You've seen them and perhaps even participated yourself: the people who honk, dance and generally make a ruckus behind a t.v. reporter while he or she is "going live".

It's one of those things you learn to live with working in t.v. news -- another one the elements like rain, snow or wind that must be dealt with.

Learned to live with - yes; enjoy....um, no. I understand the urge to want to be on television, to call your family and say "Can you see me?". This is a tough topic to discuss because, it's very possible, you the reader will see me as some stuck-up, arrogant princess who doesn't want to deal with the hoi polloi while I'm on t.v.

But, I do ask those people who act crazy when there's a camera nearby to consider this....when you're working, focused and on task, you know how distracting it can be someone walks up wanting to chat and gossip. You feel like you've been thrown off track and will never get back on again. It's kind of like how you'd be if someone drove into your office and honked their horn. You'd be shocked and all concentration would be thrown out the window. Take all that and add in that you've only got one 15-second window to get your job right and factually correct -- and you've got the dilemma of the modern television reporter.

When people start screaming, honking their horns and wanting attention while a reporter is trying to work -- that reporter can come off like a deer-in-the-headlights -- confused and unsure where to look. It's not the competent, confident presentation most reporters strive for.

So, if you want to be on television -- come talk to us, give us your opinions -- we'd be glad to take them. But, please if you can avoid it -- when the lights are on and a reporter is intently talking to a camera -- remember what it would be like if someone came to your office and honked.