Phil Donahue Part III - with a BUNCH of Celebrities!!!

When I arrived in Chicago, a driver holding a Phil Donahue sign with my name on it immediately greeted me.  Those around me were whispering and pointing and in fact, I heard one couple say, “Oh she’s famous --I just can’t remember her name.”

My suite at the Drake Hotel was gorgeous.   There was a fruit basket, champagne and a welcome note from The Donahue Staff, as well as my agenda for the next two days.

So Day One in Chicago ended with me looking over all my notes preparing for my meeting with Phil Donahue the next day.  The taping would not be until Day Three.

Day Two --Chicago 

As I woke up, I realized that this was it this was “the day!”  I looked in the mirror and repeatedly said,   “Tiffany James this is going to be fabulous.  Tiffany James YOU are going to be fabulous.”

I absolutely had to use positive reinforcement.   I could not let my nerves get to me.  As you know, I am a firm believer in “What you say is what you hear.  What you hear is what you believe.”  So I simply kept repeating my mantra, “Tiffany, You will be great.”

I wasn’t really worried about meeting Phil Donahue “the man”, but I was scared to death to meet Phil Donahue the talk show host.  For anyone that remembers his show, his format was simple.  He would interview you pointedly and directly then literally run around the audience with mike in hand and ask controversial questions.   Boy, I was going to have to be on my “A Game.”  And equally important, there was no way to know which questions he would ask and worse how the audience would react.

My pickup was scheduled at 11:00 AM.  I got up early and looked in the mirror --of course I wanted to look fabulous!  I had purposely brought my “That Girl” wardrobe with me.  For those of you who don’t know – “That Girl” was a TV show that starred Marlo Thomas who happened to be married to Phil Donahue. 

At 10:00 I was at the Beauty Salon asking them to merely “cut my bangs.”  By 11:00 I was ready to head to the station.  I was wearing a cute little red dress with an adorable hat.  My makeup was impeccable + I purposely made sure my brown eyes stood out.

I had done several TV shows previously, so I knew the routine.  After the initial “hellos” to a variety of assistants, you are invited into “the green room” to watch the show that was being taped at that moment.    This day was no different.

I was ushered into the Green Room and watched the show. The audience was packed and the stage had a very scruffy looking man with a bandana performing with his band.  I had no idea who he was.  The song ended and the audience clapped fervently while Mr. Donahue said, “Thank you Willie Nelson.”  I still had no idea who he was. 

(As a sideline, there are times I think I’ve lived in a cocoon or better yet I was so focused on what I was achieving, I really did not pay attention to much else.)

Anyway, a few minutes later, in walked Jane the Producer with all smiles.  Less than 5 minutes later, in walked “the scruffy guy” and Phil Donahue.  He was incredibly warm and friendly.   He asked several times, “Have we met before?”  I sweetly smiled and said, “I don’t think so.”  I knew we had not.   He commented, “Boy you look so familiar.”  Of course I did, I looked like his wife!!!  My strategy had worked!

Phil invited me to lunch with he and Willie Nelson.  Basically they both asked me questions about UCW and its success!  It was a great lunch --easy and fun.  “OK, I might be over the nerves,”  I thought.

I went back to the hotel and started going over the segments.  My assistant Karen was due in @ 9:00 PM.  The next day, WJJ and the rest of the entourage were coming in and we were taping the following day.

About 6:30 I decided to go to the restaurant in the hotel for dinner.  I was walking with the Maitre D headed towards my table, when Mr. Donahue spotted me and asked if I would like to join him for dinner.  He was seated with another gentleman whose back was to me.

I, of course, graciously accepted.  As I was seated, I realized the gentleman was Henry Kissinger.  Oh my God.  I was now with one of the most interesting men in the world.  Well, to best describe my reaction...  Do you remember the scene out of Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts “flips” the escargot and says virtually nothing?  Well that was me that night.

No, I didn’t mess up my dinner but I sat there in awe of the conversation about World Leaders.  I mean seriously, I wasn’t going to talk about peek-a-boo undies or corselets with the former Secretary of State.  Though Mr. Donahue did mention my business and Secretary Kissinger did ask a couple of question, bottom line is I was more enthralled with listening to the conversation.

It was amazing!  While one might not think Secretary Kissinger was attractive --when listening to him he became the most desirable man on earth.  He was brilliance at its best.

I excused myself before dessert --being very grateful I had not made a blunder and went upstairs.  Yes in one day, I had met Phil Donahue, had lunch with Willie Nelson and had dinner with Henry Kissinger.  Not bad for a young girl from Lawrence Massachusetts!!  

Only one thing left --to actually do the Show!