Minutes ago, I hung up the phone after an hour-and-45-minute conversation with
John C. Strong--the Associate Producer of the PROBE pilot film, and SEARCH.

It will take me a while to transcribe the lengthy conversation, but I'm guessing
that many of you are interested in what was discussed... so I will try and
accomplish this enjoyable task as quickly as possible (perhaps in multiple
sections).

To digress: The new, fresh-out-of-the-box audiocassette recorder that I
purchased at Radio Shack especially for the interview never functioned. I
bought it the day before, and because I was spending all my time editing all of
your questions, I didn't test it until about 90 minutes before I was due to talk
to Strong (silly me--assuming it would actually WORK!!!). It would PLAY, but
wouldn't RECORD. So... at the last-minute, I jerry-rigged something with the
audiocassette deck in my entertainment system, BARELY held together with bubble
gum and bailing wire (meaning about 8 different adaptors and patch cords) that
didn't work well at all... just so I could talk to Mr. Strong at the designated
time. I was VERRRRRRY nervous that it would fail halfway through, and that the
conversation that I'd envisioned with Strong would never get recorded for
posterity, and all of us. :(

But the Great God Stevens (Leslie, of course) must have been smiling down on us.
;) Strong asked if I'd mind calling back an hour-and-a-half later. :)
YESSS!!! That gave me time to run back to Radio Shack, purchase another
recorder 'specially-made for phone conversations, demand that the salesperson
CHECK it in front of me to make sure that it functioned... and return home JUST
in time to hook it up.

I won't bore you with too many more details before I begin the transcription
process... except that Mr. Strong couldn't have been more patient, gracious and
giving during this "non-professional's" interview. I consider him a true
gentleman. Although he referred to himself as "old school" and "possessing
knowledge about film and TV techniques no longer valuable in Hollywood" (I'm
paraphrasing, as he was not quite as kind in speaking about himself)... he was
being much too modest. Strong isn't sitting in an apartment somewhere staring
at television in a darkened room and thinking of "past glories." He's still
very much involved in the industry. He brushed aside two other business calls
while he was speaking to me, and at the end of the conversation, revealed not
one, but THREE different projects on which he is currently working. What I'm
trying to say is, Mr. Strong is a businessman, and was very gracious with his
time.

At the end of the conversation, I admitted that there were probably questions
that I'd neglected to ask, and would be kicking myself for not bringing up with
him while we were on the phone. So what did he do? Strong insisted that I call
him back--'anytime'--if I thought of anything else! Wow.

And... to further demonstrate what a wonderful individual he is... halfway
through my typing up this e-mail, Strong used Caller I.D. (I never supplied him
with my home phone number) to call me back, and asked that I call HIM back early
next week... because our conversation had "unlocked some memories" and he'd
thought of a few things that he still wanted to share with SEARCH fans! CAN YOU
BELIEVE THAT?!?! :)

So there you have it. Forgive me if I went on too long in sharing these
details, but (after the initial technical problem) it's been a GOOD morning. ;)

Thanks--

Jim Alexander
probecontrol@...

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