On December 1, 2024, my photographer received an invitation for the two of us to appear on a Blue Water Healthy Living show called ‘Living Exponentially‘, which was hosted by Eileen Tesch. It almost seemed like we were transported back in time; a time when shows like the 1960s ‘Green Acres’ and ‘Petticoat Junction’ cross-pollinated and the characters on one show appeared on the other show.
The following day, December 2nd, Tom and I were back at GBS Media studio, but this time it wasn’t for a taping of our show ‘Hail to the Chief‘. Instead, it was 12 noon when my photographer introduced to me to Eileen Tesch and before I was able to look up the definition of the word ‘exponentially’, the cameras came to life and the taping had begun. While the two of us have been regular features at the studio since August 2021, that particular taping seemed strange to me – and it grew stranger and more uncomfortable the longer the show went on, at least in my resin-filled mind.
Shortly after the taping had concluded, Tom and I discovered Mrs. Tesch was once the controversial mayor of Algonac, Michigan, and over the years, she has also worn the hat as a motivational speaker, an attorney, a politician, a board member for non-profit organizations; just to name a few. But it was during an off-camera conversation before we left the studio that left a sour taste in both of our mouths. That’s the moment when Tom and I discovered there was another hat Eileen had adorned a few years ago – a hat that was red and featured the words ‘Make America Great Again’ across the front. It turned out Ms. Tesch had attended the January 6, 2021 rally of Donald Trump in front of the White House, and she was also part of the protest outside of the United States Capitol Building later that day. Don’t get me wrong, I am one hundred percent in favor of American citizen’s Constitutional right to protest peacefully in our country, but what Tom and I had witnessed on television that day thoroughly disgusted us. And when my photographer was afforded the chance, he didn’t waste any time sharing his opinion with Eileen.
Back at home, we finally had an opportunity to look up the word ‘exponentially’ in the dictionary, and it was defined as something “growing or increasing very rapidly”. And to be honest, that show title seemed very fitting as it felt as though our entire interview was rushed from start to finish. During the taping, it also seemed as though Eileen tried her best to goad my photographer into verbally criticizing the current Biden administration – a trap Tom refused to get caught up in.
The day after the December 2nd taping, my photographer reached out to the staff at GBS Media Studio and insisted the entire episode not be aired because of the uncomfortable situation that unfolded during and after the show. But when Director Ed Senyk assured Tom that he would remove any and all controversial aspects of the show, my human sidekick agreed, and the show called ‘A Man and his Bobblehead’ went public on December 6, 2024. Please click on the link below and watch me and Tom on the episode of ‘Living Exponentially‘.
In fairness, Eileen Tesch treated us well during the taping, even though she admitted to not knowing what a bobble head was until the previous day. Ms. Tesch also seemed very enthusiastic about our Presidential journey, and she encouraged her viewers to check out our show and to read our blog as well. Please do us a favor and share the link to her show with your friends on social media.
In closing, the funniest part of all came when Tom’s granddaughter, Reese Fiscelli, watched the show and said, “I’m speechless, but I also feel like a celebrity.” In my resin mind, if anything good comes from that episode, it’s the hope that some folks will donate money to help renovate and restore the Garfield-Robbins-Zimmerman House in Hiram, Ohio. It’s the home where President James A. Garfield lived for ten years of his life and it’s in desperate need of some help. To donate, go to GarfieldTrail.org and earmark your donation to the GRZ House restoration project. Provide contact information and you will get a tax-deductible receipt for your charitable donation to that non-profit organization led by Mr. Tim Garfield – the great-great-grandson of the President.
A Man and his Bobblehead – Tom Watson – Blue Water Healthy Living
