JerryTheSnakeman with Geraldo Rivera

[SSSSnakes]

I have been invited to be on "Geraldo at Large", on Fox TV 5. The program will air Saturday, Aug 10, 2013. The discussion will be about the "Python killing of the 2 N.B. boys". I will be interviewed as a snake expert, and will try to show the lighter side of snakes. Although this was a tragic accident, it was by no means the snakes fault. The keeper was completely to blame, but the 2 children and the snake paid with their lives. I will bring a Burmese Python and possibly a Rock Python for demonstration purposes.

[Mikoh4792]

I have been invited to be on "Geraldo at Large", on Fox TV 5. The program will air Saturday, Aug 10, 2013. The discussion will be about the "Python killing of the 2 N.B. boys". I will be interviewed as a snake expert, and will try to show the lighter side of snakes. Although this was a tragic accident, it was by no means the snakes fault. The keeper was completely to blame, but the 2 children and the snake paid with their lives. I will bring a Burmese Python and possibly a Rock Python for demonstration purposes.

man, I don't know if bringing the type of snake that actually killed the two boys on t.v. would be a good idea. Good luck.

[milk man]

I don't have a TV so I hope it will be online somewhere. Good luck!

[milk man]

man, I don't know if bringing the type of snake that actually killed the two boys on t.v. would be a good idea. Good luck.

I think showing this kind of snake in a docile mood would challenge the thought that they are all blood thirsty monsters.

[Mikoh4792]

I think showing this kind of snake in a docile mood would challenge the thought that they are all blood thirsty monsters.

I guess...

[slowhite03]

Bringing snakes will be bad because you are going to help there cause. If you bring a snake they are going to talk about how the snake may be docile but could snap anytime. I wouldn't bring a snake but try to focus in the evidence at hand. Owner error, no strangulation, not eaten, how does two kids die but one survives. It's Fox News, so any point they want to get across will get across but I guess all you can do is stick to your guns and just argue how the snake wasn't at failt

[milk man]

Bringing snakes will be bad because you are going to help there cause. If you bring a snake they are going to talk about how the snake may be docile but could snap anytime. I wouldn't bring a snake but try to focus in the evidence at hand. Owner error, no strangulation, not eaten, how does two kids die but one survives. It's Fox News, so any point they want to get across will get across but I guess all you can do is stick to your guns and just argue how the snake wasn't at failt

The point of the snake snapping will be brought up anyway. It is best to have proof that they aren't out for blood every time they see a person. I would explain that with proper enclosures and safety routines these snakes are like sharks in a fish tank. No one could get hurt except the person assuming the risk.

[RandyRhoads]

Snakes or no snakes fox will twist it to their sick agenda and play only the parts to support the side they take and omit the other parts. Good luck.

[milk man]

Snakes or no snakes fox will twist it to their sick agenda and play only the parts to support the side they take and omit the other parts. Good luck.

Agreed, this will probably be a very tough interview. You may come out looking like a bad guy no matter what you do. I've seen it happen to very smart and kind people who go on fox.

[slowhite03]

The point of the snake snapping will be brought up anyway. It is best to have proof that they aren't out for blood every time they see a person. I would explain that with proper enclosures and safety routines these snakes are like sharks in a fish tank. No one could get hurt except the person assuming the risk.

I know but what would happen if he tried to bite? I'm not saying it will but there still is a possibility of that. The reptile trade already has a bad light but we don't need Fox News to play that over and over

[milk man]

I know but what would happen if he tried to bite? I'm not saying it will but there still is a possibility of that. The reptile trade already has a bad light but we don't need Fox News to play that over and over

I imagine that he has enough experience to read the snakes behavior and shut it down before it happens. I wouldn't think he would bring a snake that has a history of being unpredictable. It's hard to say what the best thing to do is.

This bout with the media isn't going to be clean, and our side will always come out looking worse.

[SSSSnakes]

I'm an experienced educator for over 33 years. My point has always been to present the true facts. I'm not trying to sway any opinions either way. Let face it, the majority of people are not responsible enough to keep these snakes, and they do not make good pets for the average person. But as we have seen, the keeper and his family are normally the only ones in danger. They do not normally tend to be a threat to the general public. This was a tragic situation, and was caused by a careless keeper.

Many people comment on my post of venomous snakes that they would never keep them because they are so dangerous, but they do not consider large Pythons dangerous. But I have found many more incidents with the larger snake injuring or killing people than the venomous snakes. I have seen incidents were people let their large Pythons loose in their house and treat it like it is some kind of dog. They don't take the potential danger of these snake seriously. Just as some people don't take the potential danger of a dog or a horse, that also kills more people per year than snakes.

[KORBIN5895]

Rock on Jerry. I think you are going about this the right way. I also think that the guy who owned the arp should be vilified by the responsible herpers.

As for people making claims about what the snake did or didn't do, go do some current reading on it as the boys did have bite marks.

[Terranaut]

I think this is great. I hope I can see this in Canada.

[bcr229]

Congrats! Will this be a live or taped program? Are you going to their studio or are they coming to you for the interview?

Instead of bringing the two giants, I would suggest bringing the burm and a docile ball, and explain that a large number of snake owners keep ball pythons as pets. I'd also have Geraldo hold it for the duration of the interview so every time he's on camera viewers can't help but see him with a totally chilled BP.

BTW I've been interviewed many times on a controversial topic (gun rights) - remember that this is tv, not a court of law. Just because you're asked a leading question doesn't mean you actually have to answer it.

[SSSSnakes]

Congrats! Will this be a live or taped program? Are you going to their studio or are they coming to you for the interview?

Instead of bringing the two giants, I would suggest bringing the burm and a docile ball, and explain that a large number of snake owners keep ball pythons as pets. I'd also have Geraldo hold it for the duration of the interview so every time he's on camera viewers can't help but see him with a totally chilled BP.

BTW I've been interviewed many times on a controversial topic (gun rights) - remember that this is tv, not a court of law. Just because you're asked a leading question doesn't mean you actually have to answer it.

This will be taped on Saturday before the show. We are going to Manhattan to their studio. Don't worry, I have been used as an expert witness many times and know how to deal with leading questions. They only want the Burmese Python, but that is one of my show snakes that thousands of people have held and interacted with. Lets just pray it all works out for the best.

[Hannibalcanibal]

Make sure to highlight that most keepers of snakes do not keep dangerous animals like he did, and that the majority of us keep harmless, docile pets that could not hurt you even if they wanted too.

[KORBIN5895]

Hey Jerry, could you make sure to brush your teeth and comb your hair? ( I figured since everyone else wanted to give redundant advice I would too.)

[bcr229]

This will be taped on Saturday before the show. We are going to Manhattan to their studio. Don't worry, I have been used as an expert witness many times and know how to deal with leading questions. They only want the Burmese Python, but that is one of my show snakes that thousands of people have held and interacted with. Lets just pray it all works out for the best.
Cool! And if I had CATV or Dish I'd watch it, but we don't get commercial programs (by choice). Maybe they'll host it online somewhere.

As for why I suggested bringing a BP as well:
Ball python goes missing from North Vancouver home (http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Ball+python+goes+missing+from+North+Vancouver+home/8760547/story.html)
Seriously, call the Mounties because a 4' BP escaped? :shocked:

[SSSSnakes]

Hey Jerry, could you make sure to brush your teeth and comb your hair? ( I figured since everyone else wanted to give redundant advice I would too.)

Why do I need to brush my teeth and comb my hair? Is it that time of the month already? LOL