat, funny and very energetic and I will start watching him when I actually get up from this computer.

It is very cold in the studio

He shook my hand and asked me how it all started. I told him that discontent is the first step in progress. And it is true. I told him that the obsession set in from early on when I noticed that all of the men were attracted to those drop dead gorgeous playmates in Playboy magazine. I snuck peeks at these models and thought to myself, "I am supposed to look like this?!? Geez! I'll never look like that!!!" And from then on I thought all women and models were perfect and not airbrushed. Then I got smart and found out that they ARE airbrushed - all models in magazines (with the exception of BUST magazine) are airbrushed. I also realized that I was not put on this earth to parade in front of men and become what THEY want to look at. I am ME! Here me roar!!! (No offense to the men reading this.) I am happier with myself because I want to look my best.

John, Daniel & I

I must admit I felt like an idiot for the very first few minutes At first I was nervous and VERY cold (in a fitted shirt). How completely embarrassing. The stage was freezing and even the guests had to take off their coats because it is to be offered to the executives in the Summer. Get it? I then was bombarded by questions and not necessarily "ridicule" but disagreement. And that's fine. I totally think that everyone has an opinion and is completely entitled to that belief. So, I was fine with it.

I am really cold here. Hide the nips!!

I got to see my video insert, edited by Daniel. It was fun and fast. 11 1/2 hours of taping cut down to 45 seconds, tops. I realized how flighty I must look to some people. Always changing subjects and full of ideas. I can't keep my mind still sometimes. Then it was question time... ugh! When I get a copy of the tape or a transcript I will update this more. The taping was a blur. Too much going on at once. I loved it! I did better than I thought, although that is MY opinion. I could have bombed miserably so I should be quiet. During a "commercial" break John pseudo-apologized for his devil advocacy. I told him no problem, I know it is needed. I understood how it goes and I can play along as well. One girl in the audience referred to me as being "fake" and that I should worry about my personality. I did not have the chance to say to her and the crowd that although some parts may be enhanced, I, myself, am NOT fake! In my opinion, I have a great personality. My ultimate goal is to be able to help a lot of other people and interact with them on a personal level. You know, helping them help themselves to a happier self and here I am being referred to as "fake". Whatever! Does the name say "Yes! I'm Fake!" Uh, no. Go figure. Besides she didn't look too happy with herself as it was and may have just been lashing out.

John Stossel went to Marc, who was strategically placed in the audience, and asked him if he thought I looked better now? Marc said "I thought she was beautiful before, but yeah, she's more beautiful now". Everyone booed him! How stupid. What was he supposed to say "uh no, I think after all that she looks like crap"? Ridiculous. Groups of people can be so easily influenced by others some times. Then I was booed a little. Ha Ha!!! John asked what I would do next and I said "maybe cheek implants to make my cheekbones really big..." Then a massive "Booooooo!" rings out. I was like "I just think about it sometimes, I am not saying I am going to do it" Of course, no one can hear my retort over the disagreeing audience. I have three words...

Next, I was transferred to the audience next to Marc to watch and comment on the rest of the segment. They brought out a 17 year old male that was once overweight. He has been working out for the past year and a half and is down to his desired weight and appearance. He said that he does not have the security as he wishes from past experiences with teasing about his weight and looks. They say "kids are cruel" but I say teenagers are even more cruel. This guy was really sweet and intelligent. It is a shame in this world that people are judged by their appearances. It is sad but true.

Now, I don't think it is partially all that bad, especially when when it comes to business. For instance, if you were a boss and wanted to hire someone to represent your company and you had these possibilities: a highly trained person with trashy, skimpy clothing and trashy overdone make-up (representation: cheap and trashy company). A highly trained person with a very plain-Jane appearance with older out of style plain clothes (representation: outdated and uninformed company) or a highly trained tastefully dressed and highly groomed appearance (representation: very detailed and professional company). Get it? Image isn't everything but in today's world it is a lot.

Appearances DO tell a lot about a person. I know that there are people out there that can not afford to dress nicely. I remember growing up and not having the jeans that were popular at the time. I was made fun of. Although I had a great personality and was well liked, I did not receive the acceptance I desired. Now, that I have grown up, I am undecided in the importance of that acceptance. I know that there are others subjects that should be focused upon. But, I also know that peer acceptance is an emotional cornerstone that directly affects performance. Be it educational or social. Both skills are needed to form a perfectly balanced adult. I am not saying we are all perfectly balanced. I know I'm not. But, acceptance is important. We all like to feel loved and adored. It makes us stronger to have friends and to be looked upon as "friendly". and attractive There is nothing wrong with that desire. It is instilled in us before we are even born. That is what makes us human. We care whether or not we are liked. We want to be liked. Okay. I am getting reeeeaaallly far off the subject. Let me just step down from my soap box and get on with it. As you know...The show must go on!

