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Media Requests For Jason, Mom Pour In

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By SHERRI ACKERMAN

sackerman@tampatrib.com

Published: December 18, 2008

TAMPA - The calls started around 7 on Monday morning, the day Jason's photograph and a story about his mom's wish for a daughter-in-law graced The Tampa Tribune's front page.

And they haven't stopped.

"Oprah & Friends" radio, Ellen DeGeneres, ABC News, "Good Morning America," "Inside Edition," Fox, Virgin Radio Toronto, "The Brother Wease Show" in New York, The Roanoke Times and "Daytime," here in Tampa, all want to talk with Jason and his mom.

Claudia bought an ad in the newspaper last month that said all she wants for Christmas is a wife for her son. She asked her son first, of course, and he figured, "Why not?"

That led to a story in the Tribune and on TBO.com, where it has been among the most read all week.
Mom and son wanted to ensure no one showed up on their doorstep with armfuls of mistletoe, so they asked that we not publish their last names.

But their message is sincere: Jason wants a wife and a family.

OK, it's probably not going to happen by Christmas, but he's willing to give it his all. The 37-year-old software marketing manager agreed to go on "Daytime," a syndicated TV show produced by WFLA, Channel 8. He's scheduled to air Monday.

His mother also decided to contact the Oprah radio show, Jason said, because, well, it's Oprah. Jason talked to DeGeneres' people - who wouldn't? - but there was a scheduling thing.

As of Wednesday, Claudia hadn't received any new replies via snail mail. But her in-box has been full with forwards from us.

"I continue to be surprised by the media hype about this," she wrote in an e-mail. "I knew this was a little outside the box, but people sure are enjoying it."

As for Jason, he's accepting his five minutes might be up.

"It's sort of dying down now," he said.

He did hear from some old high school friends, and he looks forward to making new ones.

Nickelodeon To Cover Inauguration

Nickelodeon TV, the children's' network, is getting ready to cover its first presidential inauguration.

Young reporters Lily Collins, rocker Phil Collins' daughter, and J.J. (Nick would not release his last name) will be in Washington on Jan. 20 to show Barack Obama's inauguration from a pint-sized perspective.

The coverage will show up during commercial breaks and, most prominently, during the periods between regular shows in prime-time. Nick will offer a retrospective of past presidents taking the oath of office and interviews with young people about Obama's election and his inaugural address.

Nick won't cover the speech live, but will take excerpts after it is done and package it for its viewers.

Today's Birthdays

Rock singer-musician Keith Richards is 65. Movie producer-director Steven Spielberg is 62. Actor Ray Liotta is 53. Comedian Ron White is 52. Actor Brad Pitt is 45. Singer Alejandro Sanz is 40. Rapper DMX is 38. DJ Lethal (Limp Bizkit) is 36. Actress Katie Holmes is 30. Singer Christina Aguilera is 28.

Sources: Tribune reporter SHERRI ACKERMAN; The Associated Press

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