Willie and I in October of 2010
A memorable moment for me last year during my 365 day journey was giving $10 to MSNBC morning host and author Willie Geist on Day 317. He’s intelligent and witty. His calm demeanor and intoxicating grin create a feeling like he’s a guy you’ve known all your life.
Now usually when I post an update, it’s because I have met up with the recipient and found out how they are doing. Well, I have tried to follow up with Willie, but he’s a busy television personality and understandably doesn’t probably have time to reply, however, what I want to update you on today is an awkward moment that Willie suffered through this week on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.
TIME Magazine editor at large, Mark Halperin, has one of the weirdest moments on TV that I have seen in a while. The exchange goes like this:
Joe Scarborough: Mark Halperin, What was the president’s strategy? We are coming up on a deadline and the president decided to please his base, push back against the Republicans. I guess the question is, we know a deal has to be done. Is this showmanship? A lot of times you go up there and both sides and they act tough so their base will be appeased, then they quietly work the deal behind the scenes.
Mark Halperin: Are we on the seven second delay?
Mika Brzezinski: Lordy.
Halperin: I wanted to characterize how the president behaved.
Scarborough: We have it. We can use it. Go for it. Let’s see what happens.
Brzezinski: We’re behind you, you fall down and we catch you.
Halperin: I thought he was a dick yesterday.
Scarborough: Delay that. Delay that. What are you doing? I can’t believe — I was joking. Don’t do that. Did we delay that?
Halperin: I said it. I hope it worked.
Scarborough: My mom is watching! We’ll know whether it worked or not.
All along Willie Geist is sitting very uncomfortably next to Halperin. And it only gets worse. They come back from commercial and Halperin apologizes while Willie looks on with a look of disappointment and awkwardness. Check out the video below from the Daily Show where Jon Stewart takes this train wreck one step further and suggests that Willie should chaperon all broadcasted public apologies.
I felt bad for you Willie! You’re the best!
Year of Giving 