WIL WHEATON dot NET: Where is my mind?: 11835 kHz

October 13, 2003

11835 kHz

"We'll be coming to you in just about two minutes, Wil." The producer's voice was strong and clear in my headphones,

"Okay," I said. I spoke slowly and deliberately, in an effort to hide my nerves.

"Hold on," he said, and clicked off. There was a brief silence, and then I could hear live programming.

I adjusted my headphones, and looked down at my hastily-scrawled notes. I lifted my microphone, and prepared to send my voice out to 150 million people.

One hundred.

Fifty.

Million.

People.

All over the world.

I was about to file a report with the prestigious World Service of the BBC.

When BBC contacted me about covering the recall election, it was originally for radio five's Up All Night programming, reaching an audience of about 300,000. I guess I did something right, though, because after two days, they added me to their breakfast show, which has about six million listeners. The next day, they added me to their afternoon drive show, which has something like four million lsteners! I never dreamed that they'd let me talk to the World Service -- that's the domain of serious journalists (as much fun as I had, and as quickly as I'd do it again, I'm under no false impressions about my abilities as a "real" journalist.)

So there I was, just past nine o'clock at night. Heavy fog had drifted in from the beach, and we were beneath a cone of bright sodium vapor light, parked atop a parking garage in Culver City. The satellite phone sat on the roof of my car, and cables ran through the open sun roof, and across my seats.

My producer, Chris, stood just outside my window, near the dish. He was ready to make adjustments if the signal faded. We shared an excited glance. This was a big deal for both of us.

"You're one minute out, Wil," said the voice from London.

"Thank you," I replied.

I looked over my notes again, and recalled all the things I'd said in the last few days.

"There is little love lost between Californians and our current governor, Gray Davis. . ."

"I spoke with several volunteers at Schwarzenegger's headquarters here in Santa Monica earlier today . . . "

"Davis's aides claim their internal polls show support for the recall slipping below 40% . . ."

"Allegations of sexual misconduct haven't slowed Arnie at all. Today he spoke to supporters in Huntington Beach . . ."

"The polls have closed in California's historic recall election, and the results are coming in," the presenter said. I exhaled heavily, and drew a steadying breath. "Let's go now to the BBC's Wil Wheaton in California , who is following the story. Hello, Wil."

"The BBC's Wil Wheaton?!"

I didn't have time to savor (savour) the moment. I was live.

"Good morning, Julian," I said. If I'd allowed myself the luxury of actually enjoying the moment, I would have thought of all the BBC correspondents in exotic and dangerous locations all over the globe. I was joining them, albeit briefly, from this rooftop parking garage behind Ross and Albertson's, on Washington Boulevard in Culver City.

"What are the latest returns, Wil?"

I looked down at my notes . . . and realized that I didn't know. In all the driving around, in all the filing, somehow I'd missed this most fundamental fact. I swallowed hard . . . and saw Ryan's portable TV sitting on my knee, tuned to KCAL. A graphic on this 2 inch screen provided my answer.

"With 45% of precincts reporting, 56% of voters have said 'yes' to recalling Gray Davis," I read. I dragged beads of sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand.

I can't recall anything else. I know that we spoke for another five or six minutes, (which I'm told is an eternity in radio terms), but I was so focused, and my brain moving so quickly, I don't remember a bit of it.

Well, I do recall one embarassing thing.

The host asked, "Do you think this recall will have any consequence beyond your state's borders?"

"There is a saying, 'as California goes, so goes the nation,'" I began, "but pundits are quick to point out that this particular election was quite extraordinary: we had a fantastically unpopular governor who was unable to muster support within his own party, and an even more popular movie star who told voters exactly what they wanted to hear.

"The voters I've spoken to over the past week who were planning to cast a vote in favor of the recall and for Schwarzenegger were very angry with Gray Davis, and his presupposition with fund raising."

That's right. presupposition. Is that even a word? I guess so. I meant to say "preoccupation," but my nervous tongue was thick and clumsy. My brain screamed at me, "WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT? 'PRESUPPOSITION?!' YOU MORON!"

I held up a mental hand to quiet myself, and continued.

"Schwarzenegger has pledged to remove the special interests from Sacramento, and return the state to the people," I paused briefly. "and in the coming months, we'll see if he can make good on that promise."

"Thank you, Wil," he said, "That was BBC correspondent Wil Wheaton, speaking to us live from Los Angeles."

The London producer spoke into my headphones again, "That was absolutely brilliant work, Wil. Thank you!"

I tried to remain professional. "Thank you very much," I said.

"Cheers," he said, and clicked off.

I took off my headphones, let my head fall back, and dropped the mic into the empty seat next to me. A familiar exhilaration raced through me, reminiscent of the feeling I have when I walk offstage after a good performance: adrenaline rushes though my veins, and my body actually tingles.

I jumped up, out of the car, and shot both my fists into the air.

"That was AWESOME!" I said.

"You were really good," Chris said, "You have what it takes to be a top-knotch reporter, if that's what you want to do."

"Did you hear me say 'presupposes'? What the hell was that about?"

"I don't think anyone noticed," he said, "everything else was brilliant. You should be very proud of yourself."

I was proud of myself, but I didn't want to let it go to my head. I still had one more report to file about 90 minutes later, and I didn't want to get complacent.

Posted by wil at October 13, 2003 12:39 PM

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» http://www.serenitysjournal.com/archives/000457.html from Serenity's Journal
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Comments

This isn't the best-written entry I've ever done, but I wanted to get it done before the events are too far from my mind, and my attention is really focused on Just A Geek right now.

