Easy and Practical Tips for Newbie Television Show Hosts

Most often than not, people think that becoming a television host is the easiest occupation in the world. Who wouldn’t think about it as such, in the first place? Apparently, television show hosts seemed to be groomed, pampered, and favoured upon too much. Not to mention, they usually become well-known too. Judging on how they project their sophistication and expertise in front of the camera, all hosts give the impression that they’re always having a good time.

But becoming a television show host is not as easy as it seems. It entails a lot of hard work and guts to pull off each episode. Behind those comfortable smile and air of confidence lies a person who’s too nervous to talk and move – but has no choice other than to carry on with the program.

I now see that familiar expression of doubt in your faces - half-questioning my integrity to talk about such topic. By now, you might be itching to ask me, “How do you know? Have you experienced being a television show host?”

YES. And honestly, even though I was scared at first, I eventually LOVED IT. Given the chance to do hosting for the rest of my life, I'd be very willing to undergo such endeavor.

Being on TV is cool. However, you only get to feel complete awesomeness after finishing a program. The time from which you start, until you finally conclude the episode, is critical. And especially if you’re running an hour's segment of a beauty and wellness program, like what I and my co-host do every Saturday, you have to find ways on how to keep your viewers engaged and interested.

I consider myself a newbie in the industry. Nonetheless, I would like to reach out to those who are in the same pedestal as mine. So, I’ve come up with this short list of tips for TV show host starters:

You don’t need to wear Lady Gaga apparels just to look good on your show. A simple, clean, and serene look would do the trick. One great way to ensure you appear pleasantly in front of the camera, in every show, is to actually prepare for it – a week before. Try to conceptualize what look you would like to sport on every episode and outline everything you will need. These may include shoes, clothes, accessories, hairstyle, and make-up. Depending on your needs as a host, this list may be "stretched" even further.

You might have been chosen to host a certain program because of your expertise as a professional or individual. However, you have to recognize that you still have to research and study every single topic that will be featured in each show you do. Like in my case - I do a beauty, health, and wellness cable television show. Even though I am a nurse by profession and would probably be expected to deliver spiels and commentaries accurately every time, I still find time to research and study each topic I, and my co-host Dr. John Cenica, have for a specific episode. And especially that I do hosting with a cosmetic surgery expert, you wouldn’t imagine how anxious I am every time I step on our set. But since knowledge serves as armour against anxiety and mental blocks, even though I’m anxious, I would still feel confident that I’d pull off every episode. And so far, I always did!

Don’t ever get at the venue later than the expected time. Call times are set in order to provide a leeway for everyone to prep up. And when I say “everyone”, I meant all people from the hosts down to the crews and cameramen. Coming in earlier than expected gives you the opportunity to collaborate with your co-hosts, establish rapport with your guests, and do last minute fixes. Truly, when you do hosting, TIME IS utterly GOLD.

When program staff and crews ask you to repeatedly test your microphone, which would mean having to say “mic test” or “1…2…3…” blah blah for the nth time, don’t ever complain - JUST DO IT. Same goes with cameramen asking you to look on your left or tilt yourself a little more to your right. Why bother with all these? Basically, your ability to abide with these final instructions, given before each of your live television show (or taped episode), would determine how well your undertaking will turn out. Thinking of trying not to follow even one of those instructions will most likely leave you unseen and unheard on the television screen. So, be prudent.

Nothing looks horrible on TV than a bunch of rigid movements and trying hard hosts. If you can’t loosen up, then, you really have to work harder to eliminate stiffness in your hosting endeavour. Practically, if you just let yourself indulge in the show, in a manner as if you’re just having conversations with good old friends, you won’t look phony at all. People would get the impression that you’re having fun and confident. In effect, they would be drawn more into the episode and would most likely become regular and loyal viewers.

I started becoming a host almost a month ago and had done regular episodes since then. I’m regularly seen at Destiny Cable Channel 8 and Global News Network's 10 AM Saturday program called “What’s Up Doc? by Dr. John Cenica” along with the surgery expert himself - Dr. John Cenica, the proprietor and CEO of the Jancen Cosmetics Surgery. Each of our episodes are replayed on Sunday at 12NN. So, you have the weekends to see my hosting "thing". And so far, the aforementioned tips, I piled in a list above, have taken me miles in such endeavour.

I hope these tips do the same for you, too.

Yes, YOU – the next hosting darling and superstar!