Something you might not know about TV news (besides the fact we do our own make-up) is that often times we’re at the mercy of public restrooms.  99% of the time, we file our stories in the field.  My photographer and I will head to a scene, gather the elements (get video and interview witnesses), then meet up with our live truck to review the video, write the story and edit together the piece.  During the day there are always nice restrooms at city or county buildings but during the evening hours (I often report for the 10p and 11p news) it becomes a bit tricky.  Recently, I made sure to document a few of our ‘pit’ stops.  You’ll notice a couple of things; we frequent Dunkin’ Donuts and I have a penchant for paper towels.  I also want to thank all of these shops for letting us use their restrooms (sometimes without making a purchase) and all of you who’ve offered your homes when you see us camped out on your street for a story (I kept private homes out of this blog post for obvious reasons).  Sometimes knowing there’s a nice restroom in a city where we’re gathering a story can be a such a relief!

The Watertown Housing Authority had a very clean bathroom.

This Shell on Main Street in Tewksbury was surprisingly clean but didn’t have any paper towels.

Here at the Rt. 24 rest stop, the restrooms were decent but in desperate need of an upgrade.

The restroom inside this little coffee in Rockport was clean and the place poured a nice cup of joe.

This Papa Gino’s in Brighton had a very nice restroom.

Lynn’s Wal-Mart’s restroom was clean but there were no paper towels.

I had high expectations for this Lexington rest stop.  But there were no paper towels.

Fitchburg’s McDonald’s was clean but there were no paper towels.

Hungry Heroes in Fairhaven had very clean restrooms but no paper towels.

Dorchester’s Burger King was clean but there was barely any water pressure at the sink to wash your hands.

New Bedford’s Dunkin’ Donuts didn’t have any paper towels.

Concord, NH’s Cumberland Farms was clean but had no paper towels.

This Charlestown Shell station’s bathrooms were ok on the clean scale.

Bridgeport, CT had a clean Dunkin’ Donuts.

Bill & Bob’s Roast Beef in Woburn had nice clean restrooms.

Attleboro’s Dunkin’ Donuts was clean but didn’t have paper towels.

p/s help a reporter out… tell me about your favorite clean public restroom!

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