Issue date: Dec 12, 1999
Jodi Applegate, co-host of NBC's new late-morning show "Later Today," is a TV trouper, having worked in large and small markets in all kinds of roles. She talked with Who's News reporter Maggie Gallant in a rare quiet moment about why she's having the time of her life.
MG: How do you feel about working on "Later Today"?
JA: I know it might sound hokey, but it's true: This is the project that I have always wanted to do. It is a little bit of everything; it's a real potpourri. It's impossible to get bored doing a show like this.
MG: How does this kind of news program differ from other journalistic experiences you have had?
JA: Well, I get to sleep in a little bit. I'm glad I had the experiences I did. Working at "Weekend Today" and MSNBC gave me a real chance to cover a variety of things, the funeral of Princess Diana, for example. I also worked in local news in Phoenix, and I was doing a show there that was sort of similar to "Later Today." It was very loose and irreverent and unscripted. I did a bunch of different things, too. I was a radio traffic reporter, and I was in TV commercials. At the time, I didn't know why I had all these jobs, and they didn't seem to add up to a career. Now I'm glad I did all these things.
MG: What do you see as the strongest element and the weakest element of "Later Today"?
JA: I think our flexibility is a strong point. Today, for example, we talked about the [Egypt Air] plane crash and Jesse Ventura and this insane new wrestling-federation doll that carries around a severed head. But we also did a cute little package with [co-host] Asha [Blake] and me in Central Park. The chemistry between the three hosts is growing. We have to decide exactly how much of that do you have. On a day when there is a serious news story, you don't sit around and gab as much. One of the challenges for us is to figure out how to get the chemistry into the show and how to get enough of Florence [Henderson, third co-host] into the top of the show when it is plane crash, plane crash, plane crash.
MG: How do the views of critics affect your performance on-camera?
JA: They all kind of reviewed the show after day one. I never really understood why they review a show after the first day. But anyway, I don't like to totally ignore what critics have to say, because I think a lot of critics make valid points. It boils down to the opinions that really count and those are the opinions of the viewers and if they think that the show is a worthwhile hour of their day. I try not to take it too seriously, unless it is positive, in which case I have it bronzed and put on my wall.
MG: Who do you feel closest to on the set?
JA: That's interesting. Asha, since she and I are similar age and come from a similar background job-wise. If I do say so myself, I think they did a good job [casting]. The only thing better than having Florence Henderson would be if they got William Shatner, Shirley Jones and a few other of my childhood idols.
MG: I know you are an only child. Do you feel that being an only child has affected you, and if so, how?
JA: It's funny, I rarely get asked that, but I think it has had a profound effect on me. I think it is probably the most important factor in my life. I was really alone as a kid. I think it does cause a kid to grow up faster. I was able to deal with adults with no problem. But, it took me a long time to deal with my peers. It took me until late high school and some days I'm still not sure.
Go to the top
|
