Back in my radio days, I had the opportunity to meet a lot of "celebrities" -- backstage at station-sponsored concerts, mostly. Those of you who have ever been involved in a backstage "meet-n-greet" know that you're shuffled in for a quick picture and maybe an autograph, then shuffled out so fast that you barely remember the moment.
Last Friday was different. If you listen regularly to the Stephanie Miller Show (broadcast here in Madison on Air America affiliate WXXM), you know that the show was broadcast live from Madison on Friday. I was lucky enough to not only sit in the "VIP" section, up close to the stage, but to attend a luncheon following the show and actually sit at the same table with Stephanie Miller and Jim Ward.
The show was a tear-inducing riot -- all the way down to the "Dykes on Bikes" leather chick who proposed to Stephanie live when "future husband" Russ Feingold failed to show up for Stephanie's imaginary wedding to him. Over a thousand people had lined up around the block hours before the show, and in true Wisconsin style, started drinking beer at 8am. Only Wisconsinites can turn a radio show into a tailgate party.
"Mama" and the "Voice Monkey" (as they call themselves on the show) are two of the most genuine people I've ever met -- very down to earth, anxious to meet their fans, and friendly as all get-out. And they're just as hilarious off-air as on.
Jim broke into voices over lunch. His Dubya is spot-on, and his James Mason is a dead-ringer. It was Jim's birthday on Friday, so the station had a cake with candles for him and we all sang "Happy Birthday."
You can see the full radio station photo album here, and listen to show bits on the show's website.
Topics of conversation over lunch:
...the Rove indictment that never came; we had all hoped that a Fitz press conference would be announced while they were live.
...the street address of the hotel they stayed at in Madison, the Edgewater: 666 West Wisconsin Avenue.
...2008 presidential candidates (Stephanie likes Wes Clark and Russ Feingold; Jim likes Feingold and Gore).
...Jim's other jobs -- in L.A. theatre, and as a voiceover specialist.
...the amazing show that Stephanie did a couple of weeks back after her dog, Chester, had passed away. Those of you who heard that show know how heartwarming it was.
...their trip to Madison the day before on what they called "Screaming Baby" Airlines.
A very memorable experience, to be sure. Keep an eye on the calendar section of the Stephanie Miller website for future live broadcasts.