The big news in the Crummy Mummy household this week is that I was asked to appear on ITV’s This Morning to talk about whether it’s ok to wear pyjamas on the school run (in my opinion it totally is!) I was excited on two counts: getting to meet Phillip and Holly (last time it was Ruth and Eamonn) and getting a plug for Crummy Mummy on TV.
Except it didn’t quite work out that way. Here’s what they don’t tell you about live TV:
1. There’s only a matter of seconds between PR triumph and PR disaster
The stage was set: my blog post was live, I’d told everyone I knew I was going to be on TV, I was tweeting, Instragramming and Facebooking the relevant hashtag and charting everything on social media. All I had to do was mention Crummy Mummy during the interview and the blog I work so hard on would be brought to the attention of hundreds of thousands of viewers – many of whom are my target audience – across the nation. Simple. So what did I do? You guessed it: I didn’t mention it.
It’s not that I didn’t try: I really did, but after my opening gambit the time just ran away and suddenly it was all over. If I had a spin doctor they would have their head in their hands. (I keep hearing Del Boy Trotter in my head saying ‘Rodney you plonker!’)
2. Be assertive
I found it hard to get a word in edgeways and should have been more assertive by cutting in with my own point of view. But I didn’t, because I’m too polite. Which got me nowhere.
3. Say something controversial and you’ll get trolled on Twitter
Within minutes of leaving the studio my fellow interviewee Angela sent me a friendly tweet advising me to ignore the trolls. What trolls? I thought. A quick Twitter search with the hashtag told me all I needed to know. Apparently BB must have ASD because she has tantrums getting ready for school in the morning, and we must be late for the school run because I’m too busy applying to be on the Jeremy Kyle show. I won’t bore you with the others.
But on the up side:
1. You’ll feel like a million dollars
With make-up professionally applied and your hair done for you you can shed your mummiform of leggings and a vest top (or pyjamas!). You’ll be transformed from a knackered, invisible unpaid servant who spends more time than you ever thought imaginable wiping into someone in heels and an outfit featuring no traces of child emissions with something important to say.
2. It’s such fun!
You get to meet famous people (Holly is every bit as lovely in real life), see what goes on behind the scenes (all the celebs congregate in the kitchen) and you’ll be on an adrenaline high all day (even if you do feel like you fluffed it).
Linking up with…
That’s awesome that you were on TV but it sucks that they didn’t give you a chance to mention your blog! I wouldn’t have thought about the trolls either but I guess they come with the territory. #effitfriday
Yes I think I was a bit naive about the trolling!x
I don’t think you fluffed it Hun. I think the other woman was given too much air time.
Thanks! I know I’m probably being over critical…
Wow – well done. I want Holly to be my best mate and share her clothes (after I lose 20 stone first). Wish I had seen in it and def in your camp about it all #Fridayfrolics x
Thanks so much!x
Hi Nat, I told Tim that I felt weirdly protective of you every time they talked over or interrupted you! I wanted to jump into the tv and say ‘let her speak you asked her here for her point of view’. I think you did a great job and you looked amazing X X
Bless you! Thanks so much!x
That’s amazing to be asked to go on This Morning! Don’t beat yourself up about not mentioning your blog, I am sure there were so many things whirling around your mind at the time. One for the CV! x
Yes there were – and your heart is in your throat especially as you know it’s live!
Gorgeous make-up. Well done. I would have said something really stupid, or got my own name wrong! Thanks for linking to #FridayFrolics
That’s true – I suppose it could have been worse!!
sounds like a really cool experience. congrats
Yes it was certainly memorable!
This is so fab and you look gorgeous. I did some radio once with BBC and had it written on my hand to mention my blog and I just about managed to slip it in, in the most unnatural way possible. Haha! Good for you and thanks for linking up to #thelist x
I also did BBC radio that evening on the same subject – the DJ got my blog name right at the beginning of the interview but then called me Confessions of a YUMMY Mummy at the end…nevermind though!x
Congratulations! I bet it was loads of fun 😀 Ugh, and as for trolls – some people just have nothing better to do. I had to do a bit of radio and newspaper stuff before for work and I got so much flack just for that. I’d totally do it again for the blog, but not for work now, hehe. x #effitfriday
I write for Femail at Mail Online too and those comments are always very interesting! I try not to read too many though…
Sounds enormously exciting but I’d be petrified. Glad you had a fab time. #thelist Lifeinthemumslane
I was petrified too!!
Wow fantastic what a great experience. I was asked to go on This Morning on the back of my whoopsie (fake tan baby incident, you can read about it on my blog colleyswobbles.wordpress.com). I would have loved to have done it but unfortunately a much bigger story came up that week so they ran with that story instead. I did get to go on Virtually Famous though which was fun (there’s a blog about that too, sorry shameless blog plugging going on ☺️). Although I think I may look like a plonker when it airs *cringe*. Well done and I hope to see you with Phil and Holly more often. You’ll be at the NTA’s next year and drunk on the sofa with them the next morning #FridayFrolics
Sounds interesting! I’ll have a look! It’s so disappointing when your story gets bumped off at the last minute, that’s happened to me too!x
So amazing you were on This Morning. I would have been so nervous I probably would have forgotten my own name let alone remember to plug my blog. So jealous you got to meet Holly and Phil, they seem so nice and fun from what you see of them on TV. Your hair and make up looks lovely. xx #picknmix
Thanks so much you’re so kind!!x
Congratulations on being asked onto This Morning. I’m not sure I would be brave enough to do it. Forgetting to plug your blog sounds like something I would do. Ignore the trolls too. Only jealous people judge or put others down! Think of the good and stay on the high 🙂 #PicknMix
I put myself forward for it so I got what was coming!! Thanks for the positive thoughts!x
That’s brilliant and love the fab make up! Must be so difficult when you’ve only got one take to get it right. I’m sure I would have totally fluffed it!