This will eventually get re-written (ala Vega$Pants).

Posted by: wil at October 13, 2003 12:10 PM

Hey man, really nice job. I am a loyal listener to Boston's NPR station run out of Boston University, and they pipe in the World Service on their off hours. You should be really, *really* proud of yourself.

mmmsoap

Posted by: mmmsoap at October 13, 2003 12:19 PM

I'd like to be a reporter, if I knew anything. I doubt the BBC needs a reporter on the quirky world of snowdome collecting, the rise of retro, or a macintosh pundit.

I used to do college radio and I hate to say it the only way to get past all the news reading is to read it and not think about it. Worry on getting it out and sounding right what it says. Just read it, quick and crisp. No brain overcomes a fussy tongue. Which explains most US tv anchors.

Posted by: jen at October 13, 2003 12:20 PM

Do you think HRH the Queen listened in?

Posted by: Draken at October 13, 2003 12:22 PM

You are, in every decipherable manner, the man.

I caught myself saying misunderestimate the other day into a headphone going over to a crew of smart-ass studio techs.

You may have been going out to 150 million people, but at least it wasn't a bushism. Be nice to you.

Posted by: Sol at October 13, 2003 12:23 PM

Hey Wil, No way we can get an MP3 of your reporting is there? I'd love to hear it.

Posted by: Kate at October 13, 2003 12:27 PM

Coolness under fire. That is what counts, Wil!

Posted by: Eva at October 13, 2003 12:32 PM

I heard your broadcast here on NPR in Colorado. I thought you did a very credible job. You did sound just like a BBC reporter. If I didn't know better, I would have never known you were a geek. :-) Way to go Wil!

Posted by: Israel at October 13, 2003 12:43 PM

Kate hit it on the head. How about getting BBC to give you a tape of your reporting and posting it. I am sure we would love to not only hear you say presupposition, but to hear all the things you said right. Look at the bright side. You could have said presuppository.

Posted by: Bill at October 13, 2003 12:51 PM

I presuppose no one noticed

Posted by: buntz at October 13, 2003 12:52 PM

Wow, I need to find a BBC station around here.

Posted by: blair at October 13, 2003 01:02 PM

Great job, Wil!

I probably would have been as nervous as you if I was sending my voice to 150 million people. Hell, I get nervous speaking in front of 20+ people. I can only imagine what it was like for you, but seeing as this entry was so well written I actually got anxious reading it. *laughs*

Well, glad you kept cool under pressure and didn't end up swearing out loud as I would've done ahem. Congrats!

Posted by: Grace at October 13, 2003 01:05 PM

I really enjoy reading your stuff, Wil, and I don't mean to nitpick, but I'm an editor by trade. So I hope that when you rewrite this, you'll correct "top-knotch" to "top-notch." But the entry was very "you are there!" Kudos on a job well done!

Posted by: Debra at October 13, 2003 01:10 PM

Sweet! Comments are back.
Willy and the Beeb! Good job dude!

Posted by: nitz at October 13, 2003 01:16 PM

Look at YOU! Way to GO Uncle Willy! Who duh thunk of Uncle Willy as the Grand Poobah of BBC?! WOO WOO! We love you, Man!!!

Posted by: Christine at October 13, 2003 01:21 PM

Congrats, Wil! Have you given serious thought yet to a permanent (side) career in journalism? You certainly seem to have the chops.

Posted by: Elayne Riggs at October 13, 2003 01:22 PM

There is, in fact, such a word as "presupposition"; Suzette Haden Elgin uses it in her work to describe parts of a statement which are obvious to a native speaker of the language, but contained nowhere within the words of that sentence.

I have no idea if that will make you feel better. :-)

Posted by: Andrew at October 13, 2003 01:38 PM

Wil, you were doing this from a rooftop parking garage in Culver City...how do you know that their other reporters aren't doing the same thing (from their respective climates of course). Congrats on a good report. Now us Californians have to cross our fingers.

Posted by: ScottMcW at October 13, 2003 01:41 PM

Congrats on a job well done, Wil! The BBC's Wil Wheaton, that's totally awesome!

Posted by: druidGirl at October 13, 2003 02:01 PM

Good Job Wil, wish I could have listened in, I hope you can get a recording of it!

Posted by: Rob Symington at October 13, 2003 02:05 PM

Uh . . . turns out I had too much coffee and not enough spellcheck, so I fiXx0r3d as many top0ezxors as I could find.

Thanks to everyone who (kindly) pointed them out :)

Posted by: wil at October 13, 2003 02:30 PM

Now THAT'S the t-shirt I want! "The BBC's Wil Wheaton" over a Union Jack flag!

GREAT JOB man, I'm proud of you!

Posted by: Kalel38 at October 13, 2003 02:33 PM

Wil,

Well done. You should be proud of yourself.

As to your comment of 'I'm under no false impressions about my abilities as a "real" journalist.' I'd like you to consider this: What makes a 'real journalist'?

A journalist is a person that tries to find out the facts and present them in a manner that his public can understand. No one can be completely accurate but a journalist tries anyway. No one can be completely unbiased but a journalist tries anyway.

Also, remember that there is a big difference between a journalist and a commentator. A journalist discovers and reports; a commentator takes what a journalist does and adds opinion. A good commentator tries to tie a report into a larger picture; a good journalist tries to tie a report to people and human interest.

