I’m in Philly for work. This morning, cabbing to the client, I noticed we were driving past the offices of WHYY. While WHYY does a few things in Philadelphia, to me, it is the home of Fresh Air, hosted by the legendary Terry Gross.
I am looking at the building - there’s a small drive-in parking lot. And there, getting out of her car, is Terry Gross. Her look is so distinctive - Four-Foot-nothing, close-cropped grey hair, glasses and a face for radio ;).
Without even thinking as traffic began moving, I rolled down my window and yelled “WE LOVE YOU TERRY!!!” I saw her head whip up, but didn’t get to see how it registered. But it registered, dammit!!
I rolled up the window and looked around - the youngster consultants on my team, who had been discussing (still!) 'Nova’s NCAA win were looking at me like I had an arm growing out of my head ;). I briefly explained, unapologetically. It was Terry Gross.
Second, I never thought about what she looked like so I wiki’d her. And holy crap, she IS super short! Like, if you hadn’t have said she was short, I would’ve assumed Obama was on a step in this picture.
I completely agree! She is the absolute Bomb. Think of all the people she has talked to over the years–holy crap! And OFTEN during an interview, the interviewee will say, “That’s a great question,” because she does ask really great questions. She is respectful, inquisitive, funny, charming, and knows when to be quiet so the other person will (probably) say a *little *bit more than s/he intended.
PLUS she has a nice, normal, alto voice, pitched naturally low enough that she doesn’t have to resort to the terrible-horrible-awful affectation known as “vocal fry” (I’m lookin’ at you, Melissa Block)>
(ThelmaLou, you’re so right about vocal fry. I almost have to turn off the radio when there’s any news from France, as I know that Eleanor Beardsley will shortly be assaulting my ears…)
