I was so freaking close to getting one of my music videos on national television, along with a one-on-one interview for both me and Tag. Get ready for a story people…
On Sunday, Tag and I were cleaning my apartment when I checked my phone and saw this tweet.
If you don’t want to click the link, it says:
@kevin_is_money I am a producer with a national syndicated show in NYC. I wanted to speak to you ASAP about a show we are doing for 1/10.
When I saw it, I was immediately struck by a combination of skepticism and optimism. This could be fake, or it might be real. I checked my email next, and sure enough there was an email waiting for me from Kristen. She said she is producer for the Anderson Cooper Daytime TV Show and wanted me to call her immediately about a media appearance for an upcoming show.
The details of the show are supposed to stay secret until it airs, but it has to do with one of my music videos.
This could really be happening.
I Call Kristen, the Producer
Tag asked me (aka told me) to help her clean something. I said, “Hold on, I need to call a producer from the Anderson Cooper show about my music videos.” She thought I was just making it up to get out of cleaning. Seriously?! Am I the kind of guy who would do that!?!? (hint: yes)
I call the number and Kristen answers. She says she saw my video and loved it. We only talk for a few minutes because she’s on another call but she’s super sweet and complimentary. She says she’ll call me back in 5-10 minutes but she needs to know really quick: “Are you available to fly out to NYC tomorrow night for a Tuesday morning show?”
My response: “Um, sure! I can make that happen.”
This is really happening…
The Waiting Game
5-10 minutes later she hasn’t called back.
30 minutes… nothing.
1 hour… nothing.
I was pretty sure she wouldn’t go from “can you come to NYC” to ignoring me, but I was anxious because I knew it was a short timeframe and I also wanted to finish the call before I left for church choir later that afternoon.
The phone finally rings. Kristen apologizes for getting caught up and taking so long to call me back, and then we start talking about my video. We also start talking about my relationship with Tag.
Kristen becomes very interested in having both of us on the show together, and tells Tag that if she’s willing to come on the show as well, they would fly both of us to New York City. They’d have a driver pick us up at the airport, put us up in a nice hotel, and of course we’d go on the show to talk about prenups. Tag doesn’t love the idea of being on national television, but after a few minutes of thinking about it she agrees.
Perfect!
Kristen just needs to run it by her boss and get approval, and then she’ll call us back to work out logistics.
It’s REALLY happening now…
When Does My Flight Leave?
At this point I had to go rehearse for my church choir. I was just hoping Kristen would call back before church started so I could take the call and work out travel arrangements. With about 20 minutes left before church starts, I get a phone call.
I leave rehearsal to take the call and start talking to Kristin again, but I can immediately tell by the sound of her voice that the news isn’t what I was expecting.
Kristen says that she talked to her boss and it’s gonna be hard to fit a last minute flight into the budget. She says she’ll work on getting approval in the morning, but we may end up just doing a Skype interview instead. She’s still very sweet and nice about everything.
I tell her that either one is fine (although in my head I’m really hoping for the NYC trip) and thanked her for getting back to me. She said she’d call me tomorrow morning to let me know. Kristin didn’t even mention the possibility of dropping my story entirely, but I had a feeling…
This might not be happening.
The Next Morning
I wake up the next morning and start working my full time job, all the while watching my cell phone. Morning in New York ends at 11am CT, so I figure I’ll get a call before then. Of course I’m impatient so I call Kristen at 10am CT. She answers and says she still needs to talk to her boss and that she’ll call back.
Uh oh.
At this point I know the show will literally begin filming in less than 24 hours. I don’t know exactly how daytime TV shows work, but I have a feeling they need the guest list set at least 24 hours in advance. They could make an exception for Matt Damon on short notice, but I have my doubts that they are going to stop the presses to add Kevin McKee to the show.
My suspicions are confirmed when I get the final call from Kristen. The show is already completely full of guests and it looks like there isn’t any room for Tag and I on this episode. As always, she’s very nice and seems truly sorry that it didn’t work out. She said that she really enjoyed speaking with the two of us and will keep us in mind for any future shows.
OK, this definitely isn’t happening. At least not this time.
I Will Be on TV Someday Soon
I’m not mad at Kristen or anyone at the Anderson Cooper show. They have to make a great show and do it on a budget, and if Tag and I didn’t fit in that equation this time then I understand.
I’m a little disappointed, sure, but definitely not mad. One day I will be on TV talking about my videos and how I can deliver the personal finance message differently from anyone else in the world.
A Little Help From My Friends?
In the meantime, maybe you guys can help me out a little bit. Kristen seemed very nice and I believe if it were up to her that we would be on the show. Maybe I just need broader support at the Anderson Cooper show in general.