Thanks – the make up was fab and I wish I knew how to achieve the look!
Oh how amazing! I am almost positive you didn’t fluff it, I don’t watch but might check you on youtube!
What a great opportunity, you’re so brave! I’m sure you did a brilliant job, we’re always our own harshest critics, and no doubt people will find their way to your blog via social media, even though you didn’t get a chance to name it on TV. Thumbs up for the eye makeup, it looks smokin. I love how you describe the transformation from invisible mum to someone with something important to say.
You’re so kind! The eye make up was purple – I wouldn’t have dared to do that before but will now! Thanks for being so nice!x
What an amazing experience! I’d love to be asked but I’d be terrified to actually do it, I think I’d just freeze and not say anything! Really fun to hear what it’s like behind the scenes.
I was like that the first time but knew what to expect second time round!
Wow go you! Shame about not getting to mention your blog but still sounds like a lot of fun 🙂 you also look gorgeous suspect that’s more you than the make up though 😉
Thanks for linking up to #Picknmix
Stevie x
Thanks so much!! Yes it was such fun!x
Congratulations for getting on This Morning! And what an amazing experience and you now know for next time. I wouldn’t beat yourself up about not mentioning your blog on TV or being assertive enough. At least you got some points in, you looked very cool and collected and your make-up was lovely 🙂 #fartglitter
I am not sure I would be able to talk at all if I was put on TV. Shame you didn’t get to plug your blog, you looked fab! #FartGlitter
Thank you – yes a shame is one way of putting it! I’m kicking myself!!
Wow, well done I think I would be too chicken to go no TV. Such a shame you didn’t get our blog in there! You also look totally fab 🙂 #thelist
Thanks so much! You’re very kind!x
This sounds like fun 🙂 I’m sure people will still find your blog through Twitter. They really should have your blog name on screen when they put your name up 🙂
Thanks for linking up to #effitfriday
Debbie
Yes that would have been good!!x
I’m impressed you went on & said anything at all so I think you did a great job – I could never, never even contemplate appearing on tv, would be far too scared! I bet pretty much everyone who goes on any of these shows gets trolled on twitter! Phil Vickery will probably be trolled about his pancakes next week! I’m glad you got to get glammed up & they didn’t make you wear pjs to make your point 😉 #fartglitter
There’s NO WAY I would go on TV in my pjs – but the school gate is another matter..!
Brilliant to get on This Morning – well done! Live TV must be so scary so it’s a wonder you managed to say anything but I bet you still see an upturn in visitors. I’ve just realised that I’ve posted a blog on the same subject as you for Twinkly Tuesday, but I sit on the other side of the fence! Good to discover your blog as I think we have similar backgrounds, I’ll definitely be back. #TwinklyTuesday
I know – I’m next to your post on #abitofeverything!! Love your blog – great name too!
Wow well done on your appearance on telly – sounds exciting! I would have been a nervous wreck so just be proud of yourself, that’s amazing! And next time you definitely won’t forget 😉
No I definitely won’t forget if there is a next time!!
You showed up and said your bit – which is more than I would have done! Well done! 🙂
Just wish I’d said the bit about the blog!!
Wow what an amazing experience
It really was!
how brilliant you got to go on this Morning! I think I would have been a bag of nerves and not been able to speak atall lo. Glad to hear Holly is as lovely as she seems! #twinklytuesday
Holly is gorgeous!!
Congratulations on your TV appearance! To be fair you look very confident in the picture 😉 I would have been petrified! #twinklytuesday
I was petrified inside!!x
I think they should have given your blog a shout out though 🙁 #TwinklyTuesday
Me too me too!!
Whoopsie. At least you didn’t fall over or choke on a glass of water or something. I think you are very brave. The only part of that which sounds appealing to me is the free make-over but ultimately not worth it for the stress.
#fartglitter
You would have loved it I promise! But yes you’re right, it could have been worse!!
Wow, congratulations, what a fantastic thing to do. I would never have the courage myself to do it. It seams odd thst they didnt introduce you as the writer of the blog Crummy Mummy xx #TwinklyTuesday
They did on the website but not on the TV…
I’m sorry you didn’t get a chance to mention the blog but I can totally see how that happens – you certainly didn’t fluff it! You looked gorgeous and came across brilliantly 😀 (Screw the trolls) #twinklytuesday
That’s very kind thank you!X
Is there a youtube link?? I don’t get it out here!!!
They don’t put it on You Tube I’m afraid and the clip is protected so I can’t – there’s a link in my blog post though!x
What a nightmare! Well done for getting on though. I would probably do the same 🙂 Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
As long as I’m not the only one..!
Well at least you have a sense of humor about it. And what an accomplishment to even be on live TV. I would probably just be in aww and end up saying nothing and I am actually a very assertive person. As for wearing pajamas on the school run…HECK YES! As long as I don’t have to get out of the car…which for me right now is only on Fridays. I take my girls to preschool so I have to take them inside in which I am usually in my gym attire which is about a 1/2 step up from pajamas. I am visiting from #fartglitter.
People keep saying they do the school run in gym kits but wouldn’t do it in pyjamas but I don’t really see the difference!
What a brilliant opportunity, even though you forgot to mention your blog – I would probably have done the same! Love the way your make up looks and am so happy that holly is as nice in real life! I think I’d be devastated if you’d said she was a bitch! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
Yes that would have been disappointing!!
[…] So I’m slightly dreading what the result of going on live TV to talk about it is going to be (and I’m determined not to make the same mistakes I did last time I was on This Morning). […]