Raptor Jo's TV Debute (warning-long!)

As if my head isn't big enough with the newspaper article from this Spring now I will get to see just how goofy I can look on tv. I had the honor of doing the on ride "spiel" and interview for Magnum (gasp-yes Magnum) for the Discovery Channel's upcoming "Top 10 Coasters" show due to air next Spring. (January in Japan) Let me just say how very excited I was when I was asked to do this for CP (and to answer that one question everyone is thinking-I got to do this because apparently Discovery wanted to show there were indeed some female enthusiasts out there, and of course CP thought of me :)) Taping was scheduled for around 7am Tuesday so my b/f and I left here at 4am for CP. (If you think the Rte 23-4 is boring during the day-try it in the dark-yikes! I was on deer and critter patrol the WHOLE time) Arrived at CP at 7am. CP Irvine was my ride partner for the taping and she and her b/f arrived shortly there after. Mechanical difficulties for Maggie, then technical difficulties meant I heard the simple words,
"can you come back tomorrow?" I almost cried, (2 hours sleep the night before, b/f had taken day off just to be with me for the drive, 3 hour drive) but of course agreed. B/F and I headed over to Raptor (shock I know) and it was the 1st time this season I got to see a full queue. UGH!
We waited 40 minutes which this season was the longest wait. UGH! Got to see 2 of my fav crew members, got to hear "hi Jo" over the loud speaker in controls, got my Raptor fix and off to home we headed. When we left CP it was barely past noon and the parking lot was up to row 33 already and the causeway was a dead stop to the light. Yesterday I again made the 4am start time haul back to CP solo this time, managed not to kill anything (yea) although a bunny almost got creamed (if I had killed anything I would have had to pull over to cry for 30 minutes-honestly thats what happens :() got to CP safe and sound again at 7am. The crew immediately told me that "everything seems to be just fine today" CP Irvine (my Po!nter sis) showed up, then the volunteer employees (ride extras) loaded Maggie, we were fitted with our mikes, given last second instructions and off we went.
My heart was thumping so loud I thought they might get to me puke I was so scard but managed to talk and ride as best I could and by the 2nd tunnel I had cotton mouth so bad I wanted to die!
(the hardest part for me was remembering not to confuse Maggie's stats with Raptor's)
Got back to station and got to sneak a small peek at what we looked like on the film. Anne looked great I thought..I wont comment on how I looked.
We got to do the on ride taping a couple more times, then we were extras for a ride (beach) shot. My fav part I guess was just sitting on Maggies platform while the crew changed lenses and talking to some of the CP silver tags, most of which I knew, and if I didnt know them, I do now! :). It was a very somber moment for me thinking "wow-Im at CP, Im going to be on tv and I am just hangin here on Maggies platform at 8am") Taping done and equipment all gone by 10am.
Then it was time for my interview which I had NO clue about, once on ride taping was done I was planning on booking to MF...nope.
Let me just say that I have a great admiration for Dan doing this part for the last show. I had NO idea there was THAT much "detail" to just doing an interview. To finding the "perfect" spot, to answering the questions without looking at the camera, to NOT stand at attention, and especially to having to reshoot the PERFECT shot thanks to some guest being an idiot in the shot.
The hardest part for me was truly not being so excited when I was asked to describe Raptor, I said all its stats like it was nothing and had a big smile on my face the whole time, it was hard for me to get that excited about anything else.
I had to remember I was there for Maggie and for CP. By the time I heard "that's a take-you're done", it was too late for me to try to sneak in a Raptor ride and MF (2.5 hour wait by that time)
was out of the question since I had to go to work, but I still did walk the midway and sighed watching everyone having such a good time. I just adore that park. When I left the parking was up to row 44, reminding me why I havent gone for the last few weeks, the last second vacas-TOO crowded! :(
I am hoping that I did Maggie and CP justice on the show, I guess we will all know this come Spring. I know there is no way I did as good a job as our own Magnum Dan did, but Raptor Jo did try her best and I have such pride being picked to do this I cant tell you! :) :) :)
CU@CP!

Jo
2000 Raptor Crew
2001 Raptor Crew
Gemini 100 "Survivor"
Po!nter Girl-FOREVER! :)
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Welcome back Raptor riders-how was your flight??

So that was you they were taping.  When i got off Magnum i walked right past you. Cool, maybe i'll be on TV :)

*** This post was edited by Bryan on 8/16/2001. ***

Cool story Jo.  I can't believe you went back the second day. (I guess I would have to)  That is true dedication, and to Maggie at that.  Your big bird of prey is going to be jealous. better make it up !!!
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Gemini 100 - 35
Gemini 100 cheering section coordinator

Sounds like you had fun!  With your "can you come back tomorrow" as well as Robs on Vertigo.....  Are they trying to boost their numbers?  ;)
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Next trip to CP on August 25th - 26th!

Same here Bryan!

Congrats Jo! Can't wait to see it in the spring!

