The long & short of TV hosting

One of the challenges in hosting live shows is this: You have to look – be – in control even when put on the spot.

Drew Arellano knows this well. Already three years in the business after being noticed in that Pare commercial for a popular shampoo product, he has hosted several shows including his current ones, Unang Hirit and the travel show, Balikbayan.

Yet like me and many others who work on cam and in font of audiences, Drew has his share of boo-boos.

One he recalls with a snigger was a behind-the-scene coverage of this popular teleserye. Drew was just new on the job then (but, of course, that’s never an excuse to a professional). As expected, he came to the set with the confidence and enthusiasm of a newbie hungry to prove his mettle. So camera rolls. Drew walks into view. But instead of the stars doing their thing candidly like a behind-the-scene coverage ought to be, everybody lined up like in a variety show. "Uh-oh," he thought. "Oh, no!"

But the camera kept rolling. And Drew had to keep on doing his job (remember, the whole world was watching). He began to interview the stars. Save for the one beside him.

Because Drew couldn’t remember who he was! The situation ended with the star introducing himself to Drew on air. What made it even more embarrassing for Drew was that this actor had been around since the ’80s. What a nightmare!

Thirty minutes later after the show, Drew was inside his car calling his girlfriend, Iya Villania, kicking his teeth in with "I’m quitting – I’m just not cut out for this!"

Lesson No. 1 in hosting: Always do your assignment of knowing who your interviewees are.

Another time, Drew was invited to greet on-air via phone patch, a close showbiz friend who was celebrating his birthday. When Drew was put on air, he said the very first thing that came to mind. "P_ _ _ _ _, ‘na mo, pare, alam mo naman mahal kita, pare!" came the greeting loud and clear. Then he stopped in mid-sentence, realizing what he had just said on air. No, no, no, no, no…

In the studio where the show was being broadcast, everyone was stunned to silence.

"Oo…alam ko…" was all the celebrant could utter.

Lesson No. 2 in hosting a live show: Think before speaking. Always.

Still another time, Drew was doing a segment on dogs trained to sniff out bombs. As television is expected to show or demonstrate visually what anything is all about, the dog was prompted to do a reenactment for the cameras. So dog walks in, revved up to sniff out a bomb. Meantime, Drew was expected to fill up dead space with a commentary. Only Drew, at that most inopportune time, lapsed into mental block!

"Er, ayan po, mga kaibigan, yan po yung aso at…er….who let the dogs out?!? Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!" Dog looks at Drew strangely. Drew looks back with sort of an apologetic, helpless expression. And everyone around? Just laughing their heads off! Nice song.

Lesson No. 3 in hosting: Presence of mind.

Here’s another for the books: Drew, of late, had been assigned to host a travel segment in one of the more popular TV shows. Script had already been reviewed, teleprompter was working. But then, as camera began rolling, teleprompter conked out. A host’s nightmare, indeed! Quite experienced then, Drew rambled on (what else could he do?). All the lines he was able to wing. But at the last word, the very, very last one and his segment would’ve been totally successful, well, Drew buckled.

"…naghahatid ng serbisyong totoo sa paglalakbay na sigurado at...at…"

Drew looks left to right, groping for something (anything). Then it came in very high pitched tone like that of a teenager who had just discovered that pimples appear where and when you don’t need it.

"at….at… TUMPAK!" Aaaarrggghhh!!!

Lesson No. 4 in hosting a live show: Don’t panic. It’s bad TV.

Drew even admits to being tongue-tied that time he guested on my talk show, Private Conversations. Before he went on air, he had psyched himself up to be the most charming person ever seen on boob tube. Witty one-liners were thought of and put on stand by even for the most disarming question. Best smiles and angles were determined and practiced before a mirror the night before.

Well, Drew must’ve psyched himself up too much that by the time he was on air, he was a nervous wreck! And when it was his turn to answer a question – a very simple one that requires little thought, he recalls now – Drew was incoherent; mumbling and stumbling himself through the whole thing!

Lesson No. 5 in doing live: Relax. Be yourself. It works.

Why are we telling you all these? Why did Drew spill the beans on his most embarrassing moments on air, at work? Because there’s another lesson here – the most important of all. That mistakes happen. And when it does, the world keeps on moving; rotating 24/7 on its axis unperturbed. Life, indeed, goes on. And many times, if you think about it, these mistakes are there to give you the rare opportunity to learn, to grow. To be given the chance to brush yourself from the fall. To be able to laugh at the reality of imperfection, thus, exposing it for what it truly is: a chance for redemption and in being reminded that what doesn’t kill you, could only make you a better person. And a better host.

And Drew, he knows this only too well. Drew, like any of us should be, learns his lessons well.