6 Steps to Free Publicity

Chapter 15

Performing on Radio and TV Like a Pro

I 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, ...