Q: In the past week, whenever I go online to Deadline Hollywood, I see reports on something called the "TCA." What is it? — Marge S. of Austin, Texas.

A: It stands for Television Critics Association. In 1988 a paltry group of reporters who covered TV met in New York. I was part of that ragtag group. (To think, I just gave away my age. Let's say I attended in vitro.) In any case, at that conference I met two of the most gracious people in the business — no, forget the business — on Earth. In true soap fashion, I will tell you about that later.

Since its early days, the association has gained over 200 members. It literally is a dog and pony show for the networks. They trot out the stars and other creative forces behind their products. Reporters from all types of media grill the stars. One of the group's main purposes is to allow "presses" who do not live in LA or New York a chance to bombard show-biz folks with questions. TCA prides itself on being the first television awards show of the season.

This year CBS late night star James Corden is set to host. On Aug. 8, the winners in all 12 categories will be announced. In past years the show was televised. Not so this year. The event will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

The hostelry has hosted many major awards shows including the Golden Globes. Merv Griffin bought the establishment for more than $100 million, and he held court in the hotel almost every day. He loved talking to the fans and folks in the entertainment industry.

Back to the awards. With over 200 journalists in the room, there is lots of competition to get stars to give exclusive, stunning revelations.

That first year I met those gracious two people I mentioned earlier. They were Diane Sawyer and Richard Chamberlain. One reporter tried to take Sawyer to task for writing speeches for President Richard Nixon. A polite, elegant Sawyer quietly replied, "For me I can only answer that during that time, I was nearly fresh out of college. The president always treated me with respect and fairness." Whatever one thinks of Nixon, her elegant reply was amazing, taking the high road always.

Richard Chamberlain was also at the event. Chamberlain was doing PR for the mini-series "The Thorn Birds." At the time most people in the industry knew he was gay. In that decade, being gay was akin to being Typhoid Mary.

One jerk of a reporter thought he could get the now openly gay actor to reveal his sexual preference. When the reporter got to the microphone, he asked, "Who did you think about when doing love scenes in 'The Thorn Birds'?"

It was as if the air had been sucked out of the room. How would he respond? He retorted, "When you are making love to Rachel Ward (she played his love interest) who else would you have to think of."

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.