On a recent episode of The Moth Radio Hour, host Jenifer Hixson took a nostalgic and self-deprecating detour into her own college acting past while introducing professional actor Steve Peebles.
Hixson found unexpected common ground with Peebles' theatrical resume. "In college, I also played Templeton the Rat in a production of Charlotte's Web," Hixson shared, fondly remembering it as a highly entertaining gig.
However, the glory of the stage was quickly undercut by hometown publicity. Hixson revealed that her college sent a photo of her in full rodent costume to her local newspaper, only for the press to butcher her name entirely, writing a caption that read something like "Jennifer Hickso."
While Peebles has moved on to prestigious roles in Spamalot and works as an associate with the Shattered Globe Theatre, Hixson's brief stint as a literary rat remains a hilarious reminder of the indignities of early-career publicity. Expect her to stick to her hosting duties—where her name is spelled correctly—for the foreseeable future.