I think you are and can be a fine journalist. You've already got the commentator part down...

chris

Posted by: Chris Hansen at October 13, 2003 02:46 PM

My cousin David was doing a story for the BBC (a politics show) in Boston recently. You keep going the way you are and he won't get his free flights to the U.S. anymore!

keep it up, m8! :)

Posted by: Shruiy at October 13, 2003 02:48 PM

I wonder if Arnold's victory also doesn't relate to two other recent American phenomena:

* the perception that the skills needed to win an election are not the same as the skills needed to govern
* the reduction of politics from competing philosophies to competing brand names

Consider - a "brand name" is created and a celebrity does even more than mere endorsement -- he acts as the front for the brand by running for office. Two messages are communicated by the celebridate: "I am a political outsider and I can represent you because I am not compromised" and "I know I am a beginner at this so I will have all these top notch advisors to help me".
The classic example is Jesse Ventura from my own state. He did use good quality advisors and was a better governor than expected (at least until he got bored) mostly because he let other people do most of the the real work while he golfed and made celebrity appearances.

(A side note: the biggest benefit of the California election will be to remove Jesse from national exposure and thus spare Minnesota further embarassment. Thank you, California!)

Posted by: Steve at October 13, 2003 03:03 PM

Hey Wil,

i am soo proud of you! Well done, as we brits say, and keep at it! hope to hear more of you on the BBC!!! and yeah, i like that idea for the t shirt! ha ha

love rach
xxx

Posted by: rach at October 13, 2003 03:10 PM

We're a lot alike in some ways, Wil. I always beat myself up over the small things, instead of looking at the bigger picture. It sounds like you finally came around, though, and started to realize the great work you did.

Posted by: James at October 13, 2003 03:16 PM

Wil Wheaton: 100% Awesome

Kudos on the radio show, are you soon to be writer/journalist/actor?

Posted by: Abe at October 13, 2003 03:17 PM

Coooool

Posted by: Sean Wardwell at October 13, 2003 03:27 PM

Awesome, Wil.
:-)

Posted by: ionicus at October 13, 2003 03:30 PM

hey wil,
please see if you can post a copy of your report, it'd be great to hear it for those of us who are either in bed or, more likely, in the pub drinkin' (mmmm) sweet beer!
My boyf's a Guiness monkey too!

Great stuff dude...I mean GEEK!
:)

Posted by: dorinda j gear at October 13, 2003 03:36 PM

"presupposition" is my new favorite word.

Any word on if they want you to do more for them now that Ahnold is guvnah and this whole recall is over?

Posted by: ANGRY BEEF at October 13, 2003 03:43 PM

Andrew wrote: Wil, you were doing this from a rooftop parking garage in Culver City...how do you know that their other reporters aren't doing the same thing

That's what they do here in Jerusalem. CNN and BBC get the roof of the "Jerusalem Central Studios", the poorer guys do it at street level.

BTW, any news on the MP3s? I love to hear it too.

Posted by: Geoffrey S. Mendelson at October 13, 2003 04:03 PM

Good job Wil!

Posted by: Nathe at October 13, 2003 04:25 PM

That's fantastic! Congratulations!!

Posted by: Karen at October 13, 2003 04:26 PM

Contrats Will. What an honor and perhaps an opportunity...

Posted by: Mitch at October 13, 2003 04:28 PM

You ROCK, brotha man.

Congratulations.

Posted by: joemorf at October 13, 2003 04:31 PM

Radio gets a little easier the more you do it - it has the advantage of being very separated from the audience, much moreso than almost any other media. That said, I was nervous as hell my first few weeks as a radio DJ, and I was only speaking to a few hundred thousand people.

Good job - hope you get more chances like that one.

Posted by: Michael Doss at October 13, 2003 04:41 PM

I think it's wonderful. I wish I could've heard the broadcast. And it may not be pefectly written, but it tells the story just how it needs to be told. :)

Posted by: firefly at October 13, 2003 05:23 PM

ain't live radio fun!...it gives rise to many new words and phrases...when i was on the air as a 15 year old i read a story about china...which contained a bunch of hard for me to pronounce chinese names...i sailed though every one of those chinese names perfectly...then at the very end when i got to the cause of death of a prominent chinese politician...i reported he died of "pon-ome-ee-ah"...instead of pneumonia...in the huge relief of making it through all those names i crashed at the finish line.

Posted by: d. burr at October 13, 2003 05:25 PM

Congratulations, Wil. Once again, you rock.

I'm proud to be in your Posse.

Posted by: Adele at October 13, 2003 05:33 PM

I don't want to sound like all of your other obsessive fanboys here, but holy fucking shit, Batman! It's beyond my comprehension to go live before one hundred fifty million people. The numbers are downright staggering. Way to go, you've done something that's usually reserved for heads of state. And you didn't completely mangle the language like a certain head of state that comes to mind.

Posted by: Kevin M. at October 13, 2003 05:33 PM

*wild, unadulterated applause*

Way to go, Wil!

Posted by: zchamu at October 13, 2003 05:35 PM

Congratulations, Wil! One of my fondest memories is of when i was in elementary school downtown, but living in the suburbs. Every morning, my father would drive us to school, and we'd listen to the BBC-WS feed on CBC Radio. i remember, vividly, always having the utmost respect and admiration for these incredibly professional, intelligent, and calm people ensuring that each part of the world knows what's going on in the other parts. i don't doubt that you belong firmly in their ranks.

Well done.

