The second incident is almost as bad as the first. Desperate for the publicity, I accepted another interview and returned to what my mother would refer to as the “tic tic tacky” set. In the middle of the interview, I heard a buzzing sound. I tried to ignore it until I saw a wasp swirling around the head of the host. I was terrified that the unwelcomed intruder would venture to my side of the coffee table. He never did, but his friend arrived and landed on the arm of the velvet chair I was occupying.

You should know, I am terrified of most flying insects – but particularly those that can inflict harm. However, taking my cue from the host, I attempted to remain calm and carefully wave the stinging pest away. By the time the third wasp made its appearance, I sacrificed composure and began swatting and ducking while answering questions.

As expected, when the interview was over, the director did not attempt re-tape the segment. This time I didn’t question his decision and made a break for the door. On the way home I thought of some Biblical parallels – didn’t God at one point send locusts? Or maybe it was the devil wanting to make his presence known in a place that gave too much air time to the carpenter from Nazareth.

Months later I was asked to serve as a guest host for the same program. Still haunted by the past experiences, I was uncertain if I would accept the invitation and frankly perplexed as to why I was tapped for this role. “Simple”, they replied, “your good under pressure.”

Although my last experience was uneventful, I know I should have listened to the clear signs that were warning me away from the site of my most embarrasing on-camera moments. However, it has always been difficult for me to decline an invitation to appear on camera. Call it vanity, but in my opinion, I think the devil made me do it!

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