When Jenny Johnson walks into a room, she exudes the same
confidence and beaming smile that have become her trademarks as the executive
producer of NECN’s TV Diner and sidekick to host Billy Costa. On
any given night, Johnson can be spotted fully decked out for a charity event in
town or sampling a nibble or two at many of the restaurants TV
Diner has featured. And as ubiquitous as Johnson is off-camera, she
actually added more on-screen responsibilities a few months ago, becoming the
host of New England Dream House.
Her new role takes her to some of the most posh pads in the region for a peek
at how the other half lives. So, how does this busy lady keep it all together?
For one, Johnson spends a ton of time on the stair climber and at a Pilates
studio to stay sane (and to maintain her size 4 dress size). Her total
self-assuredness, however, comes from a less expected source: a
pink blanket her parents made for her when she was born. Yes, this
security object that most discard by the time they get to kindergarten is the
secret to Johnson’s success. And she’s not shy about talking about her blanky
either.
A pink blanket, huh? Actually, it’s a pink satin
blanket, thank you. I used to be about three feet by three feet, but now it’s
about a foot and half and is ripped and tattered. It has a safety pin holding
part of it and has burn marks from when it fell of the bed and landed on the
heater. My parents made it, and yes, I still sleep with it.
Is it more of a security object to you or something
nostalgic? It’s been with me during good times and bad. I have
memories of it being with me during both the highs and lows. I’ve cried with it
and into it. I’ve thrown it. I remember times when I was really excited about
some news, and there it was.
OK, but what about what other people, like roommates and
“others,” have thought about you sleeping with it? Love me, love my
blanket. It comes with me. It’s part of the package. It’s always been there.
Sure, I remember feeling a little weird when I went to camp, but you know, once
people see me with it and that it’s always with me, I’ve never had anyone react
with anything but acceptance.
Speaking of criticism, are you glad that you aren’t one of
the city’s restaurant reviewers? Like those intrepid food critics like Devra
First, Mat Schaffer, MC Slim JB, and Robert Nadeau? I bet even former Boston Globe
critic Alison Arnett still hears from people. Oh, yes, I am so glad
that I’m not them. I don’t know how Alison Arnett does it. She wrote with such
integrity, but still, I know people remember the “non-positive” comments. I
love that we don’t write the reviews. If we don’t like something, we don’t
cover them on TV Diner. It’s really a lot easier. It would
be tough to feel good about people yelling at you.
Tell me about some of your Boston food faves. I
love the tuna tartar at Serenella and the molten chocolate cake at Union Bar
and Grille in the South End. I like the drinks and atmosphere at Stella. For
sushi, my pick is Seiyo in the South End. I always love to hang out at the
Beehive. And the new Bella Luna in Jamaica Plain is great, and they even have
bowling. It’s virtual … on a [Nintendo] Wii. And when I
need comfort food, it’s the mac and cheese at Stephanie’s [on Newbury.]
