Two events happened in the following weeks: Mike returned the pictures and there we were, with Mnailow. It really did happen! I sent copies to Jill. I wondered what the reaction would be in Norway? Her mother wasn't very interested, referring to Barry as "some singer" in Norwegian.
With only a days' notice Mike gave me a heads-up about the TV report. I was happy we met Manilow, really happy for Jill, but still a bit embarrassed by the whole thing, and even more reluctant to see myself on TV. Still, I set my VCR and so did family members in case I screwed-up.
As the news began they ran the promo we had filmed on the boardwalk. There I was, looking cold, as the anchorman said "And tonight on 'Three Wishes,' Mike brings you the story about a boy from Phoenixville and a girl from Norway, and their dream come true..."
Mom sat quietly, maybe as nervous as I was. About midway through the news, the three-minute segment began.
"This is more than just two pen pals meeting," Mike said on the tape. "It's a love story."
I cringed, afraid to look at the screen. Mom smiled and said 'Uh-huh."
There I was, wishing my wish from the backseat of the limo, a close-up shot of yours truly, dissolving into Manilow singing his first song.
They showed everything, brief little snippets: the huge white limo, me looking like Trump gazing out the window, even the "I love you" in Norwegian.
Actually Mike had done a fine job of putting it all together. If only it could've been about someone else maybe I could've enjoyed it more.
The memories returned as I watched us near Kennedy Airport as Manilow sang "Brooklyn Blues" in the background. There was Jill hugging me out of customs. And there was a bit of her interview back in the limo, especially the part when she answered she had traveled so far to see me..then Barry.
Finally we were back on the boardwalk, freezing as Mike closed with "And we will tell you all about the meeting with Barry Manilow tomorrow night.."
Same bat-time, same bat-channel.
Immediately the phone started ringing . How many people around the area watched it?
I was hearing from old friends who had been out of touch. Fellow fans couldn't wait until the next night, mainly to see Manilow, not me.
The second part began by recapping the previous night. Then we were at the show, smiling while Manilow made his entrance, dancing with fans. The big moment was about to happen.
For all those viewers who thought they were going to see the actual meeting they had to feel disappointed. Mike got around it by saying, "Barry wouldn't allow television cameras backstage because he considered it a "personal moment.'
Whether Manilow actually felt that way didn't matter.There was no mention of the hassles Just a positive fairy tale- like ending, the famous photo of all three of us as Manilows' song"'Looks like We Made It" played over the fading scene.
It was well-done and magical. I suddenly didn't feel embarrassed anymore- I felt lucky and grateful for everything. Mike and Jill were very special people in my life.
Strangers would come up to me on the sidewalk or in elevators at work and say ' "Aren't you the guy who was on the news?" I heard from fan clubs from as far away as Louisiana, asking me to join. The videotape was floating around the country, now part of Manilow memorabilia.
Soon it was back to "Greg who?" which I was happy about. I offered to send Jill a copy of the videotape. She said no, she would watch it this summer when she came back. Maybe their videotapes and machines in Europe weren't compatible to ours in the States? I thought nothing of it and looked forward to seeing her again in a few months.
No comments:
Post a Comment