访谈录 2009-05-23&05-25 【洋葱访谈】拼写天才的遭

Coming up next, we’ll meet yet another smug guy who scaled Mount Everest.

Oh, we’ve had too many of these guys over here, you’re gonna hate this one. This guy is particularly hateable. But right now, we’ve got a very special guest here in the studio with us and I do mean special.

Some idiot savants are skilled with music or numbers. Twelve-year-old James Kimura’s skill is spelling.

Like a real life Rain Man.

That’s right, Tracy. Here’s him winning the New Jersey 1 State Spelling Bee. He did such a good job there that he gets to represent the state in the National's. And he joined us live right here in the Today Now studios. James, good morning.

Good morning to you.

James, we’re both so proud of you.

Yeah, when I won, I was like ‘Yes’! (Yeah.)

Well now James, tell us how did you get to be able to spell like that. My brain works normally, so I don’t, I can’t even fathom 2 it.

I study like two or three hours a day.

What is going on in your brain right now? I think you can probably understand everything we’re saying but is it all jumbled 3 up, I mean do you see random 4 colors and flashes and stuff like that?

No, I don’t. I’m just…I’m fine.

I understand your school has actually put you into a special institution… the Gifted and Talented Program?

Well, those are accelerated learning classes.

Ah, is that what they’re calling them now?

Yeah.

Well let’s take another look at you up on that big high stage.

E-u-d-a-e-m-o-n-i-c, eudaemonic.

That’s correct.

See, look at him there. I mean he may not be able to feed himself but he can spell a word I can’t even pronounce.

Whoa…I can feed myself. I’m just fine.

James, the other kids must be so cruel to you, are they?

No, they’re not.

Do they call your names?

No, I’m fine.

No, I bet they do. (No they don't.)

I bet it really hurt your feelings.

They never call my names.

Well, James, do you know if your mother did a lot of drinking or had a drug problem while she was pregnant with you.

No, she didn’t. She was fine.

I really admire her strength in raising you. I mean I would have just tossed you in the gutter 5 to end your agony.

There’s nothing wrong with me. I’m just smart.

Right. James, if you want to howl or pound your head against something, you just go ahead and do it.

There’s nothing wrong with me. I’m just smart!

You just do whatever you have to do.

There's nothing wrong, I’m just…I’m just smart. Stop. Stop.

It’s OK, James. Calm down. Oh, whoa, now hold on. Take a seat (it’s OK) Relax. (It’s OK). OK, all right, (There's nothing wrong) calm down. All right, calm down. All right. I think we need some help in here guys. No, no, no, no, oops. All right, guys thank you very much. OK, oh what a great little guy he is, huh? He just got a little excited there for a minute, I think.