THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 26, 1994 TAG: 9408240045
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MONIQUE WILLIAMS, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
TALK. TALK. TALK.
From radio to television, everybody is talking. There are more than 18 TV talk shows on the air and many more on radio. Heck, there even is a talk show about other talk shows called ``Talk Soup''.
Lots of local teens asked us to find out exactly what it takes to land a job as a talk show host.
``I am addicted to talk shows,'' said Megan Reichart, 17, a rising senior at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, who aspires to be a talk show host.
Megan takes drama in school and believes her charisma and personality lend themselves to the job.
``I like helping people,'' she said. ``All my friends call me when they have problems.''
Unlike engineering or accounting, there is no direct path to becoming a talk show host. There are no colleges with ``talk show host'' majors. Some skills, such as speech, can be taught. Others, including charisma, are inherent.
The educational background of some of the most popular hosts is as diverse as the hosts themselves. Phil Donahue is a trained journalist. Jenny Jones was a comedian. Geraldo was a lawyer who became a journalist. And Oprah Winfrey was a news reporter on radio before she moved to TV.
Ricki Lake, host of her own show, started as an actress in the avant-garde move ``Hairspray,'' and was part of the critically acclaimed ``China Beach'' series on television.
``I don't think that people start out in life with a lifelong dream to become a talk show host,'' Lake said, adding, ``It depends on the individual.''
Thomas Willey, a 17-year-old graduate of Booker T. Washington High School would also like to be a TV host.
``I'd love being a host on ``Country Music Television'' or on ``The Nashville Network' ,'' he said.
To get there, Lake suggests that teens such as Thomas pursue their education to find out more about themselves and their interests.
``Teens should look into extracurricular activities like theater, chorus, debate teams or even volunteer at the school newspaper,'' she said.
A good host is one who has presence and knows how to be the focus of attention, yet, he or she is capable of fading in the background when others are talking. Knowing how to ask those tough questions is important, but being a keen listener is just as vital.
``The key to being a good talk show host,'' Lake said, ``is to draw from your own background.
``Your personal experiences can actually help you to understand, empathize and even relate to the problems and triumphs of everyday people.''
Holding an audience for an hour may look easy, but it isn't. Holding an audience five days a week, week in and week out for years, is a triumph that few have achieved.
Oprah, the reigning queen of TV talk shows, is charismatic and engaging without being overbearing.
``A host should be sensitive, compassionate, strong-willed, smart and funny,'' Lake said.
A host should also be able to grasp a wide range of issues from the banal to the profound. Hosts must do their research to ask meaningful questions and to establish a dialogue.
``It may seem easy on television,'' Lake said, ``but the job of talk show host is quite demanding.''
A normal day for Lake begins early and ends late. She starts at 8:30 a.m. with exercise and arrives at work by 11. She does voice-over announcements until noon. Then she meets with her producers until 1:30 p.m. to discuss the show and the guests.
From there, it's on to hair and makeup. She tapes a show at 5 p.m. and another at 7. She gets home at 9 p.m. where a package with the following day's scripts awaits her. If it's an ``issue'' type show, she reads up on the subject before going to bed.
``A host needs also to be in good physical condition because you can really get winded running up and down those aisles,'' Lake said.
For those who make it, the financial rewards are impressive. Oprah's total income last year was reported at around $80 million. Regis and Kathie Lee make in the $1-million range for their work.
Even those who don't make it into the big time can at least make it. Local talk show hosts make a decent salary. According to local radio executives, a starting talk show host in this market makes about $30,000 working full time. A hot host with experience and a following can make $100,000 a year.
But with the money comes public scrutiny. As a celebrity, Lake's every move is under a microscope. But she says, ``It comes with the territory.'' MEMO: Want to know what it takes to be successful in a particular career? Call
High School Editor Lorraine Eaton with the career you'd like for us to
feature in an upcoming edition of Teenology. Please leave you name and
phone number. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Ricki Lake, host of her own show, started as an actress in
``Hairspray'' and was part of the ``China Beach'' series.
by CNB