CBS News correspondent Bill Geist was on the island last weekend to film a somewhat unusual segment for his weekly show — a Brooklyn-based dog’s first foray into the Bermuda art scene.Billed as the “world’s pre-eminent canine artist”, Tillamook (Tillie) Cheddar is well-respected for her artistry — her resumé includes 14 solo exhibits which received critical acclaim in the United States and Europe.

Locally, her talents didn’t go unnoticed. The Jack Russell terrier — through her owner, F. Bowman Hastie III — was asked to showcase her work at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art.

The combination proved irresistible to Mr. Geist. Already intrigued by Tillie’s lore, the idea of interviewing her on a sub-tropical island proved too great an opportunity to miss.

He and a CBS crew travelled to the island to meet with Tillie, interviewing a host of characters along the way. The shoot — which includes a brief tour of the island — will air on CBS News Sunday Morning on April 15.The episode should prove a definite boost for Bermuda, said Masterworks’ Elise Outerbridge.

“They came here to interview Tillie but they also interviewed (Masterworks’ curator) Tom (Butterfield) and myself — about the relationship between the dog and art and the inspiration she found here in Bermuda.

“It was very tongue in cheek, but cute. We were really pleased. It’s not very often that Bermuda gets this kind of international coverage.”

The CBS correspondent couldn’t have been friendlier, she added.

“He spent most of his time here. He loved the Rose Garden and was really interested in Bermuda. He couldn’t have been nicer.

“He really loved the hospitality and the friendliness of Bermuda. He was just really a delight to be around. And the Bermuda weather performed so well — he was just blown away.”

Mr. Geist joined CBS News in 1987. A best-selling author of six books, he has also written for s noted publications as The New Yorker*p(0,10,0,10.8,0,0,g)>and the New York Times, <$>where he was once employed as a columnist.

As written in his online bio at CBS: “His work for the broadcast was honoured with an Emmy Award in 1992 for his report on the 66th anniversary of America’s famed Route 66.

“Geist contributes to several other CBS News broadcasts including the CBS Evening News. He has also added his unique insight and observations to various CBS Sports productions, including the 1992, 1994 and 1998 Olympic Winter Games and the World Series.”

Geist visit