Ok, so I naively thought this day would never come, but I have been busted. I mistakenly believed that I could get through my adult life without this being brought up 13 years later, but people are smart and the internet is wide. So after more than a few “Who me? I don’t know what you’re talking about, haha” comment denials, I’m coming clean. My name is Sherry $herdog, and I was on MTV when I was 17. And it was easily the most embarrassing compilation of moments that could ever be edited together.
I’m an over-sharer, so some folks might wonder why I’d try to hide from this video. And to you I’d say: it’s one thing to invite people into your home and share a video that accidentally features your bra laying out on a bedroom chair or an interview where you flail around nervously or admit that you walk around covered in dog fur and cream cheese smears, but it’s a whole different ballgame to say “Let’s take a time machine back to my most awkward moments as a seventeen year old girl being surprised while life-guarding and told she’ll get to interview Eminem for a show called FANatic on MTV – oh look, I have the whole thing on video for you, let’s all sit down and watch it together.” Now excuse me while I giggle uncontrollably for ten minutes. I do that when I’m nervous.
Allow me to spill a few secrets: shows like this are a smidge set up. It’s not to say that I wasn’t completely Marshall Mathers obsessed (I was) but there are certain things you’re highly encouraged to mention so that you come across as the most deserving fan. Things like “I aspire to be a rapper someday.” I’ll pause while you snort whatever you’re drinking out of your nose. It’s true that my best friend Mariam at high school talent shows (we once donned orange puffy vests and belly shirts and parodied the Eminem/Dre duet Forgot About Dre) but it’s a Jersey thing. You had to be there to understand that it was not meant to be taken seriously. So no, I didn’t actually hope I’d be touring the country as a famous female rapper when I grew up.
Of course the show sets up situations too, like us going to the old burger joint where Eminem used to work before the interview…
… but it was pretty cool as a teenager to see some random restaurant and think “he really worked here just a few years ago flipping burgers?” Fun fact: the people I’m serving at that table in the restaurant are the limo driver and one of the production people who carted us around.
Another fun fact is that I hardly knew the girl who surprised me at the pool and came with me on the entire adventure. See, MTV required that the “friend” of the person being featured was 18 or a parent would have to accompany the fan and the friend (which I’m guessing cramped the crew’s style). So when I was going through the whole “you might be a finalist” phase of the process, they asked me about my friends and I gave a list of all my best 17 year old buddies and they sort of heavily suggested that I list someone over the age of 18. So the girl who worked at the front desk at the Marriott (where I was a lifeguard for years, represent) got listed – and she was the friend they picked to surprise me. And yes, it’s still really cool to be in a limo when you’re 17. Especially if you flash the peace sign with your sleeves rolled up.
Here’s where it gets extra embarrassing. At some point in the interview the word “phat” inexplicably slips out of my mouth. I never said that word before and have never said it since. I can only blame the loss of my whole damn mind at the thought of sitting next to a hip-hop star and somehow thinking $herdog could pull off a term like that. And I couldn’t. It rung in my ears for the rest of the interview while I continued to grin like a crazy person and giggle nervously. Although a lot of this experience is what I like to call “retroactively embarrassing” (since at the time it was really cool and I felt really lucky to be chosen), the moment I realized I said “phat” on national television was the moment that I wanted to punch myself in the face.
Then they asked me to rap. Repeatedly. It’s bad. Very very bad. Oh and about the pigtails, I wanted to wear a ponytail and an arm band (yes, an arm band) but the crew gently suggested the pigtails and no arm band. I’m thankful they nixed the arm band but still a little weirded out by the pigtails. So without further ado…
As for how I even got on the show, my friends dared me to send in a tape since I really was a hardcore fan and they thought I had a shot at being chosen. Meanwhile I believed I had zero chance, hence me doing all sorts of ridiculous things that I thought would never be on TV/YouTube (like sitting in a tub full of M&M’s) because I truly believed with every fiber of my being that I would never make the cut.
MTV does a really cruel thing to make you think you weren’t chosen (at least it felt cruel at the time) in order to get that completely surprised ‘surprise shot’ when they sneak up on you. They’re in pretty constant contact with you for a while to collect things like “what you would ask if you were chosen” and “who you would bring as a friend if you were chosen” and then they say you’re a semi-finalist but it’s not a done deal, and then they cut off communication for a few weeks. Total radio silence. So you go from being hopeful that you might get picked to completely and utterly bummed out that you didn’t make the cut after thinking “dude, I might actually get flown to Detroit to meet Eminem.” Which is a pretty cool concept as a 17 year old.
