As talk show fans, we tend to think about what it would be like to have our own show, write our own monologue, or welcome a hot musical guest. Realizing the probability of that occurring, we move on to a more realistic fantasy - namely, to be a guest on our favorite show, whether that be the the Late Show or the The Tonight Show Tonight Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show or The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Maury or Springer.
Before you think that improbable as well, consider the number of everyday men and women who end up sharing the screen with Craig Ferguson or Jimmy Kimmel. Consider the recent appearance of Ben Litchman on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Conan discovered the musician on YouTube, and it wasn’t long before Ben was sitting with the Max Weinberg Seven displaying his particular talent (you can see it here - and don't worry, it's an all-ages clip).
For Cleveland-area magician and Guinness World Record holder (for longest playing card thrown: 216 feet) Rick Smith Jr., a dream is about to come true. Smith is set to appear on the Late Show with David Letterman tonight.
I had the chance to speak with Rick not long ago about what it’s like to be a talk show guest (he's already appeared on Last Call with Carson Daly and the challenge of getting booked on a talk show - no matter what your talent.
The First Big Break
Smith's interest in magic began at an early age - seven as he recalls - and it wasn't long before he was hosting magic shows for his family (charging just a nickel a head). But his unique talent might be his gift for throwing playing cards. The former college baseball player throws them farther than anybody. And he can cut all manner of things in half with just a flick of his wrist.
"I discovered this in college when I was messing around with some friends," Smith says. "A teammate threw a sock at my head. I didn't have anything to retaliate with except for some playing cards. So I used one of the cards - and I gave that guy the worst paper cut I've ever seen."
From there, he honed his skill and, on March 21, 2002, he broke the Guinness World Record for Farthest Thrown Playing Card at 216 feet.
... And Then Came The Phone Calls
"I actually got phone calls that very same day," Smith recalls. "Letterman's show called and Leno's. And I got a call from Ripley's Believe it or Not." He's received invitations to participate in programs in London and Japan as well. And to this day, the calls still come in.
The first talk show Smith appeared on was The Wayne Brady Show. "Everyone was so great. For all the guests, they just brought you whatever you wanted or needed. They asked me what role I should play on the show, if I'd like to talk to Wayne Brady prior to my appearance."
One of his next appearances, on a show we won't name, was not as much fun. "The host was just not personable and really sarcastic. The other guests where into it, but he didn't seem to get it."
Among his handful of talk show appearances, though, there's a holy grail Smith has been hoping for since all this craziness began - The Late Show with David Letterman. He's been trying to get on for a number of years. He's close with the producers, they've kept him "on call" for some time - and now it looks like things are going to happen.
So, you might ask, why did it take so long?
The Long and Winding Road
"What a lot of people might not realize is that being a guest on a talk show - at least when you're not an A-list celebrity - is a challenge. It's very competitive," says Smith. The long and winding road to five minutes with Leno or Letterman can begin years in advance with a call to - or in Smith's case, a call from - show producers.
"This is kind of how things work, generically," he says. "A producer will give you a call and ask you to send him or her a tape of your stuff. They'll want you to Fed Ex it, because, if it's good and there's an opening, they may want you the next day - or even that night."
In most cases, though, that tape will lead to a series of interviews and calls with producers who want to get a sense of who you are and what you're all about. If your act and personality fits the show - and Smith's certainly fits the antics of most talk shows - they'll put you "on call."
"And you could be on call for two days or three years," Smith says. "Basically, when you're on call, you're just waiting for that moment when the producer's give you a ring and ask you to be on. And in the fast pace world of talk shows, that could be that day. You have to be ready."
You also have to be prepared to be thought of as "used" once you do a talk show.
"If you've just been on Ellen or Jimmy Kimmel, the next talk show might consider your act sort of 'been there, done that,'" says Smith. "So there's sometimes a cooling off period until talk show producers feel your material is fresh again."
Persistence, then, is key. Smith says he forges relationships with producers and keeps on top of them, making sure they know he's ready and available to go on the show.
"It's a win-win," he says. "Guests provide the show with content and lively entertainment, and the shows give the guests an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their talent." When you consider that top drawer magicians can make six figure daily salaries in the corporate world at trade shows and events, you can see how important the words "As Seen On The Late Show" can be.
And for Rick Smith Jr., it looks like that persistence is paying off.
