When I was a kid one of my dream jobs was to be the host of Play School. Or, the host of any kids show really. Humphrey and Romper Room (why didn’t they ever see Amity in the looking glass?) would have been fine too. Because let’s face it, it would be a cool job and how hard could it be to have fun, act like a kid and get paid for it?
So, back in 2002, when I heard Play School was casting new hosts I was on the phone before you could say, ‘There’s a bear in there.’ I was convinced this was the job for me and before I even had an audition was considering which colourful, but comfortable outfit I would wear each day. After my audition was confirmed I was sent the script and eagerly tore open the package. Sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Hah, I could do that in my sleep! Read a short story to the camera. Easy, peasy! Then do half a page of dialogue, which I presume they have autocue for anyway. It is in the bag!
On the day I chose an outfit that was sensible and not too showy and nervously drove to the iconic ABC studios, to realise my fate as a Play School presenter. Walking in to the studio it felt like I was like stepping back into my childhood. All the toys I’d grown up with were there, Beg Ted, Little Ted, Jemima and Humpty, alongside the arch window and the Play School clock. I was given a few instructions and as I took my place on set I politely asked where to look for the autocue. After all this was TV, that’s what they do! However the director chuckled and informed me there was no autocue. Not only that, there were no re-takes, they did every episode live to tape. Which means it’s performed as though it’s live and you carry on regardless of any stuff ups, despite the fact that no one is there watching. All of a sudden it dawned on me that those moments when the presenters get the giggles aren’t left in for the parents’ entertainment, it’s because they can’t stop. Right…now it doesn’t seem quite so easy.