After we moved back to Connecticut from California in June of 1995, I had a job at the local ABC affiliate, WTNH, in New Haven. I worked there for two and a half years before I left for California and it was my best job ever.
Unfortunately, this second time around was, I think, my worst job ever. In this position, I spent 8 hours each day at a computer entering commercials sent from the New York agencies over a dot matrix printer that never slept. I think I mentioned this in post about Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford. I lasted at the station for a year and a few months.
At the beginning of that year, WTNH signed a “local marketing agreement” with the WB and began operating WTVU. My friend Connie signed on as the Promotions Producer for the new station so she was in charge of promoting and drumming up news of the station. That’s where I come in….
I had already left the station for a new job with better hours and closer to home. Connie was looking for someone to wear the Michigan J. Frog costume at events. Of course, I said, “hey! I’ll do it!”.
In the comfort of your own home and with just your own child nearby, it’s not so bad.
My two times in public were both at Hartford Whalers hockey games at the Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut! What was I thinking!
For the most part it was fun because no one can see your face, so I could be as silly as I wanted to be. But it wasn’t so much fun when kids, and guys, would smack me and push me! That’s why Connie was always by my side as my handler.
The craziest part of the job was that I got to ride on the Zamboni! That’s right – the driver, me, and my butt on a tank of propane gas!
Two times was enough for me. I passed the suit off to Connie and who ever else was crazy enough to wear it.
Thoughts From The Passenger Seat 