Host Chat: Fleeting Fame

With New York's Fashion Week in full swing, I can't help thinking back on my most vivid Fashion Week memory. It was Fall 2006. I was Star Magazine editor-at-large, and I'd been invited to attend a runway show.  

Jill Dobson at a 2010 fashion party

That morning, I searched my closet for my most fashionable outfit, vowing to look my very best. Perhaps I succeeded, because as I approached Bryant Park for the show, a reporter from a Japanese magazine approached me.

"Excuse me, who are you wearing?" she asked.

"Oh, this dress? It's BCBG," I answered.

"Can I take your picure?"
"Sure."
She lifted her camera. I smiled and did my best movie star pose. And then it happened. A category-5 hurricane of paparazzi blew in. They descended upon us, seemingly out of nowhere. I stood there, blinded by the flashbulbs, seeing nothing but light... as if I were approaching the Pearly Gates of Heaven. But I knew it was something else. Something that, at that moment, seemed even better: I was clearly starting My Life As A Famous Person. I always knew it would happen someday!
"Who made the dress?" asked one photographer.
"What kind of shoes are those?" asked another.
"What's your name?" asked a third.
And then, possibly the greatest mistake of my life. 
Instead of just saying, "BCBG dress, Jimmy Choo shoes, and I'm Jill Dobson," I opened my mouth and said this:
"Me? I'm no one."
And, I swear, the photographers vanished into thin air. I literally didn't see them leave. They just disappeared, taking with them My Life As A Famous Person. It might've lasted just 30 seconds, but in that time, I grew 100% accustomed to the celebrity lifestyle. I had a vision of red carpet appearances, designers clamoring to give me their clothes, the launch of my namesake perfume (blending a delicate bergamot and mandarin top note with a sophisticated cedar base, of course), and a wave of offers to appear on -- or host -- various talk shows. I still can't believe all my dreams were dashed so quickly. In honor of those beautiful 30 seconds of celebrity, I offer up this letter to Fame:
Dear Fame, why are you so fleeting? And how do I win you back (or better yet, the perks that come with you)? Please let me know, so I can get the talk show gig of my dreams.  Thank you.
Sincerely,
No One 
Jill Dobson

Host Chat: The Jumbotron

Welcome to another edition of Host Chat.  Just as Regis shares stories from his exciting life each morning on his talk show, I share my latest tales of hobnobbing, hinjinks, and more often than not, humiliation!

Rachel McAdams (center, in hat) on a Jumbotron

A few days ago, my friend Alicia emailed me this video, titled "Rachel McAdams on a Jumbotron."  In it, the star of "The Notebook" goes crazy when she spots of herself on the bigscreen at a hockey game, which makes me (along with every hockey fan out there) love her immensely. Such enthusiasm!  Such joy!  Nothing like the many jaded, bored-acting celebrities I've encountered at junkets and red carpets. (I'm talking to you, Mark Wahlberg.)  
In the email, Alicia wrote to me, "I feel like this is what you would do on the jumbotron!"  Which makes me love her immensely.  I love that she thinks I'm as fun as McAdams.
I actually did appear on a jumbotron one time at a 2007 Yankees game.  I'd been sitting in terrible seats, but then I ran into my greenroom friend* Pam Bondi at the concession stands.  Pam brought me back to her seats (which where awesome!) to say hello to Contessa Brewer, whom I knew from my frequent guest appearances at MSNBC.  I'm not sure if it was Pam's charisma, Contessa's beauty or our proximity to the field (and therefore the cameras), but within seconds after I sat down, the three of us ended up on the jumbrotron.  Sadly, I didn't stand up and dance or do anything super fun.  I resisted those urges, and was actually quite proud of myself for just acting like a normal person... until I saw the McAdams video. McAdams made me realize there's nothing cooler than sharing genuine joy with the world.  So next time the camera comes my way, get ready to see me tootsie roll, or do the roger rabbit, or whatever other circa-1993 dance move comes to mind.  (Macarena, anyone?) 


*Greenroom friend: Someone you befriend after meeting in the greenroom (aka the backstage area) of a TV studio.  When I worked for Star Magazine, I made regular appearances at various TV studios.  I spent time almost every day in the greenrooms at FNC, CNN and MSNBC... meeting lots of interesting people.  Best greenroom encounter ever?  A baby cheetah!  I actually got to pet him!  His fur was surprisingly rough, but he was so cute... until he had a little "accident" on the floor of the makeup room.  Oops!  Time for me to go on-camera now!  See ya!