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This week's episode of 10% Q-TV, the weekly queer show on Rogers Cable 10, features an interview with myself and TNT!MEN chairman Richard. Here's the blurb they have on their website: "Although they make the Pride Committee somewhat nervous, Totally Naked Toronto Men (TNT!MEN) are perennial crowd and media favorites at every Pride Parade. But there's more to this group than a yearly stroll down Yonge Street wearing only a fig leaf (and of course shoes, this is Toronto after all :-). Founded in February 1997 with 50 members, TNT!MEN has grown to well over 300 guys with one of the busiest social calendars in the community. They were also instrumental in getting the City to declare Hanlan's Point Beach "clothing optional," and are currently involved in court battles over their "Naked Nights" at local clubs. Chairman Richard Westgate and Mr. TNT!MEN David D. join us to talk about why nudity seems to get some people's knickers in a knot, and why they choose to drop theirs."
When Richard and I did the interview, Richard answered the first two questions. This gave me the impression that he was doing all the talking. At that point I decided that I should chime in occasionally, which I did, but I still left thinking that Richard spoke much more than I did. Boy, was I wrong! Watching it, I realised that once I get started, it's hard to shut me up! Sorry, Richard.
Feeling all self-conscious over this huge difference between what I thought I did and what I actually did, I timed how much I spoke, how much Richard spoke, and how much the host spoke. Richard spoke the least, at about 24%. The host spoke more, at about 27% of the time. I spoke the remaining 49%. And felt embarrased every time I had to mark down another sentence I uttered. :-)
All in all, though, I think the appearance was a success. Our next nude swim featured 5 new fellows who came because of that interview, and I have since heard from others that they learned something new about our group and understand what we are about just a little bit better. Which is exactly what we wanted.
This episode aired, Sat June 2 (11:30pm), Sun June 3 (11:30pm), Tuesday June 5 (midnight), Sat June 9 (11:30pm), Sun June 10 (11:30pm), and Tuesday June 12 (midnight).