-Daniel

Posted by: Daniel at October 13, 2003 05:40 PM

Oh Lord, Wil. I totally related to the say-the-wrong-word-when-your-nervous syndrome. I feel like an idiot when that happens. However, the part that you told us you said does sound very well spoken and intelligent. Nah, don't worry about that small error. No one noticed.

Thank God for the TV on your knee! Oh holy crap, that would have been awful! Nice save. :-)

Posted by: Angelwwolf at October 13, 2003 05:48 PM

It may not be that bad. You don't have to look at all 150 million people. Odds are at least one of them will be picking their nose. And you don't have to worry about what to do with your hands. I tend to see the bright side on everything.
Keep up the good work.
Tullman

Posted by: Joe Tullman at October 13, 2003 05:48 PM

Dude... this is exactly what you have been saying to yourself about never second-guessing how things can turn out. Most of the personal elevations in life happen out of unusual circumstances. The reason you did that report is because you are good... and they rewarded you for it. So I say... Go for it!
P.S. Please get the book done first... I've dog-eared my signed copy of DB and I need a new victim! Thanks

Posted by: Nick Devor at October 13, 2003 06:01 PM

You adroitly avoided referring to the voting masses as "punters".

Posted by: Fred Fowler at October 13, 2003 06:43 PM

Congratulations Wil, I didn't get to hear, but I'm sure it was great. My experience in radio is, the less you remember, the better it means it is.

Posted by: rinnywee at October 13, 2003 06:47 PM

How exciting! I wish I could have caught the broadcast.

Posted by: kendoka at October 13, 2003 06:54 PM

A second to Kate's request for the MP3!

Posted by: Jim_66 at October 13, 2003 07:25 PM

Rock on. :D

Congrats, Wil!

Posted by: 'mee at October 13, 2003 07:46 PM

Is there a MP3 out there of this occasion?

Posted by: Matt at October 13, 2003 08:00 PM

It's always an inspiration to read how hard you work and how much that hard work pays off (both in the realms of career and life). It's amazing to watch you succeed.

Dude. You rock my world.

Posted by: trifles at October 13, 2003 08:14 PM

seems like ages since i've written in the comments section here....did i miss something?..didn't you take this comments thing down wil?...
anyhow, i'm sure glad to see it back up again, and even more glad to hear about the BBC report going so well...

wow..and to be introduced as 'BBC's Wil Wheaton..'

seriously...that fucking rocks man....big time....

all the best to you and the family, congrats on everything lately....
the book, the reports, having arnie for a gov...

hhhaha...

jez kiddin...
;)

tyson

Posted by: Tyson at October 13, 2003 08:27 PM

AWWW!!! YAY!!! great entry, great story! so happy for you, Wil..er...I mean "the BBC's Wil Wheaton"!!! :)

Posted by: kb at October 13, 2003 08:27 PM

"I didn't have time to savor (savour) the moment. I was live."

good one, wil.

Posted by: h at October 13, 2003 08:33 PM

Way Cool,, great Job,,congrats,,been there!!! presure CAN be Tough,, btw, didn't you do a few Reports for Channel One way back in the early stages of their roll out.. was pretty sure I had seen some images of you in some of their screen captures for some of the printed material,, (I used to work for the parent company-Whittle Communications-NOW DEFUNCT, of course,,),, anyhow YOU delivered !!!!

Posted by: Danman at October 13, 2003 08:36 PM

Hey! That's the thrill of radio, Wil! --Few people realize that it can be an amazing medium. Listen to Orson Welles's radio play of "A Christmas Carol" from, like, 1936. --It's amazing, and at the heart of what I feel is the "magic" of radio.

All you're armed with are your voice and your intellect...your mind racing...thinking four sentences ahead....

Congratulations! You did fabulously.

Posted by: AT at October 13, 2003 08:42 PM

Chill, Wil. "parked atop a parking garage in Culver City" is a great place to report from. During my radio career I did a lot of remotes, and what I looked for in a location was a place with a strong signal, minimal ambiant noise, and a low possibility of some moron running up and screaming "Baba Booey!" halfway through my piece. It may sound cool to say you're reporting from the heart of the action, but it's radio, not TV. Location adds nothing, and may well detract if someone starts honking their horn, shooting off their gun, or just being a dick.

Great job, Wil! And if you can get an mp3, I'd love to hear it.

Posted by: Logan at October 13, 2003 08:58 PM

Interesting comments Logan....in fact, the BBC prefers to have some ambient noise, if appropriate. Our view is that a sense of location adds everything to a live report - otherwise what's the point of being on location? You might just as well be in a studio. Radio is, in the view of the World Service, as much about sound as speech. Still, different radio stations have different styles...

Anyway, you might be interesed to know what the editor of the programme said about the recall election coverage....this is taken from his programme report:

'It was a busy night after 0500, and with rather a lot of Arnie in it. We dipped into his acceptance speech live a couple of times, and had clips straight after. Good to have Fergus in Sacramento, but for us it was even better to have Will (sic) Wheaton.'

Posted by: Lord Reith at October 13, 2003 09:26 PM

Wil,
You wrote alot. I know before it is all said and done that you will wright at least ten books. You have the ruff draft for nine and a half already. Be carefull writing for those newspapers or magazines, these days, because they will edit your story. I guess California is a great place to wright. I hope your new elected star does everyone good.

Posted by: Fabian at October 13, 2003 09:38 PM

As always, Wil. A stellar show. You really know how to please an audience. That's for sure.

I for one am proud to have visited the site of BBC'sWW!

