First Lady says she's "terrified" to tape show, but thrilled that it makes her "the coolest mom on the face of the planet..."In Los Angles on Monday for a two-day swing through California, First Lady Michelle Obama taped two scenes of a special episode of the hit Nickelodeon TV series for kids, iCarly, to promote her Joining Forces campaign to support and honor military families. The show's storyline features 18-year-old actress Miranda Cosgrove as title character Carly Shay, who lives with her older brother in a loft, with no parents around because their father is a Colonel deployed overseas. The First Lady's episode was written especially for her by series creator Dan Schneider. It will air in January. (Above: Mrs. Obama during the taping with the cast)
Since becoming First Lady, Mrs. Obama has appeared on many talk shows--and on a special White House episode of Iron Chef America. She's also taped an extensive series of PSAs for both the Joining Forces and let's Move! campaigns, but the iCarly outing is her first appearance on a sitcom. Earlier in the day, during a meeting at the Writers Guild Theater in West Hollywood, designed to encourage the creative Guilds to support military families by making entertainment vehicles focused on members of the Armed Forces, Mrs. Obama explained her iCarly appearance, and said that she'd been memorizing lines, but added that she was "terrified." (Above: Mrs. Obama at the Guild meeting)
"The story line is very sweet. iCarly -- Carly is a -- they have a webcast, and Carly is a military kid, and that's always been a part of the script -- that's been a part of their situation," Mrs. Obama explained. "Her father has been deployed. And it’s just a way for us to recognize her challenges as well as how her friends are stepping up to support her. So I’m pretty excited about it."
"This is an example of the way that we can integrate these story lines into shows, and it’s important for kids to hear themselves in the shows that they love," Mrs. Obama added, about choosing to film the show to support the Joining Forces campaign.
As for becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild? Mrs. Obama said she's not quite ready.
"I’m going to put on my acting cape. I’ve been memorizing my lines -- I am terrified," Mrs. Obama said, to laughter. "I can give a speech, I can talk to you all, but oh, I’m shaking, yes."
Mrs. Obama has said that the show is a favorite of daughters Malia and Sasha, and noted that she got big points for filming it.
"We are big fans of iCarly," Mrs. Obama said. "Well, let’s say I’m the coolest mom on the face of the planet."
But her daughters' friends didn't actually believe she would be making an appearance on the show, Mrs. Obama said.
"Can you believe we have friends of my children who don't believe that I’m going to be on iCarly?" Mrs. Obama said. "But I was like, look, I stayed in Buckingham Palace. Why is it such a huge leap that I would --they don't believe that."
The audience laughed and applauded as Mrs. Obama spoke about her acting debut.
There was no mention of Spaghetti Tacos, the unique dish the show has made an internet sensation. The First Lady's episode will air in January of 2012, according to Nickelodeon.
After the taping, iCarly star Cosgrove tweeted: "Worked with Michelle Obama today. She's one awesome funny lady. We were so nervous and she just made everybody feel so comfortable #honored."
Earlier in the day, Mrs. Obama attended a DNC fundraising luncheon in Pasadena, and in the evening, she attended another DNC cocktail reception held at the home of interior designer Michael S. Smith, who redecorated the White House for the Obamas.
*Top is Reuters photo shot during the filming at Nickelodeon.
