by John Hargrave

It'll be hard to top this one.

A few months ago, I was lucky enough to get a trip to Las Vegas to report on COMDEX/Fall 96, that granddaddy of all computer conventions. Now, there's a daily television show called "The Site" that runs every night at 10 pm on MSNBC. It's an hour-long technology news show which I won't bother to critique, as that's already been done.

"The Site" was going to have a booth set up at COMDEX, and they were asking for volunteers to do some on-camera reporting. The idea was, they would have easily-produced COMDEX footage, and it would also be an audition for new talent. Someone recommended me, and I ended up on the phone with Bob, one of the executive producers of the show.

"John, love your stuff," he said right off the bat. Now, one thing I've learned over the past year is that everyone in the entertainment industry begins a conversation by telling you how much they love your stuff. In truth, they've never seen your stuff.

"Thanks," said I. "So what would you like me to do for this audition?"

"Whatever you want," he said.

"I can come up with some material, but it'll be pretty crazy."

"Whatever you want," he emphasized.

I decided to test the waters. "Even if I wanted to take off my clothes?"

"Sure, take them off." This rolled right off his back. "Listen, we're giving most people half an hour, but why don't we give you an hour?"

"All right," I agreed.

"See you then."

And so the stage was set. I bit my lip, wondering how I was ever going to come up with an hour's worth of good material.