She is holding the new baby girl as she talks and laughs at broadcast decibel levels. Her granddaughter is unperturbed, but for an occasional newborn chirp. Even when Gran is getting animated about those infamous interviews with Monica Lewinsky or Jeffrey Archer, among others.
"You know, I'm talking in quite a loud voice and this baby is sound asleep on my chest. So cute."
This disturbance to Hill's childcare duties is all very last minute. The Listener had asked for an interview to mark her exit from the airwaves after 38 years.
After all, she has been on the magazine's cover regularly and a valedictory was surely called for. End of an era, last of her kind and all that. It would be fair to say that a fair proportion of Hill's audience are Listener readers, too, and vice versa. They possibly read a lot of the same books. They would possibly read a Hill memoir. More of which later.
Hill didn't like the idea of an exit interview. Instead, she offered to write a column, musing upon her departure, and possibly explaining why she was reluctant to be interviewed about it. Yes, please, we said.
But a few days before her deadline, and with the new arrival and three shows still to do, she realised writing something wasn't actually easier than talking to someone.
So, here we are a few hours later: Hill, her daughter's daughter and one slightly intimidated writer interviewing our greatest broadcast interviewer ... and underachieving columnist. "Yes, sorry, I over-promised and under-delivered," she says. "I feel terribly guilty."
So, given that she was going to be writing her own valedictory piece, how should the story start?
"Well, it is good to leave before they throw you out..."
KIM HILL'S LIFE IN THE FORM OF A KIM HILL INTERVIEW INTRODUCTION:
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.