Gross Asks Barista Probing, Insightful Questions
June 17, 2008 –
WHYY radio personality Terry Gross on Saturday asked a coffee shop clerk a long series of probing, insightful questions–much to the 27-year old barista's annoyance. "All I wanted to do was make her iced soy latte, but all she wanted to do was ask me about my childhood and whatnot," Dan Hochevar, an employee at Old City's Double Shots Espresso Bar, said yesterday. "I was like, 'Jeez, lady, don't you ever quit?'"
 Sarah Weaver, a 24-year-old coworker of Hochevar's, said that the award-winning Fresh Air host was relentless in her questioning. "After Terry ordered, she got this sort of concerned look on her face and goes, 'What made you want to work in a coffee shop, if you don't mind my asking?' And Dan goes, 'Um... I need to pay my rent?'" Hochevar said that the subsequent grilling lasted for a full five minutes. "She asked me how I'd been affected by the death of my grandparents, any baristas who've 'influenced' me... on and on and on," he recalled, clearly flustered. "I mean, what am I, Philip Roth or something?"
The 57-year-old NPR veteran defended her questioning of Hochevar. "So often, people in those situations pass the time by discussing the mundane–the weather, sports, things like that," she said from her office at WHYY. "But I prefer to go a little deeper." Hochevar agreed. "You're not going to believe this, but a buddy of mine stood behind [Gross] at a lunch cart on 6th St. yesterday," he said. "Supposedly, she kept asking the guy inside what he thought about Pakistan's political situation." |
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Billy Ray Cyrus Concert as Pathetic as Expected
June 17, 2008 –
Fans attending Saturday evening's Billy Ray Cyrus concert at the Atlantic City Hilton were pleased to report that the pop-country show had been every bit as pathetic as they had expected. "When he came out on stage, he was all smiling and happy, but you could tell it was forced," said onetime Cyrus fan Veronica Hulme, 48. "And why wouldn't it be? He'd be working at Arby's right now if it weren't for his daughter."
 Gina Torrance, 51–who admitted that, of the former star's ten albums, she had only purchased 1992's Some Gave All–was pleased that Cyrus had played that record's sole hit, "Achy Breaky Heart." "I used to love that song, so it was great to hear," she said. "Unfortunately, that was pretty much the only one. Aside from having Miley, he hasn't done a damn thing since." Torrance's friend, Lisa Bannister, 40, elaborated. "Can you imagine going from a star to a nobody–and then exploiting your kid to get famous again? It seemed like it was weighing on him the whole time."
Cyrus, however, denied that he was such a wretched figure. "Aw, things couldn't be better for me," he said after the show, smiling thinly. "Miley's workin' on the Hannah Montana movie, she's got a new album comin' out in July, and she..." Cyrus trailed off awkwardly, and there was an uncomfortable pause as he gathered his thoughts. "Y'know, I don't think I feel like talkin' any more." According to Hulme, Cyrus had said plenty during his 90-minute-long set. "Aside from 'Achy Breaky,' his songs were pretty much a waste of everybody's time. It really did kind of break your heart." |
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