Actually, all that Bob Garfield was doing in the interview with Mary and Eric was using a time-honored reporter's/writer's trick of providing a bit of contrast. Doing that gives a bit more of an open mind to those who would otherwise wave off a report, adds a touch of levity here and there to draw in even the wayward listener, and most of all the contrast emphasizes the dedication of Mary and Eric. It's like putting a pastel against a deeper color to highlight the pastel rather than losing it beside a similarly pale shade. It's a highly professional way to make what some might ignore as a fluff piece interesting to a broader audience, and as a result it most likely increased the impact Mary and Eric were able to have. [Posted in FML issue 3291]