Behind the scenes of my CNN experience
By James Edwards
What a difference a week makes! Seven days ago I was sitting in my Memphis office, preparing for our month-long tribute to Confederate History Month and by Wednesday night, I was in Manhattan, preparing to go on national television.
A producer with the Paula Zahn Now program contacted me last Friday to ask me if I would be interested in appearing on their show to discuss self-segregation. After a lengthy pre-interview, I was told that the program would actually be a one-hour special report and that I would be part of a panel discussing race relations. I was informed that I would be flown to New York for the night and that the panel would have a chance to comment after three separate pieces, which is a lot more airtime than is normally afforded to guests on these types of programs. As a talk radio host with two years worth of shows under my belt, I was used to getting outside media attention from various local television and newspaper publications, but CNN was definitely a chance to move into the spotlight. Not wanting to waste the opportunity, I began calling some of my mentors as we put our heads together to discuss what needed to be conveyed to the public during my time on camera.Bright and early Wednesday morning, CNN had a limousine waiting in the driveway of my home to take me to the Memphis airport. After a first class flight to New York City, I was met in the baggage claim area by another driver who took me to the Le Parker Meridien Hotel, a posh establishment within a stones throw of Central Park. With only about five hours before I had to report to CNN’s New York headquarters, I spent most of the time pacing the floor and reflecting on what needed to be done. Time marched on as I began to dress and head downstairs to the lobby of the hotel.
For whatever reason, once I arrived on-site at CNN I felt a calm wash over me. There was no nervousness. After all, I merely had to speak my mind, which is nothing compared to the price of blood and bone that our ancestors paid for the freedoms that we’re slowly allowing to be taken from us. I had a quite peace about the whole situation as the producers got my security clearance and we headed up to the green room.
It was about 45 minutes before showtime when I was taken into the makeup studio. I felt inherently less manly being airbrushed, but they assured me that everyone has to endure it, even White Southerners. I had a chance to meet my fellow panelists during this time and I really hit it off with Jesse Lee Peterson. He and I share some of the same acquaintances, have been to some of the same places and to say he is more in tune with my ideology than the other two members of our panel would be the understatement of the century.
We talked up until the time when they saddled us up with our microphone and earpiece. Paula Zahn was already introducing the show as we waited in the wings. After a segment on Iran we assumed our positions around the table. I was positioned next to Peterson, with Zahn in the middle and Roland Martin (a CNN contributor/lunatic) and Molly Secours (a ‘White’ columnist for “Black Commentator”) on our other flank.
The last thing I was told before they came back to us live was that the producers wanted us to, “infuse ourselves into the conversation” and “talk over one another.” I knew at this point that they were more interested in having good television than a frank discussion of the issues, but nevertheless it was time to get down to business.
Rev. Peterson stole a little bit of my thunder during the first segment, defending Whites as if he was reading from my notes, but I felt as though I was able to make a couple of concise points that seemed sensible. Peterson and Martin were foes that had been featured together the night before and the hostility that boiled over was seen both on-air and off. During the commercial breaks, Roland Martin continued to relentlessly attack me and Peterson with a barrage of slurs and personal insults, much to the entertainment of the staff. We sparred for a moment until Peterson began to placate him as if he were a child by saying comments like, “It’s going to be okay Roland, we’re gonna get through this together.”
Peterson and I agreed that Martin was visibly flustered because of the insecurities he has in his argument and the fact that a young White man such as myself was unapologetically defending his People on national television. This behavior by Martin continued during each commercial break and even after the show until we left the building. Molly Secours was the wildcard in the whole ordeal and she certainly delivered the most off-the-wall comments of the show. During one break Rev. Peterson asked if she was Black or White and she responded, “Why does that matter?” We both laughed.
As the show continued on throughout its second and third segments I began to feel more and more comfortable, although being on a panel of four, with a moderator, hardly gives you a lot of time to state your case. This wasn’t a one-on-one interview so I pretty much had to fight for my food, so to speak. But, I do believe that I spoke clearly and presented myself well. I couldn’t gauge this at the time, but in looking back and receiving a litany of phone calls from friends and family, I feel satisfied with the overall performance. There’s certainly room for improvement, but I wouldn’t have trusted a “respectable” conservative to have driven home the few facts that I was able to present.
Other than CNN misleading me to believe that they would list my website on the screen while I was speaking (something they did for Secours), I cannot say anything negative about them. The producers treated me with the utmost dignity and respect and Paula Zahn was an absolute lady, both on and off camera. I understand that she is not, “one of us,” but I was treated better than I anticipated. The fact that CNN recognizes The Political Cesspool as a leader of the conservative cause is also something not to be discounted.
After the show wrapped I went to the corner of Broadway and Times Square to enjoy a steak dinner. I was the first time I had eaten in over 24 hours. Feeling accomplished and exhausted I went back to the hotel and slept soundly for the first time in days. I was only in New York for one night, but I was already missing the South. I couldn’t get back to Dixie quickly enough and upon my return home yesterday I was excited to head back to the studios of WLRM Radio and interview Sam Dickson, the man who recommended me to CNN in the first place. It was ironic that Sam was our guest the very night after my prime time appearance, because we had booked him weeks in advance. Mr. Dickson did not disappoint and I thought it was a helluva show to break in any new listeners that we might have picked up as a result of my exposure on Paula Zahn.
None of this would have been possible, however, had it not been for my staff: Winston Smith, Eddie “The Bombardier” Miller, Bill Rolen, Jess Bonds, Art Frith, Geoff Melton and the show’s original co-creator, Austin Farley. Not to mention you, our extended family of listeners.
We’re going to spend a few minutes during tonight’s show (Fri., April 6) recapping more of my behind the scenes experience, before reading a few e-mails (I’ve received several hundred since Wednesday) and taking some calls. Later in the program, we’ll pay our respects to the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh as Confederate History Month continues. If you can’t catch us live, please access our previous programs via the broadcast archives.
Next week we’ll resume our salute to the South while also returning focus to some of the other issues that make this radio show so popular. In the meantime, please remember that our work is listener supported and we’d very much appreciate any financial support that you can make available.
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