During our stay in Belgium, the only American TV programs that we really missed were MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews and Countdown with Keith Olbermann. So when we read that the MSNBC team at the Democratic Convention was broadcasting outside, we headed downtown to see if we could catch a glimpse of Chris, Keith, and Rachel Maddow, the network's newest star. (I love to see brainy, funny women like Rachel--who was a Rhodes Scholar--on the air. It's a vindication for all of us girls who were too smart to be cool in high school.)

Even if we didn't see our faves, we figured that it would be fun to see a TV broadcasting setup. We're Midwesterners and easily impressed by the slightest whiff of New York or Hollywood.

I'm happy to report that we had a blast. We gaped at the shorts-and-T-shirts tech crews and all the equipment--cameras, lights, teleprompters, even the teetery-looking two-story broadcast center. (Chris and Keith had the upper level to themselves; everybody else was on the lower level near the common folk.) We mingled with the crowd, which included convention volunteers, protesters, and "Grandparents for Obama." We happily took any NBC/MSNBC tsotchkes that were handed out. (The NBC "Decision 08" baseball caps are totally tasteful and to die for. Thank you, MSNBC staffer in the green dress, for coming out to the back of the crowd with those hats!)

And the faces we watch on MSNBC every night? Saw 'em all, although Keith only stuck his head over the balcony railing for a few seconds, when I didn't have my camera in hand, and David Gregory was on his way out just as we arrived. Best inside scoops? Pat Buchanan needs more hairspray than Nora O'Donnell to keep his combover in place. Nora's high heels looked like they were giving her blisters; she needs to take a fashion hint from Rachel and wear comfortable shoes, particularly since TV viewers can't see her footwear anyhow. (Crocs or hiking boots would have been very Colorado, Nora!)

Pictures from the MSNBC broadcast center:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Katharine.Gillette/MSNBCAtTheDNC