On my first day back to school after the Christmas break, in
January, 1964, I was called into the principal's office. Sitting with
the principal were a man and a woman I didn't recognize. Introductions
were made, and they proceeded to ask me questions like "are you afraid
to talk in front of a lot of people?" and "do bright lights bother you?"
I must have given the right answers, because they said if it was okay
with my parents, they were going to put me on television!Two weeks later, my mom, dad, and I went to "CBS Television City" in Hollywood, California. After checking in at the reception desk, we were taken into the sound stage. Mom and dad were shown to their seats in the audience, and I was taken backstage to a room where I was told what kind of questions would be asked and what else to expect during the taping. I was then taken out to the set, where I saw three other kids from my school, including one girl from my class. Shortly after we were seated, they began the taping. I was the first kid interviewed. Mr. Linkletter had a very calming air about him, but I remember I was still very nervous. The first question asked was "what's your name?" I answered very quietly. Mr. Linkletter said "I'm sorry, you'll need to speak up"... I shouted my name. The audience chuckled at my enthusiasm. He then asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. A police sergeant, I replied. "Why do you want to be a police sergeant?" he asked. 'So I can boss all the other police around". He then asked "Who would boss you around?" "My mother!" I replied. "Why would your mother boss you around?" I said "Because she bosses my father around". The audience went wild.
Mr. Linkletter then proceeded to ask the other kids the same question, with less hilarious results. His next question was " A thousand years from now, in the year 2064, what will the world be like?" One girl answered "A lot of robots running around". The other boy said "We would all ride in space ships". My classmate said "Machines would do everything for us". "A thousand years from now, in the year 2064, what will the world be like?"... my response: "Round". The audience exploded in laughter and Mr. Linkletter could hardly contain himself. He looked straight into the camera and said "... round".
A few more questions were asked; something about grandparents and our Christmas gifts, and then the show was over. All four kids were given prizes (a new bike, a Mr. Machine robot toy, and a shoeshine kit), and an audio recording of the show. We were then taken on a tour of the studio, where we got to watch part of a rehearsal for the "Red Skelton Show". During a break in the rehearsal, Mr. Skelton came over to meet us and sign autographs. Although this took place over fifty-two years ago, it is one of my most cherished memories.
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