My name is Kaity... Ms. Tong If You're Nasty!
 PIX News At Ten |
So I jump into this cab at the corner of 54th and Fifth. I’m schlepping maybe four bags….my purse, my gym bag, leftover sandwich from lunch, a giant CVS bag….you get the picture.
Anyway, I’ve barely settled in when the driver turns around and yells, “ I know you! I watch you all the time on Channel 11! You guys are great!’ (I’m not making this up. Those were his exact words.) He is so happy I have to remind him not to TURN COMPLETELY AROUND to talk to me WHILE DRIVING! But, small matter. I mean, come on! He is a real fan, and sweet as anything.
So we start chatting. Like many cabdrivers in Manhattan, he is trying to finish college and make some money to send to his parents in his homeland. And he’s supporting a wife and baby girl.
He proudly shows me pictures of his beautiful family. Again, I have to remind him that he can hand me the photos without TURNING COMPLETELY AROUND! This becomes a recurring theme during our short but slightly nerve-wracking ride.
He confesses that since he started driving a cab, he hasn’t watched our news at 10 as much as he used to, but he IS a fan! " That Mr G! He is so funny! You and Jim….so funny, also!”
Clearly, he puts a lot of store in the “comedy” aspect of our newscast. The actual news. Maybe not so much? At least we didn’t get around to discussing the issues of the day.
We finally arrive at my studio on 42nd Street, unscathed. I thank him for the conversation, the ride and for being so enthusiastic about Channel 11. He beams at me, and then calls out as I’m dragging myself and all my stuff onto the street, “Please say hello to your husband, Maury! We love him too. He's a funny guy!"
Now, you might think this is a rare occurrence. It is not. The odd thing is that fans will know =I= am the one doing the evening news on Channel 11, and they know I work with Jim , G, and Lolita. They will often mention a favorite reporter. But even so, there are people out there who KNOW all that and =still= think I am the one married to Maury Povich!
Let me set the record straight. Connie Chung is the one married to him, not me. Connie and I have had a few laughs together over this common misunderstanding.
I used to correct people when they make this mistake, but they get so embarrassed, even when I tell them I don’t mind, in fact, I think it’s funny, they cannot be consoled. So now I’ve taken to just saying” Yes, thank you. Maury’s at home preparing dinner. I will be sure to pass on your nice remarks!” It saves a lot of time.
And while I’m on the subject, you should HEAR the way my name, Kaity Tong, has been butchered over the many years I’ve been in this biz. My favorite remains the letter I got while I was still at Channel 7. The letter begins, “Dear Tiny Tongue……”
Have to run now. I have many more hilarious variations on my name that I’ve heard over the years. But maybe I will save that for another blog. See ya!
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Comments: 15
Where to began??? One you got a NYC cab and the driver to talk with out yelling into there cell phone while dodging other cabs??? I'm not sure if I mind them talking to me with there head turned around or YELLING into there bluetooth!!! I guess it's because you're a very beautiful gal!!! LOL!!!
If you think that your name has been run over the bus once or twice??? My first name that is after a saint get turned around to: Steve???Not a bad name?? but thats not what my mom wanted me to be addressed as. My last name sounds like a very famous model but when repeting it over the phone the "f"'s sound like "s" and the "b" 's sound like "v"s. Now this makes repeting take on a whole new meaning!! Lastly it's not bad to be thought of someone who has a nice way about themselfs so it's not so bad when people say to me that I'm related to: "Fabio" To whom I know and we laugh about it!! Sometimes you just got to lagh it off!LOL!!
This is very funny. I sure need a reason to laugh these days given our gloomy economic climate. But how come I have to search so hard to find this little piece of joy? Just lucky for me I nose around looking. Kaity, your blog needs to be better highlighted so more people can find it!
This is very funny. I sure need a reason to laugh these days given our gloomy economic climate. But how come I have to search so hard to find this little piece of joy? Just lucky for me I nose around looking. Kaity, your blog needs to be better highlighted so more people can find it!
Kaity, another piece of comedy! Over the years, I know you've learned to roll with "I know you! You're someone..." It's a pleasure to know that you respond so naturally and pleasantly to those who identify (or even misidentify) you. It is a big responsibility to be a "face" these days, to be a personality who is in folks' living room every day,and to have a sense of humor about it. You seem genuinely glad to be recognized, and in your very nice interactions with your viewers, you do credit to your station, your co-workers, and your very good fortune to be doing what you love. Please keep making me laugh! We need it!
Kaity,
if you want tixx for the I.B.S. Javits ctr in April let me know!! I work the show and "ESSI" is a good friend of mine!! thousands of colors to choose from!!!
Let me know!
that's funny...are you good listener or you have a magic where a stranger opens up to you and start taking to you about their lives....
i am not much into TV...but i found out later who you were....a gental and a humble soul
A literat, witty and urbane anchor who believes that serious information should still be part of a newscast? Maybe Kaity can rip some eyeballs away from the computer screens.
Omg. That's hysterical. I love it. Tiny tongue. can't think of anything funnier. And just last week I was upset bc my boss' boss always calls me lisa. Always even in emails. No one realizes he's referring to me. Lol
Omg. That's hysterical. I love it. Tiny tongue. can't think of anything funnier. And just last week I was upset bc my boss' boss always calls me lisa. Always even in emails. No one realizes he's referring to me. Lol
Omg. That's hysterical. I love it. Tiny tongue. can't think of anything funnier. And just last week I was upset bc my boss' boss always calls me lisa. Always even in emails. No one realizes he's referring to me. Lol
Omg. That's hysterical. I love it. Tiny tongue. can't think of anything funnier. And just last week I was upset bc my boss' boss always calls me lisa. Always even in emails. No one realizes he's referring to me. Lol
You and Connie oughta to take a picture together and post it to your respective blogs so that people can finally learn that you are two different people :)
1. I would NEVER mistake you for Connie. You're realer & soooooo much hotter! 2. I guess I'll have to call you "Ms. Tong", 'cause I'm defiantly nasty!
PLEASE KAITY PLEASE SHOW MORE OF YOUR LEGS,AND STOP WEARING SO MUCH BLACK.
where is connie chung doi now adays