01.19.07
Fuzhou Media Circus (Part 2)
So after a week of waiting, Sunday night finally came, and it was time for our 8 minute segment on the Fuzhou News. Because we don’t have a TV, we had to go to a neighborhood shop to watch the segment. We weren’t expecting much, but after some decent editing, the segment actually came out pretty nice. There are shots of Mel and I teaching class, an interview with me, and interview with several students. I will put it up online as soon as I get a CD from the News station, and you can see for yourself. So as if this wasn’t enough media exposure already, we got a call the next day from a Fujian provincial magazine who wanted to make me the “Foreigner of the Month” or something like that. They came to our house and did another interview, and I will likely have another cheesy story about me in yet another medium.
The funniest thing about all this is that because of one simple newspaper article, Mel and I have been basically elavated to rockstar status around Fuzhou. Between interviews, media photo shoots, and banquets with new people who saw us in the media and have requested our services, I’m starting to think we need a secretary. So tomorrow, the magazine is coming to our class to do a photo shoot, and then next week we have an appointment to do the voices on a TV show. I have hardly even had time to write any blogs, but I will try to keep everybody posted as this situation becomes increasingly hilarious.
Derek
said,
January 20, 2007 at 2:42 am
Ben,
Save all your e-mails, keep up your blog as well as you can, and enjoy the media circus–it’s your 15 minutes!
Seriously, you need to write a book about your time in China. Repeat: I am not just saying this–I am serious. Make it a collection of stories or essays or whatever. If you don’t get started on this in the near future, I’m going to do it for you–
We’ll miss you in KC this weekend for Dawn’s wedding reception–be sure to check http://www.derekgale.com soon for photos and IMPORTANT updates–
rebecca
said,
January 27, 2007 at 8:27 am
dude! Send me something with your autograph, I’m gonna sell that shit on ebay. I’ll split it 30/70…we’ll keep your dog in cute sweaters for the rest of her life!!!
Elly
said,
January 28, 2007 at 2:32 am
I agree with Derek
Jamieson
said,
May 30, 2009 at 6:26 am
Hi Ben,
Your stories are hilarious ! I once got roped into a Chinese language Quiz show at the local TV station here in Suzhou. The producers select 3 Laowai as contestants : 1 who speaks great Chinese (a Dutch Guy), 1 who speaks average Chinese (Moi, the Aussie guy) and 1 whose Chinese is pitiful (an American guy).
I spent most of the time joking with the American guy, with the boom camera & mike right in our faces until the floor manager hissed at us to listen to the lady compere.
Wasn’t so bad, I walked away with 500 kuai as second prize, not bad for 90 minutes and being ferried to and from the apartment.
I’d do it again, no worries. At least there was no dancing & singing involved
Cheers,
Jamieson
PS: Ryan McL is a good friend of mine, lives about 200 m from this apartment, same housing compound.