The receptionist greeted her by saying, “You’re Jane Pauley. You’re really short.”
“I’m Jane Pauley. I’m really short,” replied Jane, with good grace, in a tone of mild amusement.
So TV conveys both reality and illusion. Sometimes, if one tries, it is possible to tell the difference.
And, dear reader, it is, indeed, quiite advisable to try to tell the difference between reality and illusion.
Beyond Verisimiliude
My role with respect to CBS was, at times, more than a source of comedic or dramatic verisimilitude. During the 1980s and 1990s I encountered not only actors, but also famous CBS national journalists in public places. Among them were the late Mr. Charles Kuralt and the late Mr. Eric Severeid. I encountered Connie Chung once when she was out jogging. I encountered Mr. Morton Dean in downtown Indianapolis.
And I also encountered Col. Neil Armstong twice in Indianapolis. The second time was at an Indianapolis Kroger store. I imagine Armstrong was wondering just how it was that someone like me had become a factor in his post-NASA career situation.
The proper answer, I suppose, would have been “I didn’t plan this, sir. Honest. It just happened.” But, In the event, I remained silent. We just glanced at each other and went our separate ways.
But I think the 1984 Simon & Simon NASA episode had justified any complications I may have caused for Col. Armstrong. The episode had also done great credit to CBS. Though I had no control or direct input over it, the episode certainly wouldn’t have been produced had CBS not been using me as a source of verisimilitude during that period.
Actors often desire to be in a production that’s “meaningful” or that has an impact on society. That is, they’d rather not be in something that is just silly or cute or that panders shamelessly to a targeted audience.
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