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hanging with the aussies late night
Did you catch me this week on the morning radio show on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation?
No? Oh, maybe I should have told you about it. But after two posts on my very brief “Good Morning America” fame, I thought you might think I’m some kind of shameless, self-promoting media whore.
Anyway, a producer at ABC radio in Australia contacted me because they liked my Washington Post piece on changing Summer’s name and they wanted me to take part in a lighthearted discussion about names.
I was a little hesitant given the nasty reaction from some of the Post’s readers. I didn’t need the Australians calling me a knitwit or the the down under equivalent, a whacker.
But everyone assured me that Australians are sweet as Tim Tams.
So at 11:30 pm (morning in Australia), the producer calls me and tells me to stand by and puts me on hold.
I immediately need to pee. Really badly. But I’m too terrified to go to the bathroom because what if they suddenly take me live and Australians from Sydney to Perth hear me tinkling on the air. So I cross my legs and wait.
Hosts Geoff Hutchison and Nick Bruining come on soon after and we start talking about names.
“So where did you get the name Summer?” they ask.
“Well, I first heard the name on “The O.C.” and just loved it. The show is canceled now. Have you ever seen it?” I reply.
“Oh yes, we get “The O.C..” So what show do you watch now?” one of the hosts asks.
“Well, I love “Gossip Girl,” I admit.
“Are you going to change Summer’s name to “xo xo?” asks Nick Bruining.
“I’m definitely considering it,” I reply laughing.
They insist that it must be impossible to reprimand a child named Summer because there is no way to say “Summer” with any kind of authority.
So they have me pretend to yell, “SUMMER, I am really angry with you!”
Nope, sounds too nice. They tell me to try again.
So I yell, “SUMMER! Come here right now!”
Still sounds too sweet and well, summery.
All in all, my debut on Australian radio was a success. Except that I forgot to mention that I have this blog called The Mama Bird Diaries. The hosts were so funny and endearing. And not once did someone call me a knitwit. Or even a whacker.
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Well, you know my unconditional love for all things Australian, so this does not surprise me. But you should have told me as I have real live Aussie friends who could have listened to the show and called in to make you seem internationally famous!!!!
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Oh and the comment about renaming Miss Sum “xo xo ” was hilarious.
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You rock so totally hard.
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What Flutter said.
You pretty much rule all the airwaves. Or cables.
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knitwit i’ve def heard of. whacker? never heard of it!!! fun tho – you’re a media darling this week kelcey!
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go you!
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Glad it went well, go Suck it you Washington post people.
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I can so relate to suddenly having to pee. I hope the Aussie’s gave you the validation you deserve. Lighthearted and funny is a so much better way to live! If you decide against xoxo, maybe VDW?
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yelling at your kids get you nowhere anyway–take it from me.
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jezebel3 could use some lessons in Aussie kindness, no?
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Your life is so much more interesting than mine…but, I like you anyway.
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AWESOME! Love your blog. It’s way funnier than mine.
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Wowz, congrats on your morning show, did you get to plug the blog?
You should have went peepee on air… you would of really became famous – haha, great stuff!
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love the aussies! how funny and cool, chatting w/aussie radio heads. also i want to see the GMA spot, i missed it. is it on Youtube or something. send me a link if you can:) and big congrats to Rick on the emmy!!
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I’m still a little sore at those aussies…
http://www.greenerbiener.com/2.....the-s ame/
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I didn’t know you got Summer from the “OC”. Dude! I loved that show. May it rest in peace.
Nice work Down Under!
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You so famous!
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Yeah, take that, WaPo haterz!
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You know, I think that they may be parenting geniuses. Because no one considerse how scoldable and yellable a name is until it is too late. I think all children should be named STELLA!!!
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you are so famous, Jennifer Anniston has nothing on you!
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I think I’d curl up and die if I were interviewed for a radio program. I’d probably wind up talking with a pseudo-Australian accent and offending every one of their listeners!
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You rock!
The Aussies are infinitely better behaved than their British counterparts…it was mortified being called a WANKER on BBC1. And, my husband is British, so it stung doubly hard.
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You are really turning into an international rock star! And I agree, the WaPo haterz can “suck it”.
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So YOU are famous too!?
Clearly, we should hang out.
Us celebs gotta stick together.
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I always need to pee when it is inconvenient. Oh to have a convenient pee! The word knitwit is underused
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you rock! love those aussies too!
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Loved the part about having to pee — and glad you had such a nice intro to the Aussies!
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Wow that must have been a hoot! Good for you!! The closest I’ve ever gotten to Australia was dating a New Zealander.
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You ARE a media whore…
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I just bought a box of Tim Tams ! They are Australia’s favorite cookie and I thought we could use some cultural learning around here.
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I always have to pee at the most inappropriate times. It must be a girl thing! Sounds like a great interview!
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I do think that there is something about politeness in public that we Americans are more lax about that almost anyone else in the world. So it’s not too surprising to me that the Aussies were simply very nice to you. But I am very glad they were.
And it does seem true that it’s hard to make “Summer” sound grim.
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Still mortified by my DC neighbors… I think there must be some anger issues here in the nation’s capital… When my blog was only a few weeks old, DC Blogs picked up one of my posts about how much I hate driving my huge family friendly truck. And my usual 2-3 comments from friends and family skyrocketed to 25+ from strangers, including one or two suggesting that the electric chair would be too good for me and my earth resource guzzling ways. Talk about missing the point! Did I say I liked driving a huge car? But three car seats don’t fit in a Prius – sorry.
Okay - so that had very little to do with the incredibly high profile week you’ve been having… You are a star. And far from a wacker. Whatever that means.
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Are you sure “whacker” means knitwit?
It sounds more like it should mean something else.
Either way, I’m glad they didn’t call you one!
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Post #22 has it right – it’s WANKER they’d call you. Peeing on air? You could tell them your bathtub is over-flowing. When I peed in my pants in the casino at Harrah’s and walked to the bathroom, drippping all over. I told people ‘someone spilled a drink on me’ . We can say anything, no one really gives a shit anymore. Anything goes.
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Yeay! Congrats. I’m impressed by how witty you could be when your on the spot AND have to pee!
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You are turning into such a celebrity!
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Wow I’m so impressed. WAM, an Emmy and Aussie radio – what a week for your family! Woohoo! Screw TWP.
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I am lurking.. as always.. but I needed to say how awesome all of it is.. you are truly a rock star Kelcy!!
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Oh Kelcey that is TOO cool! I wish I could have listened in. Brad away darling, if you can’t use your blog to brag what can you use?
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Australian radio, Good Morning America – it has been quite a week! Go Kelc!! Great post!
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Oh, Aussies are great! They know a good thing when they see one!
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I am SO glad they didnt call you a whacker and it went well. Those posters on The Washington Post site dont know what they are talking about. Props mate! Glad it was a success!!
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I just found your blog, and love it. I’m an Aussie and am sad I missed your stint on the radio.
I think Wanker is the right word, but Whacker works too.
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