Q & A with 'Entertainment Tonight' correspondent Jann Carl

COLUMBIA — Jann Carl, BJ ’82, has been a correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight" for 13 years and has interviewed dozens of high-profile celebrities including Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and Angelina Jolie. Today, Carl will moderate “Entertainment Journalism: Its Rise and Future,” part of the Futures Forum during the School of Journalism’s Centennial and Dedication.

Q. How did you land a job in Chicago straight out of college?

A. I actually entered a contest and met a woman there who's husband worked in L.A. When I finished my degree, she called and said, "I've talked to my husband's agent, and you should send him your tape."

So I sent off this resume tape and he brought me to L.A., and one of those gentlemen became the general manager for the ABC station there. I wonder what sort of blackmail the agent used because I was only 23 years old.

It was just one of those unique instances where you make one decision, and it impacts your life forever. I also met my husband at the same contest. Thank goodness I went.

Q. How did you become an anchor for Entertainment Tonight?

A. The same woman I met at that contest's husband was the head of television at Paramount Pictures. I heard there might be an opening because Leeza Gibbons was maybe leaving. So I called the personal contact and actually got in touch with his wife.

I said, "All I want to know is how can I get considered for the job." I guess she talked with him, and the next thing I know they said, "How would you like to audition to be the host of ‘Hard Copy'?" So I went in and auditioned. About six months later, I got a call back that said there wasn't a host position available, but there was a correspondent position.

Q. How do you prepare for high-profile interviews with people like Paris Hilton?

A. I annoy the heck out of every research department and request a full research packet and remind myself of all the highlights of their careers.

I read old articles from when they were just starting out. I also read new articles that have just come out and really try to immerse myself in their career from the beginning to present before we sit down.

I try to be aware of everything going on in their lives. When I first got to ET, I would pull old interviews that other reporters at ET had done and would watch them on their tapes to get a sense of who they were.

Q. It seems you would have an entourage. Who else takes care of you besides your assistant?

A. Because it's such a visual medium, we have hair and makeup and a wardrobe department. When anyone has a compliment, I always tell them that it takes a village. These are true professionals.

Q. What is a normal day like for you?

A. I don't have a regular schedule. Sometimes I'll have a call time for the weekend show at 5 a.m., or I could have a day that I just have voice-over work, and I can do that from my house.

Or I could have a premiere at night. One day I was at work, and then my boss Linda said, ‘I need you on the red-eye tonight. You have an interview in Raleigh with Michelle Obama.'

Q. Do you drink a lot of coffee?

A. I got through college with no beer and no coffee. I think I was a prime time news anchor in L.A. when I discovered coffee.

Q. How do you balance your work and your family life?

A. It is very difficult. I would say in the early years I didn't balance it very well. You work a lot of hours; you're trying to prove yourself.

In recent years, it has been better. I don't work as many days or as many hours. I felt my children were growing up too much without me.

The idea of having it all is a bit of a pipe dream. I think the trick is the words you use and finding a balance that makes you happy.

Q. How has a Mizzou degree has affected your journalism career?

A. Through some extraordinary circumstances, my first job was as a street reporter for WLS in Chicago. I don't believe there is any way on Earth that I could have pulled that off if I hadn't gone to Mizzou.

Q. How do you find a baby sitter?

A. Oh golly. Our first nanny came with the house. When I was pregnant with my daughter, we bought a new house and the family that was leaving said they had an amazing nanny, so we interviewed her and got that same sense of compassion and everything.

Otherwise, I generally will go to reputable agencies.

Q. What do you do in your free time?

A. That's a really good question. You know, my daughter rides horses, and I like to spend time at the barn watching her ride.

I also like to spend time with the other barn mothers because it truly is an escape from Hollywood. You're out there among the horses and the dogs and the dust.

Q. What was your favorite part of Mizzou (outside the classroom)?

A. I loved being in a sorority (Kappa Kappa Gamma). I had the opportunity to meet some really great women. I didn't have any sisters growing up, so all the sudden I was living with 78 sisters.

I didn't go to the bars a lot; I was boring. I just loved being in the J-School. One year I was the tiger mascot (1979-1980) before he was Truman. That was great fun.