babybloomr

(I’m using quotation marks around “Mommybloggers”, because that’s what Hoda Kotb did this morning– except hers were the air kind.)

I found out about an upcoming segment on the Today Show featuring some of my favorite bloggers, and tuned in this morning just in time to see it.

It was the weirdest dang thing.

The first part, pre-recorded interviews with Kristin of ‘Motherhood Uncensored’, Mir of ‘Woulda Shoulda Coulda’ and Jill from ‘Silicon Valley Moms ‘blog, went well enough. Word around the momosphere is that the interviewer, NBC news correspondent Janet Shamlian, was really great– interested, well-informed, empathetic. The segment felt a little rushed, but there were some good shots from BlogHer mentioning the ‘business’  (geez, I am all about the single and double quotation marks today, aren’t I?!) side of blogging, and some personal stories about experiences each blogger has had with feedback from readers, etc. But even that part felt like it wasn’t edited very well, because they referred to some things in passing that you truly would have to had read the blog entries to really understand what they were talking about. The next part of the segment was a studio interview with Hoda and Kathie Lee Gifford, featuring the biggest star of the mommyblogging world, Heather of dooce.com. And that’s when it all went wonky!

Kathie Lee– whom I have actually met and interviewed and really kinda liked– was either incredibly nervous, or woke up with a big ol’ chip on her shoulder, or something. She started the interview by announcing that she knew nothing about computers, didn’t like them, and basically didn’t remotely understand what blogging even was, much less who these women were and what they did. I may not be Barbara Walters, but even I know you don’t start an interview by exposing your ignorance and lack of research to the interviewee! Heather, to her credit, handled it well and soldiered on, trying to explain the point of mommyblogging and its value in building a community that helps moms feel less isolated and alone. Then there were the usual questions about “Isn’t this exploiting your child?” and “What if she grows up and hates you for it?” and “Aren’t you worried that putting her picture on your blog might get her kidnapped?” Heather gave reasonable, well-thought-out answers and didn’t roll her eyes once. The most awkward part came towards the end, when Kathie Lee, out of nowhere, said something to the effect that she didn’t really know why but even though Heather seemed to be “a very nice lady”, something about the whole mommyblogging thing really bothered and worried her, admitting that it was probably due to her lack of knowledge/fear about computers in general. Heather, trying to find common ground, began to give an example by saying, “Well, you have to be careful just walking down the street, I mean– OK, you live in New York, right? And…” I suppose she was going to say something about the city being dangerous, but you learn how to be careful and then make some analogy to cyberspace and being careful online… but she never got that far. Kathie Lee jumped in and with a gleeful, triumphant look crowed, “No, I don’t — See, GOTCHA Heather!!”

 

(I guess she lives in Connecticut..?)

Heather nervously laughed and said, “Well, but you work…” Kathie Lee interrupted again and in a strange, little girl voice said something like, “…and if I did, I’d have a terrace, and guess what Heather– I’d want to learn how to make an outdoor room, which we’re about to do when we come back!” and then she smiled this big smarmy smile and said, “Well, thank you so much Heather, it was such a pleasure to meet you!” simultaneously dismissing her, ending the interview and cutting to commercial. WTH??? The last shot of Heather shows her covering her face with her hand and shaking her head back and forth, laughing incredulously at the sheer dumb-assery of what she had just experienced.

I’m sure the mommyblogging world will be all a-twitter about it for a day or two, and then we’ll all shrug our collective shoulders. Just like the last time the Today show had a mommyblogger segment a few months ago with Melissa of “Suburban Bliss”… That one deteriorated quickly when Meredith Viera– who ought to know better for crying out loud, she co-founded Club Mom– tried to turn a lighthearted look at ‘cocktail playdates’ (which is basically just a silly phrase for moms having a glass of wine with other moms  while their kids play in the yard) into a debate about The Dangers of Alcoholism! Irresponsible Mothers! Crazed Drunken Moms Invading a Playground Near You! It was such a ridiculously unnecessary attempt to stir up faux-controversy, and it virtually ignored the subject of mommyblogging, which was supposed to be the point of the piece. I guess we’ll all just have to resign ourselves to the fact that there will always be  people out there who fundamentally just don’t get what we do. Which is weird to me, I mean, it’s not rocket science– it’s just a group of parents/writers who are reaching out and communicating with others about whatever phase of life they currently find themselves in; the good, the bad, and the funny. And I, for one, am so grateful that the mommyblogging world exists– whether I’m reading or writing, it has enriched my life. And Kathie Lee? Honey, seriously, chill out.

(photos courtesy of www.msnbc.com)