Beginnings ...

I have a lot of memories of that summer. Jody was an excellent golfer and a friend of mine, Steve, was a member of a hotsy-totsy club so they played often. I worked, brought Jody along to tapings and continued my "sprint dating"...no one serious but a couple of potential contenders. I wasn't sure I'd ever be up for another marriage marathon. And I still wasn't divorced...soon, I thought...soon.

There was someone I liked..a lot. He was the Executive Producer of Name That Tune. His name was Bruce...and he'd been in a singing group in the late 50's...The Four Preps. He'd written a song called "26 Miles" and was funny, cute, always "on" and thirteen years older. I had yet to figure out my attraction to older men. We would flirt on the set and I would sit in front of him and the head of Ralph Edwards Productions - Ralph Edwards - during every taping.

I loved working on Name That Tune. We would take the contestants out all day while the band rehearsed the music. The contestant co-ordinator, Judi, was the most fun and we would go to movies, on the Universal Tour - all sorts of great places with great people. The contestants on this show were the nicest. I've always thought because of their love of music and it always made me happy to see them win.

During one taping an especially nice contestant won $100,000. I cried...sheesh, the gene was definitely on overdrive. Ralph Edwards - one of the nicest men I have ever met, show business or not - handed me a tissue. Bruce patted my shoulder. They thought it was cute. And it seemed to set a pattern. Whenever a contestant was to go for the "big money" Ralph would lean over and hand me a tissue. Perhaps this was what caught Bruce's attention because one day he called me at the office and asked if I'd like to go out after the next taping. I said "yes" and immediately called my friend, Judi - who knew of my crush - and we planned what I'd wear.

Of course, the taping ran long. All the contestants knew I had a "big date" that night but no one but Judi knew who it was with. At the very end of the last show a wonderful lady had the chance to go for $100,000. We were running very late and as I sat with her in the room awaiting her chance to name the tune that might change her life all she could do was apologize for keeping me from my date. See why I loved these contestants?

We went out on stage and I wished her luck as she went into the booth to hear the music. I went to my seat in the front row with Bruce and Mr. Edwards seated behind me.

They played six notes. She smiled and said "Some day my prince will come."

I cried and secretly hoped that wasn't just the name of that tune!