Behind the scenes at Campbell Live



We got to the TV3 studios earlier about 6.15 pm, so that we had plenty of time to spare and get ready for Campbell Live at 7 pm. Chelfyn was whisked straight into makeup where he was buffed by a delightful young man called Carlton. It's like a mini-salon in there full of potions, lotions, powder and paint, with three chairs for the glamourisation process. Next to Chelfyn in a cape was Clint Brown, the TV3 sports presenter so everyone was quiet, respecting his quiet time before going on air.

After he left we all got chatty and I found out the TV3 makeup secrets. They use Shiseido on the guys and Mac on the girls, to make them look so lovely and glossy. It always makes me laugh when people gush about glamorous models and TV stars. If you saw the amount of slap they have on in daylight, they'd look more like pantomime dames.

After makeup we met John Campbell and the other Campbell Live guest, former prime minister Mike Moore who was in to talk about MMP and the elections. It's funny who you end up rubbing shoulders with in TVland, and Chelfyn was a bit thrown to be on after an ex-Prime Minister, who was also head of the World Trade Organisation. Mike Moore was a joy to meet, as he's cut from the same cloth as many great Kiwis, he's highly intelligent, down to earth and hugely insightful about world issues.

We were all looked after by the lovely Hannah, who whisked Chelfyn off to get miked up after the first break. While I sat in the control room, and watched Chelfyn & CLive joke around on set through the huge plate glass window. The TV3 studios are hardly glamorous (TV never really is), but the control room is completely spaceage, with a massive floor to ceiling projection screen showing all the camera feeds. The studio and set looked comfortable to work in as some sets are very brightly lit which can make you squint unattractively. It was a very relaxed atmosphere for a live TV show, and much more laid back than I remember the BBC being.



I was so proud watching Chelfyn go out live on national television to over 350,000 people, on password protection and internet security. He had been really nervous beforehand and had butterflys all week, but he knew his stuff and didn't freeze or gabble. John Campbell is a brilliant presenter. He makes you feel that you're the most interesting person he's ever met, which is a real gift. He's a genuinely lovely man who is passionate about his job and getting the best from people.



He seemed fascinated by Chelfyn and gave us a huge plug for TMet Recordings and Mohawk Media bless him. The producers also really liked Chelfyn and said they'll have him back again. They loved his Fudge orange mohawk so much that they gave it a camera all of its own. It's not often they shoot guest's heads from behind!

Also it's official - I now have have a huge crush on Carly Kirkwood from Nightline. She's LUSH!