I'm not usually the type to copy-and-paste, but O'Connor has been excerpting a new book on "This Old House" across social media, so I'll help promote the book by sharing his thoughts on the show's creator, because they speak to a level of professional respect one can have for someone who might not be likable, or who might not like you. I saw it in Hollywood, experienced it personally more than once, and a fellow Kevin succinctly describes it very well:
Russ has been a good friend to me – sort of. He stopped by my house while I was renovating it and quickly pointed out that my amateurish ways were, well, ruining the place. He handed me a redesigned floor plan that he drew on a napkin, then left. I showed up once for filming with a fresh haircut; he said I looked like an idiot. Over the years he has told me my tools are for weenies and not for real carpenters, told me that press interviews I’ve done show me in a poor light, warned me away from shilling for products, lamented my lack of training – and screamed at me on plenty of occasions. But Russ is retired now and I miss him – sort of. I still visit him at his house despite his old critiques and his fresh warnings to “wear Kevlar” when I come. We sit and have coffee and he berates me. Why do I go? Because, without a shadow of a doubt, Russ knows what he’s talking about. His legacy is long and widely known. He is considered “the father of how-to television” for his work launching such shows as The French Chef, This Old House, Ask This Old House, The New Yankee Workshop, and The Victory Garden. (He has other accomplishments too but if I list them all here what will we talk about over our next coffee?) Mostly I go to learn from a man I respect, immensely. Russ may be retired but he is still our standard bearer and he continues to demand a great deal from the people who work on the programs he created. He observes and critiques and delivers his opinions with unfiltered candor, and I am glad to hear it. So, I’ll continue to go see Russ and take my beatings. And I’m happy to do it . . . sort of. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=276950945776065&set=a.204800112991149.48129.160773990727095&type=1 -- Kevin M. (RPCV) -- -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TVorNotTV" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tvornottv+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
