…the third week of December! Okay, maybe that’s not as catchy as the opening to SNL, but for all y’all (yup, I said it) who follow our Instagram pictures (and who have requested the videos to match the wacky photos that we posted below) here ya go. Yes, we never thought we’d actually type a sentence like this, but we’ve had a busy week in the live television department. See, it sounds crazy. Also, about that pic on the right… we didn’t try to match the set. That just happened. And it was hilarious.
By coincidence, two local Richmond stations actually invited us to appear on their programs – ahem – their LIVE programs, this week. That means things from our mouths would go straight to people’s television sets with barely any delay. Yikes. Wait, let me rephrase that. YIKES.
The first was on Tuesday with NBC’s “First at 4” newscast. We were invited by local newsman slash social media enthusiast (slash fellow parent to a Clara, slash friend) Ryan Nobles, who interviewed us about a year and half ago in our house about radon (see the end of this post for the clip which involves proof that Sherry’s crazy). So it was fun to be invited to his place this time around.
Check out the weatherman (Ros Runner) giving his forecast on the green screen in the back.
And here’s our short little interview with Ryan. It was relatively tame on the embarrassment scale, minus when Sherry proclaimed that chalkboard paint is great because “you can tell people what to do.” Twice. She says she couldn’t stop repeating it. (You can also watch it here).
Wanna know a funny secret? As soon as Sherry and I both stepped into place for our interview, the producer paused and said “yeah, I’m gonna get her a box.” Yes, my short wife had to secretly stand on a box behind the news desk the whole time. Ain’t she cute on her little booster step? And hey, if you ever wondered if newscasters wore pants behind their desks…
So thanks again to Ryan and the folks at NBC12 for having us last Tuesday. And thanks also to whatever live TV god prevented us from cursing / fainting / saying the word “fart” instead of art on camera.
With that boost of on-camera confidence, we arrived Thursday morning at CBS6 for our second gig with very few butterflies. OK that’s a lie, we were just slightly less nauseous and Sherry vowed not to work “tell people what to do” into the discussion this time. She also decided to tuck away her security blanket (The Black Blazer) and broke out a jazzy orange number instead. She just told me it’s coral, but I’m a guy so I’m gonna stick with orange.
It also helped that this was a rodeo we’d been to before, way way back in 2009. It’s a local morning program called Virginia This Morning and we’ve been friendly with them since that interview long ago. In fact, they were the ones that Sherry begged to bring The Nate Berkus Show to Richmond (it wasn’t on at all in our market). It didn’t work, by the way (apparently they need more than one crazy fanatic calling to make things like that happen).
We found out when we got there that we’d actually have not one, but two five minute segments. Gulp. But the hosts were so warm and welcoming that it felt pretty simple. Here’s the first clip where we talk about everything from buying ugly things in thrift stores to Clara’s favorite tool. Oh, and Jessica also give us a hybrid celebrity name in the introduction. (You can also watch the clip here).
While we were waiting to come on again we also got to watch this local tween jazz band play Jingle Bell Rock. Spot any future Biebers in there?
Then we closed out the show with this second segment, which was about some fast and easy projects from the book that could act as last minute stocking stuffers or hostess gifts. And Sherry raised her fist in the air for Jersey. Really, that happened. But we happily avoided any wardrobe malfunctions or other FCC-fine-worthy moments. Huzzah! (You can also watch it here).
We’re very grateful to be able to go into the holiday week knowing that we didn’t bring shame to our families or do anything that would ban us from Richmond television for life. But we really have the folks at each station to thank. Seriously, it was great to see Ryan Nobles again – and Jessica Noll was so easy to talk to that we could’ve gone on for hours. But I don’t think they’re looking to add “The Petersiks Blab On And On” to their station line-up anytime soon. #obligatoryweirdfacephoto
Anyone else have any TV experiences that have gone well? Or not so well? Did you cash in on your 15 minutes of fame or get recognized from your moment on air? Did you wear dangly earrings to the first one only to be told not to do that for the second one (ok, Sherry did that and then got all flustered so she grabbed the coral orange blazer for the second show in a moment of panic). Nope, still can’t call it coral.
Melissa van Herksen says
Awesome…but the links played the same clip twice..or maybe my computer is funky. You guys are so cool. i get all dorky when I tell my friends about your blog…happy holidays.
