Last Friday, I checked out the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation's attempt to bring its 98.1 The One radio personalities to television. It's an interesting idea, but its execution could have been a lot tighter. Here're a few of the things I observed:
1) The moderator of the interview segment, who's usually articulate on radio, seemed uncomfortable. And the poor guy was forced to read from his script, which looks unprofessional on tv. Somebody get this guy a teleprompter!
2) After her performance, guest artiste Keanne (who rocks her Rihanna-esque bob rather well) went over to the couch. I assumed she would be interviewed about her music for the Crop Over season, but instead the interviewer switched to lawyer Wilfred Abrahams to discuss today's technology and the youth. The subject was topical, given the prevalence of nude photos of young girls being disseminated via the web and cellphones.
The information given by Abrahams was factual and legal in nature, though pitched at the right level for the mostly teen studio audience. However, I couldn't focus on the lawyer as I should because I was thinking, why are they making Keanne sit through all this?
The interviewer then brought Keanne in on the discussion. I was puzzled, because I wasn't sure if that was the plan or they were catching the poor girl off guard! I'm still not sure, but if she was surprised to be interviewed on the topic she covered it well.
3) Questions were then tossed to the audience. I might have missed something, because apart from one young lady it seemed as thought he 98.1 staff were asking all the questions! What's the point of having a studio audience?
As I said before, the show isn't a bad idea, but it needs some work to make it flow more smoothly. Remember Hurricane and crew, radio is about sound and television is about pictures. Don't just tell me, show me. One of the male deejays started to list the top songs and was simply calling names, but later he brought in photos and video. Good move.
On a related note, some of the interviewers on these 'hip' programs on CBC TV8 (okay, mostly Roaming) need to brush up on their skills. It doesn't matter if you're on the road on Carnival Monday with sweaty revellers or doing a sit down with the CEO of the NCF - asking inane, close-ended questions just isn't cutting it. Why do tv producers think they can stick a microphone in anybody's hand and turn them into a tv presenter?
Again, go get trained. That's why there're institutions like the Barbados Community College and CARIMAC in Jamaica. Help is available, peoples.
2 comments:
I did find that segment a little awkward indeed, the sad part was the staff member asking the questions seemed to have forgotten the answers were already given.
Yes Yes!!!!
Sometimes i think i am the only one thinking...huh? I just don't get it. CBC has some moderatly good and few original ideas but they seldom seem to think things through in terms of set design, scripting and i don't know getting a telepromter.
I totally agree. The transition from radio to television is not as easy as CBC tries to make it appear. Spend some money to make some money. Perhaps then people will start to take you more seriously.
LisaB
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