Julie Chen's Mystery Trip: Paris

The Early Show Co-Anchor Will Visit Paris Opera House To See "Phantom Of The Opera" As Part Of "Destination Unknown" Series

(AP)  Julie Chen had an overnight bag packed but no idea she'd be headed to Paris shortly after "The Early Show" went off the air Thursday.

CBS' morning show is sending its personalities on mystery trips over the next month, a ratings gimmick with a fun twist. The five on-air regulars were told they could be sent away on any day without advanced warning.

Chen was given an on-air clue about where she was headed: "find the dark among the light; the romance among the haunted; across the ocean you'll find lovers in perfect harmony." The team guessed Paris, which was confirmed when she was handed a travel guide to the Paris Opera House.

The whole process is a little scary, Chen said. Her only request was not to be sent anywhere on a ship; she didn't think her stomach would be able to handle it.

"I thought if we have to broadcast the next morning, I was concerned about how far it was going to be and how tired I was going to be," she said in an interview en route to the airport.

She'll take a tour of the Paris Opera House and see a "Phantom of the Opera" duet set up for her. Some Halloween surprises are planned, too.

Chen said she secretly yearned to go to Paris, a city she loves. She recently mapped out an itinerary of places to eat and visit for a friend visiting the city. But it barely qualifies as a working vacation: she has to do a couple of stories while there and has time for dinner before coming home Saturday morning.

Harry Smith, Maggie Rodriguez, Russ Mitchell and Dave Price will have similar mystery trips coming up.

Travel is always a big part of network morning shows, and executive producer Zev Shalev said his staff tried to brainstorm for something new. These features all stand the risk of being overshadowed by one of the most successful such ideas on TV, the "Where in the World is Matt Lauer" segment on NBC's "Today" show.

That doesn't mean there isn't room for other ideas, Shalev said.

"It's like saying that talent shows are the domain of `American Idol' or crime shows are the domain of `CSI,'" he said.

[pturner4711]

Way to connect with the viewers guys!!!!! I mean everyone can afford a surprise trip to Paris right? Awesome idea, people love wealth shoved in their faces especially when unemployment, and economic hardship is staring them in the face. Again awesome ratings stunt, guys! Wonderfully compassionate and understanding. No wonder you people are in last place

[pturner4711]

Way to connect with the viewers guys!!!!! I mean everyone can afford a surprise trip to Paris right? Awesome idea, people love wealth shoved in their faces especially when unemployment, and economic hardship is staring them in the face. Again awesome ratings stunt, guys! Wonderfully compassionate and understanding. No wonder you people are in last place

[pturner4711]

Way to connect with the viewers guys!!!!! I mean everyone can afford a surprise trip to Paris right? Awesome idea, people love wealth shoved in their faces especially when unemployment, and economic hardship is staring them in the face. Again awesome ratings stunt, guys! Wonderfully compassionate and understanding. No wonder you people are in last place

[feduptohere1]

Totally insane, you guys. What a slap in the face to everyone at home losing everything. I can''t believe the audacity. Stupid, stupid idea.

Why not spend this money buying food to stock shelves at homeless shelters, buying coats for children in poverty, and reporting on that?

This is an outrage!!

[bob3868]

I think it is a great idea! I think some forget this is entertainment. I think this a fun thing to do. Keep up the good work and enjoy yourselves. I can''t wait to see where the rest of you will go.

[avajo4]

A surprise trip to Paris! I for one could not wait to see where Julie was going. No,I do not have the money to go to Paris, so Julie taking me to a little bit of it on my TV is great. Since I have never seen the inside of the famous Opera house, or knew anything about it, The Early Show has once again given me an opportunity to see and learn more about a beautiful,historical site.

Kudos! Being strapped for money, does not mean that you can''t enjoy the world. We all know about the hardships and poverty in the world today. It is refreshing to be able to see something beautiful also, while watching our televisions. Thanks for bringing us closer to things we cannot do ourselves.

[avajo4]

A surprise trip to Paris! I for one could not wait to see where Julie was going. No,I do not have the money to go to Paris, so Julie taking me to a little bit of it on my TV is great. Since I have never seen the inside of the famous Opera house, or knew anything about it, The Early Show has once again given me an opportunity to see and learn more about a beautiful,historical site.

Kudos! Being strapped for money, does not mean that you can''t enjoy the world. We all know about the hardships and poverty in the world today. It is refreshing to be able to see something beautiful also, while watching our televisions. Thanks for bringing us closer to things we cannot do ourselves.

[farakarr]

Phantom is my absolute FAVORITE musical, and Paris is one of my favorite cities! I could not believe it when I saw that you guys were doing this story, and sending Julie to Paris! How fabulous, and what a great idea! I have been to Paris once and walked to halls of that magnificent Opera Theatre, it is truly magical--I am so excited that they are performing it there, incredible. It is my dream to see it there, thank you for sharing it with us! It is so refreshing to see something fun and positive with all of the negativity and challenge going on right now. God bless you all!

[imrichie33]

To all you nay sayers,
What would you have them do?, go to the Sudan and be killed, or head off to Afganistan with a pup tent,maby to Columbia to tour the countryside.
Just because there is trouble here in River City doesn''t mean that we can''t have fun, or dream. the world doesn''t revolve around you and your depressive attitudes.
What do you think people did during the thirties? the movies were the easiest escape from the hard times. Fred and Ginger danced away the doldrums in those days.
So, you go Julie and company. the more exotic and luxury you can dish, the better.
Your morning show is one of the best ways to wake up with a cheerful begining.
What could be better during these times? and by the way Julie, you are beautiful, Harry and Dave, not so much.

Be of good cheer, it''s free
rich donahue