This is of course when you forget about the footage of yourself in a tub of M&Ms and it sounds like it could be The Coolest Thing You’ve Ever Done and not The Most Embarrassing Thing Ever a decade or so later. But I have to admit that as a teenager it was an amazingly fun time. I got to fly somewhere with a camera crew and without my parents, they put us up in a cool hotel, and Marshall was actually a really nice genuine guy (now I’m going to get weird and tell you that he had the best looking hands I’ve ever seen in my life). And he did kiss my neck, which at the time made me believe we would soon be married and we’d go on to have three bouncing babies named Slim, Shady, and Stan (kidding). Dude, I took a picture of my neck after it happened. I’m that girl (can you believe I managed to bag a guy like John? I still can’t).
So I’m extremely grateful for the experience. It just felt like… let’s not all watch it together on video and relive my teenage awkwardness together. But I guess now my “secret past” is out. In summary: it was pretty amazing (it made “the morning announcements” at my high school – haha), but the fact that the footage from a defunct show from over 13 years ago is now somehow on YouTube is something I never imagined. Oh well. The cat phat is out of the bag.
Now you tell me your most embarrassing secrets so we’re even. Go.
Amanda says
I was on the dating show – Elimidate. I wasn’t looking to be on the show. The night before I went out with a friend and the producer came up to me asked if I would do it since someone bailed last minute. It was all staged and they really want you to ‘fight’ and talk about a lot of inappropriate stuff – ugh, I even kissed the guy because they asked me to since none of the other girls would do it.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, go Amanda! That’s brave! Hope he had ok breath.
xo,
s
Evin says
I completely understand and am so grateful the few times I have been on national tv or radio haven’t made it to YouTube. Though I am curious to see how I came across on that Japanese man-on-the-street segment I was on mere minutes after my husband proposed to me. As for the others, I cover my face and think I was crazy for wearing that outfit or those bangs.
Stefani says
Well $herdog,
You may be embarrassed, but still HOW COOL!! Wow. I was SUPER obsessed with Eminem for years… I went to 3 of his concerts, the last 2 I got pit tickets because I loved him so much – and he actually came over and knelt down on the stage and held my hand while he was doing one of his songs! It was AMAZING! (And I had my shoe fall off and had girls shoving my into the partition while it happened because they were jealous and wanted to be holding his hand as well, haha). So I totally don’t fault you for any of this :-) I would have done it in a heartbeat!! I loved him so much :-)
Jeannie says
…you wanted to be a rapper?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- check out the post for that explanation!
xo,
s
Pamela @ Pink Hammers & Sippy Cups says
Haahahaha that is soo awesome! Go $herdog!
Brianna says
SO JEALOUS! I loved that show! But of course, for me, it would’ve been ‘N Sync.
Jenni says
Absolutely amazing!
I once met Leonardo DiCaprio by accidentally going to the chateau where he was filming in France. This was right after Titanic. I was 20 but I may as well have been 13, with the acted and the way I looked. I was sweaty and in an old tshirt and jeans. I was so. Awkward.
YoungHouseLove says
I WOULD HAVE GONE CRAZY. Baby Leo = my favorite Leo! Those Titanic days were the best!
xo,
s
Veronica says
So, do you still have the apron? :).
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, love that thing!
xo,
s
Rebecca says
This. Is. Amazing.
Katie says
I’m dying! I can’t get over your Jersey accent. It’s definitely faded a bit over the years!
Emily L says
That is hilarious!! Now we need to see that Dr. Pepper commercial you mentioned you were in as a teenager! What happened to the apron?
YoungHouseLove says
Still have the apron! Haven’t seen the Dr Pepper commercial in a while though… although that wasn’t nearly as embarrassing.
xo,
s
Melissa M says
oh.my.god.
Meghan says
Sherry…this is too much! I am laughing out loud in my office. I think the M&M bath is my favorite. No wonder they picked you!
