'Good Morning America' is a morning news program on the ABC television network. As a commercial television station aiming for profit, "Good Morning America" does not consist entirely of dry news reports in its pursuit of ratings; instead, its content is very flexible.
Besides hot news topics of public interest, the program also features many anecdotes, celebrity interviews, and even variety show mini-games, occasionally inviting big-name singers for live street performances.
The weekend edition of "Good Morning America" is only one hour long and airs live at 7 AM in each time zone.
Inside an apartment in Manhattan's Upper East Side.
Nearing seven o'clock, Jennifer Raybould tiptoed out of her room and cautiously made her way downstairs, only to find her father, James Raybould, already sitting in the living room reading the newspaper.
Jennifer shrunk her neck, wanting to quietly retreat, but James Raybould had already noticed his daughter. Without lifting his head, he pointed directly to the sofa opposite: "Jenny, come over".
"Morning, Dad".
She had no choice but to abandon the idea of sneaking away. Greeting him, she obediently walked over and sat down opposite her father. After a moment of hesitation, Jennifer picked up the remote control from the coffee table, turned on the TV in the living room, and tuned it to the ABC channel.
James Raybould watched his daughter's actions and raised an eyebrow slightly.
However, suddenly recalling something, James looked at his already graceful daughter sitting opposite him. He didn't scold her but simply asked, "Why did you suddenly come back yesterday, and so late?"
Jennifer glanced at the TV screen before turning to her father and saying, "Something came up. I arrived in New York at 5:30 and came back after I finished".
James Raybould waited for a moment, and seeing that his daughter offered no further explanation, he didn't press the issue.
His little girl had finally grown up.
From Jennifer's insistence on working in Los Angeles rather than staying at her parents' firm in New York, James Raybould realized that his discipline over his daughter had been somewhat too strict over the years. Although he didn't regret doing so, his daughter was now an adult, and the Raybould couple understood that it was time to let their child venture out on her own.
Thinking this, James Raybould changed the subject and asked in a gentle tone, "I spoke with Professor Robertson last week. He thinks your thesis is excellent. Tell me about it".
Jennifer's attention turned back to the TV screen, and she replied somewhat distractedly, "Dad, it's Saturday today. Can we not talk about these things?"
James Raybould looked at his daughter, suddenly understanding more, and with a certain discomfort stemming from paternal instinct, he tentatively asked, "Jenny, are you in love?"
Jennifer froze for a moment, her face inexplicably flushed, but she shook her head, avoiding her father's gaze, and said, "Dad, no. I'm just, well, a little tired. Can we just watch TV?"
James Raybould smiled knowingly, then simply set aside the newspaper in his hand and said, "Alright, let's watch TV".
On the TV screen, 'Good Morning America' had already begun. After a few mainstream news segments, the scene shifted to a studio.
Jennifer looked at the large 'Run Lola Run' poster in the studio and immediately perked up.
This was the result of her persistent efforts yesterday, for which she even officially signed a contract.
Although the content of that videotape was about that guy, the copyright was in her hands. If it were anyone else, possessing such a videotape and demanding a hundred thousand dollars from a TV network would not be too much. Therefore, her only condition to Robert Iger and ABC was that it had to be broadcast on 'Good Morning America' this morning, otherwise, she would contact other TV stations.
James Raybould noticed the content on the TV screen and his daughter's reaction, and his mood suddenly improved significantly.
So it wasn't love, it was fangirling.
However, James still said, "Is this the work of that Simon Westeros? There's been quite a bit of controversy recently".
Jennifer couldn't help but retort "Dad, can't you see that all those news reports are manipulated? They just don't want 'Run Lola Run' to have too high a box office".
James Raybould smiled and didn't argue with his daughter, also focusing his attention on the TV screen.
Inside the studio, 'Good Morning America' host Charles Gibson sat on a sofa, smiling and gesturing behind him, telling the live audience, "Seeing this poster, you must have already guessed our topic today. However, I still have to say, you've all guessed wrong".
Amidst everyone's confusion, Charles Gibson briefly introduced, "As everyone knows, the film 'Run Lola Run,' directed by young Hollywood director Simon Westlake, has recently sparked a series of controversies and questions. Many people doubt that an 18-year-old boy could possess the ability to complete such an excellent film.
We will not comment on this for now. Yesterday, our production team suddenly received a videotape. After watching that videotape, we were astonished and immediately started frantically calling many singers: 'Hey, friend, do you need a guitarist?' Finally, one singer replied, 'Sure, let me see how he plays first.' And then, she came to our studio today".
After saying these words that further piqued the audience's curiosity, Charles Gibson stood up and said, "Welcome, Madonna".
