YOU TALKIN' TO ME?

By Dan Miller
September 10, 2007

People often ask about memorable, or odd, moments in my broadcasting career.
Here's one.

It was a big election night in 1970, and I'd been working at Channel 4 (then WSM-TV) for only a matter of months.
The station was broadcasting continuous live election returns from our main studio, with a big fancy set, specifically built for that night.

All the returns were displayed on a giant tally board behind the anchor desk.

Jud Collins (that's him in the photo).... who'll forever be Nashville's "Mr. Television".... was the anchor.
Actually he was more of a ringmaster.
He sat at the center of the big desk reading the numbers, interviewing candidates, tossing to reporters in the studio and at campaign headquarters around town.

In those days, on election nights, almost every candidate would -- at some point during the evening -- drop by our studios to be interviewed.
Of course, they would also stop by channels 2 and 5.

Being fairly new at the station, I wasn't involved in the actual election coverage.
As I recall, I was simply doing "announcing" that night.... station breaks, etc.

I would occasionally wander into the studio and stand watching Jud masterfully handle the chaos.

As I stood there looking around, I suddenly heard Jud say, on the air, "I see Dan Miller standing over there, someone hand Dan a mic and he can do the interview for us."
A studio worker quickly handed me a microphone, and -- within seconds -- the red light came on the camera and I was standing there, on live television, interviewing an older, white haired gentleman.

This immediately created a couple of problems for me.
I didn't know whether the man had won or lost.
I didn't know what office he was vying for.
As a matter of fact, I had no idea who he was!

All I knew was -- I was on live TV -- and Jud Collins wanted me to interview this man, so he must be someone important.
It was decision time.
I could either admit my ignorance, or fake it.
I faked it.

"Well, how are you feeling tonight?" I asked.
He answered something like, "Good, it's early, there are lots of returns still coming in, and we're optimistic."

I went on, "Anything you'd like to say to the voters?"

He gave me some answer right out of 'politics 101', talking about the collective wisdom and loyalty of Tennessee voters.
Hmm... I guessed he must be talking about a statewide office.

Now I was getting confident.

"Well sir, what are your immediate plans for now?"
He said, "Of course, I'll be going to my office tomorrow to continue doing our best for the people of Nashville", or something to that effect.

Hmmmm.... now I'm thinking he must be an office holder here in town.

I thanked him, wished him well, and hurried out of the studio.

One of our news producers was nearby.
"Who the hell did I just interview?" I asked.
"That was Clifford Allen, the Metro Tax Assessor" he said, with a puzzled look on his face, "He's here in support of Senator Gore (Senior)."
"OK, thanks" I said nonchalantly, "I just wanted to make sure."

Looking back, I'm fairly confident I pulled it off.

I don't think Jud, or the audience, or Clifford Allen, knew the truth.
But since confession is good for the soul, and since 37 years have passed, I think I'm safe in saying....
Hey Jud -- if you're reading this -- I HAD NO IDEA WHO I WAS INTERVIEWING!

And a footnote.
Al Gore Senior lost that election to Bill Brock.

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