YoungHouseLove says
So weird! Anyone else having this issue? Sorry about that. Maybe try a different browser or something?
xo
s
Melissa van Herksen says
By the way you guys were both such pros! I remember when I lived back in Miami and I had to go on the local news about once/twice a quarter to promote carpooling, public transit, etc. (yeah, super sexy stuff) I always used to watch it back and cringe. I just don’t have a TV voice. The worst was when I had to do the same thing in Spanish. It was fun to go to the studio…but I hated watching the replay. You guys are so natural…great job.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Melissa! I can’t imagine doing it in another language so you’re pretty much my hero!
xo
s
Laura says
GREAT job guys! I was interviewed back in October by Jessica Noll on Virginia This Morning about DIY food stations for weddings and events (I’m an event coordinator for The Boathouse). I was so nervous the whole week leading up to it and my Dad gave me the same “it’s just a conversation” advice….. It really works! Also, my boyfriend, Adam, told me if anything went wrong to get up and do the Gangnam dance to distract everyone. :) Luckily that didn’t happen…….. Here’s the link to my interview:
http://wtvr.com/2012/10/09/virginia-this-morning-diy-wedding-food-stations/
I’ve resisted buying your book since I put it on my Christmas list. I’m hoping Santa brings it next week!
YoungHouseLove says
You did so well! I love it. And the Gangnam dance is the perfect “panic” move. Hahah!
xo
s
Jeni Sandberg says
I’m an appraiser on Antiques Roadshow. I don’t film too many segments, but when I do, it’s weirdly hit or miss. Sometimes it goes great and I think, ‘That was amazing, I am an awesome genius. Really, PBS should just give me my own show!’ Other times, the guest is nervous, which makes me nervous, and the whole thing goes pear shaped, with lots of stammering, babbling and flop sweat. Not pretty.
Wardrobe malfunction: in one city, my skirt was on inside out all day, including when I filmed a segment. It wasn’t obvious, but I just cringe thinking about it!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s awesome! I love it.
xo
s
Mary Proctor says
Sherry -love you in the orange or coral jacket-ditch the black-even though the world did not come to an end yesterday-and start 2013 with a different jacket-you look fabulous in that or any other color-I know it is your “look” but you are gorgeous and you look fantastic in COLOR !!!
Merry Christmas to your precious family.
ColleenwithMurals&More says
Now that I think about my TV experiences I realize it’s a blog post. Lucky you, getting the abridged version.
Last time was a live remote – at the house where I painted a safari nursery mural in 18 x 18 room (including louvered doors, ick). It was supposed to be a plug for my Mural Registry. After my spot they cut back to studio & mentioned people could have a custom mural for $1500. Whaaa? Some random number. ahem. No way I do an entire room for $1500 thankyouverymuch. the male anchor (no offense, John) sat there shaking his head at the thought of $1500. Great. Nice plug.
Oh but wait, it gets better/worse. Rather than linking my website or blog on the station’s site, they linked my email . . . incorrectly.
All of those nerves, and extra makeup, for nada.
Sol says
I really wanted to go to your book signing at SoHo in NYC. It was canceled due to the hurricane.
I’m looking forward next time! Good work guys!
I enjoy so much of your blog and your success story!
Amanda says
You guys looked so good! Aww Sherry, I missed your pretty dangly earrings. lol You looked beautiful either way. :) I haven’t been on the news, but I work for a city in Texas and we filmed a Christmas video to put on the city website. We had to sing Silver Bells, and even though it wasn’t live, but I still managed to look extremely dorky and ridiculous!
http://www.cityofmesquite.com/holidays/
I’m the shortie (4’11 1/2″) by the guitar player, making the weird faces with my crazy wandering eyes. (Seriously, they told us where to look, but I couldn’t stare at that video camera for more than 3 seconds!) lol
Caitlin says
Well, one time I was passed over in an “eating contest” hosted by none other than… Stick Stickly!!! Everyone else at my table (this was years ago at summer camp) stuffed their faces and then the crew started to move on, but saw me and said “Oh you can just have that sandwich, sorry” THANK GOD because it was tuna and even 8-year-old me was thinking “Ugh this is so gross”
BTW, If anyone doesn’t know who Stick Stickly is, he’s a popsicle stick puppet (attached to a bbq skewer for the puppeteer) with a smiley face that used to host Nick in the Afternoon.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Ben says
WOW! I’m in the UK and had no idea this happened, well done for getting such huge exposure :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Ben!
xo
s
Erika says
Loved this post. I’m a tv director in PA and I can assure you that people are standing on boxes more than people think! We have a small box, and then we have a big box for our extra tiny talent!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s cute!
xo
s
Skooks says
Just finished watching the segments. What fun! I’ve been reading you guys for SO LONG . . . hard to remember how many years it’s been, but it was definitely well before you got busted on the name This Young House. Anyway, wish you guys were coming to my city . . . Chicago was the closest I could have gone (still several hours out), but I couldn’t make the trip work. Just wanted to let you know that there is no link working to the little segment you did on the projects you did in the book and how you made them (the last minute gift giving segment). It’s just a repeat of the previous segment. I tried searching on their website, but I could only find the one. Oh well! Hope you guys have a great Christmas and New Year’s. All the best. :)
YoungHouseLove says
So strange! Maybe they changed the url or accidentally deleted that? So sorry! Can you not see the embedded videos in this post? That might help!
xo
s
Rachel K says
Great job!
I competed in a televised singing competition on one of our local stations a few years ago (Seattle Stars – yikes!) and during one of the stand-with-the-host-and-banter-’till-commercial moments, the host asked me “has anyone given you any tips on what to sing” and for some reason my answer was, “um… one person has recognized me!” AAAACK! I have NO IDEA what I was thinking about which made me answer a completely different question all together but I do know that the looks on the faces between the judges and the host were like…”that girl is nuts”. Turns out they were mostly drunk the whole time anyway – they told me after I won. Embarassment for-evah! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahah, you won! That’s awesome!
xo
s
Rayan Turner says
I did a LIVE tv appearance last year, around this time, for budget friendly holiday decor and it was the scariest experience of my life! eek! I don’t even like my picture taken, so I have no idea what made me think I should do LIVE television, but it went really well and I am certain it was the hosts of the show who made everything so comfortable and fun.
Samantha says
Did you guys get a chance to talk to Ryan Nobles about how he & his wife Karey have their own blog as well (http://ourlifewithclara.blogspot.com) & a daughter named Clara! I can see double Clara RVA playdates in your future!
Speaking of their blog, this is their latest post where Karey took a $30 Craigslist find of a train table & painted it to look like Richmond.
*FLAIL/LOVE*
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we’re actually buddies with the Nobles family! They’re awesome- we even had a play date with our Clara’s once!
xo
s
Karen F says
hi John and Sherry (and Clara and Burger) – just stopping by to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope lots of people find your book under their Christmas tree this year! Good luck with the hosting! xx
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Karen!
xo
s
Christine says
Another Richmond story! WCVE had a local “Antiques Roadshow” last year, and I got called in to talk about my antique engagement ring, to determine if the unusual design had a meaning. The appraiser told me that it was a Victorian ring with laurel leaves on it, which in the then-popular language of flowers means “devotion”. I barely said a word through the whole taping, but after they said “CUT”, I said “I was afraid it would turn out to be poison ivy”. The whole studio laughed — why couldn’t I have said that while the cameras were rolling??
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahah, that’s so funny!
xo
s
Priti says
Hey, saw your pics on Twitter! You guys are lukin simply awesome and inspiring as usual…btw Sherry <3 ur sexy blazer! Congrats to both of you for this wonderful step in your life (am not talking abt the booster) ;)Completely loved ur post and video. Cheers and Merry Christmas!!!
Kristin says
I just read a random blog post on another site that featured your book signing. So weird to see. I mean, you are THE blog I read, not other people’s! Lol. Congrats on the book.
Tamara says
Aww you guys are awesome! I stumbled onto your blog 4 years ago…and I have enjoyed every post, even asked advice at times (that you promptly replied to) It has truly been a pleasure watching YHL grow to what it is today, congratulations on all your success…you deserve every single bit! I can’t wait to get my copy of the book :)
Jenny says
I would definitely start calling yourselves Jerry & Shawn as this anchor so subtly suggests when introducing you! Tee hee.