Ok, if you are a stay-at-home mom –or –like myself a wannabe t.v. host you’ve probably checked out former Lowcountry Live host, Ryan Nelson. Former as of a few days ago when WCIV anchor Erin Colgan took over Nelson’s position. I heard through the grapevine about a month ago that Nelson was quitting but after reading a blurb in the Charleston City Paper it sounds as if she has been ‘let go’ AKA fired. Soooo…. why do I care? well, I e-mailed the news director and offered my resume for the position and he never responded!!!! How dare he! how rude! I mean he could have at least said, ‘hey, we are going to replace in-house.” Fine. I’ve licked my wounds. Ok. I digress.
According to the Charleston City Paper, Suzanne Teagle, general manager of WCIV, says the move was a financial decision, not a personal one. “It’s a diversion of resources,” Teagle says. “It makes more sense to use an anchorwoman to host the show.” Diversion of resources I get; It’s a tough economy and the news industry has been hit hard like everyone else. Basically they use Erin for LL in addition to other news duties. However, I don’t understand how it makes more sense for an anchorwoman to host the show. UNLESS they are changing the format and transitioning more towards news. I mean think about it; Katie Couric may have been on GMA but she is NO Kelly Ripa. Not knocking Mrs. Couric; however, I believe there to be a distinct difference in an anchorwoman and a lifestyle/entertainment host.
So that brings me to my pondering moment…..what makes a good lifestyle/entertainment show host? I think the first big thing is personality; the ability to connect with your viewers on a personal level and relate to them. For example, even though I don’t necessarily agree with everything Oprah says/believes/supports, when I watch her show it’s like watching an old friend. That is soooo key in capturing your viewers attention and keeping it longterm. I also think you need to have fun and let that show! ad-lib skills a must. Honestly, whenever I watched Ms. Nelson on LL she came across as fake; like she wasn’t a nice person off set….is that weird? viewers pick up on things like that I think. I love Kelly Ripa’s energy and enthusiasm. I love Meredith Viera’s (think the View era) humor, wit and ad-lib skills. I think a host also has to genuinely care about what they are talking about and know their stuff….like don’t do research 5 minutes before you hit air to interview someone. But who am I to know??? A VIEWER! haha
Check out Ryan Nelson on LL below. I wish her the best of luck! & if you have any thoughts on what makes the ideal lifestyle/entertainment host leave a comment!
