Well, didn't mean to create such a controversy! lol!
No, I was all ready to try the cut first method until I saw some folks do it without. My thinking was there would be less moisture-loss (mess) by cutting after. I used my insulated BBQ gloves, so I wasn't worried about the heat. You have to handle them anyway to get the corn out, right? I just laid it on the cutting board, quickly sliced the stalk off (soft and easy), and squirted it out!
I'll try it "cut first" next time to compare, but the bottom line is it works! No matter how you "slice" it!