What I’ve Been Watching: Nate Byrne

News Breakfast weather presenter is a fan of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Fisk & Taskmaster.

What shows are on your must-see TV list lately and why?
NB: I am pretty eclectic when it comes to TV. Ru Paul’s Drag Race is a must (the UK version is hands-down the best, in my opinion) and there’s almost always a season running. It’s funny, joyful, touching and engaging. At the other end of the spectrum, I’m stuck on horror – I’m currently making my way through The Midnight Club, but I’ve always got something on the go. Oh, don’t forget about a good fantasy – Neil Gaiman’s American Gods is something I missed first time around, but I’m catching up quickly after enjoying Sandman so much. Also, you’ve got to have a giggle – Fisk totally cracks me up right now. Taskmaster from the UK is also hilarious. And if I need to squeeze out a tear, I go back to Old People’s Home for Kids/Teenagers or Dating on the Spectrum… actually, I spend a lot of time on iview, and not just because I’m from the ABC.

Which guilty pleasure show are you reluctant to admit watching?
NB: Most of the time I run away from reality shows (except Drag Race), but I can get sucked in. Think anything on 9Life, but mostly home renovation stuff. I avoid it as much as I can because I know that if I click over, I’ll be stuck for hours. Otherwise, it’s some very random stuff on YouTube. I can watch someone restoring a painting, turning some wood, building a campervan, testing video games or trying out textas forever.

When you settle down for a night on the couch what are your ‘must-haves?’
NB: I’ve got to be careful here – if I grab a bag of crisps (yes, I know – I’m a first generation Aussie) they’re always salt and vinegar and will definitely be demolished, so I usually try to go in alone. Without trying to buzz market, my Oodie is a constant companion. Putting it on tells me it’s time to settle in. I keep my phone nearby too – I’m not a constant offender, but if there’s a word or a place or a face I want to know more about, I find it best to sort it out immediately, rather than get distracted.

What show you would secretly love to appear on?
NB: Playschool. Actually, that’s no secret. Bluey falls into the same bucket. I reckon I’d be pretty good at Taskmaster (there’s an Aussie version coming soon, so fingers crossed!) or The Amazing Race (but who doesn’t think they’d be good?). It would be amazing to be immortalised on Kath and Kim. Those ladies are geniuses when it comes to comedy, and the show is practically required viewing for Australian citizenship.

What led you into becoming a weather presenter and why News Breakfast?
NB: I told my mum I wanted to be a weather presenter when I was maybe 5, because I knew adults had to have a job and that one seemed to be pretty quick – just 5 minutes, right? – so that would leave lots of time to play. I was wrong. Still, after doing physics at uni, I joined the Navy with the intent to become a forecaster down the track. I love that it’s just such a big puzzle to solve every day, and it can really help people. News Breakfast was a dream job and a last minute shot-in-the-dark after spending weeks convincing myself it could never happen. I called the number on the ad a few days before applications closed and told them I wasn’t what they were looking for (not a journo!). I couldn’t believe it when they said yes, and I have never looked back. The hours suck, but the team and the work is awesome!

News Breakfast screens 6-9.00am weekdays, 7-11.00am weekends on ABC and ABC News.