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Finding love after 50. The website for middle aged singles and senior singles, providing information and dating advice for middle age dating and senior
dating. This column's topic: Tom's second appearance on the Today Show as an expert on dating after 50, with host Matt Lauer
On the Today Show as an expert
on dating after 50
So many readers have asked what being on NBC-TV’s
Today Show was like, I’ll share the experience. It was May 22,
2001.
I had been on once before in 1998, when I was on
"Week-end Today," interviewed by Jack Ford.
A Today Show producer requested I gather a group
of Orange County singles for taping. When she invited me to appear
live in New York, I couldn’t believe my ears.
She said I’d be interviewed by Matt Lauer, and
gave me an idea of what he might ask. I wrote out twelve questions on
five-by-seven cards, and practiced answering them at least 25 times
before every mirror in the house--even at 3 a.m.--and in my car.
My girlfriend Greta and I flew to New York a week
ago Saturday (you don’t leave your sweetie behind for an event of this
magnitude). NBC put us up at the Essex House Hotel on Central Park
South.
On Sunday and Monday, as we walked 20 miles
around Manhattan, I rehearsed in Central Park, on subways, against
buildings, while eating Cuban and Malaysian food, and during two
Broadway musicals.
On Tuesday, we were picked up by the NBC limo at
7:30 a.m. I hardly recall that ride down 7th Avenue--I was
focused on what Matt’s first question might be.
We were led to the “Green Room,” where guests
wait to be called. A TV monitor showed Third Rock actor John Lithgow
being interviewed downstairs in the studio. A woman took my jacket to
iron the lapels.
In make-up, I said, “My mom wanted me to tell you
not to put junk on my hair, and only to add enough rouge to cover my
wrinkles.” I checked the clock, 30 minutes, oh God. I thought about
Mom and how excited she must be as she watched and waited in Santa
Rosa, California.
Well-known Pulitzer Prize winning author and
historian David McCullough (latest book: “John Adams”) returned to the
Green Room after his appearance. He promised us autographed copies of
his New York Times best-selling book..
At 8:50 a.m., the producer said, “It’s time. Be
energetic and upbeat.” Greta wished me luck. On the elevator ride
down. I mumbled, “This is it,” and, took a deep breath.
In Studio 1-A., to the left, Matt and Katie
Couric were live. I was led to a chair facing the window. Outside,
behind a barricade, a thousand people were holding up signs which
read, “Hello, Tulsa,” and “Hi Granny.”
I heard: “Four minutes, three...” Matt came over,
introduced himself, and sat in the chair across from me.
He studied his script and checked out the
monitor. He was all business. I tried to make small talk but he was
pre-occupied. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the tape of our
Orange County singles. There was Greta on national TV. How cool.
Knowing she was upstairs watching in the Green Room was calming, but
it’s hard not to think about five million viewers watching out there
across America.
“Why is dating after 50 so difficult?" was Matt's
first question.
I smiled, shrugged my shoulders and said, “Some
of us haven’t had a date in 30 years. We don't know how to begin,
where to go or what to do. We're out of practice." I said.
I remembered Greta's words--sit up straight,
smile, and stay focused. The five minutes went by rapidly.
Matt shook my hand and disappeared. I didn’t want
to leave the chair. One could get used to sitting there. I didn’t get
a chance to meet Katie Couric.
Back in the Green Room, Greta said, “Honey, you
looked so relaxed.” I said, “You must be kidding.” The producer came
in and said "You were great." I can't tell you the relief one feels
when finishing an event of that magnitude.
In the limo, returning to the hotel, I was
relaxed and happy. I thought back seven years—when I started writing
this column--I had no idea it would land me on the Today Show. Glad I
didn't know.
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