|
|
<< Back to Top Secret Recipes TV Appearances
Fox After Breakfast
June 1997 |
Here's a show that didn't last too long. The show's short run was at least long enough for me to try something completely different. Come to think of it, maybe it's best no one was watching.
When I got there the original host, Tom Bergeron, had left for a gig on the new Hollywood Squares, and obscure guest hosts were coming in like every other week. When I appeared the hosts were Nancy Giles and former NBA player John Salley (photo 1).
My plan was to come on the show dressed as a sort of man-in-black secret agent-type with a specially designed costume that would transform into an outfit more suitable for cooking. I had a costume designer who had worked with David Copperfield and variety of other Las Vegas stage acts develop a special suit jacket.
I had on the black jacket, black pants, white shirt and skinny black tie along with dark sunglasses (photo 2) -- not exactly the threads of your typical talk show cooking segment guest.
At the top of the segment we talked a bit about the books and the techniques used to clone brand-name foods. As this was going out live my publisher quickly called the studio and passed a message along that I should immediately take off the sunglasses. I kept them on until John Salley finally removed them, which was okay with me since it was time for the "transformation" anyway.
By the way, that dude is really big. I'm 6-feet-1-inch tall, but he still towers over me. It's not everyday that I'm speaking right into someone's adam's apple.
As planned ahead John says, "Here let me help you get ready for this," and he starts to tear apart the jacket. First one arm of the jacket comes off (with quick release snaps - photo 3), then the other. As I turn around John tears the back off the jacket revealing a waist tie (photo 5).
When I turn back toward the camera, I just fold over the lapels of the jacket and attach them with Velcro. Now the black suit jacket has now transformed into a black apron, ready for cooking (photo 6).
John helps while I quickly assemble our clone Big Mac. Then Nancy gets to wear the special blindfold while taste testing the burger (photo 7). (For more on the cooking and taste test see Talk Soup #2)
The segment is rushed and we never get to the several other taste tests I had prepared.
After the show, we go downstairs to the streets of New York, in front of the studio, for a live performance from the day's musical guest. It's some country band I've never heard of, playing some twangity-twang ditty while a row of boot-wearing line dancers yee-haw and giddy-up into the blocked off city street (photo 9).
I pretend like I'm enjoying myself, meanwhile I'm completely sweating my butt off in the hot sun because the costume I'm wearing is made from such thick, black material (so it doesn't rip when the sleeves come off). Then we all wave goodbye and the credits roll over the music. I go back to the studio to pick up the pieces to my jacket, and split.
I haven't worn that costume since. |
|
|
|
