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Tele-Kinetic Explorer
PAGE 3 OF 8
LL: I say it sort of in jest because on the one hand it would be impossible for me to have a boyfriend right now, but I'm totally fine with that because I have been meeting so many amazing people all over the world. Hopefully I'll have a substantive relationship at some point in my life but right now I'm just not quite ready to do that.
PHOTO STEVE HARRIS © NGT&F
GS: What are some passions that you hope to indulge now that you're hosting Ultimate Explorer?
LL: I love immersing myself in other cultures and just becoming a citizen of the world. My three different cities of residence have improved aesthetically because I've been known to be quite an incessant shopper. So I've picked up little things all over the world to decorate my various homes. That's the more fun thing that I can indulge in during my travels.
GS: What about on a professionial level? Is there a subject area that you really want to get into now on Ultimate Explorer?
LL: National Geographic is known for its spectacular wildlife and natural history pieces. I wanted to go to Geographic to work specifically on social issues, global current affairs type issues. I've already reported on Iraq, Columbia and China. I'm working on this big piece on Hispanic immigration for which I'm going to Mexico tomorrow. They're pretty meaty substantive issues. I've been offered jobs at the networks and nobody is willing to devote the kind of time that National Geographic is devoting to global issues.
GS: Do you see yourself as more of a journalist with a personality or a personality with journalistic interests? What is closer to the reality of your daily routine?
LL: I think they both coincide. I'm very much a journalist and I still think I'm a bit of a personality. I think that's why people have responded really well to the work that I do. My hope is that the audience will trust me enough to allow me to take them along on this journey and I don't think I would be able to do that if I didn't establish a bit of a personality in the pop culture world.
GS: So you would say the journalistic part is more in keeping with the reality of your days?
LL: I think I have to do a bit of both. I'm very much a journalist in that many of the stories that I've done have been my ideas that I've helped to develop. It's certainly a collaborative process but I like being integral in all aspects of the production. But at the same time, because I've worked in the media so long, there is a responsbility on the other hand to uphold that personality or that kind of ...
CONTINUED BELOW
GS: Entertainent value?
LL: ...Well, I certainly have to do publicity for our show and capitalize on the fact I've worked on a national entertainment show for three years.
GS: How has NGUE evolved in concept or execution as you have become established in your hosting duties?
LL: I like to think that Ultimate Explorer combines the best aspects of reality TV with the best aspects of journalism. We cover an array of topics, ranging from social issues to wildlife but the one thing that ties the programming together is that it's told through a first-person approach. The old Explorer was more sort of conventional filmmaking. In Ultimate Explorer the correspondent is much more integrated into the programming.
GS: Because you're the host, do you pretty much have final say in how things are put together?
LL: Actually no. It's a very collaborative effort. What I love about the group I work with is that there are so many incredibly talented producers, writers and staff members on National Geographic. Certainly I bring something to it but I feel equally as honored to work with such phenomenally talented people.
GS: Are you bringing the angle to each story?
LL: That's a collaborative thing as well. Because I'm on camera, I'm sort of the mouthpiece for the piece. But in terms of the final outcome, the vision of it is certainly a collaborative effort.
GS: How many people travel with you on a typical excursion?
LL: From two other people to four.
GS: But you're the 700-pound gorilla.
LL: Oh yeah. The producer also shoots usually and we'll take an audio and a fixer possibly.
[After taking another quick call] Sorry about that my father just underwent surgery so everyone's calling to find out how he's feeling.
GS: How is he?
LL: He's doing really well.
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| "I like to think that Ultimate Explorer combines the best aspects of reality TV with the best aspects of journalism." |