|
Chris Matthews by Osmosis
By David R. Zuckerman, NYC and Winsted
Here is a brief report on my meeting with media celebrity Chris Matthews. The author of Hardball and host of the CNBC program Hardball with Chris Matthews was signing his new book, Now, Let Me Tell You What I Really Think, at Columbia School of Journalism on December 3. He had just appeared on a panel held under the auspices of the Center for Communication. I had learned about the event a few days earlier, while dropping off a few copies of The Voice at the Columbia Journalism Review.
During the panel, which included actor Peter Riegert and documentary filmmaker Ken Bowser discussing Bowser’s film, Hollywood, D.C., Matthews demonstrated independence of mind in asking how many anti-Communist films Hollywood has made. Apparently not very many, certainly when compared with anti-fascist films. Riegert also indicated a non-doctrinaire attitude. I am not so certain about Bowser, whose film suggests that the newspaper editor in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington had stated a right-wing message when he expressed strong feelings about our national anthem. Indeed, Matthews chided Bowser for the suggestion during their discussion.
After the panel, I got Matthews to sign my copy of his new book, which I had bought on entering the lecture hall. Surfing through the book later that night, I found this advice on page 201: "If you want something, ask for it." Matthews continues: "Some people aren't going to like the cut of your jib. But those who do will change your life. They will open doors for you. They will invest in you—if you’re fortunate, not just once, but repeatedly." And he adds this symbolism: "It takes only one strike to transform a prospector into a gold miner …" Great positive thinking! (Till I read that, I had thought of a "strike" as one-third of a baseball out, or as a less than desirable possibility during a labor dispute—clearly, negative connotations.)
It turns out that shortly after purchasing the book and before having the opportunity to do anything more than skim it, I had acted on its good advice. (Perhaps it was osmosis.) As he was signing books, I showed Matthews the photo of Al Roker on the front page of the November 30 issue of The Voice, and proceeded to ask if I might take a similar photo of him. (Of course, I added that he also might appear of the cover of The Voice and might even get some publicity for his new book. Did I mention the title? It’s Now, Let Me Tell You What I Really Think.)
He agreed to pose for the photo, as you already know if you’ve looked at the front page of this paper. Strike! Open doors, here I come …
|
|
