WGN Radio - When the Universe Comes Together

    Yes.  I'm a big fan of The Secret.  Ever since my friend and comedian, Dobie Maxwell, lent me a copy of the video of the same name, I always seem to have a bit of "universal attraction" floating in the back of my mind.  If nothing else, it's just plain fun.  The video is also a great motivator if watched while walking on a treadmill.  It seems to put a little skip in my step. Positive attitude goes a long way in life.

     Today I had one of those "secret" moments which really caused my jaw to drop!  As I drove in my car from errand to errand throughout the northwest suburbs of Chicago, I listened to WGN Radio.  I am fascinated by the humor and interaction of Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder.  (Actually one of the things that truly amazes me about Bill Leff is his professional ability to "sell" a commercial without making innumerable jokes about the product.  Knowing the quick comedic mind of Bill Leff from his days as a stand-up comedian, I am sure this takes amazing restraint!)

     As I listened to the two co-hosts interact I imagined how absolutely wonderful it would be to co-host a show on WGN Radio.   I absolutely love being a guest comedian on WGN Radio and whenever I leave the Chicago radio station after an interview, I feel like the kid who has to leave the birthday party early.  To me, being a guest on the radio is very much like having an endless conversation with a girlfriend on the phone.  Chat, chat, laugh, chat and laugh.  What's not to like?!  Let's just say I was basically consumed by these thoughts of co-hosting on WGN Radio as I ran errands this afternoon and could not let them go.

     When I came home from running my errands I sat down at my computer and there was an email from Rick Geiser who is the publicist for Zanies Comedy Clubs.  Right there in front of me in black and white was an inquiry as to whether I would like to co-host an hour show on WGN Radio on November 13th at 10:00 a.m. with Frank Fontana!  Would I?!

     The universe and all that is good came together today and I am having the best time!  Here's to "The Voice of Chicago!"

WGN Radio - "The Voice of Chicago"

A Peek at "Down and Dirty" with Frank Fontana

Radio Interviews and "Winging It"

As a corporate comedian who performs clean comedy for women's groups I know the fear, stage fright and insecurities that arise that first time on stage.  However, years of experience in front of new audiences have given me the tools to handle unexpected elements that occur during a live performance. When I was asked to appear on a WGN Radio station in Chicago, I thought my years of stage experience would make an on-air conversation a fairly stress-free experience.  However, I learned that I would need to implement a new set of skills to make radio conversation both comfortable and fun.

Generally, radio stations ask you come prepared for the interview with a list of questions for the host to ask.  Comedians most often give questions that provide set-ups for jokes.  The interviewer asks the question and the comedian has something funny to say.  Up until five years ago, that was the only type of radio interview I had encountered.  That all changed the day I was booked on WGN Radio in Chicago with host Steve Cochran.  When I walked into the studio and extended my hand to give Steve my questions, he looked at me and very casually said, "Hey let's wing it."  My stomach turned a full circle at the thought of being interviewed as if I was totally unprepared!

That interview made me a believer in impromptu interviews.  Rather than responding to Steve Cochran's questions in a semi-robotic fashion, I was able to totally be myself and enjoy the moment.  I also realized that speaking on the radio is a lot like talking to your girlfriends on the phone - just chat.  The only difference is that thousands of people are listening.  That makes your thoughts, ideas and humor seem tremendously important!  Since my interview on WGN, I am hooked on "winging it."  The experience could not have been more fun!