Paul’s Embarrassing ‘Conversation’ With Olivia Newton-John
Owing to my line of work, I’ve been blessed to meet lots of people. Some celebrities. Most not. I just love meeting and talking with people. It’s never matters to…

Olivia Newton-John with the crew from
Photo Contributed by Paul JohnsonOwing to my line of work, I've been blessed to meet lots of people. Some celebrities. Most not. I just love meeting and talking with people. It's never matters to me how so-called "famous" they are. After all, "fame" can be a fleeting thing. Being "real" is far more important. I love sharing an enthusiastic moment with anybody, although I confess, it delights me when I meet a celebrity who embraces being genuinely nice and considerate to all.
When people inevitably ask me 'Who's the biggest star you ever met?', I consider a few different factors. "How well known is the person around the world?" "What are his/her accomplishments?" Maybe near the top of the list, "Did you have a real conversation (with a unique question) instead of just occupying a place in a line?"
No doubt, though, is "How kind was he or her?" (Four-time Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali goes right to the top of the list. But there are others.)

Olivia Newton-John with the crew from WDGY Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Having interviewed lots of different celebrities, I always prided myself in being prepared with a question having an interesting answer on the back end.
Except once!
Working at a big Country station (50,000 Watt WDGY-AM/Mpls.St.Paul) in my hometown in 1980, we were paid a visit by Olivia Newton-John (pictured above.) This was about a year and after the movie release of "Grease," both a critical and box-office smash! The "Grease" soundtrack was, at the time, the biggest-selling musical soundtrack ever! She was, at the time, one of the biggest stars in the world!
Standing in line, waiting for her to make her way down to where I was standing, and fishing my mind for a good question, I suddenly found myself with her standing in front of me! And I had nothing to ask or say! I was dumbstruck! Not a word came out of my mouth! I could think of nothing to do but smile and bow!
Thanks to her gracious nature, she curtsied! And after a pause, we both laughed! I finally said, "Nice to meet you." She, "You too!"
We later had a nice and more meaningful conversation! At a reception later that evening, she was as gracious to my wife as she had been to me!
GALLERY: More Olivia Newton-John Over the Years







The most-watched television event of the year means the funniest, most creative and star-studded commercials keep us glued to our couches. See our favorites from the big game below!
13. High Stakes
Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham graced our eyes once again with her fierce, elegant beauty while gambling in this commercial for e-commerce brand Rakuten.
12. Lays
Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen take a literal trip down memory lane on Seth’s big day -- from their scary stalker kidnapping experience to a haunted house experience that led him to his beautiful bride.
11. Stuck In
Imagine living your life with your arm stuck in a Pringles can… Doesn’t seem so bad, actually.
10. Land of Loud Flavors
Guy Fieri, aka the King of Flavor has made a very important announcement to his loyal subject of a new seltzer flavor.
9. Sally’s Seashells
Zendaya is a hot commodity and seeing her in this clever rendition of the nursery rhyme,”She Sells Sea Shells” was one of our favorite commercials of the night.
8. Thrill Driver
Eugene Levy with luscious locks?! We’re in love with seeing Eugene evoke his inner action star.
7. Old Friends, New Fun
Things get delightfully creepy when animatronics are involved in this VR commercial for Meta Quest.
6. The Joneses
Tommy Lee, Leslie and Rashida star as “The Joneses” in this Toyota commercial. At the very end, one more “Jones” makes it -- Nick Jonas, causing the other Joneses confusion.
5. Welcome to Superior Bowl
Steve Buscemi is the bowling attendant of this star-athlete bowl-off that has a big ‘Big Lebowski’ influence (Buscemi co-starred in that bowling-centric film).. As we see the likes of Peyton Manning, Jimmy Buttler, Brooks Koepka, Alex Morgan, and Nneka Ogwumike bowl for a strike, Serena Williams struts in to show everyone who the real GOAT is.
4. Zeus & Hera
Retiring from Mount Olympus to Palm Springs, Zeus (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is underwhelmed by all earthly electric things and becomes a shell of his former self. But right when we think all hope is lost, his wife, Hera (Salma Hayek), introduces him to the all-electric BMW iX and helps mighty Zeus reclaim his spark.
3. Dr. Evil
Dr. Evil is up to no good once again! Well, he is actually up to some good -- but not for Scott.
2. Sopranos Chevy
Meadow Soprano (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) finally learns how to park in this meta nod to the Sopranos, even seeing AJ (Robert Iler) meet up with her for a bite to eat at Bahrs Landing.
1. FTX Larry David
Don’t be like Larry. As we witness Larry David in iconic moments in history, he turns down every great idea presented to him.