Anyway! I was thankfully backed by a woman named Nancy L. Etcoff, author of the book Survival of the Prettiest. Nancy is very down to earth and smart! She is a Psychologist as well and very insightful. She didn't make me feel intellectually insecure around her like a lot of Psychologists try and do. She really is a great woman. I haven't read the book yet but I am hoping to buy it soon. It is about how the desire to be beautiful is inside of us all - naturally. Nancy had performed studies involving infants and how they actually will gaze upon an attractive adult longer than say, an unattractive one, by society's standards. Even in comparison of it's own mother. The child does appreciate the beauty of another.

Also on the show, Shelley Michelle of Body Doubles & Parts, Inc.. She spoke about how she has appeared as Julia Roberts body double in Pretty Woman and others. Her company is based in Beverly Hills and employs hundreds upon hundreds of "body doubles". I even met the editor, I believe, of BUST magazine. Which is a alternative woman's magazine. Like feminism and women's interest articles and anti-scrawny anti-airbrushed models. It is a quarterly magazine and hard to find, But, I hear worth the wait. There was a pretty woman (I forgot her name; I do hope she writes in) who does plus size modeling. She isn't overweight. She is just tall and has broad shoulders. She once struggled with anorexia and was really skinny and found that she still gets as many jobs as she does now. It is just different types of work. She was really nice and I like that she thinks for herself.

I had a great time. After the show, when we were leaving, I met with the producer (name?), who thanked me for coming on the show. He was a very nice man. I think that Lauren, Daniel and everyone are lucky to work with him. He seems really great although, I wish I would have had more time to talk with him. When we were coming out of the studio and when we were being driven around or at the hotel, even when our conversations were overheard about the show...People would ask "are you a movie star?" "what do you do?" "are you a new celebrity?". I was like... no, I am a nobody. I am just Marianne - which is enough for me. However, it did make me feel a little glamorous and important. Is that bad??? I thought is was fun no matter what! Let's just hope the executives like the pilot and accept it. The entire staff worked incredibly hard to get this together. Plus, I really think John is a great Host. In my opinion, this show would have a big audience. Then again, I am not the one with money to be invested! :)

Prada & Gucci Bags from So Ho
This is what per diem is really for!

The next day we went to SoHo to shop - wooo hooo! We all had breakfast and took the subway back to Times Square. Klaus went his way to finish his business here in New York and update his Surgery Site. I was happy to have been able to meet him. Marc and I walked around a bit and headed back early to the hotel.

The man, the myth, the legend: Martin

We called the limo service and they agreed to pick us up 2 hours early. We were tired and didn't want to sit around the hotel lobby. They sent a driver named Marvin, that was so incredibly cool! He was huge, had a shaved head, had a thick New York accent and didn't take cr*p from anyone. The kinda man you'd want as a body guard. But he was so incredibly funny and just the nicest person!! He was just one of those sweet people that would take up for someone he didn't even know. I think it would take a lot to make him mad but look out if you did! I can just hear him say it now... "Fuh-ged' about it!!!" We told him he had to move to Vegas! He drove us to the airport, we talked the entire way back and I took a picture with him.

An extremely bad photo of me
shiny face, flat hair and no sleep
(have I no shame???)

Our return flight was for 5:35 PM Eastern Time. We arrived three hours early and when we boarded the plane, we were stuck on the runway for 3 hours. Wasted a lot of fuel waiting. Returned to the terminal to refuel a bit, we would more than likely be in a holding pattern over San Francisco when we got there (if we ever got there). We were not charged for the movies to try and make up for it all. It wasn't the pilots' fault, rather air traffic control's fault. We wound up taking off finally at 8:30 PM or so. Circled the San Fran Airport for 45 minutes and didn't get home until 1:30 AM Pacific Time. With the time change that is 4:30 AM Eastern. We drove home, cost us $45 bucks to park for the weekend. They charge for everything here! Just like New York. Then we slept forever.

In conclusion, as I said before, the trip was wonderful and I thank Faded Denim Productions & their staff for their hospitality and generosity. I hope we stay in touch. Wish them luck on the acceptance!

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