Ever wondered what it's really like behind the scenes at a TV station?
Before I wrote STAY TUNED, I was fortunate enough to work in the television business for six years. During that time, I did just about everything: Reporting, editing, producing, and anchoring.
Lots of people think the job is really glamorous (and it does have some great perks), but I thought it might be fun to dispel some of the common misconceptions about working in mid-to-small market TV. Here goes:
10. Reporters are paid tons of money! FALSE—Reporters at small television stations are paid a little more than minimum wage. They are required to have a college degree and many just-out-of-school jobs are classified as a “One Man Band, ” which means that the reporter carries the camera, shoots the footage, does the interviews, then writes and edits the story.
9. Reporters get to meet famous people! SOMETIMES—I was fortunate enough to meet Vice Presidential Candidate Geraldine Ferraro and many local senators and congress members. However, I did interview Eliot Spitzer while he was New York State’s attorney general. Now that’s just creepy!
8. Reporters and anchors get lots of perks! SOMETIMES—Reporters do often get sideline tickets and backstage passes to events. However, it’s often a reporter attends only AFTER her or she covers the actual event, which means working for at least the first part of the concert, fundraiser, or dinner.
7. It’s always glamorous! NOT REALLY—Often, reporting took me to crime scenes, car crashes, bad neighborhoods, dairy farms, voting polls, and raging fires. My most unique assignments included reporting on a lost Emu and covering cattle judging at a local fair. In Alabama—try to stay cool and look pretty in 105-degree heat! In Upstate New York, this meant trudging through the deep snow to get a story.
6. If you’re an anchor, people do your makeup and choose your clothes! FALSE—In smaller markets, you do your own makeup (MAC is the best!) and bring your own clothes. Sometimes, the television station might give you a small clothing allowance, but a few hundred dollars doesn’t go far when you work 5 days a week.
5. Viewers call in and tell anchors how wonderful they are! SOMETIMES—I admit, I did get some fan mail and it was pretty fabulous. However, most often, people called in to complain about (1) an outfit someone was wearing (which a viewer didn’t like), (2) a story reported on (which a viewer didn’t like), or (3) a story that didn’t get coverage. There was one particular viewer who didn’t like the way I said “Iraq.” (It’s not Eye-rack. It’s Ir-aq)
4. The hardest part of the job is interviewing people! FALSE—I loved that part! I thought it was so amazing to talk to people from all walks of life and find out why they were a farmer, a policeman, or a teacher. I liked asking questions that made people think. Some of the most rewarding stories were health-related (recovery from an illness) or the features about children. The hardest part for me was the shift I worked: 2 am – 10 am. (This meant getting up at 1:15 am every morning!!)
3. You always have to dress up! FALSE—On the weekends, in smaller markets, it’s pretty common for anchors and reporters to wear a formal suit or top, but have jeans underneath and casual shoes (hidden under the desk). I’ve known some sports guys to wear tennis shoes or flip-flops on set!
2. The camera adds ten pounds! FALSE—It’s actually more like fifteen or twenty! People often commented on how short I was or how much thinner I was in person. (Sigh!)
1. I’ve heard that anchors use Preparation H under their eyes to reduce puffiness!? TRUE—I’ve done it, anyway. When you’re working 2 am – 10 am, there’s only so much coffee and sugar can do!
Overall, it was an amazing opportunity to work as an anchor, producer, and reporter at two CBS affiliates. I made some wonderful friends, worked with many talented people, and really enjoyed the experience!
More on the Stay Tuned (the novel):
For TV producer Melissa Moore, crisis management comes with the job. From employee meltdowns to her high-maintenance boss, there’s not much she hasn’t seen or can’t handle. But no one—including Melissa—expects a fistfight during the ten o’clock news. When sexy-but-crazy Alyssa Andrews lands a punch on her co-anchor’s face, Melissa jumps on set to help. She’s determined that WSGA’s reputation won’t be destroyed on her watch.
Both anchors are fired and Melissa agrees to fill in—but not before polishing her look from haircut to heels. While the new Melissa wows WSGA viewers, her personal life begins fraying at the edges. Melissa’s husband is away more than he’s home, leaving cryptic Post-it notes in his wake. Her mother’s antics spiral out of control at the nursing home, a friend’s daughter disappears, and a stalker makes Melissa her next target.
What happens next? Stay Tuned…
Praise for Stay Tuned:
“Stay Tuned is as faced-paced as a real-life newsroom. The drama on the air and behind the scenes will keep you racing toward the last page! -Devon Walsh, News Anchor, WKRG-TV
"Loved it and you will too. Lauren accurately portrays life in a television newsroom…the personalities, the pressures, the pace. Stay Tuned captures the drama that TV viewers seldom see. The book will draw you in and leave you wanting more." -Anne Richter, News Anchor, WWNY-TV
"Stay Tuned is a great read! The story of a career woman juggling life and love and finding herself along the way. I couldn't wait to get to the end to see if my suspicions were right about Chris. Author Lauren Clark writes so well you can feel what the characters feel. And it's a very true representation of the TV news industry!" -Lauren Davis, News Anchor, WVLT-TV
Where to find Stay Tuned:
Amazon: Paperback and Kindle (This week, only 99 cents!)
If you have any myths and/or truths to add about local news anchors, be sure to leave a comment! Also, if you have any questions about the news biz, I'll be happy to try and answer them!
I love reader comments and feedback. Please drop me a line at laurenclarkbooks@gmail.com. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and GoodReads, and the Stay Tuned Website.
All the best,
Lauren
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