Amidst the applause from the audience, Madonna, dressed in a jacket, tight leather pants, and high heels, walked out from backstage. She briefly hugged Charles Gibson, then sat down on the other sofa, looking very curious as she surveyed the several 'Run Lola Run' posters behind her.
In front of the TV, Jennifer frowned slightly when she saw Madonna appear. She wasn't too fond of this singer, whose public image was always quite provocative, and she was somewhat displeased with ABC's arrangement.
However, Jennifer also knew that she couldn't ask for too much more.
On the TV screen, after a few brief pleasantries, Charles Gibson asked Madonna, "Maggie, before I introduce our guitarist to you, I want to ask, have you seen 'Run Lola Run'?"
Madonna nodded decisively, saying, "Of course, that movie is so cool! It's a shame I've been too busy lately and haven't met the young man who supposedly directed it himself".
Charles Gibson listened to Madonna's answer, smiling, and said, "So, Maggie, you also have some doubts that 'Run Lola Run' wasn't directed by Simon Westeros?"
"I just think it's too incredible; he's only eighteen after all," Madonna said, then finally seemed to realize, "Charles, the guitarist you're recommending to me, it wouldn't happen to be Simon Westeros, would it?"
Charles Gibson smiled without speaking, merely raising his hand to gesture behind him, saying, "Then, let's watch a video first".
Most of the lights in the studio dimmed, and a beam of light from a projector on the ceiling shone onto the large screen at the back of the studio. It still began with the casual shot in front of the craft stall, but ABC had temporarily added subtitles for several voice-overs, allowing the audience to clearly distinguish dialogues like 'little boy...' and 'Flight of the Bumblebee, for Jenny'.
Immediately, the pouring guitar sound instantly made everyone feel as if they were seeing a picture of a hornet swooping down.
Immediately after, the camera turned, and due to the magnified image, the clarity was inevitably affected. However, with the preceding topic, everyone still recognized the identity of the guitarist at first glance: Simon Westeros.
Inside the studio's sound system, increasingly frenzied and rapid notes continued, and even those completely unfamiliar with music could absolutely feel the guy's almost masterful guitar skills at this moment.
At the same time, the camera panned across the studio audience, and almost everyone had their mouths slightly agape, looking astonished.
Madonna, who had initially just turned to watch the screen, had unconsciously turned and knelt on the sofa, one small hand propped on her chin, clearly struggling not to put it in her mouth. As Simon's playing on the screen grew more and more frantic, Madonna's mouth shape was clearly repeating in silence, 'It's incredible, it's incredible'.
Five minutes later, when the video ended, the studio almost immediately erupted in synchronized applause. Madonna, completely disregarding her image, clapped her hands and shouted, "What a crazy boy!!!"
At the same time.
In front of countless televisions, seeing Simon's astonishing guitar solo on the screen, many people also spontaneously uttered various exclamations.
"That's so cool",
"Is that really something a human can do?"
"I never thought this young man was so amazing. Those media outlets have really been talking nonsense lately".
"Mom, I want to learn guitar too".
"I've known all along that those attacking Simon recently were maliciously slandering him. Today, I definitely have to go watch 'Run Lola Run' again".
"Maybe watching 'Run Lola Run' today wouldn't be a bad idea".
"Oh my god".
"He's definitely a madman, a cool madman".
"..."
"..."
Although it was a holiday when people generally wouldn't wake up early, as a national television network, ABC still had a very large audience base. Coupled with the recent abundance of news related to 'Run Lola Run', this video about Simon on 'Good Morning America' quickly caused a huge stir.
Hearing is not as good as seeing.
Seeing Simon Westlake's almost insane guitar performance in the video, many people immediately questioned the media's views during this period: You said this boy lacked musical foundation and couldn't personally complete the soundtrack for 'Run Lola Run'. Now, who dares to say that? If you're so capable, play 'Flight of the Bumblebee' yourself.
Since the accusations against Simon Westlake in this regard were false, what about other aspects?
Although this was an era without the internet, relatively speaking, interpersonal interactions became more frequent as a result. In just a few short hours, many people completely sided with Simon because of this video.
Los Angeles.
ABC hadn't informed Simon of today's program content in advance, but as 'Good Morning America' aired, Simon and many people around him still received the news immediately.
It was not yet seven in the morning on the West Coast, and everyone gathered again at the mansion in Palisades.
However, what made Simon most exasperated was a handwritten note faxed to him from New York by Jonathan Friedman, which simply read: "Little boy, you owe me one".
It was signed Madonna.
She's so good at taking advantage. Your Majesty, have we ever met?