Imagine if everyone reading this post sent a tweet to @Anderson saying something like “@Anderson I heard @kevin_is_money might be on the show. I’d DEFINITELY watch that episode!” or “@Anderson you have to talk to @kevin_is_money about his financial music videos” or something like that. Please nothing negative, but a bunch of positive tweets from you guys might be the nudge they need to put me on there.
And no matter if I go on that show or not, I always have this website and I have all of you who read every day, so thank you!
Kevin McKee is an entrepreneur, IT guru, and personal finance leader. In addition to his writing, Kevin is the head of IT at Buildingstars, Co-Founder of Padmission, and organizer of Laravel STL. He is also the creator of www.contributetoopensource.com. When he’s not working, Kevin enjoys podcasting about movies and spending time with his wife and four children.
Wow, that’s a whirlwind of events. Sorry it didn’t work out, but now that you’re on her radar, you never know when you might get ‘that call’ especially if they have a slow day coming up. It’s not like your material is time sensitive (it will still be discussion worthy in six months) so I wouldn’t give up hope yet!
That sounds like an awesome opportunity. I’m sorry this one didn’t work out, but I know that you will get others. I’m convinced quality does win out, even if it takes some times to get noticed.
Maybe we should be sending Tweets at Kristen? Guilt trip!
Keep it up, you’ll get on a show eventually!
Dude that sucks!!! But that’s still cool that your video is getting some big time notoriety.
Keep up with the killer videos!
That is quite the whirlwind and really freaking awesome – also, i’m going to use that excuse to get out of cleaning the house next time my fiancee bugs me about it (just kidding)….
That’s disappointing, but at least you made contact. Hopefully she’ll squeeze you in one of the future episodes. Good luck! Don’t forget the little people when you’re rich and famous. 🙂
I hope I am wrong about this but the cynic in me doubts it. When the producers vetted you and found out you were not some bleeding heart ranting about the 1%ers your shot was over. I bet if you had a Che t-shirt on in your video, you would be in the first segment. Just food for thought.
Oh so close!! BUT you are on her radar. She reads your tweets and knows your blog, she obviously likes your attitude. I bet it’s only a matter of time before you are on AC. Good luck!
I worked for a small show on ESPN as a commentator for 3 years and 2 days before we went to tape the show for the 4th year we got dropped because of the economy.
I have learned in showbiz that each moment has nothing to do with the last… That being said they might just pick it back up and do so keep in front of her radar.
You would have had a better chance if Tag would have been a bit more “daytime TVish” on the phone (pitching a fit, yelling, cursing, etc). That’s what AC’s daytime audiance wants.
Aww, sorry to hear that Kevin! The great thing about online is space/time is never a constraint – but with all other media (print, tv, radio) content is always limited. It’s a fine line ensuring you have enough to fill your space (with backups) but always disappointing having to let people down. As PR people know, you can’t ever count on ANY coverage until it’s been published/gone live. Next time hopefully!
WOW! That would have been so awesome! I could say I knew you when lol. If you do get that call to NYC you let me know dinner on this guy
It’s just one step closer. At least you know the “big timers” are watching you.
I saw one of those tweets go out to @anderson today on my twitter feed. Wondered what that was all about. Glad you posted the whole story here. You’ll hit the big time soon enough. I about fell out of my chair laughing when I watched your prenup video. You might be better suited to head straight to the top and get on Leno or Letterman!
So cool, Kevin! Your videos are out there promoting you all the time! Great job! It’s just a matter of time.
Just wanted to add that you have a really great voice! There’s always a singing career as an additional stream of income!
Hey everyone, thank you so much for all the support you’ve given me today. It’s awesome to know that you guys believe in me, and I really do hope that someday soon I’ll be writing a little bit different post. One more like, “Tune into some network to watch me on some big TV show.”
Thanks again for all your support. With readers like you, it makes a little disappointment like this a lot easier! 😀
You think that’s bad? I was almost able to say I was the guy who kind-of-knew-who-you-were-before-your-big-Anderson-Cooper break. That’s bad. Of course, you did get the stardom of being a video link on my blog. That should easily make up for any Anderson Cooper letdown.
Wow, what a ride! Chin up man. Big time is just around the corner. Don’t forget the little people. Plus, who’s Matt Damon? I’d much rather see Kevin the Thousandaire!
That sounds like a great story. None the less it is amazing that with a blog and a little social media you were able to have the possibility to get on the anderson cooper show.
Damn, so close! Here’s best wishes for a repeat chance. It’s bound to happen now.
Wow, what a roller coaster of emotions! I had a similar experience once — many years ago — with a show I was “almost” on. Don’t worry … you’ll get invited back on the air again, soon!! I’m sure of it!!