First comment on your ever so popular blog. I am honored...

Good to hear your perspective on the whole thing.

Despite its glitches, what a great experience for you! Congrats on all the attention - it is very much deserved!

I thought you did a great job. Beside the fact that they were rushing you and cutting you off.

P.S.: Did you hear Al mention you the next day on the air, talking about bubblicious??

It's true, it was a weird interview. KLG clearly didn't know what she was talking about. . but that's not her fault. Somewhere, someone is hitting themselves on the forehead for not prepping her well enough. You carried yourself very well. . . and, yes, you did look smashing!
A proud moment for "mommy bloggers" everywhere!

KLG is like a spazzy Meredith Viera. It's like what would happen to Meredith Viera if she developed a drinking problem and moved to Boca Raton.

You handle yourself so gracefully (with just the right amount of humor). I stayed up late last night to watch you on Nightline, and all I could think afterwards was, "That family is so cool!" I loved the shots of you and Leta dancing.

It did sort of come across like you were reaching the end of the segment, then Kathy Lee thought, "Oh! Crap! I was supposed to mention how this woman might be putting her daughter at risk to crazed lunatics, so we can do a Dateline segment about here with scary DUM DUM DUM intro music!" and then sort of threw it in right before things wrapped up.

It is a shame, though, that the topic wasn't discussed. Because it's an interesting one, one that would be well served by an honest, open debate.

I totally agree with you about everything on this interview. Kathie Lee puts her foot in her mouth all the time...she should of not been apart of this interview. "I don't know much about computers!" Ack! And they didn't give you credit or the respect you deserved.

I love that you are enjoying this so much yet still staying so humble and it is great to get to read about what really goes on at these things!

CONGRATS on all your success and keep on doing what you do!

When I watched you on the Today Show, I was thinking, "Give me a break, Kathy Lee or whatever your name is. This segment isn't about you -- it's about the person you're interviewing. Crikey! Get your clueless, self-involved little cranium out of your hygenically sealed butt."

Honestly, I can not believe the unprofessionalism and thinly veiled nastiness with which that interview was carried out. It was total horse shit.

You handled it well. Good on you!

Please post a response to Kathie Lee and post it. Since you didn't get the chance on the Today Show. (You don't have to start it "Dear Kathie Lee" or anything...just address the "I have safety concerns" issue she brought up before quickly segueing to outdoor furniture.)

I youtubed the video right after your last post about the segment and clicked away thinking "huh" as well. Your reaction here says a lot about who you are. Well done.
a.

I agree that it was awkward and I felt bad for you. I don't blame Kathie Lee for her opinion, I just think, like you said, that it's unfortunate they chose an interviewer who couldn't ask more relevant questions because she was unfamiliar with the topic. Maybe that was the point, though. Maybe she was supposed to represent the majority of people out there who aren't that familiar with blogging. It's not like The Today Show's demographic is primarily teens and 20-somethings, is it?

If that was the point, I wish they would have allowed you more time to explain. Ending the interview with this big ignorant question was unfair.

I was disappointed that you didn't get to show your shoes! You looked great, especially your hair.

Enjoyed the interview... well, the hearing from you part. Kathie Lee, I could have done without!

Love the blog, though!!

The most offensive part of that interview was KLG's dress.

Hi! Love your blog - just found you recently :D
I expected worse from the segment. It just sounds to me like Kathy felt she needed to say something, anything, to get herself into the interview. I think it was a meaningless un-thought-out attempt at depth. And: the interview itself was just what I expected and pretty much why I don't watch AM TV: it doesn't truly teach anything, it's all a gloss over, a "we're on top of the trends" show.

Blogs do way better :D

I feel like saying you are right, that it's unfair to trash Kathie Lee for being ignorant about computers and blogs.. and yet, it's her job to understand what she's talking about when she interviews people. If she didn't get it, perhaps she should have let Hoda do most of the talking?

I am also amazed that she actually addressed the fact that she got flack about talking about her kids in public with you directly.. I must commend her bravery for taking the angle she did with you, then, since she had already given you the ammo to shoot her ass right out of the sky if you had wanted to.

Can I ask: What was the point you were going to make when she cut you off?

No matter what, though, you were amazing. Very eloquent and your hair, girl, I would kill for your hair.

It was truly uncomfortable to watch Kathie Lee speak about this topic...

I'm always amazed with people's apparent ease with being on television. I would probably being tripping over my words non-stop. You were great on there, you looked super comfortable in front of the camera.

I was really uncomfortable with the end of the segment. I feel like Kathie Lee sucker punched you and then walked out of the room all "Oops! Out of time!" It was weird.

You, on the other hand, looked FABULOUS. I would have licked your face, too.

Very nice response, Heather. Good job with that. I was very interested to read what your interpretation of the event would be. This is very grown-up and civil. Shocking!

I was very shocked at the piece. It didn't do our world justice at all. I know you were prepared to talk more and I felt like they just cut you off. How dare you Kathie Lee? I think it's partly her fault as well as she should have done a little bit of prep work before the interview. Sheesh.

You looked amazing though and your hair was stunning.

I did watch the Nightline piece last night and I was much more impressed by it. So if you all haven't see it, you definitely should. I believe you can see the video here, but the article is there if the video isn't. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=4836738&page=1

Watching it live, I felt kind of sad for Kathie Lee. I mean, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor afterwards and everything, but I thought at any moment the grim reaper was going to pop up from behind that couch and put her out of her misery. You handled the chaos very well on camera, I was seriously impressed.
Jules

You did an amazing job staying classy under pressure and I heart your accent. That you continue to remain classy when it would be easier to point fingers speaks volumes of your class still.

Besides... the Nightline segment made up for the Today show segment a million times over. We got singing AND dancing in that one. What more could we want?

It would've done a lot (or a least a little) to humanize KLG's image had she said that bit about empathizing with you, etc, etc, on-air and not merely in private.

Didn't the Today show do the same kinda thing to Melissa Summers? Asked her to the show for one thing and then it became SO something else? Perhaps that's their schtick over there at NBC.

Oh well, kudos to you!

I saw the segment when it aired, and that's exactly how it struck me - I figured Miss Kath was given a real, real quick, rudimentary, bare-bones overview of what you do and what she should ask you, and then she went from there into all kinds of wacky conclusions. It's what happens sometimes, and it's a shame.

Though what was with her turning around to Hoda and going "She's REVILED!" What was that.

You're not reviled, Heather. Not by me, anyway.

You looked great. And this post, so very eloquent and funny, is the "Craig Fergueson" response of "mommy bloggers". If that makes any sense what-so-ever.

Hate that the interview was not what it could have been. :(

You still looked great. And AWESOME pics by Jon. :)

And because you said not to be mean about KLG, I won't say that OMG I CAN'T STAND THAT WOMAN. GAWD.

Kathy Lee is so bizarre. Why is she still on TV? I thought people didn't like her? Oh well, keep up the great work! I often have to explain myself as to why I keep laughing at the computer like a crazy person.

I think KLG probably thought she was speaking for "Jane Six-pack" when she said she didn't like what you were doing with the website. She saw how angry people got with how she kept whoring out Kody & Cassidy way back when and assumed people were feeling the same about you, not realizing that your personality is much less grating than hers is.

I must say, after watching the Nightline piece, I would watch a Dooce reality series.

A very balanced persepctive considering YOU were in the room and know all the facts. Thanks for that!

I of course, was all fierce and protective of you in the face of Kathie Lee and her winking and sass, and to me, feigned distress over the use of your child on the (gasp) internet! It has been said eight ways to Sunday that she was the exploiter of her own kids (not to mention the ones in the sweat shops!) throughout their early childhood, so no need to belabor the obvious hypocrisy.

So stoked you are getting much recognition and one day hope that I can relate to you on levels that include an actual husband and kid of my own. For now, I will continue to enjoy your humor and humanity and pretend that you are my friend drinking whisky sours together!

p.s. KLG was just thinking that she would totally have been licking you if you'd been alone.

As a new reader I can safely say that the best part about the interview was the fact that it bought me to your blog, which I love to the point I am rereading it from the start :) I only continued to watch the Today show to see the segment and I was totally disappointed about the lack of time and research that was given to the blogging subject.
Although I must say why are we all surprised? At least once each day I get completely frustrated that the segment that I was wanting to see has been squished down to allow another segment deemed to be more 'informative'. Unfortunately is seems it is just a part of the morning shows makeup - that is program loads of mini segments into a short time span thus reducing any thought provoking information/dialogue/active thinking to emerge. Guess will just have to log on more to hear your views on this and any other subject that pops into your head.

You did great! Sure the interview didn't go the way it was planned but I think it made Kathy Lee look like a total fool! KLG (because I'm too lazy to type her name) looked like a total LOOSER....seriously this day and age and AFRAID of the computer...hahah!

You looked awesome and keep up the good work!

Like anyone can't just Google her name and then have a thousand different entries on her and her family appear.... Nobody cares that much, do they?

Earth to Kathy.

You are on the internet.

I wonder if KLG was pissed because she wasn't better prepared for the segment. I know I wouldn't want to come off uninformed or old fashioned, particularly in front of a younger, competent woman on the rise. And I wanted to thank you for your thoughts on "MOMMY BLOGGER". I have resisted the moniker because as soon as you tell someone you blog about being a mom they assume it's all first tooth stories and romper pictures. It's been some of that for me, but my blog has also been a way to reach out beyond motherhood because it is only one part of my life (albeit a rather large and consuming part).

It wasn't until I saw your segment that I realized Kathy Lee Gifford was a part of the Today show. When the heck did that happen. No matter though, YOU did a great job and the exposure is so much greater than any of the little bumps you endured to get there. Good on you!

Great analysis. On a totally different topic - I saw you on Nightline last night. That was awesome. I think it turned out great. What did you think?

Heather, you did so well on that show. And I could listen to your voice read the phone book!

I won't call Kathie Lee names either, because I'm with you. I think she was ignorant, and kudos to her for admitting as much.

There will be more [and better] interviews, and you'll go to interesting places and, just like life, sometimes it's gonna be good and sometimes it's gonna be not-so-good.

But Girl, YOU LOOKED MAHVELOUS!

.

I think it's great that you got the press, and hopefully more dedicated fans. But honestly? I think that show was a complete waste of your time. The hosts are a couple of boobs (not the good kind) and there was absolutely nothing of substance said the entire time you were on.

I'm just glad you got to go to NYC, sell books, and take pictures.

The interview was a major disappointment because it seemed rushed and like it was thrown together at the last minute. I think its nice of you to defend Kathy Lee but I don't think she's that insightful to throw out other people's perspective, I think she was throwing out her own thoughts and clearly like she said, she's not up on the whole computer thing, and obvious the wrong person to interview a segment on blogging. Anyways it was great seeing you on television and I'm happy for your success, I love your blog!!

I saw the segment, rehashed it on the forums, but your take still had me peeing in my pants (and I wasn't coughing OR sneezing). Having worked in tv, I suspect you're right about last moment shuffles and such but still she had overnight to research (have her assistant research and she read the notes) on what blogging is, etc. You'd think she of all people would support moms being innovative about finding a place in the working world. I was just upset you didn't get to ask her about Al Roker's nips. Maybe next time.

I'm a blogger parent, so my view may be skewed... but I think your site and what you write about your family is wonderful. It's real, and that makes it very entertaining and gripping to the core of all of us parents. I worry about my kids' exposure so I'm sure you do too, however, I really doubt Leta will be anything but proud of the WAY you have shared her life with the public. It's touching and it reflects the person she already knows as her Momma.

I have a question for you that would probably answer all of my questions about that though. If you lived in Chicago, or New York, or Washington DC or Dallas, would you feel as secure about sharing so much personal information? ie. does SLC give you a bit more security about your home and family?

BLAH! My first impression of the interview before this post was exactly what you hit on: Kathie Lee's ignorance of computers, much less these newfangled things we call BLOGS on the EEN-TER-NET. Seriously, an eight year old child would have appeared more intelligent on that sofa. Shame on the industry for putting an ill-equipped person in the position to interview you. You should have just done something totally ridiculous to turn the attention from her blathering!

For a short segment on a network show like "Today" I thought that it probably couldn't have gone any better than it did. I know that this is a *lame* comparison, but my b-i-l is a self proclaimed "superhero" and has been on all sorts of talkshow circuits and is constantly mis-represented. There's just no way that they can get it right in 2 minutes time.

My hat is off to you for allowing yourself to go on a show like the Today show. If for anything else than to make people more aware that mommy-blogs exist in the first place.

Hi Dooce!
I'm soo excited to post a comment on your site. I'm a university student living in Germany and just discovered this blog a few weeks ago. I haven't commented yet but I just had to jump at this one.
I am shocked to hear them pin pointing you as a mommy blogger, or saying that you are the goddess of all of them. Of course I don't disagree with the goddess part - you changed my life and I started my own blog through your inspiration, I read yours daily, starting at the back and working (although it's more work than fun ;) ) my way to present.
What I am appalled at is the fact that they reduce you to being a "mommy blogger". Now I'm not saying that that is a bad thing per say. I get that it's an important subject and am worried to hear that it was not shared before that hey, raising kids is damn hard. Why not speak up about that adn share experiences?
But to me, dooce.com is so much more! Frankly, if all you wrote about was Leta, I wouldn't be reading this, despite your uncomparable humor. But you write about all kinds of stuff, through the whole span of life.
So I guess what I'm saying is please keep it up, don't let the labels get you, and you have one fan more to counterbalance the hate mails :)

You're far too fair to Kathie Lee. How can you be a professional "journalist" and not understand computers? It was a disappointing interview and I wish you'd had a chance to express your opinions more thoroughly. Thank you for your work in the blogging medium. It inspires me and so many other people.

Heather.

As usual, there is something about you I find inspiring. I am not yet a mother, I don't have pets and I am not/was a mormon but I feel the same based on your writing on so many topics and subjects. I love reading about your daughter and your daily life. I think your segment was unfortunate because that cow Kathie Lee Gifford did what she always does, makes it about herself because she is confused and jealous....and so should she be with you in the room. Keep up the great work and writing and thanks for being an inspiration for us that need a smile everyday

The Today Show interview was a joke - I'm sorry they didn't give you the respect and time they should have. I feel sorey for KLG and I think your perspective on the whole experience is great. I enjoyed the Nightline segment very much. You did a wonderful job with both opportunities - keep up the good work and know that many of us out here in the world appreciate you! Wishing you continued success. Love, a first time commenter but long time reader

That Morning Show interview was a blip.
I saw the piece on Dateline. You are officially my hero. And you and Jon are officially awesome.

I think you did a fantastic job and you looked sensational. Kathy Lee is kind of a tool, we all know this. But it stinks that you couldn't make your point. Cuz it's such a good one. That aside, great job. And great post. :o)

Dateline/Nightline - whatever. I don't live in the US so I am sorry for the confusion!

I thought you were great, and I agree with your thoughts that KLG was totally out of her element. She seems to be the kind of silly "television personality" that turns everything into a story about herself. She looked nervous, and you looked like a confident, competent woman who was waiting for the real interview to start. Maybe you should have let Chuck do the segment. His gravitas might have calmed her down a little.

Also, I would wear the title "The Woman Who Made Kathie Lee Gifford Uneasy" as a badge of pride.

Let me echo what so many others have said... you looked fabulous! And you seemed so much more intelligent than the 'hosts'. (Is Hoda there to keep Kathy in line?)

I was very disappointed with the interviewers and sad that they didn't allow enough time for you to sneeze or anything. (That's one of the reasons I don't watch the Today Show any more... they want quanity over quality.)

If nothing else, you got a great makeup session. Right?

I always enjoy your writing.

Yet another reason to dislike Kathie Lee... it just came across like she was trying to throw you under the bus at the end there. No matter, you handled her with grace and you looked fantastic -- good choice on the dress!!

I think you did great with what they gave you. It was obvious at the end that she didn't want you to fill in the blanks for her. Lame.
Too bad they didn't give you the time you deserved!

Its a shame your blog hasn't gained even more notoriety, or you could have really let KLG have it for her ignorance. I think you did well to play it cool and not stir things up.
You looked great, and you handled it all with the utmost grace.

I am sure she was indeed given a cursory review of blogs, etc., but as an interviewer its your job to know what you are interviewing the person about, not to let staff try to explain it to you last minute. This is a good example of that strategy not working. Unfortunately, with her "REVILED!" comment, KLG showed us her lack of experience on the subject.

revile[-viling, -viled] Verb
to be abusively scornful of: his works were reviled and admired in equal measure

re·vere (r-vîr) tr.v. re·vered, re·ver·ing, re·veres
To regard with awe, deference, and devotion.

I think miss KLG was actually going for the word "REVERED" and somehow mis-spoke, but I am not affiliated with her nor do I speak for her so I can't say this is true.

I think the truth would be that this blog has been BOTH.
There were the early years where Reviled would be accurate, but the segment was to be about how it is NOW, where the word Revered would be much more appropriate.

Definitions from: http://www.thefreedictionary.com
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

I had an experience where some of my close friends were going to do an interview on Good Morning America after a tragic accident hiking, but they got bumped and eventually cancelled altogether. I'm sure there's reason behind it on their end, but it really just makes you feel like big TV execs don't care about your story. They're just looking for ratings and apparently, the number of hits on your website couldn't actually equal ratings for their show because blog readers don't watch TV. We just wait for you or Jon to post the video on your blogs. (Not true.)

Didn't Kathy Lee use to talk about her kids on, oh let's see, TV!? Who is she kidding? She and that other woman are painful caricatures of Stepford Wife TV anchors, spewing frivolous, useless, nonsensical nothings. They must be so embarrassed!

In any case. You have this and you seem happy. People can be jealous. You came across like a whole, interesting human being (on both shows) and I am very happy about all your success. Smart women fucking rule.

Ok, that was weeeeird. I think you're right that it is part of the beast of broadcast television. After all, the fact that they stuck you with someone who doesn't even "get" the subject matter of the interview didn't matter because she is Kathie Lee.

I'm sorry that she made it odd at the end there but you should be really proud of what you put out there. I thought you did a great job.

Also, your dress is fantastic!

First of all, let me congratulate you for looking so ravishing and completely at ease on national television. I think you did a great job talking about your blog and why you do it. I feel that your are right in not blaming Kathy Lee for the way the interview ended. I've watched countless interviews on the Today show and have felt many times that the guest is never given enough time to say what they want. In fact I stopped watching the show for a while because I was so irritated by the hurried manner in which they conduct their interviews. All said and done, it was a great opportunity for you to be known nationally and hopefully it will direct more traffic to your blog where you can say all you want without being rushed or interrupted.

Perfect timing for a Family Guy Quote:

"Peter: Lois, there were only two cakes left and trust me, you do not want the one of Al Roker with the Hershey Kiss Nipples on it."

That and...I am SO friken jealous and happy for you.
LUCKY!

I found you on a search i did on blogging yesterday. I was searching to learn more about it because of this email my son received from his cousin who is a young mother and a huge blogger.. her little girls raised over 2000,00 in three hours for my sons therapy. The letter and his website www.gogarrett.org are self explanatory. But the rest of the story is that this money raised was largely due to the blogging that went on the week before the lemonade stand opened for business that saturday morning.. its a beautiful story and shows what great things go on in the blogging world.. I enjoyed learning from your blog and thought you were splendid in New York. Thanks

Mitch

To Clarify:

Being reviled is what happened when you lost a job over this blog.

Being revered is why you were on Today, and Nightline both! ;)

PS-The Nightline Segment was Awesome!!
It was well done, and professional.

When I heard all the outrage and then saw the interview, I was like, okay. That wasn't mean. She had a right to bring up that aspect of what you do, but what angered me was 1) the OBVIOUS hypocrisy (CODY!CODY!CODY!) and 2) the fact that neither of them had any clue what you do or what a blog is or anything at all about the matter at hand. I'm so glad you wrote this post because I'm happy to see that the way I interpreted things was the way you saw them too.

I was so surprised by all that the interview WASN'T, and that's shame on the Today show. But you did great and handled yourself great and looked great . . . I was proud to be a "mommy" blogger watching you represent.

Kathie Lee wishes she could fit into a pair of Polly Pocket Shoes. I think they cut the segment short because Kathie Lee sounded so idiotic and it was obvious she did not know WHAT she was talking about.
I am a proud Mommy of two and I am all for blogging of all kinds. But, your site is the absolute best.
You are an amazingly talented WRITER ( get used to the word ).

Can my four year old daughter Gabriella have a playdate with Leta? We live in NJ.

I thought you did an excellent job with what you were handed, it would have been great if they hadn't cut you off and let you explain yourself and by the way? You looked HOT. Hair was absolutely fabulous and your accent? Loved it.

I can't believe you didn't get that much time to talk.
Jon was hilarious for once embarrasing you!

Congrats on the latest round of media appearances; you did well (except for the hideous gray dress) and you didn't let KLG's personal issues and ignorance of the topic throw you.

As someone who formerly worked in media for a lot of years, I can say you are exactly correct when you say that no one entity is "responsible for how this played out other than the beast that is broadcast television."

Television news is thoughts and opinions expressed by committee, and no segment ends up airing exactly as it was pitched in the production meeting, hours, days or months earlier. Dozens of people have their fingers in the pie, advancing their moral and political agendas, shouting one another down, and generally making an unrecognizable mess of whatever the original story premise was to have been. And the greater the number of meetings in which the story idea is discussed, the more it shape shifts and becomes something entirely different, until the producer and the subject (you) reach the point when they look at one another and ask, "What the hell was the point of this, again?"

That's just how modern television news is, and you can't possibly control it - you can merely hope to survive it with your self-respect intact. And you did. Congrats again.

I am just reminded how much I can't stand Kathie Lee....

Watching this clip made me think they replaced Kathy Lee with Kelly Rippa because she's smarter....

Good job Heather! :)

Man, Kathie Lee Gifford is vacuous. And you were awfully nice to her.

I really loved the post Dutch wrote at Sweetjuniper about blogging about his kid. We wrote about how his wife used to work with one of Calvin Trillin's daughters, and no one ever seemed to get too upset with him for publishing about them in the New Yorker.

Calvin Trillin is a lovely writer. His essays about his family, and his transparent and total love for his wife and daughters, is one of my great reading pleasures. I don't really see mommy blogging as different. That is Maggie is right when she says you should just say "I'm a writer."

Okay, this second comment has no purpose other than for me to say that I actually read your post now and I see you've already addressed everything I said in my first comment. Just wanted to get that out there so people who'll never read this comment don't think I'm crazy.

And also, like everyone else said, you looked at ease and very hot. Gag if you want, but you really are v inspiring.

You are forever rocking my world. <3 blurbodoocery.

I'm one of your newly-welcomed, two-time-member-of-the-BYU-Alumni-Association readers. And I guess I should mention that I teach at BYU, too. But I still think we should be best friends. I bet Jennifer Aniston would hang out with us, too.

I think you handled the Today show interview and your response to it with grace and aplomb.

But I really want to tell you that I've spent the last 72 hours flat on my back with some sort of torn muscle, and your website got me through it. I lived your last 7.5 years and I am grateful. Thank you for sharing yourself with me.

Some of my very close friends have the same reaction to blogging and the internet. They don't "use" the resources or social networking sites that we are exposed to on a daily basis. I would extend that they don't understand it and they don't "get" the community and safety that we have created with each other as bloggers.

They also spend waaaay too much time watching 48 hours and other CSI shows that only scare them from the medium. I don't know how many times they've asked me to not blog this, or not mention their name or never, ever post a photo of them or their children. I honor their wishes because they are my friends and also because I'm a selfish attention whore.

However, they also don't bother to try and understand the technology; they don't even read my blog or view my pictures on the internet. Its a source for email, jokes or free porn only. There will always be naysayers. WE just have to get on with it and ignore it.

Just because its different, doesn't make it wrong; its just different.

You were remarkable gracious about Kathy Lee. Kudos to you!

I agree with the crowd - it seemed strange that KLG was so, well, combative for the last minute or so of the interview. Maybe she was feeling rejected from when she hit on you before the spot.

One thing that I haven't seen discussed: where did you get that dress you were wearing? Very cool and space agey! You looked great. (And sounded great, but that goes without saying.)(Okay, I just said it, but you know what I mean.)

I'm not a wife or a mother, but I read your blog because I think you are a phenomenal writer. I agree that the Nightline piece was a better/more fair representation if what you do. I also think that Kathie Lee thinks she can be as off the wall now as she was when she was with Regis. All it does is make her seem irrelevant and a little bit crazy. I think you handled yourself well with her though...

I thought you were great, and KLG was pitiable, really. Your points about the community are so important, and the fact that people are up in arms about "mommy bloggers" getting paid for talking about their experiences is so striking to me...motherhood has (unjustly) been unpaid and underappreciated work since the beginning of time - and some (many?) people seem desperate to keep it that way, and to keep mothers in isolation from one another. The shame is not that you get paid in some small way for what you do, but that all mothers DON'T. My hunch is that KLG is envious of your (deserved) pride in what you do and the freedom with which you do it.

Watching that interview that morning was like watching someone trying to interview an author about his book, but never having read it, or any other books. It was almost surreal, because you could tell neither of them had a CLUE.

You handled yourself with grace and aplomb, which is more than you can say for the "professionals" on the set.

The Nightline segment was awesome, and such a contrast to the Today Show segment.

No, no Mommy Blog - you are amazing strong-ass roll-with-the-punches goddess...

I heart you tons!!

Kathie Lee made ME feel so awkward, and I wasn't sitting mere inches from her... you handled it all like such a pro!!

Keep kickin' butt, woman ;)

Unbelievable, but not at all surprising. (said like that ole' skit from LAUGH IN "verrrrry interesting - but NOT FUNNY")
It was clear it wasn't going to go well when at the interview's onset KLG stated "I don't like 'em" referring to computers. Proceeding to spew the "special" KLG ignorance forth, inferring you are somehow putting your daughter at risk by publishing family snap shots, then refusing to allow you to address KLG's concerns/educate her!
A perfect illustration of the absolute lack of respect/disdain undeservedly garnered by the entire community of mommy bloggers.
Feh on them.
We're real! We're here! Get used to it!
(totally stolen from The Gays but ykwim)
And speaking of The Gays, I'm with John, you looked good enough to lick and I'm not even gay!

Well, you said it yourself, Kathy Lee had like a total crush on you, and so she did the only thing she could do in those few minutes. She pretended to be ill-informed and ill-equiped to "handle" computers or anything else without you. I think she wanted to cuddle and be told everything is going to be alright, by you, of course, since she soooooooo totally was making a pass at you! :) Great piece. Thanks for sharing the behind the scenes. I transcribe interviews for documentaries from time to time, and it is weird to see the finish product and see how many things they "clipped" from the final. Same kind of thing. You just never know. :)

Tis a shame that KLG was not able to do an interview on a subject about which she had at least a passing knowledge. In spite of that you did very well and should be proud. I never did see the Nightline segment. Will that be posted as well?

I wholeheartedly agree with your last paragraph. I don't believe KLG meant to come off the way she did...she is just one of those people that has a knack for seeming obnoxious. She was not familiar with the topic; you could see it in her body language, hear it in her voice. I wish that you would have gotten the segment you were originally scheduled for, but no doubt there will be plenty of other chances.
Loved the Nightline segment, BTW. The dancing in the kitchen cracked me up. I read a few of the comments, and one that really bothered me was somebody bitching about how you act like a teenager. There's nothing wrong with having some youthful goofiness. Hell, it's what gets my husband and I through life with an 18 month old. Otherwise? Otherwise there would be rampant alcoholism in this house. So the haters just need to back the flock off. You can tell them I said so. :)

from one "mommy blogger" to another, we're more than just mommies! i am more than honored to have you spearhead the campaign. youre fabulous.

I still think you got your point across pretty well! I mean, clearly she didn't feel very comfortable with it but I think you made it clear why you are and why you have the boundaries set up that you do. I don't think she was accusing you of irresponsibility or anything, just voicing her concern. Of course, if you didn't get to hit on the topics you wanted to then that's sucky too. The safety is always the focus when it comes to mommy blogging, but you're aware of it so why not ask more pressing questions...?

Either way you looked fabulous! Good points made also.

Holy open comments!! I love what you do.

I think the thing that cracked me up the most was Hoda's air quotes while saying Mommy Blogger real long and drawn out.

The video prior to your spot set the stage to be asked about privacy issues. You gave fabulous answers. I think the last comment with KLG was more just she being who she is, an on-air at times annoying tv personality, and her just wrapping things up. This type of format clearly does not lend to in-depth reporting or informed interviewers for that matter. It is too bad you had no chance to respond.

I love your blog. There are so many others, but it is yours I always return to. I have watched with such interest your inevitable rise. Unfortunately with this comes a higher level of scrutiny I guess, hence the KLG's of the world.

Just keep on girl, I don't know what we'd do without ya.

When I saw this on The Today Show I could tell there was more for you to say, and I felt annoyed that she made reference to the next segment so quickly. But I'm glad you had the opportunity to share a bit about it, as I have been a interested reader for at least a year now. And I'm not even a mommy.

wow. KLG appears to be even more irritating than i had initially thought. keep it up, HBA.

Kathie Lee shouldn't even be on television anymore. You were beautiful, poised, and sounded so much more intelligent than your interviewers.

My husband and I stayed up last night to watch the segment on Nightline and we loved it. You and your family are hilarious (especially the part with you dancing in the kitchen) and it might be creepy of me to say, but I feel like I know you. Yeah, that’s creepy.

Thanks for bringing entertainment to my long, boring days at work. You and your husband are extremely talented, and I’m glad you’re both brave enough to continue your business of blogging.

you did great. I was embarrassed for Kathy Lee's ignorance on the topic. I wish it had been longer...next time.

I loved the way Kathie Lee kept saying "BLOG" like it was in Mandarin or something. I do wish the whole topic had been handled better, but you handled yourself like a total pro.

And thank you for defending the whole concept of a "Mommy Blog". I'm not sure that's what I set out to be, but my baby is the single most amazing/consuming/entertaining thing in my life, so he's what I write about. Even my husband questions it-- "Are you sure you want to be a Mommy Blog?"

Well, why the F*** not!

I really hadn't considered you a Mommy Blogger, because you are much cooler than most mommy's.
The Today show segment was so short. I know KLG doesn't know anything about computers, internet, e-mails or blogging. It's all foreign to her, she really should have done her homework if she was going to do an interview with you or anyone. I recorded it on my DVR and had to watch it a few times to see if I missed something. The more I saw it, the more mad I got that she cut you off and didn't let you finish your sentences. But you looked great!
The Nightline Segment: It was great! They did a fabulous job on it. Leta is adorable. I hope you post it.

I was befuddled as to why KLG wasn't more concerned about Chuck's (and now Coco's for that matter) resentment with you for sharing their personal details. Housebreaking is a pretty personal thing you know.

It was a weird, off putting interview. They should have had Al interview you, preferably topless. No wait, ew.

Ok, to broadcast news, Kathie Lee, et al (fancy I know), PAY ATTENTION!!! People use the internet, on.the.computer. And they.talk.about.stuff!

**ImPorTant** Where's Today's Chuck???

They barely even gave you a chance to speak! They cut you off when you were trying to explain the website and what you do...what's the point of the interview if they aren't really going to look inside your soul?!?! Roar that made me mad.

Since Kathie Lee had hit on you only moments before an interview, I'm pretty sure the only response would be for you to show her your boobs. That way, you could end up on the cover of Star Magazine as the woman who stole Kathie Lee from Frank. What a missed opportunity!

Fantastic job on the interview!

all i have to say is nightline was AWESOME and made me want to take my pants off.

Would it be more or less insulting to call you a "doggy blogger"? If people are going to distil you down to a single element - why mommy blogger and not doggy blogger?

I don't get it.

I don't care for Kathy Lee or the Today show, but that is another issue for another day.

Hi Heather,

I too was disappointed in the way the segment seemed to trivialize the effects that you and others in the blogging community have on others.

Thank you for finally sharing your reaction to the interview. You were beyond gracious and articulate during the interview and your attitude about the possibilities is inspiring.

BTW, the dress was FABULOUS on you!

I was really disappointed when I read you were going to be on with Hoda and Kathie Lee. I mean, that's like being bumped to having your next door neighbor's aunt interviewing you. I bet the reason they didn't tell you until you were practically on the plane is because when they DO tell people they'll be interviewed by Hoda and Kathie Lee, they get the "Oh...um... in that case, I have to wash my hair" response.

I mean, please, that hour of the Today Show sucks so bad that Anne Curry ditched it. How bad does a show have to be for Anne Curry to decide that it's just not worth her time to talk?

BALLS! I missed nightline!

I believe it's safe to say I scrunched up my face for the entire time Kathie Lee was talking. She attacked you (in my opinion) and was obnoxious. Maybe that's my opinion leftover from the Regis and Kathie Lee's kids show.

However, you appeared gracious, cool, and calm. Better than I would've handled it!

And may I say, I lurrrrve when you update with long posts. Dooce is my favorite blonk.

KLG has always annoyed me.

Just focus on the fact that you looked hot and sounded very intelligent and the pictures of Leta that were shown were beautiful.

I liked that you called out KLG at the end about living in NY. :o)

You truly are a class act! I'm pretty sure you could have ripped KLG a new tail and the fact that you didn't impresses me. I suppose I'm biased though, I love your blop...

Fame has made you even stronger, Heather Armstrong. You have set a fine example for all of us that flew off of the handle and went into name-calling mode. It appears it should be Kathie Lee that is mad for the show putting her in that position of not being ready for the interview. When millions are watching...it pays to be professional and cool. You never know....they might ask you back!

You handled the interview swimmingly, despite the fact that your interviewer was ill prepared. Once upon a time when I was interviewed by Chritie Brinkley about food, she too was completely out of the loop (does she eat?, afterall it's more commom than blogging). My friends consider it the greatest comedy skit I've ever done. Not to fret, it's still network TV.

KLG's interviewing skills are just as ugly as that dress she was wearing... egads! Thankfully you were there, with your lovely style and well-spoken words to try and salvage their pitiful attempt to capture the essence of the "mommy blogging" movement. I'm sorry you didn't get to speak more, but you handled yourself beautifully.

OMG, i love how she doesn't know much about "computers." you handled yourself very well, sounded intelligent and looked all that. is this really a mommy blog? i just think of it as a funny and poignant life blog and yours has a cute kid in it.

I think YOU did great! You. The Today Show? Not so much. I was much more impressed with the Nightline piece. I hope the Today Show was taking notes. Also? I love the dress you decided to go with. You looked so chic and Kathy Lee looked like patio furniture. From a cruise line. It's not considered catty if it's the truth.

Your blog is interesting.
It's somewhat above average.
Leaves alot to be desired.

Best Regards

Ted Bell of Beverly Hills Steakhouse.

shockgates99@gmail.com

Ah Heather,

I was disappointed in the interview because IT TOTALLY MISSED THE POINT of why so many of us are devoted followers of your blog. You inject a funny, fresh, mature and edgey voice into the world. You also happen to be a mother and have refused to back down and change your voice. Mothers are so much more than day care providers, and they deserve to keep their own voices.

One of my fondest memories of my mother was the night she drank a bottle of wine, got tipsy and rode my shetland pony into the house. It was awesome.

Thanks for the great reading, and for standing up for yourself, and for all of us who refuse to wear Mommy Jeans and otherwise bend ourselves into the masochistic image of the traditional mother.

What did you do to her? Congrats on all of the great hype.

I just wanted to say, congrats. I think you are the perfect spokesperson for this community. I have such a mommy blog crush on you (don't freak. It is totally cool. I'm female, no need to panic and call lawyers).

Good Work, Dooce!

I thought you spoke well and I tried my hardest to ignore KL making a total A$$ of herself, as usual.

I thought you did a great job! Better than you led me to believe! Kathy Lee failed to interview you in a professional manner. Here I thought "interviewers" did some homework first. Silly me. You were clear, she was a foggy mess.

Why, why, why, did the Today show hire Kathy Lee? She is vapid, silly, and shallow. I agree that everything has to be about her! When she is on set, she talks non-stop and it just sounds like so much babble.
You, on the other hand, were poised and articulate.

Man, KL is a maniac weirdo. Good job, D!

Now that I've seen the whole thing, first, you look amazing, and second, it's too bad they have obviously never read your stuff because I think the bottom line is you know how to write.

Yep, you were the pro on the stage that day.

I don't know what to make of the Today show anymore, that segment (and many others) just make them seem so out of touch. Broadcast media seems to be scared of it all.

Congrats on all the momentum... your and Jon's hard work is paying off.

You did amazing Heather, so together in front of the camera, and I wonder if KLG winked at you, in an attempt to put you at ease, even though she was the uncomfortable one.

You should do an interview for 'The Hour' with George Stroumboulopoulos, he would at least ask the right questions, and give you the time to answer them.
http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/
I'm not affliated with the show, just think it would do be a great interview.

I think Leta will appreciate the monthly updates when she's older, how many of us wish we knew how we acted when we were her age and younger.

I've been reading your blog since 2003, it's still one of my favourites. Thank you!

What am I most surprised to read from you? That you don't mind being called a mommy blogger.I would have thought you would really really take offense to that. I mean do they call woman 'Mommy bankers", or 'Mommy Ceo'....nope. Sure we all mention our kids in our blogs- but very few have 100% content as it relates to being a mom. Being a mom and being a blogger are two aspects...not mutally exclusive and not in herantly linked....okay I am over my head on that....but you know what I mean...don't you? Come on cowboy up and get mad with me. I am not JUST a mommy blogger!!! I am a blogger who happens to have made a human once or twice!!!!

Visit my blog- and you will see what I mean-I hope
http://www.theglamorouslifeblog.blogspot.com

Yup I am officially obsessed with your blog. Thanks a lot FOX13. No really thanks.

Gotta say, I found the whole segment disappointing. I really thought they were going to highlight how this came about and how different your blog is, and instead they just talked about how KLG is afraid of computers... weird.

Hopefully someone will step up and grab you and do this right, cuz it'd be cool to get the mommy blogs (and non-mommy blogs like us infertility bloggers) out there talking about how blogging is changing how we live, how we work, all of it.

Heather, I thought you looked great and spoke very well, but I wasn't thrilled with the way the interview was presented. I've never liked Kathie Lee anyway (I remember the old Cody-and-Cassidy yammer from the "Live" days) and I thought many of her comments were very hypocritical.

Keep up the good work. I've been a reader since 2002, when I found you after doing a completely random Google search for "old bitch" and your Canter's Deli post came up. (Still the funniest thing I've EVER read, by the way.) I've been hooked ever since, and it's awesome seeing you on television and all over the web these days.

I haven't read through the comments so this may have already been said....

Ya think the reason why KLG doesn't like computers/internet is due to how much she is hated and all the bad press online? :) Just a thought.

Interesting. Because when she was...less than gracious to you I thought to myself, "Isn't this the woman who drove REEEGE crazy with all her talk of Cody and Cassidy and the sickening way she spoke about her husband's...er... prowess?!"

As they say in "the biz", there's no such thing as bad publicity.

Even tho KLG and her sidekick metaphorically acted like they were reenacting the scene from "2001" with the black box (or the scene from "Zoolander" where they were trying to get the files out of the computer, for that matter...) YOU came off poised and confident. KLG came off fearful, ignorant and uninformed.

I have never watched "Today" - I guess I know why, now.

Nightline was a nice segment - I am sure this isn't the last time we'll see you on TV. You can learn from both of these experiences and get a plug in for your book on the air next time!

Hugs -

Hmm, interesting segment, and thank you for posting the video since I'm too lazy to find it myself. :P (Well, I would have, but you posted first.)

Anyway, to be honest, I didn't think the segment made "mommy blogging" come off too negatively at all. I wouldn't worry about it -- I mean, it probably won't add more than a couple hundred hate emails, right?

I'm so glad I didn't have to register in order to comment here. Thanks for trusting the captcha.

I was watching that segment live and as I saw it go on, I realized that the package about mommybloggers that aired before you was going to be longer than the interview itself.

I kept thinking, "They flew her all the way to New Yawk for that???"

It was a poorly done interview. Maybe not Hoda's fault, but putting Kathie Lee in there was a big mistake.

I felt you got short-changed, and just the smallest hint of an ambush in the form of Kathie Lee's judgment of the whole thing.

The Nightline segment was much better and more fun. I think you got a better deal there. Congrats!

Heather, I have to say you handled yourself with grace and humor. Job well done! I am not sure I could have handled a conversation KLG (filmed, no less) and not hide my frustration and/or disgust. I found it tiresome that many of her questions seemed to be really about her, not the subject of the interview... why bother having you come on the show if she is going to cut you off and not even let you completely answer any questions? From what I remember of her (at least before her career crashed the first time), she just comes across as completely self centered, no matter who she is interviewing. Plus, she was a total hypocrite about her so-called "safety concerns" about revealing too much about your children in public. This coming from a woman with a mouth the size of Texas. Needless to say, I have a now have much higher level of sympathy for Regis Philbin, Plus, her dress... wow...it has been 20 minutes since I watched the clip, but I can close my eyes and still see it. I guess they have no mirrors in the dressing room.

I didn't even know who "dooce" or Heather "Mommy" (sorry, couldn't help it) Armstrong was until I saw the Nightline segment last night with my husband. And I consider myself semi-internet savvy (unlike Kathy Lee Stepford ...oops, I mean Gifford). Anyway, I think it's great that so many women have been able to turn their blogging into a way to not only connect and share, but make a living (and a not too shabby one at that) ....hey, turns out there are still some great things about this country!!! Now, I must digress as I turn my thoughts to the Today show interview that I just watched courtesy of your post: you = real; Kathy Lee Stepford = robot (did you check to see if she even has a pulse??); Hoda = lemming .....I mean, really, who could honestly relate and have a meaningful discussion in this type of ad-hoc setting? Good for you for staying YOU and getting through it. "Better to look good than to feel good", as once said by one of Billy Crystal's SNL characters ....oh, and by the way, of course that crazy Kathy was hitting on you!! Count me in as one of your new fans (not your #1 fan, though ....that would be creepy...)

OK, so I confess that I am too lazy to switch my tv channel from ABC if I watch in the morning. I can see that is probably a fortunate thing as it has left me with pressing questions.

1. What is a Hoda? And how obtuse did the Hoda look when she practically snarled and did the parenthesis thing with her fingers to describe "Mommy Blog".
2. When did they take Kathy Lee out of moth balls and plop her back on the couch to "INTERVIEW" anybody? Interview would imply a 2 way conversation. It's interesting how her hairdo and dresses held up so well all of this time.

While I am not offended at the term mommy blog, to think that is what dooce.com is all about really demonstrates an arrogant ignorance on the part of people who want to reduce it to that.

You can read my assessment on twitter. What I want to say here is: I loved your dress.

I really do not see one thing wrong with how you handled yourself. Kathie Lee is an ass, now and always.
I have to laugh at these people who are so technically illiterate that the same refrain comes out of their mouths "Computers are scccaawwwyy ooohh they are so scaaaawwwy" I would think as a mom Kathie herself would be at least technically literate enough to know what her OWN kids are doing on a computer.

Heather, loved your recap of the Today show segment - thanks for the inside story. I saw it on YouTube earlier this week, and was puzzled by Kathie Lee's overreaction to a topic on which she was obviously clueless, so it was interesting to get your perspective. I think your analysis of what happened is spot on. And I commend you for being so polite - although maybe you were too stunned to retort. Wink wink.

I would just love to see yourself and KL go toe-to-toe(and boob-to-boob) in a Jello-wrestling match. It would have to be lime-flavored Jello. Hey, it's my fantasy...

The Nightline segment was terrific and insightful.

I'm a longtime reader who, sadly, apparently doesn't fit your target demongraphic. I'm a mom, but I'm not young. And I'm not reading your blog for connectivity.

I read your blog because you are an articulate and authentic writer, and I appreciate those who have a way with words.

Good on you for this additional publicity. You wear it well.

Heather,
I thought you looked and did great in the segment-- it's unfortunate that you were not made a priority. I also think that you're handling it well (at least from what I can tell) in not calling names or pre-judging. Just one more reason that I love reading what you write (you writer, you).

I also wanted to let you know that, yes, you do have a large audience base-- I just graduated college and have been reading Dooce for 2 years and am defiantly not a Mommy. I read not only to find out about Leta (I love kids) but to see the products you use in your day to day life. I love your style and many of the things you feature in you style section and though pictures of you house I'd love to have in my life too.

So there you have it. Some professions of love... but I'm not hitting on you.

What a great experience in spite of Kathy Lee's "unfortunate" comments. Was that politically correct? In any case - it will be nice if we ever evolve to the point where women stop judging one another. And you are a writer ... and a very good one at that.

Loved the "poor bunny" part & this entire post.

I saw the interview on youtube & thought what the heck kind of interview it this. Then Kathy utters the famous "I'm not a computer person" line ... And then I thought, you should have been on the original time slot with Matt or Al. Hellooooo NBC!!!

BTW I am just a Mommy to 3 cats & I love your bloggy! It makes me appreciate my Mom.

Smooches,
The Tart

Your kind commenters have said it all -- I just want to add: that was a magnificent dress.

Dooce,

Did Jon really say that? You two really are perfect for each other.

When I watched the Today show piece I wanted to reach into my computer monitor and strangle KLG. You handled this situation with grace and kept your dignity intact. Well Done!

After reading this posting of yours and some other poster's comments on this thread I may have a little more sympathy for KLG. Maybe in some way she was trying to warn you and be protective of you - sort of like a Mom (hey she looks like she could easily be an Avon World Sales Leader) but it would have been too huge for her to admit to this on national TV.

Another thing I have observed about your site that the network pundits should notice (the marketing guys obviously already have) - have you ever seen a set of comments with fewer spelling and grammatical errors?

Intelligent women do rock indeed

jazztater