Interview with Interactive TV Presenter - Greg Scott

How did you get involved with Interactive TV?

WELL – The first example of any kind of interaction was Price Drop TV – Shopping telly – Something I’d never DREAMED of doing, but as work was kinda slow at the time...

After three days of the two week training programme, I felt like jacking it in – I thought I’d NEVER be able to do it – That it just wasn’t me. But after reminding myself that the diary was virtually empty and that the only other option to earn an income was prostitution (And I’d failed the training programme for that), I knew that I simply had to plough on. Plough on, I did – And in July 2003, I made my live debut. First item I had to flog was a sheepskin rug. 70 of the rascals. After what seemed like six decades, all 70 were sold. I stayed at Price Drop for a total of two years (Before a six-month return in 2009).

As for TRUE interactive / Call / Quiz TV, I was offered a role as a host on “Quizmania” two days after I’d left Price Drop TV. The approach was totally unexpected and most welcome. Chuck, Debbie and Simone, the creators of the show, had seen me being a dingbat on Price Drop and thought that my style suited what they had in mind for QM. So we launched in August 2005 on a little-watched satellite channel, and happily tootled along for a few months before surprisingly and, some might say, remarkably, being taken on to the ITV network.

In live TV you acquire a variety of skills - What skills in particular did you take away from shows like Quizmania.

At the risk of sounding swell-headed, I do believe that being a host of that style of television show is something that cannot be taught. You have to have a natural aptitude for it. For me, there are “Presenters” (Those who, in the main, use Autocue and just PRESENT)... Then there are HOSTS – Those who connect with viewers and truly do HOST a show – And in doing so, make the viewers feel like their pal / Part of a clique.

As for what skills I took away from my time with Quizmania, I would say the ability to be able to handle virtually ANY on-air situation, no matter how unplanned, unexpected or totally bonkers it might be – It really was the ultimate training ground!

What's the most exciting interactive TV program you have been involved in.

I have to say Quizmania. Working on there was, without doubt, THE most thrilling time of my professional career to date. Being live on the nation’s biggest network, unscripted, never knowing what on earth was going to happen next – For me, it was the ultimate rush. Hearing the countdown to going live on air (Sometimes to nearly two million people) – There was nothing like it.

How did you deal with difficult callers?

I welcomed them. Longed for them. YEARNED for them. I ADORED the challenge of a bizarre caller, as I was all too aware that they were the ones that the viewers loved. That air of unpredictability – The danger of it all – SUCH A BUZZ! So when it became clear that a caller was going to be – Shall we say – “Not very textbook” – That’s when my heart would start racing and I knew that some TV Gold was possible.

What's your most memorable live call.

Has to be this one! Click here.

Which TV presenter do you enjoy watching the most and why?

I think that the best technical presenter of all time has to be Noel Edmonds. Unflappable and totally unsurpassable. Phillip Schofield is another total professional, too – And Clare Balding for the ladies.

There are some tremendous “unknown” broadcasters too – Some that I’ve worked with – Others that I haven’t, but admire. People who really should be on the major channels – Which leads nicely into your next question...

What could the TV channels do more of to encourage new presenting talent?

There doesn’t seem to be any talent scouts anymore. In my opinion, network execs should watch some of the more “obscure” channels on satellite and Freeview to see what else is out there – AND hold many more open auditions. There’s too much reliance nowadays on the same old faces, represented by the same two or three management companies – And frankly, some of these names are decimated in the talent stakes by some of the lesser known individuals I referred to a moment ago.

Is their life after Interactive TV?

Because there was a huge scandal surrounding the Quiz TV genre (i.e: Certain companies and channels not entirely acting with honesty and integrity), this area as a whole was tarnished rather dramatically – So much so, that virtually overnight, the entire “phenomenon” disappeared from our screens. Because Call TV as a whole became somewhat of a “toxic” brand, I believe that those most associated with it (I include myself in this), became “soiled” goods; And I base this on the fact that whilst I’ve just about managed to earn a living since those heady days, it’s taken a huge amount of stress and effort to do so. As such, I’ve now reinvented myself predominantly as a voice-over artist. I still host gameshow pilots, the occasional radio shows, write ads for the radio and warm-up audiences for TV shows – But as far as ever making it big is concerned, I’m pretty sure that I don’t now stand any chance of playing in the premier league – Due to a mixture of my age, not being with one of the aforementioned big management companies, not being a “looker”, and that association with interactive / Call TV. That said, if an offer DID come out of the blue, would I turn it down? Would I heckers, like?!

What next for Greg Scott?

Who knows? I can only do so much to get myself out there in the market – It’s all a matter of hitting the right production company / right individual at the right time – As is the case for everyone in this business. Of course I still secretly hope that someone, somewhere, might get me on board for something meaty one day – But now, all I want to concentrate on is earning enough to pay the bills and cover the everyday cost of living – Which, with two teenage daughters, is about £15,000 a week.

I’ve never been in the game for glory – Entertainment / broadcasting – It’s all I’ve ever done. If I could have the pickings of success without the fame that comes with it, I’d LOVE that. But as it’s part & parcel of what goes with being a big-name, it’s something I’d have to tolerate. Think I could manage, though.

Lots of love, everyone - Greggles.