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portereight · 06-10-2005, 08:11 AM

Way back when I was managing a bicycle shop I used to appear now and then on a local morning show. The experience was frustrating to say the least. The segment producer would ask me for a topic suggestion I would suggest one. The first segment was "buying your child's first two wheeler". The segment would get approved I was contacted to arrange the props.. bikes, helmets, accessories .... you get the idea.
Now when the day of the segment rolled around I'd run through the piece with the producer hitting the key points on safety, fit, bells, streamers, etc.
The "talent" would never ever ever take 30 seconds to run through the spot so he would be confused.... Producer can't have talent looking stupid (a little late for that in my opinion but hey it's their show) So we have props set cute kids on loan from cameraman and clueless talent. With seconds to go producer says "we're taking a different angle on the segment ... less depth more fun"
What proceeds is some sort of cross between jackass and the darwin awards. Talent introduces segment introduces me, mentions shop (good so far) introduces kid. Kneels next to kid (who has never had a two wheeler but is very keen). Talent challenges kid to race around the deck (this was an out door shoot). I quickly get a helmet for the child and take him to the smallest bike which already had training wheels. Talent proceeds to 2nd smallest bike also with training wheels with a child's helmet perched upon the very top of his very hard hair and within moments races the thing over the stairs falling on his face well before the child even gets his bike going. They quickly throw back to the studio or the weather or something. Bike is scratched, training wheels bent, helmet scuffed, Talent tore their shirt but no real harm done. Talent starts swearing at me as if this was my set up. producer refuses to reimburse shop for damaged goods despite that being in our written agreement.
I leave with the damaged goods and chalk it up to experience. The producer calls again 3 weeks later offers payment for the damage and wants to do another segment. This went on for several months and not once was any real "content" or "information" ever conveyed to the audience. Never Again!
At least my mom was proud.

06-10-2005, 08:11 AM	#19 (permalink)
portereight Crazy	Way back when I was managing a bicycle shop I used to appear now and then on a local morning show. The experience was frustrating to say the least. The segment producer would ask me for a topic suggestion I would suggest one. The first segment was "buying your child's first two wheeler". The segment would get approved I was contacted to arrange the props.. bikes, helmets, accessories .... you get the idea. Now when the day of the segment rolled around I'd run through the piece with the producer hitting the key points on safety, fit, bells, streamers, etc. The "talent" would never ever ever take 30 seconds to run through the spot so he would be confused.... Producer can't have talent looking stupid (a little late for that in my opinion but hey it's their show) So we have props set cute kids on loan from cameraman and clueless talent. With seconds to go producer says "we're taking a different angle on the segment ... less depth more fun" What proceeds is some sort of cross between jackass and the darwin awards. Talent introduces segment introduces me, mentions shop (good so far) introduces kid. Kneels next to kid (who has never had a two wheeler but is very keen). Talent challenges kid to race around the deck (this was an out door shoot). I quickly get a helmet for the child and take him to the smallest bike which already had training wheels. Talent proceeds to 2nd smallest bike also with training wheels with a child's helmet perched upon the very top of his very hard hair and within moments races the thing over the stairs falling on his face well before the child even gets his bike going. They quickly throw back to the studio or the weather or something. Bike is scratched, training wheels bent, helmet scuffed, Talent tore their shirt but no real harm done. Talent starts swearing at me as if this was my set up. producer refuses to reimburse shop for damaged goods despite that being in our written agreement. I leave with the damaged goods and chalk it up to experience. The producer calls again 3 weeks later offers payment for the damage and wants to do another segment. This went on for several months and not once was any real "content" or "information" ever conveyed to the audience. Never Again! At least my mom was proud.