JOSH: Why did you decide to interview yourself?

JOSH: No one else was wanted to.  And I have pretty good access to myself.

JOSH: So, like most people, I’ve been wondering, don’t you get sick of writing this blog every week?  I mean, I know I get sick of reading it.

JOSH: Yes, I do get sick of writing the blog.  It’s hard work to come up with 500 words week after week.  And some weeks I just come up empty.

JOSH: Like this week for example?

JOSH: Yes.

JOSH: Would it help with your word count if I asked you really long questions and sort of took my time before, you know, getting to the actual question that I was going to ask you?  Because I’m happy to do that if you think it would, you know, be helpful with your word count.

JOSH: Yes, that helps a lot, thanks.  348 words to go.

JOSH: So, any plans for the holiday?

JOSH: Well, this year Mary and I have decided to stay at home, play with our puppy, watch streaming movies on Netflix, and buy groceries at our favorite store, Whole Foods Market.  Whole Foods is amazing.  Everything is just perfect, right down to their color-coded checkout system.  I wish they would take over American Airlines.

JOSH: So you’ll be spending your holidays enjoying the checkout lines at Whole Foods?

JOSH: Yes.

JOSH: Sounds pretty dull.

JOSH: We’re dull people.  But we’re happy.

JOSH: And I noticed that you’ve been promoting “Small Potatoes” like a madman on Facebook these past few weeks.  What’s that all about?

JOSH: Well, I’m obsessed with the “Small Potatoes.”  I just love them so much.  I think it’s the best show we’ve ever made at Little Airplane.  And since it won’t officially launch on Cbeebies and around the world until the Spring, I’ve been entertaining myself by posting really cute images of them on our “Small Potatoes” Facebook page.

JOSH: Wow.  That is cute.  Do you design the images yourself?

JOSH: Are you kidding?  I couldn’t draw a scone.  The images are made by our Lead Designers at Little Airplane, Michael Scanlon and Cassandra Berger, both of whom are just brilliant and endlessly patient with me.  I truly believe that our new Small Potatoes Facebook page is a work of art.

JOSH: Really?  Do you mind if we check it out?

JOSH: Are you kidding?  Be my guest!  You just go to: http://facebook.dj/smallpotatoes/

JOSH: So, if I’m not mistaken, you just used your KidScreen blog to promote your own show.  Is that allowed?

JOSH: I’m not sure.  But you’re welcome to complain.

JOSH: But, according to your disclaimer, I’d just be complaining to you, right?

JOSH: Oh, right.  I’m not sure what to say about that.

JOSH: 103 words to go.

JOSH: Nice.

JOSH: So, what advice do you have for your fellow kids’ TV workaholics who want to get a jump on business in 2011?

JOSH: Well, if you haven’t signed up for the KidScreen Summit yet, go and do that.  And then start planning your meetings.  I’m always shocked by how many people show up at KidScreen and expect to be able to set up a meeting with someone at the very last minute.  It just doesn’t work that way.  So start signing up for your sessions and booking your meetings now or you’ll find yourself stuck in the Hilton lobby playing with your tote bag full of swag.

JOSH: Do you get some sort of kickback from KidScreen for saying all of that?  Because you should.

JOSH: I wish.  The truth is, I believe it.  KidScreen Summit is now the best place in the world to do business in the kids’ media industry.  And Little Airplane will once again be hosting the opening night party for all the KidScreen Summit delegates in our New York studio.  This is going to be our biggest party yet.  There will be lots of talented Brazilians as well as a very famous musical guest performer (although I can’t announce her name just yet.)

JOSH: So, this entire blog is really just thinly veiled self-promotion, isn’t it?

JOSH: I wasn’t aware of the thin veil, but yes.

JOSH: Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers that is not about your projects or your company or KidScreen?  After all, this is the “Holiday Interview,” and I suspect that even an aging preschool TV curmudgeon like yourself has been touched, or at least grazed, by the holiday spirit.

JOSH: Well, now that you mention it, yes, I have been grazed.  And there are a few things I’d like to say to my readers, even those of you who have never left me a single comment in my little comment box.  Here goes:  I really enjoy writing this blog for you every week.  I enjoy being a part of this unique community of people who make and support kids’ media, and I feel lucky to be able to call so many of you my friends.  Since there won’t be a blog next week, I’d like to wish all of you, your companies, and your families a very happy holiday season and a joyous New Year.

May all of your projects get picked up.  May all your apps do half as well as “Angry Birds.”  And may all of your eco-friendly toys get three feet of shelf space at Wal-Mart.

The Small Potatoes love you.  And so do I.