WNBC-TV, Channel 4 here in New York is running a documentary about Shea Stadium this Saturday night at 7:30.
The show, hosted by Sue Simmons, features interviews with some pivotal figures in Shea history. Bobby Valentine. Ed Kranepool. The original Mr. Met. Kingman and Ron Hunt from Loge13.com.
Well sort of.
I have been sitting on this very cool news but now it can be shared. About a month ago, I received a note from an NBC producer (let's call her Stephanie...because that is her name). Stephanie was putting together this documentary and had found Loge13.com. She was interested in getting my perspective as a fan about the demise of Shea Stadium. I agreed to chat and we exchanged possible dates but nothing much came of it.
A few weeks later Stephanie called back, still interested but also apparently intrigued
by this photo of our own Ron Hunt with his Dad. She asked if we could both come down to 30 Rock the next day and bring more photos.
And so we did. Ron brought some more great pictures. Sadly, I had none of me with my parents at Shea but brought along pics of my own progeny.
Stephanie interviewed both Ron Hunt and me for about 20 minutes each. We talked about our favorite Shea Stadium moments, the sights, yes even the smells of Shea and also the historical significance of our favorite
ballpark. Ron displayed the photo of him from the NY Daily News when the Mets clinched the pennant in 1969. I will say no more in case that moment is broadcast.
After our closeup, Stephanie filled us in on some of the clips she had already shot, and told us great stories about Ed Charles, Kranepool's basement and other yarns. Afterwards, we got to see the new high-tech NBC control booth and the Conan O'Brien set. Then Ron and I went off to toast our possible television debut.
All in all, it was a truly excellent experience. Stephanie was a fantastic and gracious host and I feel very blessed that this blog and your support of Loge13 helped bring about a very unique Shea Stadium moment.
As for the documentary, I found out yesterday that all the fan interviews were cut from the version of the documentary that will air, as of last Wednesday. However, the excised clips may run on NBC news and are
supposed to be posted on the WNBC site. So we will still get our 15 minutes of fame (although in truth, we're probably in the thing for about 5 seconds). I will post the links as soon as they come online.
Here is a preview of the show.Meanwhile, tune into the Shea Stadium retrospective Saturday night. I am actually going away with my kids Thursday but we planned our trip so we'd be back to check out the action. Don't miss it. And
then tell WNBC you loved the show (assuming you did love it) and want more Shea Stadium program. Maybe
the Faith and Fear folks can get their own countdown show!
Thanks again Stephanie!
Comments
Let us non-New Yorkers know when/if this ends up on the WNBC website.
It's too bad Erika Tarantal didn't do the story. :)