National TV crew coming out tomorrow...

[grodq]

Got contacted by a national tv crew about doing a segment on the lights and it looks like it might deal with how to easily put up lights or something along those lines. Want to make sure I hit all the positive points without telling them anything that would be dangerous. Points I'll try to bring up.

• Don't exceed more light strings that is defined for that particular light string
  
• Don't exceed more than your outlet can handle
  
• Use GFCI outlets for all outside lighting
  
• Keep all the extra bulbs that come with your light strings as you will need them eventually
  
• Label everything (light strings, extension cords?) You'll forget next year
  
• Leave light clips attached to strings, they'll be in the proper orientation for next year
  
• Light storage - I roll my mini's up into a ball for storage, what about icicles?
  
• Using 6"+ nail/spikes to hold the string for guy wires (for your stick trees or inflatables) instead of those super flimsy coat hanger hooks that bend the instant you try to push them into the ground.
  

Should I mention anything about

• Using indoor extension cords outside is ok?
  
• What about ladder safety? They'll be doing a segment of me putting up some lights (after I take them down). Would it be safer to show me doing everything from the ladder (extension or step ladder?), or should I be standing on the roof?
  

Anything else?

I'll do my best to mention LOR in the discussion. See if we can't drum up some more business.

[Brett H.]

I wouldnt mention the use of indoor cords outdoors. No need to open yourself up to any sort of liability issue. Because someone along the way will say but so and so said i could use them outdoors and have them plugged into non GFCI outlets and end up causing a fire. Just my 2 cents worth. Not everyone is as smart as us nor learn from others mistakes.

Edited November 26, 2012 by Brett H.

[GaryM]

Who's the national TV crew? Like a prime time news show?

[grodq]

Who's the national TV crew? Like a prime time news show?

ABC show called "The Chew". Typically the show is about food, but they do the occassional special interest piece.

[big joe]

I think that talking about LOR would be great!..., maybe then they will drop the prices on the cosmic color ribbions and cosmic color floods when i buy next year... lol...

[ItsMeBobO]

Congrats on the TV crew...fellow st louisan I never hit the big time like you, but I have had multiple tv shoots here. Never did they ask me what I wanted to talk about. They always had an angle and tried to get me to say something on that. Hated the how much did you spend questions. Told them to pick a different topic and they repeated the question! Anyway.. Good luck and have fun!

[George Simmons]

"The Chew"? I admit that I probably know the names of less than 5% of all TV shows (probably even less than 5% if we're talking about the major networks) and this is one of them. But are you sure you know exactly what they're after? Maybe they think you're squirrely and they're coming for stew...

Please - whatever you do - please, please don't say something like: it's so easy a cave-man could do it. We went through that last year...

Edited November 27, 2012 by George Simmons

[CLD Kevin]

"The Chew"? I admit that I probably know the names of less than 5% of all TV shows (probably even less than 5% if we're talking about the major networks) and this is one of them. But are you sure you know exactly what they're after? Maybe they think you're squirrely and they're coming for stew...

Please - whatever you do - please, please don't say something like: it's so easy a cave-man could do it. We went through that last year...

The Chew is a real show. ABC/GMA were the nicest people and most accommodating I dealt with all the crazies last year. I talk to the Chew this year too. They just wanted to know if doing anything. The show is about food/cooking but they feature decorations during the holiday times. Good luck.

[Tim Fischer]

"The Chew" is real - the only reason I know this is my wife has it on in the kitchen occasionally when I'm working from home. And every time I see it I think that has to be one of the dumbest names for a program in the history of TV

Edited November 27, 2012 by Tim Fischer

[Push Eject]

DVR set! Have fun!

[jstorms]

I plan to be watching. Do you know what day it will air?

[grodq]

That was 8 hours of fun. I have no idea how they're going to edit it or what the final product is going to be like. Couldn't mention any names, anything with a brand name was covered up (except LOR when they took a shot of the sequencing screen). Basically it was

• Here's your normal everyday suburban family baking cookies
  
• Until Christmas rolls around (shot of the garage door going up and us inside with lights everywhere)
  
• Took down a section of lights and many shots of me and host putting them back up (gave some tips here, label the lights, keep the light clip attached for next year)
  
• Then we did a quick shot of how to build an arch, how to install a stick tree (using spikes instead of the cheapo wire that comes with it)
  
• "command center" - sequencing screen, how the voiceovers are done
  
• Interview of the family
  
• timelapse shot of the house getting dark and the lights coming on
  
• video of the 3 sequences I did for them
  
• close-ups of various lighting elements
  
• Drive by of the line of cars watching the show
  
• Interviews of the spectators
  
• interviews of the neighbors
  

And anything that makes me look like a fool was at their request (now dance a little, ugh!)

It will air on December 5th. Here in the Central timezone it's on at noon, check your local listings.

[wmilkie]

Congratulations!

[Push Eject]

Fun!

[Max-Paul]

grodq,

Any idea what channel(s) that might be here in the local St. Louis area? I get DTV but also have the local broadcast channels via DTV. Looking foward to see the interview.

[grodq]

grodq,

Any idea what channel(s) that might be here in the local St. Louis area? I get DTV but also have the local broadcast channels via DTV. Looking foward to see the interview.

Channel 30 - KDNL

[Aaron Maue]

I grew up near St. Louis (IL side of the river). I'll have to ask my folks to DVR it so I can see it when we get down there for Xmas.

Edited November 30, 2012 by Aaron Maue