Night at the Circus
As promised, I’m back.
Friday night the Big Apple Circus threw a special performance for its supporters. 
The circus has several outreach programs—one of them is pediatric Clown Care—for which I’m a National Spokesperson.
To help kick off the event I appeared in my "clown persona" as Doctor Ditsie , while Chris Meloni from Law & Order SVU took on the role of ringmaster. After some opening remarks, we had the opportunity to join the audience for what was a great evening. There were acts from over 10 different countries, everything from acrobats to prancing poodles and of course the "face" of the Big Apple Circus—"Grandma" the clown.
Before I sat down to enjoy the show I changed back into my regular clothes, but I kept on the clown makeup. I was with my friends Anne and Steve who had brought along their 3-year-old granddaughter, Thalia—and it was great to see the circus through her eyes.
When the show was over, Anne and Steve drove me home. 
Richard had already gone to bed, but Gabe was still up along with his good friend Liam, who had come over for the evening. I’ve known Liam for years, so naturally I went up to give him a big hug, and started making small talk. I noticed he was acting very strangely; he even seemed uncomfortable around me and said he was going to wait outside because his Dad was on his way to pick him up.
The minute he left Gabe turned to me and said, "What is the matter with you?" I had no idea what he was talking about until he told me to go look in a mirror. Only then did I remember that I hadn’t washed off the clown makeup, and looked more like a very tired Howdy Doody, rather than Mrs. Cohen.
Gabe said I probably scared Liam. After all, who wants to be kissed by a pair of clown lips that he never saw coming? The funny thing is I was so beat that I went to bed with the makeup still on. The next morning, Richard—my husband of 21 years—didn’t notice a thing. But then again, every day’s a circus in our house.
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a question for you.. Do you have a housekeeper and a cook that helps you out? You are such a busy lady I wondering how you had time to do anything at home. Thank you...
21 years. That's a long time.
Poor Liam. Don't we all have an overzealous clown in our past, though?
You're a good writer, Meredith. I could just see Liam scurrying out the door to wait for Dad, leaving a puzzled clown in his wake.
Thanks for the story, as always.
My oldest daughter, and her oldest son are scared to death of clowns, they have both been that way since they were very small. Her youngest son, can not get enough of them. :-) Living in a cirucs is not all bad.
Linda
What a wonderful story. After the Today story on Healing Clowns came out, I immediately contacted my local hospitals to see if I could volunteer. Unfortunately, there are only 1-2 volunteers, they rest are full time jobs. I am a graduate student working full time so I was bummed, but I plan to continue to try and see if I can volunteer throughout my life. What a wonderful experience you had! P.S. - Congrats on you and Richard. An awesome and strong couple. But did he not notice because he is poor vision (almost blindness?) due to MS or because he knows you are a goof : ) hehe.
What a wonderful experience Meredith! When the story of Clown Care came out, I immediately contacted my local hospitals to try and volunteer. Unfortunately the few 1-2 volunteer spots were taken and the rest are full time jobs. With a full time job and working on my Masters, I had time to volunteer but not another job...However, I remain enthusiastic about this program. I am glad to see you had a amazing time! P.S. Congrats on you and Richard 21 years. From what I have read, you have a awesome marriage built on laughter and strength. But did he not notice the makeup because of his partial blindness due to MS or because he knows you are a goofball and was not suprised? hehe : )
Great job Meredith!
Merideth
Did you wear your sexy pantyhose from work under your clown costume.....just curious......Your such a pleasure to watch..
Melissa
Meredith,
That is hilarious, embarrassing and totally something I would do!
This is off the subject but I wanted to post a thank you note right away. It was wonderful to meet you yesterday at Radio City. Thank you so much for taking a picture with me. I really appreciate you and Matt for being the high light of my day.
Hello Doctor Ditsie!! Hee hee!
Forgot to take the clown make-up off........D'OH!!!
Don't worry, it happens to the best of us.
On that note, I might as well share my Halloween costume with you from a couple of weeks ago. I was dressed up as a Sears employee! How clever!! Actually, I had to work at Sears on Halloween (from morning to afternoon) with a white polo pique shirt and khaki pants with black athletic shoes and my Sears tag around my neck with my name on it. Cool costume, huh?? :)
The name tag is there for just in case I forget my name!! :) LOL!!!!!
