Congratulations on 2000 episodes! What does a regular day look like for you?
I’m up just after 5am to get across the day’s news, then in the office at 6am to go through the rundown, write the show’s openers and promos and generally ensure we’re all on the same page before we’re on air at 8am. Then I watch six TVs while fielding questions and checking segments before they go to air.
Mid-morning I might start to look ahead to tomorrow and tie up any loose ends with producers and at 12.15pm we have a (currently on Zoom) production meeting to debrief on the show and go through the rundown for the next day.
The afternoons are spent filtering through pitches from our brilliant, funny and hard-working producers, and planning longer term special events and specials.
I try to head out between 3pm and 4pm to my other job… Trust me home schooling is a lot harder!
What is it about the show that you’re most proud of?
The team. On screen and off. They’re all wonderful people, with so much enthusiasm for what we do and an abundance of talent.
Producing four hours of live TV, five days a week, is no mean feat. But we actually LOVE it. There are so many genuine friendships and so much mutual respect.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve witnessed behind the scenes?
We laugh A LOT behind the scenes.
Our motto is that we should be having as much fun behind the scenes as we’re having on air.
Lately, among the tears, we have been sharing lots of hilarious stories involving the late Jono Coleman and it never takes long before we start belly laughing.
I will never forget the day I was lining up the show and we’d sent him out to a ball pit with Supervising Producer, Tori Green. I was in his ear and told him to jump in, and he flailed around and disappeared under the balls. It was all funny until it lasted a few beats too long and we realised he might be in strife. Tori and some others had to find him and pull him out. Jono eventually came out delivering a snappy one-liner, but was genuinely shaken. Poor Jono – no one was a better sport!
What’s something you’ve learned in your role as EP?
Don’t work with ball pits.
What do viewers love most about the show?
The hosts. What’s not to love? Our core five and special contributors Beau Ryan, Craig Bennett and Denise Drysdale are so lovable. They give so much of themselves, laugh at themselves, and just roll with the punches.
And also the sometimes-crazy segments producers dream up. Exhibit A – the pic with this Q & A!
Do you have a favourite host or is that the same as choosing a favourite child?
Sure do, give me a call and I’ll tell all!
