Fake it ‘til you make it… as a quiz show host
In a piece that first appeared in Encore, Merrick Watts, host of Tractor Monkeys, tells us how to do his job.
What does a quiz show host actually do?
It depends on the type of quiz show. If you’re Larry Emdur on the Price Is Right, then your job is to be touched on the bum by horny housewives. If you are Merrick Watts on Tractor Monkeys it is to remember that when you stop laughing at someone, you probably need to ask another question.
What skills do you need to be good at the job?
You need to listen to what other people are saying so you can react with good follow up questions, and to have a good haircut. In the first series I was cutting my own hair but in the second series I let a professional do it.
How do you know all the answers?
Because I help write them. It makes me appear smarter than I am.
Who are the people you work closest with?
I work closely with all of the producers and directors. We’re like a little family and everyone loves doing the show so I try and spend as much time with the production team as possible. The producers are truly awesome on this show, too many to name, so we’ll just name me, even though I’m not actually a producer.
Is there any lingo we need to know to do the job?
Yep. “We need to do some pick-ups at the end.” Pick-ups are retakes. You can guess that with a novice like me, there are always a few.
What does a typical day on the job entail?
Script read with writers and producers for tweaks at 9am. Then radio. Studio rehearsal in the arvo 2pm ’til 3.15pm (before radio show). Radio on air from 4pm ’til 6pm, then back at the ABC at 6.15pm, start recording at 7.20pm. Finish at 9pm, back slapping till 10.30pm, then home to supper and bed, (that’s right, I used the term supper).
What’s the best part of the job?
Best part is hearing great stories from people you admire. Glenn Robbins told us a story that literally brought us to tears of laughter.
What’s the biggest challenge?
Biggest challenge is making the mechanical elements become second nature. The ins and outs of segments and autocue need to seem natural but at the start it’s not, so it takes some flying hours.
How do you become a quiz show host?
Sit around on your arse until you are asked. I have always loved game shows because they are disposable fun, but hosting this second season has genuinely been a pleasure and not nearly as much like work as it should feel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpFJQvwnJ7g
Merrick Watts is the host of Tractor Monkeys now airing on ABC1 Wednesdays at 8pm.
This story first appeared in Encore. Download it now on iPad, iPhone and Android tablet devices.
