That’s a wrap! What a week it’s been at the County Press.
If you haven’t seen them on our website and social media channels already, we’ve had two very funny people, and a lovely production crew of around 12 to 15, working with us.
Comedians and TV stars Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar tried their hand at journalism for the week, filming for the latest series of their Sky show, Hold the Front Page.
Having worked in the media industry since I graduated from university, you’d think I’d have known what to expect when a TV production company came knocking.
But I don’t think anything could’ve prepared me for having giant cameras (literally bigger than my whole body) pointed in my direction.
It was daunting, to say the least. And I dread to think what they captured. A gormless expression staring back at them, no doubt.
But we were told to act ‘natural’, and what’s more natural than that? A rabbit in headlights springs to mind!
If I was daunted by the cameras, what was I like with actual real-life celebrities, I hear you ask?
As you’d expect with comedians, Josh and Nish were naturally hilarious – both on and off camera.
They were lovely and eased any nerves within minutes of meeting them on Sandown Esplanade, ahead of the carnival.
That’s despite being surrounded by TV cameras and a growing crowd of onlookers.
I have to say it was pretty amusing watching people trying to work out if I was famous, too. I’m sorry to disappoint!
On that occasion, I was quickly mic’d up and asked to show them how to do their own Facebook Live.
A local journalist teaching two comedians live on social media, what could possibly go wrong?
I found myself asking ‘why am I teaching two broadcasters how to broadcast?’
I just had to keep reminding myself that they were here to learn about journalism, not broadcasting.
The next task was for Josh and Nish to go out and do it themselves. I won’t spoil what happened next, but you’ve probably seen the four or five videos uploaded on Saturday. If not, head over to the County Press’s Facebook page or scroll down to watch one below.
There was a fine line between keeping them in check and laughing at their efforts. I constantly found myself asking ‘should I be laughing at that’?
But they are comedians at the end of the day, so it’s difficult not to.
I think it’s fair to say there was healthy, tongue-in-cheek, competition between the three of us. Off camera, I even quipped to Josh ‘game on’. I bet he was thinking I was a right jobsworth!
It was pretty impressive to see the office transformed into a mini-TV studio in a mere matter of minutes, too.
Chairs were pushed aside, lights were set up and then ‘action’, the cameras were rolling. As someone who is used to asking the questions, it was strange being on the other side of it all.
Anyway, I won’t give too much away. But what I will say is it will definitely be worth the watch.
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