YOU JUST KEEP ME . . . HANGIN' ON

We here at the Times-Union don't like to complain about how difficult our jobs are. After all, most of the time we sit around all day writing pithy items for A.M. Stir. But occasionally we have to actually do something. So let us expose the dark underbelly of journalism.

A couple of weeks ago, we were told that we could interview local American Idol contestant Phil Stacey, but it'd be sometime between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on a Friday afternoon. Kind of like waiting for the cable guy, and we're not much for hanging around on a Friday afternoon. But occasionally the work ethic kicks in, so we agreed, and we waited and we waited. Any minute now, we were told. Finally, about 6:30, the word came: "Sorry, not today."

Last Monday, we were offered a conference call with the executive producer. Sure we said, apparently forgetting the old "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me" adage. So we waited on hold, and we waited and we waited. Any minute now, we were told. After 30 minutes, the word came: "Sorry, not today."

We guess if you're the most-watched show on TV, you can get away with it. But, jeez.

Roger Bull/The Times-Union