TV podcast: “This is really good, we could make this!”

The Daddo name is synonymous with Australian showbiz.

Cameron Daddo’s career stretches back to 1985 when he won the “spokesmodel” segment on Star Search.

It led to hosting jobs on Off the Dish, Perfect Match, TV roles in The Heroes, Golden Fiddles, Bony, Tracks of Glory and US roles on Models Inc., F/X: The Series, Hope Island, The West Wing, 24, Packed to the Rafters, hosting Pirate Master and stage roles in Big River, The Sound of Music and more.

Brother Andrew Daddo is a broadcaster, children’s author and presenter of The Factory, The Great Outdoors, The One and narrator on RBT and Celebrity Apprentice.

Now the brothers are turning their attention to creating a TV show from scratch, and providing an insight via a new podcast, So You Want To Make A TV Show.

Describing the project as a scripted, bingeable series, it forms the basis of the 8 part podcast which takes listeners behind the curtain of the creative process.

“We spoke to several producers, then we got writers on board, then we went to casting. … so we basically went through all the processes – aside from going to the money people,” Cameron Daddo tells TV Tonight.

“We spoke to showrunners, we do a writers room”

“We spoke to showrunners, we do a writers room… in the music episode we’re talking to a composer about creating a vibe with the music -that’s a really cool one. We do the director episode, rehearsals with the actors and it moves into the trailer for the finale.

“I’ve produced three features, and maybe five or six short films. It’s about me and Andrew kicking it off, and then going to experts in their field and letting us know what is required, applying what they have told us for the next step.”

The series, which is revealed at the end of the first podcast episode, is yet to be realised.

But Daddo reveals that he is now keen to proceed with it beyond the exercise of the podcast.

“That’s our different positions…I’m saying ,’This is really good, we could make this!’ But Andrew’s going ‘Bro, it’s a podcast, we’re just illuminating what the processes are into making a TV show,’ he continues.

“I want a seat at the table.”

“One of the actors who’s a Golden Globe, Emmy nominee, said, ‘I want a seat at the table.’

“One particular director turned us down, but then at the end of it goes, ‘I actually want to do it. I really like this idea.’ He’s a very, very well known Australian director.”

Daddo, who most recently featured on Dancing with the Stars: All Stars and Home & Away, has seen his share of TV glory and duds. While it positions him well to offer insight, one of those he prefers to forget is 2004 US series Summerland starring Lori Loughlin and featuring a young Ryan Kwanten.

“Lori Loughlin just looked at me and then turns around to some producer and just says, ‘Can’t you give me someone who’s my height?’ I’m standing right there and I had to do three episodes with the woman. It was a great start,” he laughs.

“But I’ve had some really good ones, where it’s been very collaborative, and respectful. One thing I learned from the podcast is that in the writing process, these shows can take up to five years or even longer to develop.

“Writers work on it, but then we actors get it and we want to change the words”

“Writers work on it, but then we actors get it and we want to change the words on the set. But it’s our job to interpret what the writers say and when they’ve been at it for five years, I understand why they get very upset when actors go and change their stuff.

“I’ve been that guy.”

Recalling sets such as The West Wing and CSI as “pressurised” he acknowledges local drama Home & Away as a recent favourite.

“On an easygoing set like Home and Away things get done quickly, it’s good. It probably doesn’t have the production values that those huge American shows do, but it’s kind of a gentle way to work!” he explains.

If the podcast doesn’t lead to the TV project becoming realised, it may ultimately prove to become a stepping stone to another emerging creative… giving back is just as important to the brothers.

But Cameron Daddo has come this far with the project, and is convinced it has legs.

“One of my favourite shows is Ted Lasso because it’s so human, it’s funny but it’s also got heart …this is kind of playing along those lines.”

So You Want To Make A TV Show is an original Nova Podcast launching on Wednesday 6 April here, on the Nova Player or wherever you access your podcasts. New episodes available each Wednesday.