Safety Dan Humphries on Today Show

[nick]

In case you missed it, it's our very own Dan "Safety Dan" Humphries (so named to differentiate him from the other NYC coffee-Dan: 'Danger' Dan Griffin), being sassed by Kathie Lee Gifford. Watch and admire!!!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/ ... 1#30999591

[Daniel Humphries]

So for the record everybody, that didn't exactly go the way I wanted it to. The stage manager put out that display of roasted coffee "for atmosphere," he said. There was some coffee roasted so dark it was almost translucent. I didn't get to meet the hosts until about 15 seconds before we went on air and they had no idea what I was going to do. So when Hoda started asking about the black coffee on the table, I tried to get her off that topic as fast as possible.

And as for the home espresso, Kathie Lee gave me sass for seeming to suggest that home espresso was a "cheap alternative." But of course, it was the producers and not me who wanted to do the home espresso. That Pasquini's not a bad little machine though! I tried to half-way pre-steam the milk because I only had a very short time to bring it up to temperature on camera. Big mistake, as you can hear. It's good they cut to commercial just as I was pouring the latte, as I made the saddest little droopy heart you have ever seen. But damn, that's tough!

I know, excuses, excuses.

Shout out to everyone at Equator for putting me touch with the Today Show people!

[Andy Schecter]

So for the record everybody, that didn't exactly go the way I wanted it to

Dan, that was a superb job: you rolled with every punch they threw your way, and even their sarcastic little brains learned a bunch of really good stuff! Serious congrats man, you performed with grace and class.

[Luke Shaffer]

Nice job- you handled that really well under less than ideal circumstances. It's tough to get your message across when you are limited on time and everyone in the room is more interested in joking/sarcasm/heckling than having a good dialogue. I had one of those priceless moments with a customer today

BTW every time I see Kathy Lee on television I think of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BECwNurBbEQ

[Jeff Givens]

Very good job Daniel! You stayed on topic, covered the main points, and didn't let the hostesses faze you. I'm impressed! You have a very good presence on camera.

You should do more of that kind of thing.

[Deferio]

Nicely said and nicely handled.
Top Job.

[James Hoffmann]

I have to throw in my congrats as well. I've been the wrong end of a producer's whimsical and weird decision making, as well as a difficult live host, a couple of times and I wish I had dealt with it as well as you. Great job on not getting sidetracked, on delivering a tonne of useful information. The frustration is that the viewers could have had a much more enjoyable and rewarding experience had they only given you a few more minutes and some more respect to talk about your craft. I am sure Today Show viewers have seen the same schtik a thousand times, host vaguely mocking their guests in case, heaven forbid, the guest talks to the audience as if they are sensible, intelligent adults.

Rant over - awesome job!

[nick]

Totally great job... except you didn't wipe yer steam wand!!!

[Daniel Humphries]

Thanks for the kind words, everybody.

Damn, Nick! I was hoping my slick-talk would distract everyone from that.

[JavaJ]

Ditto on the grace under fire comments, Dan. I especially liked the comment about drinking burnt coffee if that's what you like. Burn! (NPI)

I did an interview once for the shop shortly after we opened, and it was very frustrating. I definitely wasn't able to take control of the interview the way you did, and it is a point anyone going on TV should be aware of. They don't call it the Boob Tube for nothing.

Just one complaint: One month?

[Edwin Martinez]

Daniel. Brilliant! You're a natural.

[jason dominy]

Very nice job. Handled each question with ease, and stayed on point. Made us all look good. Kudos!

[IanClark]

Watching at the office with no sound on and you look like you do this on TV every day. I'm sure you sound like it as well! Well done!

[phaelon56]

Brilliant performance - truly.

[Piero Cristiani]

Daniel,

You did a great job!

Congrats.

[Aldo1]

Well done, Dan. Congrats.

[kylefreund]

Wow, that's great. And kept on message, which is tough with those two from the way it looks. Fantastic.