In the news business, one day you are interviewing a head of state, while another you find yourself talking to a CGI lizard.
That is the lesson former First Daughter-turned special correspondent for NBC Chelsea Clinton learned the hard way this week when she got to quiz the Geico Gecko on the show Rock Center with Brian Williams.
Miss Clinton, who did not appear alongside the world-famous spokes-critter for Geicko Insurance, asked the gecko about his life in the limelight.
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Beauty and the Beast: Chelsea Clinton (left) interviewed the Geico Gecko for a serial about advertising
Phoning it in: The gecko apologized he could not be at the studio in person, saying that he is on a book tour
The reptile apologized in his signature Australian-accented English that he could not make it to the studio in person because he is promoting his new book, 'You're Only Human.'
The odd exchange continued with Clinton asking the celebrity reptile: 'now gecko, do people recognize you on the street?’
‘Actually Chelsea, I mean people don't usually notice on the street because I'm only 6.9 inches tall,’ gecko replied. ‘I spend most of my time just trying not to get stepped on, but I do get better tables at restaurants than I used to.’
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Among other 'hard-hitting' questions the correspondent posed to the popular lizard was: 'Is there a downside to all this fame?'
The team behind the bizarre one-minute interview also made a fake yearbook picture of the gecko, leaving him feeling embarrassed and jokingly vowing to Clinton that he 'will remember this.'
Odd exchange: In voice-over, Clinton quizzed the reptilian celebrity about life in the limelight
Awkward years: The team behind the bizarre one-minute interview also made a fake yearbook picture of the gecko
The exchange between Bill Clinton's 33-year-old daughter is part of a series about advertising that she is working on for Rick Center, which takes a look at various iconic commercial personalities such as the Old Spice guy and the AT&T guy.
The awkward-looking segment with a CGI character strikes a particularly odd note as it comes just two weeks after Miss Clinton said in an interview that she would consider running for public office.
Appearing on NBC's Today Show April 8, Clinton said: 'Right now, I’m grateful to live in a city and a state and a country where I strongly support my mayor, my governor, my president and my senators and my representative.
'If at some point that weren’t true and I thought I could make a meaningful and measurably greater impact, you know, I’d have to ask and answer that question,' she said.
Political animals: Former President Bill Clinton accepts the Advocate for Change Award with Chelsea Clinton onstage during the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards
Chelsea Clinton and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg arrive at Barnes and Noble in New York City, where Sandberg was promoting her new book 'Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead'
Clinton's coy statement set off a torrent of opinion pieces by political experts speculating that the 42nd president’s daughter may follow in his footsteps all the way to the White House.
'Chelsea is impressive; she has the right name and DNA and a renowned campaign and fundraising organization at her disposal,' Larry Mendte wrote for The Philly Post.
Miss Clinton has been steadily increasing her public presence recently, appearing on the cover of Parade Magazine this month and hosting several panels at the Clinton Global Initiative, a charitable organization run by her father.
Clinton lives with her husband, 35-year-old Marc Mezvinsky, in the Flatiron District of New York City.
The couple recently purchased a $10.5million four-bedroom flat in their neighborhood overlooking Madison Square Park.
Campaigning: Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton said Monday that she would consider stepping into the political arena and running for office
Wedded bliss: Clinton lives with her husband, 35-year-old Marc Mezvinsky (left), in the Flatiron District of New York City