I’ve interviewed a bazillion famous people over the years. And I’m usually unflappable. However, Lindsay Wagner left me totally flapped. “The Bionic Woman” was an icon and Lindsay was a childhood idol of mine. I simply could not believe I had the good fortune to be in her presence. When Lindsay walked in to the studio, I started hyperventilating. That’s never happened before. I can’t tell if I was giddy, nervous or wildly manic – likely all three. Lindsay could not have been more pleasant (or more patient) when I started rambling within 20 seconds of meeting her. I didn’t just ramble, mind you. I was sweating and talking uncontrollably at the same time – you know, like crazy people do.

Fortunately, Lindsay is firmly in touch with her holistic side (and, uh, dealing with crazy fans). She pulled me off to the side so we could have a “moment”. We did some breathing, some chanting and hit some quick-trigger pressure points that had me calm, cool and collected before airtime. Sound weird? It was – but it worked and the segment managed to go off without a hitch. The interview was definitely the highlight of my pop culture career. And meeting her was bliss to the millionth … er, six millionth degree.

Ellie Kemper (who plays goofball secretary Erin Hatton on NBC’s “The Office) is quirky, affable and giggly. Come to think of it, she’s just like her character. And I got the chance to hang with her backstage during the 2010 Mid-America Emmy Awards in her hometown of St. Louis. She was the emcee of the evening’s festivities. Of course, the highlight of the night is when she announced, “And the Emmy goes to … Michael Mackie!” Behind-the-scenes we talked about my recent stroke and the fact I love “The Office” with every fiber of my being. It’s one of my can’t-miss shows. (Well, actually – I always miss it. I obsessively DVR it and watch it later.) Kemper reminded me “us redheads gotta stick together”. (That’s what she said! No, seriously – that’s what she said.) Truer words have never been spoken. She’s my kindred spirit in ginger humor.