Philippe de Montebello and Paula Zahn, cultural co-anchors
You mean they hired Philippe and not me?
Back in February, I received an announcement about a casting call for a “female arts reporter” for Channel Thirteen‘s (New York’s public television’s) new culture program, SundayArts. I figured that that since I’m an established radio star, I’m SO ready for television!
I e-mailed my résumé, photo (my downfall) and a short paragraph detailing my experience and background.
Here’s the kind of candidate they were seeking:
We are looking for someone who is intelligent, effusive and has a love of the New York City arts scene. [That’s so ME!] Ideally, you would be female [check], between the ages of 26-40. [Can I fake it?] A fine arts background is a must and on-camera experience is a HUGE plus. [Does appearing once on BBC-TV count?]
I never got the call for my close-up. The show premiered without me on Mar. 23. (What does Christina Ha have that I don’t?) Now I hear that Philippe de Montebello—male, over 40, but very well preserved—has gotten himself a co-host gig on the show, starting this Sunday at noon. I’m certain that he needs a veteran art-museum correspondent. (Do I need to do botox?)
And what’s his opinion of the mini-series that appears, from the trailer, to be a soap-opera treatment of “The Impressionists,” airing on this week’s show? Judge for yourself: