Joel Stein, the LA Times' boyish, sometimes-funny cross between Dave Barry and Cameron Crowe, has a
column out today advising celebrities on how to adeptly maneuver if they find themselves in the position of being profiled by a hack such as himself. Among his tips:
--Don't Bring your Publicist (it will make you seem more authentic and endearing)
--Bring a gift (it will make you seem more authentic and endearing)
--Pay (it will make you seem more authentic and endearing)
--Give me your cell number (it will make you seem more authentic and endearing)
And finally,
-- Don't do print interviews (because you can't control the message. Stick to broadcast)
At the risk of sounding presumptuous by criticizing a journalistic lion such as Stein (hey,
I've never profiled Johnny Knoxville), this advice is a mixed bag.
The best advice anyone could get is: Be honest, to the best of your ability. If you are unwilling or unable to talk about something, say so and move on. Don't pay-- we have expense accounts. And do print-- don't you want the smartest people writing about you?