Well, enough fun for today.
I'm glad you're continuing your legacy of pediatric clown work, as I am sure it is a very special thing for you. I wish there were more MVs out there -- the world would be a better place. :)
Ta Ta!
Joe :)
okay meredith, new topic: that Drew Peterson interview on your show this morning? uh...huh? what the heck?! Having worked as a journalist prior to my current job, and knowing from the 'usual' interviews you do with these accused people, that was THE strangest interview I've ever seen. Thanks to Today for 'staying with it' longer than a usual segment. Matt did a great job keeping it going, but that guy did not do himself any favors....any opinions from you? I know I can get an honest read on your thoughts since you were in the studio? Wanna blog post about it or can you even do that?
thanks meredith.
adam from California
Yah, I would love to hear your comments as well. Did that drive you crazy when he kept referring to these "hormonal" women, and all their emotional issues, and their emotional behavior around their menstral cycle? I actually thought that if you were doing the interview you would have given him a piece of your mind at that point, and at many other points in the interview, would have loved to have seen that!
Meredith,
With Thanksgiving next week.. how are you going to juggle the Macy's Parade and hosting Thanksgiving at your house?
Loved you in Good Housekeeping, great photos and the wooden pilgrims/native people are so special! Will Ben be home? I know you are all ready for him to visit. I remember I could not wait for my sister to go to college, I was sad, but wanted home to myself... so I thought.. then I could not wait until she came home at Thanksgiving.
You all have a wonderful one, can't believe it is one week away! Gracious!!
Thanks!
EL
Sounds like I missed some good TV...having not seen the above mentioned interview. But then, I have two littles and missing good TV is a given for me.
For a clown, you looked pretty good.
HI Meredith, Poor Liam, he is probably going to have nightmares for weeks now, NOT, he probably got a kick out of it. Our kids take thing too seriously. I enjoyed the story, maybe Richard thought it was some kind of a new facial mask.
Love ya Meredith
Joan K.
Wisconsin
Hi Meredith,
just stopping by to tell you that I think that you are amazing ! ! You're so intelligent and beautiful, a role model for all women in the world! I first saw you on tv in 1997 when I was living/studying in Albany NY and watched 'the View'. I was in the US for 6 months due to an University Student Exchange Programm.
I'm from The Netherlands but living in France at the moment so unfortunately I don't get to see you on tv but thanks to YouTube I can still catch up sometimes.
Lots of Love
Eve
Is a guest appearance on The Simpsons next down the pipeline? You would be terrific as Krusty's lover, Doctor Ditsie, as well as his potential replacement, should Krusty become accidentally trampled by Stampy, formerly Bart Simpson's pet elephant!
Meredith,
This morning you seemed to have an aha moment when you said you didn't know whether or not the report on detecting liquids at airports should have been made public.
My father, who spent 30 years in the military, has a fit every time one of these reports points out our vulnerabilities and hands them to our enemies on a silver platter.
During the process of gathering that information, does anyone in the newsroom consider simply handing it over to the people who can fix it rather than dispersing it to any and all who are listening?
We all know that American media is monitored by our enemies. When they issue statements, they quote our media. Why give them information that could cost American lives, military and civilian?
Does anyone in the newsroom ever actually verbalize that question?
hey meredith, love you on the today show..just wondering, do you ever wish you were taller?
11/15/07
HI...MEREDITH:
I, live in Redding, CA & wish
to introduce someone's blog, you
might enjoy..
Doni Greenberg is her name & she
use to be a journalist...but now
she has her own WEB.
www.donigreenberg.com
************************
She will have lots of fun things on
her Web, for helping others..
Take time to look at it, cause she
is working hard to make it interesting
& GET EVERYONE TO LOOK AT HER SITE.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK ..MEREDITH
& TAKE TIME TO ENJOY..
HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING..
TONI
DeWayne!
Dude, you are psychic!!
A couple of weeks ago, I was thinking about whether MV would ever make a guest voice appearance on "The Simpsons". That would totally rock!! Your "plot" with Krusty the Klown sounds pretty good!
Hmmmm.......I wonder what Meredith would look like with "yellow skin"??
Joe :)
Great story, Meredith!
