How Does a Talk-Show Host Spend a Workday?
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Morning Talk Shows
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Talk shows that air live in the morning are often dominated by current-event recaps and guest interviews, both of which require research but no rehearsal. In the morning, the host will arrive at the studio one or two hours before air. The host prepares for the show by getting into makeup and wardrobe. Often, the host uses this time to get briefed by producers about the upcoming show.
At the conclusion of the show, the host may remain on set to record promos for upcoming episodes, be interviewed by the press or record announcements for special events such as a charity dinner.
When all this work is done, the host changes from "show clothes" to "street clothes" and retires to his or her office. Here she works with producers and assistants to come up with future show ideas, approve guest bookings and review upcoming appearances.
At this point, the host may head to a charity event, an appearance (like a book signing), a movie premiere of an upcoming guest, have a meal with her manager or simply head home for some rest.
Late Night Talk Shows
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While late night shows air as most people are going to sleep, they are actually recorded in the evening when most people are heading home from work. Typically, the host arrives at the show offices in the late morning. He is briefed by producers and writers about what elements will be in that day's show. At this point, the host can approve, edit or cut comedy pieces. The host also hones in on which areas he wants to explore with each guest. Remaining time is spent coordinating his schedule with the help of assistants.
In the afternoon, the host participates in some or all of rehearsal. He will practice the blocking for comedy pieces and make rewrite suggestions to the script. This is not a dress rehearsal, and the guest interviews are not rehearsed.
When the host is done with rehearsal, he visits wardrobe and makeup. From here, he often has one final meeting with writers and producers to go over any last-minute changes to the show.
After the show, the host changes back into his personal clothes and meets with producers to briefly critique the episode. The host usually leaves work and either heads home or participates in some event appropriate to his celebrity.
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Specific Hosts Routines and Quirks
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Each host has her own routine to ready herself for the show, as well as tricks for relaxing. For example, Martha Stewart takes a personal yoga lesson at the studio on days when she tapes two shows. Conan O'Brien prefers to walk around the staff offices playing his guitar through a portable amplifier. Jay Leno, on the other hand, stays up until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning writing monologue jokes for the next day.
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Resources
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