How to be a Kick-Ass Assistant Producer for Talk Shows

There was a time in my not-so-distant past where I was working for the Jerry Springer Show as Assistant Producer. It's one thing to land the job... and it's another thing to stay in the job. Leave your emotions checked at the door, because when you're in show-biz, only one thing matters: The show must go on!

Here's what I learned from my time at The Jerry Springer Show: #1 You gotta have an ear for a great story. Tons of ppl will leave msgs to get on the show, but you'll have to come up with a great pitch for a great show. So, lots of researching, calling and convincing all parties over the phone to come to ur show.

#2 Once you have guests, u have to 'prep' them emotionally. If you're gonna have two women fighting over one man on stage, give both women plenty of energy drinks. If you're going to have a woman come up on stage crying, don't try to console her while she's in the 'green room' (this is where we keep guests from running into one another in the hallway and starting a show of their own off camera). A show producer pulled me aside once for trying to pacify a distraught guest in the green room. The producer said, "What are you doing? We want her that way." In essence, you can't let your conscience get in the way of making a great show.

#3 HAVE FUN & make it happen!!!! People in show-biz love a great energy and go-getters. Convey to them that you'll go the extra mile and you'll go far in show-biz.