Thank you everyone who watched the White House Christmas special! Here’s some behind the scenes dish!
Have you seen the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Gene Wilder appears as Willy Wonka. He has a hitch in his step, and his cane gets stuck in the pavement cracks. He freefalls into a somersault and then jumps up gracefully to the applause of the crowd. He told NPR’s Fresh Air, the grand entrance was necessary “because from that time on, no one will know whether I’m lying or telling the truth.
When we arrived at the north gate of the White House, we checked into a small security office. Secret Service police in SWAT gear let us in. As our camera and belongings went through a security conveyer belt, one officer kept his eyes on us with a hand inside his bulletproof vest. He was ready for anything. I expected nothing less.
Once the doors opened to the White House, and we stepped inside, I saw Nancy Reagan’s portrait. She’s wearing a floor-length Reagan red gown. It’s by Aaron Shikler, who also painted President John F. Kennedy’s official White House portrait. Complimentary red decorations were hung high, with twinkling lights.
He was the conductor leading the orchestra of people behind the scenes to create an inviting atmosphere. He made it feel relaxed inside the White House. Every fifteen minutes, people tended to the fire to maintain the ambiance. Most people came and left quietly, but one young man named Alex had a big smile, and I could tell he was in the mood to talk. Scott and I told him how lovely the fireplace was, and he said he’s an engineer here to make sure it keeps going. Note to self. Assign a family member this job at Christmas.
Her people asked if I wanted a glass of water and told me we could take our time. I looked at their kind faces and listened. They were words I have spoken to people nervous about interviewing. It was lovely. After our quiet embrace, I held her hands and thanked her for the interview. She said, “Send your mother my love.”
Then, since we were all TV journalists, we started talking her ear off. We discussed shopping for Christmas presents and learned she loves when Joe buys her jewelry. We admired a stack of red rings on her ring finger. She told us she took a Barre class that morning and that people go about their business. What a difference from LA. Anytime a celebrity leaves their home, paparazzi are lurking nearby.
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