Three years ago, we drove across Russia in a 1991 Toyota Corolla. Last week, we got an email from a producer at ABC News, asking if we'd be interested in interviewing about the experience for their primetime show, 20/20! They are doing a piece about the recent craze of Russian "dash cam" videos. Apparently, the media has been abuzz about the footage, as evidenced by this clip from The Daily Show:
Frankly, we were both dumbfounded when the email arrived. After a few minutes, Tara concluded that she wasn't particularly interested in the idea of appearing on national TV, feeling distrustful of our nation's media. Meanwhile, I was searching google, amused that my SEO tinkering had proven successful. A search for "driving across Russia" has us on the first page or two of basically every major search engine.
With a little prodding, I convinced Tara to go through with the interview. It seemed silly to say no. I mean, how many opportunities does a person get to be on the sensationalist circus that is American national news? I don't even care if we wind up looking like idiots—the novelty of saying we've been on 20/20 is enough to go through with it!
After we agreed, ABC told us they weren't only looking for an American perspective, they also wanted a first-hand account of driving in Russia from a Russian native. And who better to represent the motherland than our old friend Evgeniy!? I passed his contact information along, and it looks like they are going to talk to him as well. Apparently, as part of the interview, they are going to have him take them for a drive in Moscow!
If Evgeniy is even a fraction as "crazy" as he was three years ago, they should be in for a treat.
Tomorrow morning, ABC is sending a camera crew to our land to film the interview. We have no idea what to expect. Will they even be able to get up our driveway? Will they film us in our little camper? What questions will they ask us? How will they portray us? What exaggerated headlines will appear on screen over clips of us talking?
Internet hippies say roads in Russia are "CRAZY!"
Ex-nomadic, techno luddites report on Russian roads from off-grid camper.
I guess we'll find out. The episode airs on ABC @ 10PM EST, Friday, March 8th!