Lemme know if you wanna go out for drinks sometime in Culver City! I'm buying.

Just JJ
jjandbird.com

Posted by: JJ at October 13, 2003 09:52 PM

From Logan: "During my radio career I did a lot of remotes, and what I looked for in a location was a place with a strong signal, minimal ambiant noise, and a low possibility of some moron running up and screaming "Baba Booey!"

Oh, that's too funny, Logan. I guess that is always a possibility, huh?

Posted by: Angelwwolf at October 13, 2003 09:57 PM

Wil,

If you have an MP3/OGG (or URL?) of your BBC broadcasts - I'm sure that I speak for many WWDN readers when I say that we'd like to hear what you had to say.

Posted by: Brad Zimmerman at October 13, 2003 09:59 PM

That sounds really awesome, Wil. I wish I could have actually heard it! I have to find out what radio station in L.A. carries the BBC.

Posted by: Scott T at October 13, 2003 10:47 PM

"BBC correspondent Wil Wheaton"

That is so very keen. Keep it up, Wil!

Posted by: Roy at October 13, 2003 11:03 PM

That was so great! Congratulations, Wil! I guess the audioblog was good practice, wasn't it? And if you can't get an audio copy of your broadcast, how about a written transcript? I'd love to know what you said. And from your entry, I bet you'd like to know, too! :D Again, congrats!

Posted by: loretta652 at October 13, 2003 11:07 PM

Hello, Interesting Article. Seems like a great experiance. I wasn't able to find the reports on the BBC's audio archives, but I did find a few interesting links. The first link is article about weblog's and lists yours as best of 2002:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/sci_tech/2000/dot_life/1799998.stm

The next one lists all of the BBC's different radio stations. You can listen live on the web:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/

The last one is a link to the World Radio Network. You can listen to Short Wave Radio from around the world, like the BBC, or Radio Australia, etc:

http://www.wrn.org/

Posted by: Raol Kloss at October 13, 2003 11:24 PM

I suppose you then pictured them all in their underwear, got turned on by the thought of 75 million nearly-naked women hanging on every word, then got so nervous you couldn't utter a word.

Right?

Posted by: synchronicity at October 13, 2003 11:27 PM

Great article. It's strange that in the UK I can't pick up the world service on normal terrestrial radio, but I've enjoyed it a lot while I've been working overseas. It's a vital news resource for millions - well done on getting on there!

As an aside, I'm glad that you're aware of the proper spelling of the word "savour" ;o)

To add to the links above, the BBC World Service has an interesting web presence here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/index.shtml

Posted by: Rutty at October 13, 2003 11:53 PM

Wil, I work in TV, and believe me, if your aim is to be a serious reporter, you'll fit right in with words like presupposition. Why, just the other day, we reported that the Dow Jones "Plumetated."

Posted by: Josh at October 14, 2003 12:10 AM

Fantastic Wil. This is going to look sooo coool on your resume.

Wil Wheaton, Political Reporter for BBC World Service.

Woo hoo!

Posted by: MarkInOz at October 14, 2003 12:14 AM

That's just so nifty, I can't even say.

Posted by: Binky LaRoue at October 14, 2003 12:37 AM

Wow. "The BBC's Wil Wheaton!" Sweet! Here we've been reading the website of a reporter for one of the world's most repsected news outlets, and didn't even know it!

Kudos, Wil! Here's to living out a dream that alot of us radio junkies will never get to do, and doing a good job of it.

Forget about the preoccupation/presupposition slip. To the Britts, it probably sounded like a normal American thing, which it was. We're only human, after all.

And when the grandkids say "Pappy Wil? You were a reporter for the BBC?" You can tell them "Yep, and I did it from inside a car on top of a parking garage." And then, they can look at you with so much love and say "Wow..."

/delusions of grandeur

Posted by: Eric at October 14, 2003 01:04 AM

Rats! Wil was on the World Service (which I usually listen to at night when BBC Radio 4 finishes for the evening) and I missed it - because I was listening instead to a tape of The Reduced Shakespere Company!
Well Done Wil - a BBC Correspondent! Keep it up and you'll be replacing Alastair Cooke on "Letter From America"!
Au Res.,
Paul (who would also like to hear a recording - the Beeb MUST have one!)

Posted by: Paul Bines at October 14, 2003 01:28 AM

"I didn't have time to savor (savour) the moment."

Damn right. Now you're an official representative of the Beeb, let's have a little less of this 'center' and 'license' nonsense.

Posted by: James Casey at October 14, 2003 01:36 AM

My licence fee helped
pay for this?
Swweeeetttt......

*Feels a warm glow by association*

Posted by: Snork at October 14, 2003 01:41 AM

I was on the radio once. It was a pre-recorded interview at the launch of a handbook for chemistry clubs in schools, and we were there because we'd come second in a national competition organised by the same company who were doing the handbook. Evidently they wanted to show off their involvement in school science by having us there, but the nice people from BBC Radio 4's 'Science Now' came and interviewed all of us, and I was one of the ones they broadcast! It was an amazing feeling (even though it was when my voice was breaking so I sounded really terrible) and then the sound man looked at me and said I should go into radio. Wow!

And now I'm a computer programmer. Oh well. What I'm attempting to say is that broadcasting live on the BBC World Service must've been a thousand times the feeling I had from being on the radio (at the very least), and for some reason I can't stop grinning about it.

Are you by any chance a projective empath?

Posted by: MaW at October 14, 2003 04:55 AM

Wil Wheaton: author/actor/BBC Correspondent. Niiiice. :) Great job!