Amy says
lololol this feels make believe!! So awesome/crazy! :)
Brenda says
Please tell me you still have that apron. I actually think the pigtails were super cute on you, and honestly, during the interview you seemed very calm and not crazy at all. Except maybe when “phat” just flew out of your mouth. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha still have (and love) the apron!
xo,
s
DJ says
to add to that – it was a gong type “talent” show.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- nice!
xo,
s
Karen F says
oh my God, this is hilarious!
Lyndsey says
oh. my. god. that was the best thing i’ve ever seen! haha. it was awesomely hilarious in a totally earnest teenage kind of way :) So cool that you got to meet him though– he seems like a nice guy! Do you still have the apron? Seems like it should get a place on your frame wall!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, I still have (and love) that apron. It does deserve a spot of honor, except that I would have to explain this whole embarrassing debacle to anyone who asks about it. Haha.
xo,
s
Teri says
Ah, it’s actually a really fun story. I wrote to Oprah every day for 12 years (starting at age nine). She never responded. That’s embarrassing! The only thing you should be embarrassed about are those chunky shoes. Can you believe the boulders we would adorn our feet with in the 1990s?! My confession: I had a whole collection of those foam-y chunky espadrilles.. even a lime green pair. And don’t even get me started on Candies. Cringe.
PS. You’ve aged, like, approximately none. For that, we are no longer friends (much like Oprah, I bet you didn’t even know we were friends, did you? Well, friendship: lost).
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s amazing that you wrote to Oprah every day for so long. I’m shocked she never wrote back! And yes, I totally rocked the frankenstein shoes.
xo,
s
Steph says
Hahaha I’m cracking up because my friends and I used to write to Oprah every day too! I mean literally every day. We would watch her show then write to her about it. I’m sure she was DYING to know what a bunch of 12 year olds thought of her show, you know the one geared towards women, not children! She never wrote me back either, I wonder why haha.
YoungHouseLove says
No way! I had no idea this was a thing. I want to go back in time and do it too.
xo,
s
Melanie says
Hilarious! I remember seeing this when I was in high school! Too funny.
My husband and I just taped an episode of Run My Renovation for the DIY Network. I’m preemptively embarrassed for whatever they’re going to show of us on TV, but at least we got a free kitchen out of it :)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome!
xo,
s
Karrie says
Melanie, we were in a Run My Renovation episode, too! I was so embarrassed when I saw the episode. I hope you liked how your space turned out!
Lauren B says
Amazing! Not nearly as cool as MTV, but my parents still have the video of when I was on TV in the New York State Spelling Bee… awkward. I am still bitter that I came in 11th, which was one spot away from getting a super awesome plaque with my name on it!
Alli says
I was obsessed with this show! I remember the episode where some Red Hot Chili Peppers fan decided to “impress” the band by eating an entire jar of hot peppers and then got really sick afterward….weird, the stuff that sticks with you.
My friends and I used to tape ourselves doing Britney/BSB/NSync routines and think about how cool it would be to be on MTV. I’m so glad YouTube wasn’t around back then.
Stacy R says
Now we know where Clara gets her singing and rapping skills from. The truth comes out :)
Julie says
LOVE it! LOL. Do you still have the apron?
YoungHouseLove says
Heck yeah!
xo,
s
Jax says
EPIC! I can’t believe SHERDOG never made it big time with those PHAT LICKS! Mad props yo! If only John were as cool as you. :-)
jen mathers says
Love it.. no wonder you are so hardcore… you’re an OG from jersey! Thats ok I may have been j-dogg and my bff was ra-child back in the day. I was a “fanatic” of snoop.. still am .. he can do no wrong.. not even sensual seduction can diminish the love haha Thanks for sharing.. made my day!
Amiz says
Hahaha that’s awesome! I’m super jealous you got to meet Mr. Mathers!!
My most embarassing moment I will never forget. I was in elementary 5th grade and I was on the school spelling team. It was a city broadcast thing. We would go each week and take turns spelling words and going up against other schools, until one team was left. I was the very first person to do it on air. My word was “wall” but for the life of me I heard it as “wad”. I even got the definition and it used in a sentence. But no still heard “wad” spelled it out, had a smug look on my face. Only to hear that I was wrong and I looked at my teammates and they were staring at me horrified lmao. It was a mortifying moment. I don’t know how we ended up winning the whole thing.. and I can’t believe I told you haha I’ve never told anyone. But I still have the video of it. Sigh
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, wad! That’s so funny!
xo,
s
Ann says
Haha Sherdog–“an aspiring white rapper”! I’ve been giggling for the last 10 mins about that!!! You’ve come a long way from that to suburban blogger/mom!!!!
