Hosting no fuss for Tim Campbell
A very relaxed Tim Campbell talks to TV Tonight about hosting light entertainment formats and tells it like it is.
- Published by David Knox
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Tim Campbell returns to Celebrity Singing Bee tonight, in a format that he feels very comfortable with.
Away from the pressure of Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune, he is pragmatic about the rigors of commercial television, even to the point of wishing all shows and all networks could find a thriving audience.
“I know there was all that carry-on but I actually loved that gig,” he told TV Tonight.
Always looking for ways to improve his performance he said, “After the first week I watched the tapes back and thought ‘ok I’ve got to change that.’ And the format kept changing each time we taped the show.
“It was all settling in but it was just the nature of the beast. Even David Gyngell said to me ‘mate, had it been last year I probably could have kept it on longer.’ It was disappointing of course but I understand all that.”
On Singing Bee Campbell genuinely seems to enjoy the ease of a light entertainment format. As well as the celebrity contestants the show returns with 80s singers Billy Field and 1927’s Eric Weideman. Also coming up is Southern Sons’ Jack Jones. Even the resident band features Rob Mills tonight, plus Lucy Holmes and former CDB singer Andrew De Silva.
“I watch in rehearsal and think they are the most ridiculous singers. The band is really tight considering how many songs they have to do. I love rehearsal. But I stuff up because I stop and listen to their singing.”
Campbell also said he’d taken a look at TEN’s US format, Don’t Forget the Lyrics.
“I love Wayne Brady, especially on Whose Line is it Anyway?” he admitted. “I like the format, although it’s got more of a Millionaire vibe to it. I don’t know if they’re going to make one, I know TEN were talking about it.
“Americans can get away with being over the top, but when Australians are over the top you just think ‘they’re a wanker.’ I remember when I watched the American Bingo version the contestants were ridiculous, you just wanted to punch them,” he laughed.
“I said, ‘we can’t do that here, it’s going to be annoying.'”
Campbell, who is also hoping for a return to drama sometime soon, regularly tries to keep his performance in check. He reckons he is his own biggest critic.
“I’m always up for notes and constructive criticism but you can tell when people genuinely mean it or they’re just being a d***head and trying to create a bit of fuss.”
Celebrity Singing Bee returns 7:30pm tonight on Nine.
6 Responses
I agree Tim would be great with his own variety show. I hope channel 9 doesn’t mess his career up. I think he would make a great Logies host too. Someone young and new.
Agreed Jack and Stan, Give Tim his own show and let him really shine. We need some younger talents.
Agree, Jack. I wish they would set-up some variety show for Tim. He’s a very good entertainer.
The show itself is pretty dumb … but Tim Campbell is hot and that is the main reason to watch it! Wonder if Anthony Callea will ever be a guest???
I think Tim Campbell should be given his own nightime Variety Show like IMT!! He would be much better at it than morons like Andrew O’Keefe and Rove!!!
Jack!
I don’t really like the Millionaire-style format of Don’t Forget the Lyrics and prefer The Singing Bee. Plus it’s Aussie! LOL But will probably watch The Biggest Loser between 7:30 to 8:00.
Wow Billy Field that will be interesting..haven’t heard from him since the early ’80s.