Posted by: Nadia at October 14, 2003 05:11 AM

I'm sure that everybody who has ever put any time in on a microphone has their "goof" stories.

I only ever did broadcasting in high school, and did play-by-play for the sports teams. After one basketball game, my partner and I were on camera doing the wrap-up, and as we closed out I got our names switched around.

Twenty two plus years later, and they still give me a hard time about it.

Posted by: Keith Rose at October 14, 2003 05:59 AM

TV's Wil Wheaton is dead. Long live the BBC's Wil Wheaton!

Posted by: ToastedAmigo at October 14, 2003 06:20 AM

Great Job Wil!

and by the way it's HRM The Queen, The queen is a majesty not a highness.

Posted by: Beth at October 14, 2003 06:26 AM

Go Wil!
Good on ya.

Posted by: Delphine at October 14, 2003 06:46 AM

All of the license fee payers in the UK now own you, Mr Wheaton.

Never forget that.

Now I want two pieces of toast for breakfast followed by freshly squeezed OJ...

Your passport is in the post.

Welcome to the Kingdom.

Posted by: EnglishBen at October 14, 2003 06:52 AM

Main Entry: pre·sup·pose
Pronunciation: "prE-s&-'pOz
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French presupposer, from Medieval Latin praesupponere (perfect indicative praesupposui), from Latin prae- + Medieval Latin supponere to suppose -- more at SUPPOSE
Date: 15th century
1 : to suppose beforehand
2 : to require as an antecedent in logic or fact
- pre·sup·po·si·tion /(")prE-"s&-p&-'zi-sh&n/ noun
- pre·sup·po·si·tion·al /-'zish-n&l, -'zi-sh&-n&l/ adjective

Well, at least its a real word Wil. Congrats on the burial of TV's Wil Wheaton and the birth of the BBC's Wil Wheaton and Author Wil Wheaton. And for the rest of us Ubergeekdom's Wil Wheaton! You're an inspiration to us all, keep up the good work!

Posted by: Ian at October 14, 2003 06:56 AM

I think you get extra points for having someone with the title of "Lord" post a comment.

You are, without a doubt, the friggin' man.

Posted by: The New Guy at October 14, 2003 07:09 AM

Congrats, sounds like a job well done!

Posted by: Shannon S at October 14, 2003 07:32 AM

A rising tide lifts all boats- you're improving life for geeks everywhere! Good job!

Posted by: FNR_Thomas at October 14, 2003 07:38 AM

wow, and I used to get nervous when I worked the board at a local public television station. I can't imagine working bbc.
--C. Alan

Posted by: C. Alan at October 14, 2003 07:45 AM

I'm a pretty serious news junkie. I watch too much CNN and listen to too much NPR. I hear top notch reporters make little word mistakes like that all the time. I don't think anyone thinks any less of them or even notices it most of the time.

Posted by: David at October 14, 2003 07:52 AM

Child actor, Child star, Comedian, Writer and now a Reporter. Way to go Wil!!

-gil

Posted by: Gilbert at October 14, 2003 07:52 AM

Hi Wil,

First off, well done. I'm so proud of you! I think it's fantastic that someone sane is being given the opportunity to present this situation to the world.

I went trawling on the web for links to see if anyone else had noticed you on the Beeb, and came across this rubbish: http://www.stupidlyhappy.com/archives/000826.html.

I'm "bard" on there, too. And I stuck up for you. Sorry I couldn't be more eloquent, but it's 1am here in Oz, and I just didn't have the patience.

Posted by: bard at October 14, 2003 07:57 AM

Wil,
I'm happy for you. Reporter on top of everything else you do, it's amazing really. Talk about a guy of many talents! Have fun with it above everything else!
~Nicholas~

Posted by: Nicholas at October 14, 2003 07:59 AM

all i can say is..
well done wil. its an amazing acheivement and another string to your bow.

you should be and very rightly so proud of yourself.

in the future please put up the gmt times you're on, i'ds love to be able to listen..

think i'll watch that austin powers movie again..bbc indeed.

Posted by: rakesh patel at October 14, 2003 08:08 AM

You indeed rock! Love the BBC radio feed late at night on our local NPR station. I would have given anything to hear that live.

Posted by: ChozSun at October 14, 2003 08:18 AM

BBC... Aren't they the ones that enjoy a nice warm beer on cloudy summer evening? Ahh, how I do envy them for their unique passtime.

While visiting a family of warm beer drinkers (yes, they were British), I was served some imported (warm) beer that the man of the house swore by.

After taking a healthy gulp from this somewhat expensive bottle of warm pain, I tried to be considerate of my hosts, as I heavily censored my opinion. I now know what Calista Flockhart must feel like after a full three course meal just before rating sweeps.

But seriously Wil - Congratulations on this truly great accomplishment. I think you may have found your second calling. :)

Eric

Posted by: Eric B at October 14, 2003 08:42 AM

Dude, you're HUGE!
So why did you have a TV with you anyway? Seems a wierd thing to have along when preparing for a radio broadcast. I'm wondering if there's someone who unwittingly played a part in your skin-of-the-teeth save.
Rock on!

Posted by: Andy Cohoe at October 14, 2003 08:55 AM

Holy crap dude! That is so freaking awesome!

Yes, five to six minutes of talking is an eternity, especially in music-oriented formats (particularly when you have a Program Director hellbent on pounding into your brain "one thought per break, no more than 60 seconds").

