Live Studio Audiences Will Survive

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Pic: Nonqaba waka Msimang

COVID-19 will result in some job losses because it has unearthed business alternatives, like pod casts, instead of taping television shows in front of a live studio audience.

Entrepreneurs that invest in oil, corn, coffee, platinum, pork bellies and human beings are studying the situation and rubbing their hands in anticipation.

“So, we can produce a comedy or talk show without a live audience!”

The thought is enticing because it will shave off millions of dollars from salaries for people who work off-camera, to make on-camera people look good, e.g. Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show and the four hosts of The Social, a Canadian daytime talk show.

Getting tickets to be part of a live studio audience is a dream come true for television junkies. ‘I’m going to be on T.V. I’m going to be on T.V.’ Back in the day they said, ‘I’ll be on Oprah. I’ll be on Oprah!’

The excitement was about looking good in front of millions of people and off-camera workers are responsible for that magic, hair in place, and make-up, a perfect 10. It is like being a movie star for a day.

Television staff like Thomas Markle, Meghan Markle’s father who worked in television production for a long time, take care of the technical aspect, mainly lights and cameras. Studio audiences seldom appreciate them because their eyes are glued on their idol, the talk show or comedy host.

Producers decided to produce pod casts to keep shows alive in viewers’ minds. They are hoping the faithful will come back when COVID-19 washes ashore.

Pod casts don’t have audiences and it is highly unlikely that T.V. producers will do away with them. Why not? Because they are the money. ‘Show me the money,’ said Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character in the movie Jerry Maguire.

Advertisers study television shows religiously, to determine what audience is good for ads about sneakers, toasters, shaving kits, non-aging cream or chicken nuggets.

If talk and comedy shows take the no studio audience route, advertisers will become novice fishermen, just throw out the net and hope for a bumper catch. No, studio audiences still have a future, social distancing or not.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.


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