What does a newsreader do?

[Latchibeach]

Can anyone tell me what a newsreader and weatherperson do in between their hourly or sometimes longer appearances on the tv please

[sp1814]

I remember seeing a live report where the newsreader was speaking to a flood victim. The NEWSREADER did that THING where he emphasised CERTAIN words.

However, when he handed back to the studio, the camera was still running, and he didn't notice. He turned to the interviewee and talked to him in a normal voice without the weird empasises.

That was the first time I actually noticed the nodding.

Now I can't not notice it.

[sp1814]

...and when studio newscasters have to impart really bad news, they lean their head slightly to the left.

[derrynoose]

Why do so many items from reporters start with the reporter moving towards the camera. Can they not speak unless their legs are moving?

[cambus]

Are there any shots of the weathergirls in raincoats?

[rojash]

I can't believe that someone found my first answer offensive, and yet it's been banned!

[jno]

oh dear, that's stuffed my first answer then, rojash

[jno]

incidentally, telly people are discussing a lot of this stuff themselves and there may be changes ahead

http://media.guardian.co.uk/bbc/story/0,,21593 46,00.html

[joko]

many segments are likely prerecorded in a block - not all, in case there is any breaking news, but much of it is just a retelling of the last one, so they do it all at once

[China Doll]

And now I look like I just naturally think Moira Stewart is up to filth!

Also, what's with this sitting on tables to read the news? Does anyone else not find that very irritating?

[Latchibeach]

Thank you everybody for your interesting replies

[sp1814]

China Doll

I absolutely agree...newsreaders sitting on desks is wrong.

I think Kirsty Wark started this on Channel Five. But this wasn't good enough for her...she then started walking about the gantry over the studio.

I was certain that one day I'd turn on the news to see her reading a report about troops in Basra whilst cartwheeling around an Asda car park.

Newsreaders should be sat behind a desk...in sober suits...and once in a while the studio should be invaded by militant feminist lesbians like in the good old days.

(Fact Fans - it was Nicholas Witchell who wrestled one of them to the ground so that Sue Lawley could continue with the reports).

[littleoldme]

johnlambert - Clare Nasir is lovely, but unfortunately to see her in action I'd have to watch GMTV, and I'm worried that would melt my brain from lack of use, especially if Fiona Phillips was on it. So I think I'll just stick to Sky's dynamic duo - Luscious Lisa and Juicy Lucy:

http://tvnewsroom.co.uk/skynewsimages.php?gall ery=lisaburke
http://tvnewsroom.co.uk/skynewsimages.php?gall ery=lucyverasamy

As for nodding news reporters, what on Earth is up with Sky's Peter Spencer? When doing his "Peter Spencer, Sky News, Westminster" sign off, he seems to nod in a different direction on every word, ending up leering at the camera like a cross between Peter O'Toole and The Fast Show's Rowley Birkin. Very odd.

[dyli795]

Don't know what that brunette weather girl off ITV does in her spare hours but I'd love to be there!

[China Doll]

Splat

What about when that streaker jumped on the map on This Morning? That was great.....

I just don't understand how anyone thinks reporting the news of someones death while looking like you're doing that 'dancing walk' towards the disco floor or indeed leaning on a table in a fashion that would have my mother accusinig you of having rubber bone syndrome was appropriate.

Since when was the news a casual thing?

As you say, serious and somber with occasional millitants... Perfect.

[jno]

sp1814, I remember a news report some years ago when Witchell followed the queen to New Zealand. She was met by the prime minister, Helen Clark, wearing trousers. Witchell was appalled at this sartorial wickedness. I should say he's the ideal person to sit on lesbians. When Prince Charles was caught muttering that Witchell was 'an awful man' I found myself in the highly unusual position of agreeing with HRH.

[sp1814]

I feel especially sorry for Nick Witchell because he used to be studio based, and now you only ever seem to see him doing outside broadcasts...normally somewhere that's just flooded, or had a civil war.

Does anyone actually know why Prince Charles thought he was an 'awful man'?

He seems pretty harmless to me...apart from the fact that he has no discernable eyelashes, which makes him look slightly creepy...like that kid in 'Village Of The Damned' (best British film ever).

[jno]

I imagine he's too rightwing even for Charles. On balance, I still prefer Kind Hearts and Coronets