I am so very jealous of you right now, it's not funny.

Posted by: Robert W. Leu at October 14, 2003 09:06 AM

Congrats from London! I was listening and us Brits are giving you the thumbs up!

Posted by: Nancy at October 14, 2003 09:07 AM

I envy you man. :) Great job!

Posted by: Erik at October 14, 2003 09:11 AM

Wil, it is so YOU to share your "misspoken" moment with everyone here. That's what makes you the successful actor/geek/author/(and, yes) journalist that you are. Keep up the great work--you are an inspiration in being genuine.

Posted by: Betsy at October 14, 2003 09:17 AM

Good Job! the fact that you can say anything under that kind of pressure is amazing. I would have been too nervous. I heard a saying that there are more people with a fear of public speaking then death. So that means that most people would rather be dead then give the uligy (sp?). So since you can do public speaking you definately have a rare gift.

Posted by: Trish at October 14, 2003 09:57 AM

Followed the link bard...it wouldn't work...but found the site anyway. What an idiot. So I added my two cents to your comment.

Wil - great job. You are an inspiration.

Posted by: Barb at October 14, 2003 10:07 AM

Thanks, you guys.

But I have to clarify: I'm not "officially" with the BBC or anything. I don't even have a regular gig with them . . . though I'd take it in a second if they asked!

I guess I just feel like calling myself a BBC correspondent after this one thing would be like calling myself a hockey player after one scrimmage with the Kings where I got lucky and scored a goal.

:-)

Posted by: wil at October 14, 2003 10:17 AM

"Got lucky and scored a goal"?

Getting luck would invlove leaving with all your limbs still attached. Scoring a goal would require:

1) Devine intervention.
2) Actual talent.

Guess which one everyone is leaning towards in this particular example.

And one verbal slip-up after 5 minutes of talking is pretty amazing. I'm lucky to string 3 words together without a hitch.

So how does becoming an internationally known News Guy fit into the whole plan for WORLD DOMINATION!!! (?)

Posted by: Mark Storer at October 14, 2003 10:42 AM

I'm the guy who wrote the 'critical' post. I'm not so much of a smartass that I can't admit I was wrong. I've had a good look round Wil's site and his writing, and he's obviously a good guy.
I was just trying to be ironic and 'funny'. Sorry Wil. You're a decent bloke and I wish you all the best with the career, and I hope yo do lots more work with the BBC.

Posted by: Terry at October 14, 2003 10:48 AM

Congrats, Wil.

I love that you did your broadcast from the same place I used to park while I was eating my lunch in my car back when I was working in radio.

Posted by: :: jozjozjoz :: at October 14, 2003 10:58 AM

So far, the malapropism count is:

GeorgeWBush: 23,792
WilWheaton: 1

And at least yours was an actual word, that almost fits in the sentence. Good job.

Posted by: Guy at October 14, 2003 11:04 AM

That was wicked awsome!

Posted by: Tery at October 14, 2003 11:24 AM

I'm British and I have tell you, BBC radio can, from time to time, suck. We have a thing called Radio 2 where the age group of listeners ranges from 72 to 102. It's Snoresville. Radio 5 live however does tend to focus on more exilerating things (excluding football). It's cool to know that our broadcasting company does actually have some taste, I hope they bring you back again soon:)
And it is ACTUALLY HRH Royal Highness, just so ya know

Posted by: Annie at October 14, 2003 11:29 AM

Thanks, Critical Terry. No hard feelings. :-)

And Thanks Guy for making me shoot coffee out of my nose.

Posted by: wil at October 14, 2003 11:31 AM

Go forth and rock, Wil.

Posted by: David-Reed at October 14, 2003 11:31 AM

Did you wear an aluminum foil hat when you did that broadcast? If not, THEY are coming for you now, THEY heard you.

Posted by: Cyko at October 14, 2003 12:19 PM

"Presupposition". It's the word that's sweeping the nation!

Posted by: Kalel38 at October 14, 2003 01:33 PM

Wasn't there two presuppositions we voted on in the previous recall election?

Posted by: Eric B at October 14, 2003 02:05 PM

I've had a good idea Wil. What with your penchant for gardening (well mowing the lawn) and your affinity with good ol' Auntie Beeb, how about approaching the good guys at BBC America with the premise of becoming a presenter on Ground Force. You'll be much better than Charlie (I never wear a bra) Dimmock and you can dive into gardening, all the while happy in the fact that you're getting paid top dollar for it. That plus the fact us Brits can catch you on BBC1 and enjoy your work makes the foxpot here a happy vixen.

Also has anyone caught Chris Needs show on BBC Radio Wales http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/ This guy is camp as a row of tents, but soooooo funny with it. Catch him around 22.10 hours (gmt)

Posted by: Foxychik at October 14, 2003 02:45 PM

Who needs editors when you have a comments section?

Posted by: DumbGuy at October 14, 2003 03:19 PM

hey! i was browsing and i found this. just thought you'd like to see it if you hadnt run across it before. See ya

http://www.younghollywoodhof.com/1980.html

Posted by: Kathy at October 14, 2003 03:22 PM

(golf claps, wil!). As a radio announcer in a small market out in the middle of nowhere, I found that if you bob your leg up and down while your talking (think Tom Arnold), it helps keep the energy going.

Not too much, though. It'll sound like your getting off while your reporting.

Cheers..

Posted by: DC at October 14, 2003 03:24 PM

Someone above asked what makes a real journalist. I don't pretend to have all the answers. (Okay, sometimes I do.) I don't even have most of the answers. All I know is this:

You were broadcast live, reporting on a major story.