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-Eric
www.TheAmazementPark.com
"Would you like some mist?!"

Being the guy referred to as Anne's b/f :), I can say that it was really a fun experience.  When Anne had asked me to come along after the park had invited her, I was happy to go and just watch.  However, it ended up that with Jo and Anne in the front, I was fortunate enough to fill in a few seats back and later was even more surprised when I got asked to take the camera seat to be a happy typical magnum rider (yes, you may refer to me as screaming idiot #3).  I missed the commentary unfortunately from where I was sitting, but the crew seemed rather happy with it.  By the way Jo, did the "notes" help :)

Talking about it afterwards, Anne and I had to also give some serious credit to the park for this.  Besides, just offering this opportunity to her, they were really great as far as providing anything anyone needed (such as the much welcomed food and drinks downstairs).  For those of you wondering too if this is all just fun, consider that ride ops came in early two days straight. Also marketing and ops had plenty of their own worries making sure everything went well but at the same time, not keeping the ride down for the GP once the park opened.  We just felt we really should give some serious thanks and credit to the park and all involved for including us and making it such a fun experience.  I'm sure Anne would echo my sentiments, but currently she's recovering from what we later found out to be strep throat.  She was pretty sick both days, but in true po!nter fashion, insisted on going to be able to represent the park as best she could.

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-Brian
I really should be working...

Yes Brian my "notes" helped
and they are still there too!!
:) :) :)
(only a selected few know which notes we are referring to and where they were (are still ;))

Jo
2000 Raptor Crew
2001 Raptor Crew
Gemini 100 "Survivor"
Po!nter Girl-FOREVER! :)
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Welcome back Raptor riders-how was your flight??

Good for you Jo!, it sounded like you had a real good time!  This is something you can show your great grandkids one day.  Enjoy it Jo, this is something that no one can ever take away from you, no one!  Congratulations............  I bet you did a wonderful job.

ohh but Jo... news travels fast in that park.. you know that... ;)

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- Egg Whites -
MF total - 387 laps
VertiGo Launches - 15
June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100

Wow, can't wait to connect another face with the name this Spring... good job :-D
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http://coolforce.cjb.net -{Where The Cool Stuff Goes 93MPH}-
'OMG Tommy you're obsessed!'

Is doing a Discovery Channel shoot the path to becoming a CP celebrity?  That seemed to be the case with "Magnum Dan."  I guess "Raptor Jo" already had a newspaper article done over her, so she's just expanding her personality that much more.  I'm sure you did an excellent job, Jo, and I am looking forward to seeing you on the special come spring 2002!
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Some of us thought of Jo and Dan as celebrities long before their TV debuts. Nice going again, Jo. Just wait until Bonus Weekends (am I tall enough to ride? Does this ride go upside down? ...)

So Anne..How did you get to do this? ;)..lol

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
mf laps = 100! No More No Less!!
Wheres the Electricity!

Jo, did the Discovery Channel use the Amusement Today poll(which makes Magnum #3 :( ) or did they use a differnet poll?

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Andrew Hyde
http://www.experiencethepoint.com
Author- Experience The Point: The Unofficial Guidebook To Cedar Point.

Great Job Jo.  I was going to go and ride in the back but I was out late the night before and couldn't get up in time.  Sorry see that you had to ride in 13, if you sat in 12 it would have been a lot easier to talk.

My interview was cool, we started out with the lift behind me and it started to rain so we had to move it under cover by the hot shots booth.  I would say my interview lasted about a half hour and I would kill to get a copy of it.

Can't wait to see it!

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daniel j. haverlock
Magnum: 555/1820
Vertigo: 5

THANKS Dan-I consider your words quite an honor considering you are THE man! Yea they picked a rough seat for me, you really have no idea how badly you are bolted around until you see yourself on film! The interview part KILLED me cause it was so hot and we were RIGHT out in the sun (some rain would have been welcome as far as I was concerned!) Jeff-Anne got picked cause she and I are the ORIGINAL Po!inter girls, some females may say they are the most devoted CP fans but I doubt their devotion and love for our park is as high as it is for us! Love us-Love CP
Plain and simple! :)

Jo
2000 Raptor Crew
2001 Raptor Crew
Gemini 100 "Survivor"
Po!nter Girl-FOREVER! :)
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Welcome back Raptor riders-how was your flight??

Alright Jo can't wait to see it.  It's going to be weird though.  I'm not used to associating Magnum and Jo together. 
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I heard she rode Magnum for the first time at Coastermania this year. ;)
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daniel j. haverlock
Magnum: 555/1820
Vertigo: 5

Magnumtalonraptor Jo....boy this is gonna get confusing after a while :).
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-Brian
I really should be working...

*** This post was edited by Wolfhounde on 8/18/2001. ***

Andrew, I don't know if it is the same this year, but the last two years, Discovery used the NAPHA voting which would put Magnum at #1 and Millennium Force #2.

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-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew