The Public Eye Guy
Each Friday, they interview a DC media/political type. And today, your trusty Public Eye Editor's number came up.
So, since we've never had a formal introduction, I thought this exchange would contribute to your awareness and build a sense of … Ah, it just answers the question you've probably had: "Who is this guy?"
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Matthew Felling is the editor of CBSNews.com's media blog "Public Eye." Before joining the site in May, Felling served for 8 years as the media dir. at the Center for Media and Public Affairs. He just wrapped up a couple of weeks as guest co-host on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program and is also a frequent guest host of WAMU's "Kojo Nnamdi Show." But today he's our Friday Feature:
Where's your hometown? What was it like growing up there?
The mean streets of Annandale, VA -- and I was lucky to get out alive. Seriously, though, the town's diversity taught me a lot. On my grade school basketball team, we had a Cambodian, a Phillipino, a Korean, a Palestinian. And we didn't lose a game for more than three years.
What was your first job?
As much as I'd like to give the shopworn "sweeping up the copy room at age 9, for two bits a day," I can't. I was. A busboy. At a local mall. At -- gulp -- a Ruby Tuesday's. Looking back, though, dealing with irritated customers at that early age prepared me for the Public Eye comments board.
What's your most embarrassing on-the-job moment? (Or as embarrassing as you'd like to reveal?)
To paraphrase that line from "Johnny Dangerously," you only have to learn to Always Assume You're On Camera once ... Once. Particularly if you are trying to negotiate a chewy granola bar. That's all I'm going to say. (And I'm going to say a small prayer of thanks to Our Lady of YouTube that it predates streaming video).
If you could interview any deceased person, who would it be and why?
Mandela. Oh, wait, let me double-check my sources on that. Actually, I've got to say my father. He died when I was in seventh grade, and I'd like to know more about him. I mean, I know what his stances were on Yosemite Sam and big band music, but I'd like to ask him what he thought of life, love, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
If you could have any other job besides the one you have now, what would it be?
Teaching. Every time I talk to students -- at any level -- and I see the light bulb go off, it ignites me. If not that, the official movie reviewer of E Street or Bethesda Row theaters. (With a hall pass for "Batman" movies or Bruce Willis flicks.)
If you could cover any past political story, which one would it be and why?
The 1948 election, no question. Strom Thurmond and the Dixiecrats grabbing the southern states; fiery Truman versus bland Dewey, the "man on the top of the wedding cake"; the first televised convention -- back when conventions were interesting, culminating with the "Dewey Defeats Truman" upset. It was a one-of-a-kind battle of personalities, tactics, agendas and a cultural turning point for America. Plus, I'm a Truman guy, so I like the ending.
It's 2027 -- where are you and what are you doing?
Well, probably not blogging. A columnist from the '20s said that being a columnist was like being married to a nymphomaniac -- it's great for the first two weeks. Imagine that times two, three, four posts a day.
In 2027, I'll be about as old as Andy Dufresne was when he broke out of Shawshank, so I'll say sandpapering the hull of a small fishing boat on the beach of Zihuatanejo. Or, if radio exists in 2027, I'd like to be doing a few hours on-air everyday trying to make sense of the world.
What's your favorite political book and why?
Honestly, and this isn't because I just met him last week, but Michael Lewis' "Trail Fever." It's his expose of the 1996 Republican nominating process, and his writing is inspired. Lewis is known nowadays as the "Moneyball" guy or for his great contributions to the New York Times Magazine, but his playful, intelligent style and eye for detail carries over into everything he writes.
What is your biggest weakness (and not your job interview biggest weakness)?
That's like asking a mother to pick from her many children -- there's so many to choose from. But I suppose it's me always trying to get a complete grasp on both sides of an argument, which works for me well professionally but is maddening to friends and family when they're trying to have me hear out an argument or a disagreement or ask for advice.
Or Raisinets.
Or being prolix.
What's your favorite comfort food?
The Monterey Salad at Cactus Cantina on Wisc. Ave -- peanut sauce, spicy, chicken -- gotta love a dish at a Mexican restaurant that eats like Thai. Either that or the only pizza on the planet, as far as I'm concerned: Generous George's in Alexandria.
What reality TV show could you win?
Does anybody truly 'win' reality TV shows? Aren't there just levels of degradation? That said, if they tweaked the format a tad, I'm sure I could ace "Taxicab Confessions." I don't think I'd have a chance on "Being Bobby Brown," but you never know.
If you could go to any live concert tonight, which one would it be?
Well, I've already crossed Shawn Colvin and EPMD off my list this year, so. ... Am I allowed to go back in time? Just a few days? Because I'm still bummed that I missed Peter Frampton earlier this week. The way he makes that guitar talk, man
And finally, we're ending this feature with a question posed by the last interviewee. This is from CBS News' Jim McGlinchy: If you were given a sabbatical the day after the presidential election how would you spend it?
I would go to a tiny speck in the Atlantic called Saba and exhale with naps, books and boat drinks. It's five square miles of relaxation -- or at least that's how I envision it. Of course, if Election Day were a few months earlier, my sabbatical would be a tour of minor league baseball ballparks. But somehow I'll try to make do with Saba.