Media Attention

On December 4^th, 1991 a San Francisco-based television news program sent a reporter and camera person to film Puck for the evening news. A week later a second Bay Area station sent a crew. During this time I was also bombarded with calls from radio stations around the country. This attention was a result of the first article I wrote about Puck, which had been published a few days earlier. Although the magazine involved had a limited circulation, wire services picked up the story, and many morning program producers thought that Puck would make a great two-or three-minute feature. The radio stations wanted to hear Puck “live.” Well, that was impossible because he had never spoken into a telephone receiver. In fact, he didn’t even like being within three feet of a phone! So, I played a small portion of a tape for these stations, but I doubt that very much could be understood, as ever more electronic layers were added to the small voice.

A production staff person from Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show called during this period, wanting Puck to appear on the program. Someone from the David Letterman Show also called. I debated for awhile as to whether it would be a good idea to have Puck on a national TV program. I decided against it. For one thing, I knew that he would be frightened in a strange setting with bright lights, large cameras and many strange people. He would never talk in that kind of situation. I also knew that, as a result, we would be joked about. I honored Puck too much as an entity (as well as myself) to subject ourselves to a comic routine. That wasn’t the kind of recognition I wanted for Puck. I was also worried about the possible ill effects of air travel. He might get a respiratory ailment or pick up any number of weird microbes. Everyone knows how sensitive birds’ respiratory systems are! Several friends thought that I was crazy for not accepting these invitations, while others wholeheartedly agreed with my decision. I have no regrets.