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How did they get to be TV presenters?
degsyhufc
Posts: 59,251 Forum Member
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Are there people presenting TV shows who you think 'How the hell did that happen?'
For instance, Nick Knowles. AFAIK he sarted off as a labourer on those DIY / house programmes and now he's hosting quiz shows
For instance, Nick Knowles. AFAIK he sarted off as a labourer on those DIY / house programmes and now he's hosting quiz shows
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You can get "fast tracked" that way if there's enough "pull."
With the BBC a university education also helps.
Take Richard Dimbleby, he got two sons into the business.
Richard Madeley hasn't been so fortunate, having a relative in the business isn't quite enough, a bit of common sense and some actual ability is necessary.
Seriously, many work their way up from being a gofer or researcher. How they get in may be different.
But like in any business, being in the right place at the right time helps. It's not always down to HR and "the best qualified for the job" according to them. Sometimes the decision makers just remember "15 second snapshots" of people within the business with whom they've had a brief conversation, who have made an impression on them.
Nick Knowles is the ultimate example. Yuk,yuk,yuk. "In actual fact" I ask myself the same question every time I see him on Perfection. Just how did he ever get this job? In actual fact;-)
I would say these often help a lot.
I believe that's how Davina McCall got into TV - by networking like crazy with people in the business.
What's wrong with him? He seems like a nice guy and a good presenter to me.
Does he still have his gimmick?
Glasses off, glasses back on, glasses off, glasses back on. etc., etc.,
Perhaps he can afford contacts now.
Good question for "Points of View," don't expect to see it aired.
Anyway, "think cheap to produce show, think Nick Knowles."
Casting couch.
The crucial part still seems to be knowing the right people, who know where the opportunities are and can put in a word (or who you can name-drop if you get as far as an interview, or at the right dinner party if you don't).
Apart from that, not being a bearded, straight, white, male older than 40 seems to be one of the biggest considerations.
The old route used to be
For "Serious stuff (News or Current affairs etc) Local Paper/Radio newsroom - Local regional TV - Our of hours/ weekend National news - National Primetime News.
Obviously that still applies to the BBC, with ITV regional news cutbacks they now just poach staff for National primetime from BBC or SKY news.
For Light Entertainment
BBC it is Childrens TV / Roving reporter on magazine or Sports show - Daytime quiz host - maybe Primetime National shows (but not many opportunities)
Used to be (Commercial) Local Radio - Local TV magazine - Satellite minor channel (MTV etc) - Channel 4 - ITV
Only route for ITV channels now seems to be : Do own show on Internet - get late night show in ITV 2/3/4 - move straight to Primetime with no training or experience.
Essentially he was voted the Nation's favourite person in a house and so C5 decided he could present the show. Thank God they agreed he was rubbish.
I think its about finding something disgusting on the head of commissioning and then BLACKMAILING him or her.....job for life
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Dowling
Actually Dowling did the Kids TV/ Satellite route, and worked hard to maintain his career in media.
Sometime after Big Brother, he joined SMTV: Live - replacing Ant and/or Dec first with Cat Deeley, then Tess Daly. He joined after actor James Redmond (from Hollyoaks) was sacked after only a few weeks.
Brian did various jobs on minor satellite channels for several years.
Hosting Big Brother was not his biggest gig SMTV: Live was
Oh yes, come to think of it I do remember him on SMTV.
I don't know what the criteria is now, but the Beeb used to use actual meteorologists from the Met Centre who showed any skill at presenting. Suzanne Charlton, God bless her, did not get the gig on looks.
I seem to remember it was ITV's morning shows that started using 'totty' as weather girls, e.g Wincey Willis and of course the beloved Ulrikakakakakakaka.
How on earth did that happen?
What 'talent' does he actually have?