Taylor says
That is awesome Sherry! I watched every episode of that show and watching your clip back, I totally remember it! I actually thought about auditioning for that show just to meet him…how funny! Thank you for sharing. I still love me some slim shady to this day.
Kelsey says
Oh, $herdog, I am so glad you posted about this. I have seen the video floating around Facebook in the past couple of days and I was so hoping someone would send it to you so we’d get a rundown post like this. Hilarious!
Lindsay M says
You were so cute! And nerdy! Haha I loved it :-) thanks for sharing!
Lindsey says
How many people asked you about this before you decided to come clean?
Everything about this post is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen/read. Loved it!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, maybe ten? I was freaking out and muttering things like “they know.. they all know!.. it’s spreading!”
xo,
s
Larissa says
That’s what I was wondering! How long have you been agonizing about posting this? I can only imagine the feeling in the pit of your stomach over letting it out. I thank the heavens pretty much daily that my younger days were pre-social media.
I’m so glad you’re blogging about DIY and not rapping. That just would have been… the opposite of phat. Skinnie?
YoungHouseLove says
The past few days there have been comments and emails every day about it- which totally freaked out. So I figured I might as well own it and just get it out there since pleading the fifth clearly wasn’t working. Haha. It has been pretty fun to read everyone else’s embarrassing moments and hi-larious comments in general.
xo,
s
Megan says
Not quite as cool as you, but in college, I was on Regis and Kelly, dancing with Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House. Yep.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, nice! High fives, girl.
xo,
s
Alice H says
Sherdog…YOU got to meet Eminem! I love him too. You crack me up with your pigtails and white rapping skills!
Alice H says
do you still have that apron? did you get to go to a concert and go backstage or anything after?
YoungHouseLove says
Heck yeah I still have the apron. We did get to see him at The Warped Tour and I actually later saw him on TRL.
xo,
s
Laura says
This is so excellent.
Linda says
Actually, I think that is SO COOL!!! Go Sherry ($herdog) :)
Stephanie says
Woah! You are brave for digging that up!
Letitia says
$herdog, yes, YOU CAN HAS CHEEZBURGER!!
sofia says
Oh my gosh! This feels like the most elaborate April Fools joke ever. So funny. Thanks for sharing this awesomely embarrassing story with us!
Julie says
I also think that your love for animals on the wall came from that show…..:D
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I wonder…
xo,
s
Melissa says
Wow. Just, wow. All I can say is own who you are and you seem like an absolutely lovely person, both then and now.
Kate says
LOL. I also remember this!! I remembered the part where you were walking through the airport saying you wanted to be a white girl rapper and I thought, “Pfffttt… Honey, you are a white teenage girl from Jersey, that’s never going to happen. LOL” (I was also a white teenage girl from Jersey at the time.) Glad to hear that was a fake-out! This is awesome though, so great that you still have it. What a blast from the past.
Amy says
I’m not really sure what to say about that, except that it wasn’t that bad. :)
emily @ go haus go says
LOL. For Halloween you should be 17 year old $herdog (but a little edit complete with arm band) and John can be Eminem. I’m kind of joking but I’m kind of not! Best Friday post ever. Thanks for making my weekend!
melissa says
I almost peeded my pants! I used to watch that show!
Melissa says
This. Is. Hysterical!!
That made my day! You look EXACTLY the same!
tia says
oh, sherry :)
i would love to see what clara thinks of this in the future.
Allyn says
Ho. Ly. Crap.
$herdog, you’re legit.
I just about fell out of my chair laughing.
Sarah says
Wow, just…wow. No but really, we all have embarrassing moments from our younger years and you are awesome for bringing it out in the open for your loving readers :) What did John say when he saw this for the first time??
YoungHouseLove says
He totally died laughing. I tried to prepare him, but nothing can prepare someone for this.
xo,
s
Nicole @ Post Grad says
Oh. My. God. That’s hysterical! I’m dying in my office right now. I’ve alerted this entire section of the office that I am clearly not working. And please don’t be embarrassed! You put yourself out there and have an awesome story. I know we’re all mortified when it’s US on camera, but you’re such a cute 17 yr old. We’re all allowed to be weird when we’re younger. :)