They called you "The BBC's Wil Wheaton".

That's good enough for me.

(By the way, can we get that T-Shirt, please? My suggestion would be kind of a "Good Morning, Vietnam" kind of picture for the shirt: A drawing of you with headphones and a microphone in front of the Union Jack with the caption "The BBC's Wil Wheaton". I know I'd buy that shirt.)

Posted by: Wolfman at October 14, 2003 04:13 PM

"i look forward to your report, mr. broccoli..."

"metathesis is one of the most common of pronounciation errors, sir. a reversal of vowel and consonant. 'bark' to 'broc'..."

- picard and data, hollow pursuits

Posted by: mr. broccoli at October 14, 2003 09:02 PM

For future reference, we in the UK can get World Service on terrestrial radio - when Radio 4 goes dark (quiet?) at 1am it slips neatly into running World Service just in time for the next full news slot. Great radio to go to sleep to.

Posted by: Joinee Fowler at October 15, 2003 03:12 AM

WTG, Wil! Wish I could have heard your report.

Posted by: Chriswife :) at October 15, 2003 04:26 AM

That's pretty wicked! BBC World Service is one of my favorite news sources...honestly, they must think you a real journalist if they asked you to do this in the first place...sweet!

Posted by: Gina at October 15, 2003 06:36 AM

Yay..The beeb, eh! Congratulations, you have been inducted into the classy communications network :)

Posted by: AnnO at October 15, 2003 06:42 AM

I hope everyone has gone to Terry's site to follow the events that followed my posting a link to his site on here, and the bashing that I gave Terry on his 'Blog site. I find it so completely cool that both Terry and Wil have been so big about all this..(aww, tear).

It's nice to see people get along.

So, Terry's not a complete ass (if he were, I'd know. Takes one to know one, doncha know). And Wil, as always, rules.

Love, love, love.

Posted by: bard at October 15, 2003 10:02 AM

Ohhh, journalism. If you thought it was hard making a living as an actor... :-)

On the plus side, you get even less respect.

Posted by: Johnny at October 15, 2003 11:35 AM

As excited as I am to see "Culver City", that's technically in L.A. Check out our new free parking garage near the new Trader Joe's right before Washington meets Venice. It blows all other free city parking garages away.

Posted by: Jenny at October 15, 2003 08:09 PM

What an exhilarating entry! I was so excited right along with ya, Wil! I was giggling with joy, and getting all teared up about how far we've vicariously come with you on this road, and the happiness that we get from your sharing your acheivements with us!

Posted by: GoldenFool at October 17, 2003 12:23 AM

Wow. I only know you from Trek and wwdn and I am damn proud of you, Wil! That's so awesome.
And I thought this was a smashing (ha ha) entry.
Wil Wheaton you're my hero. (Note that in my mind I said that like Cameron in Ferris Bueller, heh.)

Posted by: Jenny M. Finster at October 17, 2003 12:28 AM

Also check out WBCQ Shortwave in Montecello Maine sometime. They are a station run by the former operators of Radio NewYork International, the famous pirate radio ship that re-broadcasted Pacificia News and other progressive programming offshore in International waters from NY for several weeks in the 1980's before the FCC shut them down. Today they have a legit shortwave radio station with Their at wbcq.us and wbcq.com Free the airwaves for the people!

Posted by: Ken at October 17, 2003 07:43 AM

Once, I was "CNN's Waldo Jaquith."

I was 16 years old, and I had weaseled my way into DJing for the major radio station in Charlottesville, Virginia. (I had a great resume that did not, of course, disclose my young age.) They hired me based on demos and my resume, and were stuck with me by the time that they actually met me.) I worked the morning shift on weekends, usually from 8am-2pm.

One morning, I arrived at work to find in the daily paper that there had been a horrible accident at a nearby speedway the previous night. A car had launched off of the racetrack and into the audience, killing several people. A wheel flew off and decapitated one person. It was really quite gruesome. Just a few minutes after I settled into the morning, shift, the studio line rang. It was CNN, wanting me to file a report.

Now, this was a rock station. "The Best of the 70s, 80s, and 90s" kind of a deal, focusing on, at the time, endless replays of "Black Hole Sun" interspersed with "Hotel California." They didn't even carry a CNN news feed. (Or any news, for that matter.) I assume that they called a Charlottesville station because it was (relatively) close to the scene, and this way CNN could have a man on the scene, as it were. Not wanting to pass up a pretty cool opportunity, though, I readily agreed. The CNN rep said that he'd call me back in 10 minutes, and that I could file the story over the phone.

The next 10 minutes was a picture of incompetence. I had no idea of what I was doing. Somehow, I established for myself a thirty second limit for the story, set up a story pyramid like I learned in English class in middle school, wrote it out, and read it through a couple of times. All too soon, the phone rang again. Without any pomp, I was told to file my story, and to pause for a couple of seconds when I was finished.

I read through my story flawlessly, much to my surprise. (If I said anything like "presupposition," I simply failed to notice it.) When reading the final sentence, I realized that I needed a tagline, and, on the fly, I finished up with "For CNN, this is Waldo Jaquith with W---, in Charlottesville, Virginia." The producer said that they'd run the story within a few minutes, thanked me, and that was that.

I never did hear my story. But that was the time that I was a reporter for CNN.

On another occasion, a few months previously, I saved the life of then-Vice President Al Gore. But that's a story for another day.

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