You’ll have three choices: 1. force Andy to sit through the annual WCNC budget meeting without making sarcastic remarks, 2. force Andy to relive the four straight years his favorite football team, The Buffalo Bills, went to and lost the Super Bowl, or 3. force Andy to work with a scatter brained, knucklehead who nurses an ego the size of Bob Johnson’s (he did name his pro basketball team The ‘Bob’cats).

When you see the numbers flash on the screen pick up your phone and make a choice. (If you really do see phone numbers flashing on the screen during the show, you’re either watching a different show or you need to see a doctor.)

Alrighty, today’s journal is short and sweet. If you like long and bitter… stop reading this one. Try some of my other journals from late 2002 early 2003. You’ll love them.

I’ve had a question rolling around in my head for a month or so. Two of my 12 bosses posed it to me in March when I got back from the Olympics… and it’s gnawing a hole in my brain. As you know, my head doesn’t need anymore holes. One more and it’s a padded room and super-absorbent diaper for this word nerd.

So I’ve decided to pose that question to you… and I’d like to hear your thoughts. You can answer me by e-mail at mredding@wcnc.com.

I realize if you’re reading this you probably watch the show and like it so your answers might be biased. But you’re as good a “focus group” as any, right? And you might have a perspective I can’t… because I’m too close to the product.

Okay, here’s the question: Do you think this show would work if it aired in other parts of the country? Would people in Idaho or Arizona or Oregon or Pennsylvania watch a show about discovering the Carolinas?

Turn it around. Would you watch a show about discovering, say, the Northwest if it was presented the way Andy and I do our show? What’s the biggest draw for you? Is it the Carolinas? Or is it the way we present the people and places of North and South Carolina? Would any of it be at all interesting to you if you didn’t live here?

I know you have busy lives. But if you get a minute to pound out a few thoughts, I’d appreciate it. If I get a bunch, I may not respond individually. So I apologize in advance.

There it is… short and sweet. Rare territory for a wind bag. Is wind bag two words… or one? Or maybe hyphenated? Not sure. Feel free to write your thoughts about that too.

Be well and don’t forget to stop and smell the people,

Mike