Dear Editor,

Several days ago, I read with excitement that The Morning Show with Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb (NBC) would air an episode that was shot on location in Jamaica with TVJ. Therefore, at the appointed time, I sat with bated breath to witness what was described by some Jamaican officials as an opportunity for Jamaica to gain priceless worldwide exposure. That proclamation gave the impression that this would be an auspicious occasion, a once in a lifetime opportunity to present Jamaica in the best possible light. My friends, family members and I waited with bated breath for the moment to arrive, and to my dismay, I was terribly disappointed with what was presented.

While it may be true that the US network edited the content to fit their style of presentation, thereby probably missing the substance of the local show, it underscored the fact that the two US hostesses, Kathy Lee and Hoda, openly expressed shock that they had been given a specific time by TVJ for the taping to start, yet they were kept waiting well past the scheduled Jamaican showtime, and the local hosts were still in the rest rooms seemingly with no concern that they were late. I blame the hosts and personnel at TVJ for this. If you really want to reach prime time, you need to demonstrate professionalism, and the first step toward that is to show that you respect time, both yours and that of your invited guests. This gaffe does not bode well on the international market where time is of the essence in conducting business. Last Thursday, millions of international viewers got what was possibly their first intimate glimpse of Jamaica. Sadly, it was slightly entertaining, but not as positive as it could have been. It is extremely destructive and short-sighted when so-called professionals blow their one opportunity to shine by displaying this attitude of laissez-faire. No one really finds it enthralling.

Hazelin Williams

hazewill7@yahoo.com