I saw the interview you gave to Portland, Maine affiliate WCSH-TV and enjoyed the story about meeting Richard. I don't think I had heard that one before. Thank you for sharing that. Just a question: how long ago was that?
I am a 27-year-old guy and I love watching Meredith on TV every day. Call me weird but I think you are so funny yet professional.
And you have an emotional side too. Just look at how you couldn't hold your tears at the news of homecoming soldier and his sons.
Hi. I saw you at Radio City Music Hall on Monday. I was walking upstairs with my family. I turned and saw you and Matt and was elated. My daughter was as well and you waved to her so cutely. Then we saw you again on the 2nd mezzanine and hope that we got in the filming. We were one of the ones selected. You are so nice and I know you meet so many people. I hope you remembered us. It was the highlight of my day in New York to see both you and Matt. Keep up the great work!
Hi Meredith, I just watched an episode of Millionaire where someone got one wrong and left with 0 dollars. Have you ever felt so sorry for one of the contestants that left with zero that you were tempted to give them the 1000 dollars anyway?
[By the way I attended a taping of Millionaire during movie week, I asked the Comedian whether I could say Hi to you. Do you remember waving to me :) ]
What's your love story, Meredith? Was it love at first sight with your husband?
Where did all the short skirts go? its winter now show those pretty legs off in your pantyhose and heels.... :)
Melissa
Hi Meredith,
Oh boy would I love to comment on Mr Peterson too, he kind of screwed himself a couple of times, if you ask me and I know your aren't but I loved it. Matt had some great questions for Mr. Peterson, kind of made the guy squirm a little. If I could have reached through the TV screen when he went on about his last two wives and their depression. Did he ever think it was maybe because of the way he treated them, what an ego on the jerk. If he didn't have anything to do with the deaths of his wives it would be a miracle, he is so darn guilty.
Love ya Meredith
Joan K.
Wisconsin
WHY DOESN'T MEREDITH JUST GIVE UP THIS BLOG. THIS IS NOT ONLY RUDE IT MAKES US ALL FEEL LIKE FOOLS TO KEEP ON COMING HERE TO SEE IF SHE HAS POSTED ANYTHING. THIS IS THE LAST TIME FOR ME. EVIDENTLY SHE GOT ALL THE ADORATION SHE NEEDED FROM THE BLOGGERS. SHE NEEDS TO GROW UP AND HAVE A LITTLE CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS. I KNOW THIS WON'T GET POSTED BUT LET HER AT LEAST READ IT.
Wow, this is Inky's 3rd time within the last week posting a complaint. She's rude and is acting like a spoiled brat. Looks like she wants attention and likes to stir up trouble. She really needs to grow up as nobody owes her anything. As far as her not coming back her, good riddance! I assume that Meredith is busy with other duties at the Today Show and this blog should come second to that. Blog whenever you have time Meredith.
Inky, your temper tantrum is downright stupid. If you are getting this upset because Meredith hasn't blogged, then you do need to leave because you are obviously way too involved in her life and have way too much time on your hands. Even a small child can behave better than you. You're the one who needs to grow up.
My goodness Inky, you don't have to yell, I think you need to get a life. You need to think about why it bothers you so much if Meredith is busy and doesn't get a chance to get here everyday, you should get a friend, she doesn't owe you a thing. You sound very immature,grwo up.
Love ya Meredith
Joan K.
Wisconsin
To Joe: If you can, catch the archived NBC Today Show clip where Meredith is "Simpsonized". Just type in "Today Goes Simpsonic" on any search engine. The MV plot for TS actually pays tribute to Chuckles the Clown, the clown who is accidentally trampled to death in a famous broadcast of "Mary Tyler Moore". If you want to know other things about MV that rock, check out the previous post where I proposed track listings for MV's new music CD.
Meredith,
I can appreciate your mishap with the make-up. I'm active in my local theatre community. After working 9 hours a day, then heading to the theatre for a 3 hour musical, it takes its toll on your body! I recall the night I forgot to take off my fake eyelashes. I woke up in the middle of the night and my eye was glued shut, and there was pancake makeup and mascara all over my pillowcase! Not the most attractive scene!
Thanks for your stories. And thanks for putting me into a good mood every weekday morning. It wouldn't be a full day with out my daily dose of Today!