We Survived Being On Local TV (So Far): A True Story
We had a brief moment last summer when we felt like delving into fame whorism. As of right now, mere hours before our television debut, we're wondering why--and we're on the verge of a breakdown. We certainly don't think we'll be as smooth tonight on Check Please! Bay Area as friend of SFist, Burritophile Dan Johnson, was on Bay Area Backroads last Saturday. We're not experts; we just like to eat.
Despite our apprehension at having done so, we think it's really cool that there is good, quality local programming available in our area. A sort of televised equivalent of SFist, no? And of these great local shows (Josh Kornbluth, Bay Area Backroads, etc.), Check Please! is definitely our favorite. Three different guests talking--or arguing--every week about three different restaurants under the watchful moderation of lovely host Leslie Sbrocco.
We thought we'd put here in writing some of the FAQs that friends and family have asked us since learning of our impending broadcast debut:
1) How'd you get on the show?
Just went to the Web site, filled out a form, utilized our superb writing skills, and was called by the show's producer shortly thereafter. Okay, maybe it helped that our timing was good; they were actively looking for season 2 participants at that time.
2) Is the wine real? Are people really drinking on the set of Check Please!?
Indeed it is, and indeed they are are -- but not overmuch during taping. For one thing, who wants "red wine-lips" on TV? (Crap, $10 says we end up having wine-lips). Secondly, most of the drinking is out of the way by the time you get onto the set. We're gluttonish, to be sure, but we'd consumed at least a bottle's worth by that time, if not more; we're reasonably certain our co-guests did some good imbibing as well.
Seems libations are a decent way to relieve tension and get people talking. Go figure.
FAQ continues post-jump:
3) What's Leslie like?
Really, really cool. We hope we're not revealing anything untoward when we tell you she has a fun and slightly bawdy sense of humor. And she's a wine expert, and food enthusiast. She'd just been to Spain and was saying some fascinating things about eating at El Bulli, that we unfortunately can't recall (see answer to No. 2).
4) How long does it take?
On taping days, they tape two episodes; one in the morning, one in the afternoon. We can't speak for anyone else, but we were there for about four hours total. They ask you to bring a few sets of clothes, mostly to make sure you don't clash (visually) with the other guests. Then there's make-up -- David R. Clark was our guy for the day; he made what we thought would be the worst part of it fairly painless. He's a crack-up! Then there's the wine and the snacks and the still photographs (which they evidently plaster on the show's site at some point) . . . then the actual taping of the show, then a bit of a wrap-up afterwards.
5) They pay for it, right? The meals you go to?
Nope. Well, sorta. This is the most common misconception, and the most frequently asked question. They give you a stipend that will cover some of your expenses, but certainly not all of them (not even if you went by yourself to all three required restaurants). But, c'mon, it's PBS; we don't have a problem with that. We'd likely be going to restaurants those three weekends anyway.
6) Speaking of restaurants . . . how did you pick yours?
Funny story-- we started out intending to review El Raigon in North Beach, a place that we loved the four or five times we'd been, but it occured to us we hadn't acutally eaten there in about three years. Time flies. So we expressed our concern to the producer, that maybe it wasn't that good anymore (or at least that we didn't feel comfortable vouching for it). She asked us to go with our second choice, which really was better -- it's a place we went all the freakin' time pre-baby and still get out to every so often post-baby.
7) What restaurants did you end up going to anyway?
Um, sorry kids, you'll have to tune in and watch the thing, or at least visit the Web site's wrap up, to find that out. We certainly enjoyed all three, and included friends in the process, which made it even better. The discussions on the show about the three restaurants are pretty good, as we recall, though you can be the judge. We hope we're not spoiling much if we say it wasn't so contentious as many episodes of Check Please! are. (Those contentious episodes are among the best, of course).
Well, that's it, folks. If you're inclined to see SFist Jer make a fool of himself, or if you like restaurant reviews, or both, tune into KQED Channel 9 tonight at 7:30 p.m. It's also available OnDemand through Comcast, as well as supposedly video podcast/download through KQED's site.
(er, and SFist Rita plans to post a drinking game for you to enjoy should you watch the show -- we encourage you to partake, as it may blur us out of your focus . . . but if you're a mean drunk, please stay sober . . . we're very sensitive! j/k).