Slog - Comments on The Least Comfortable Television Interview in History http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee The kid's the new national spelling bee champion, the lady's a CNN anchor, and they both deserve some sort of medal.... Copyright 2008 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:58:04 -0800 Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:54:35 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Carollani Hahahahhaha! I feel so awkward right now. I love how she had a Subway sandwich on hand as a visual aid.

]]> Carollani http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736685 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736685 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:58:23 -0800 Comment by Jonah S That kid is so fucking high.

]]> Jonah S http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736687 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736687 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:00:03 -0800 Comment by Christin It seems like the recent trend in the Scripps National Spelling Bee is that every 2-3 years, maybe 40% of the time, the winner is a homeschooled kid with Asperger's. Last year's winner was this adorable, sporty, class-president-type girl. This kid was due.

]]> Christin http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736695 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736695 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:08:08 -0800 Comment by Chris home schooled == complete lack of social skills

]]> Chris http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736703 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736703 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:16:19 -0800 Comment by Amy Kate Horn That's totally Asperger's or some type of autism.

]]> Amy Kate Horn http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736713 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736713 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:24:03 -0800 Comment by nipper man, that was just RIGHT...seriously, amazing and so revenge of the nerds!

]]> nipper http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736728 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736728 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:38:21 -0800 Comment by Jason Josephes I bet if Judge Wapner were interviewing him, it would've gone a lot smoother.

]]> Jason Josephes http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736729 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736729 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:38:34 -0800 Comment by Dustin One of my coworkers has Asperger's and it's tragic. Lots of useless information and absolutely no social skills or relationships in his life.

]]> Dustin http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736735 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736735 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:48:35 -0800 Comment by supergp I hate to drag the conversation off-topic, but I believe autism to be more of a spectrum than a given condition; I think most "nerds" tend to have mild cases thereof.

]]> supergp http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736747 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736747 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:01:41 -0800 Comment by Bellevue Ave this is about as awkward as seeing your ex girlfriend featured in the love lab ad next to slog every day.

which is kinda sorta, but not really.

]]> Bellevue Ave http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736750 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736750 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:04:17 -0800 Comment by The Man Who Couldn't Blog "It's as though we were on the same field, playing different games. He, however, seemed not able to understand that a different game from his own was possible."

—Joe Wenderoth, Letters to Wendy's

]]> The Man Who Couldn't Blog http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736751 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736751 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:08:25 -0800 Comment by local mf "Scombrids have two dorsal fins, and a series of finlets between the rear dorsal fin and behind the anal fin. What? Yes, I'm home-schooled. Why?"

]]> local mf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736792 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736792 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:41:32 -0800 Comment by Maggie I got up to "did you say my name wrong?" and had to stop.

]]> Maggie http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736797 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736797 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:48:24 -0800 Comment by D. My first thought is that is what home school does to you. My 2nd thought: there is no way that kid should go to regular school now! He would be tortured.

]]> D. http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736801 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736801 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:49:21 -0800 Comment by SDA in SEA Holy crap, that was painful to watch!

]]> SDA in SEA http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736806 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736806 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:57:19 -0800 Comment by local mf He's got the classic "I'm a huge dork and I have no social skillz, but I also have an attitude to sweeten the pot" thing going.

]]> local mf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736811 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736811 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:02:13 -0800 Comment by Lindy DING-DING-DING

]]> Lindy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736826 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736826 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:17:27 -0800 Comment by Steve F This kid is a candidate for a "Where are they now?" feature segment in 20 years. Even money that he lives alone in a secluded cabin where he rewrites his manifesto when not playing with plastic explosives.

]]> Steve F http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736830 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736830 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:25:47 -0800 Comment by local mf Hello, ladies!

]]> local mf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736835 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736835 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:27:57 -0800 Comment by JC Euonym!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6ep8KOR284

]]> JC http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736844 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736844 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:37:56 -0800 Comment by local mf hahaha YAY!!!!

]]> local mf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736869 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736869 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:54:36 -0800 Comment by Lloyd Clydesdale Imagine that spread out to the length of a blind date.

]]> Lloyd Clydesdale http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736922 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736922 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:20:26 -0800 Comment by spencer That video makes this post by Michelle Malkin even more ridiculous.

]]> spencer http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736961 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736961 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:49:30 -0800 Comment by Jude Fawley I think this kid interviews like the young Bob Dylan did!

]]> Jude Fawley http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736966 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736966 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:51:47 -0800 Comment by Sargon Bighorn Holy Sweet GHEEZUZ, I hope he never has to face the real world, he won't be able to spell himself out of a bucket of water.

]]> Sargon Bighorn http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736994 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c736994 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:17:49 -0800 Comment by Matthew "If you're not saying it right I probably won't spell it right," haha. I'm glad kid won the spelling bee, because it's probably going to be the highlight of his life.

]]> Matthew http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737047 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737047 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 18:26:29 -0800 Comment by Fnarf I'm glad to hear that you were all super suave and sophisticated when you were THIRTEEN. Jeez. Being awkward is not a disability. There's nothing wrong with the kid.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737080 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737080 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:16:08 -0800 Comment by Katelyn I love him. He cut through that interviewer's well-adjusted bullshit and was like, "Don't you play me. I'm not cute. I'm SERIOUS. SAY IT CORRECTLY. Do not make me look like a fool." She ended up looking worse than he did -- he's obviously the smarter of the two!

Fuck social graces, I'll take the annoying thirteen yr old... he's easier to love than the oh-so-pretty reporter.

]]> Katelyn http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737115 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737115 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:51:22 -0800 Comment by Jude Fawley @28 - that's what I meant by the Dylan thing: he was just not giving the interviewer what she asked for. We're so used to seeing people playing the right roles for eachother that when this kid doesn't do it he'd diagnosed. When Dylan did it he was cool.

Not to say that the comparison works too well on all levels, but I seriously thought of those old interviews of Dylan when the kid said, "Well, I don't remember, you'd have to ask my mom what she said" and when he gave a totally banal answer to the patronizing sandwich question.

]]> Jude Fawley http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737135 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737135 Media Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:29:45 -0800 Comment by Speller In case it wasn't clear, the "mistake" he made was based on her mispronunciation of the word. What a bimbo that "newscaster" is. I'm glad he called her on it.

]]> Speller http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737217 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737217 Media Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:18:01 -0800 Comment by Eric Grandy He's like part Bill from Freaks & Geeks, part Dudley from Royal Tennenbaums. I love him. I would take aspergers over newscaster any day.

]]> Eric Grandy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737313 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737313 Media Thu, 07 Jun 2007 02:14:57 -0800 Comment by hai the kid just needs to loosen up.... someone please get this kid two shots of patron!

]]> hai http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737471 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737471 Media Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:39:01 -0800 Comment by hai the kid just needs to loosen up.... someone please get this kid two shots of patron!

]]> hai http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737473 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737473 Media Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:39:44 -0800 Comment by hai the kid just needs to loosen up.... someone please get this kid two shots of patron!

]]> hai http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737474 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c737474 Media Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:39:45 -0800 Comment by Bill MSN I NIIPET
MSN

]]> Bill http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c741222 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c741222 Media Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:53:51 -0800 Comment by Bill MSN I NIIPET
MSN

]]> Bill http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c741223 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c741223 Media Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:54:29 -0800 Comment by Bill MSN I NIIPET
MSN

]]> Bill http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c741224 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/_unemployment_check_spelling_bee#c741224 Media Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:54:35 -0800