The third week of December brought us an unexpected pair of live television appearances — and of course we had to share how it went. If you follow our Instagram, you’ve already seen some of the photos and asked for the videos to match. It’s been a busy week in the world of live TV, and we learned a lot (and laughed a lot) along the way.
By coincidence, two different Richmond stations invited us into their studios this week for live interviews. The first invite came from NBC12’s “First at 4.” We’d met local newsman and social media enthusiast Ryan Nobles before, when he interviewed us about radon at our house, so it felt friendly to be welcomed back into his studio.
During our NBC12 visit we caught the weatherman, Ros Runner, doing his forecast on the green screen — a reminder of the controlled chaos behind live broadcasts. Our interview with Ryan played out smoothly, with only a few blush-worthy moments. Sherry couldn’t help repeating a line about chalkboard paint because, as she put it, “you can tell people what to do.” It was sincere to the point of being funny.
TV production brings small surprises: as soon as we stepped up for the interview the producer quietly handed Sherry a small box to stand on so she would be the right height at the desk. It was our little backstage secret — the booster step made her even more adorable. And yes, newscasters often sit behind desks and still wear full outfits beneath the set.
We’re grateful to Ryan and the NBC12 team for having us. Live TV can be nerve-wracking — there was a persistent worry that we might stumble or say something embarrassing — but everything went off without major incident. No accidental profanity, no fainting, and no unexpected gaffes. Win.
Bolstered by that experience, we headed to CBS6 on Thursday for a second appearance on the morning show Virginia This Morning. We were less nervous than before, though still excited. Sherry ditched her usual blazer and chose a bright orange jacket for the second segment — she insists it’s coral, but I’m calling it orange — and we tried not to repeat the “tell people what to do” joke this time around.
This particular show has hosted us before, all the way back in 2009, so returning felt comfortable. The hosts were welcoming and easy to talk to, which made two live five-minute segments feel manageable instead of terrifying. Our first clip covered everything from thrift-store finds to Clara’s favorite tool, and the hosts even coined a playful hybrid celebrity name for us during the introduction.
Between segments we enjoyed a local tween jazz band performing Jingle Bell Rock — a cheery reminder of the season and the community spirit that local morning TV often highlights. Watching live music in the studio felt warm and festive.
For our final segment we showcased a few quick, easy projects from our book that make great last-minute hostess gifts or stocking stuffers. Sherry’s enthusiasm even included a playful fist pump for Jersey — spontaneous moments like that make live TV memorable. Again, everything went smoothly: no wardrobe malfunctions, no FCC-violations, and plenty of laughs.
We’re thankful to both stations for inviting us into their studios and for making the experience comfortable and fun. Ryan Nobles and the NBC12 crew were fantastic hosts, and the team at Virginia This Morning was warm, professional, and genuinely friendly. If you ever get the chance to do live television, it helps to be prepared, stay relaxed, and embrace the unexpected — production quirks and all.
Have you ever had a TV moment — successful or cringe-worthy? Did you get recognized afterward or make the most of your 15 minutes of fame? Share your stories: live television is unpredictable, and every experience makes a great story to tell later.