Over the weekend, a friend of mine – who works in the television industry – wrote to me.
This is what he said.
Robert.
I’ve known you for years. I’ve followed your career around the world. As far as I know, you have never once worked in television. I have a reason for this chequered introduction.
A colleague pointed me to a debate organised by the Royal Society of Television. I am a proud member of the organisation and have been for 2 decades. I believe they have taste and judgement. Congratulations, on making me question this.
1. Why and how are you a guest on a RST debate?
2. Why did you choose your background image to be of the Tardis?
3. What possessed you to wear a Lemmy from Motorhead t-shirt?
4. Why do you look so distracted throughout the conversation?
Then you talk in a way I found myself nodding in agreement too. I am confused. I demand answers.
He then pointed me to a link on Youtube where said ‘debate’ was on.
Of course I remember it.
Not just because I thought it was weird I’d been asked to appear, but because it happened on my final day at R/GA … which just made the whole thing even more surreal. [Which is likely why I looked distracted, though I assure you, I wasn’t]
That said, I didn’t know it had been posted to Youtube.
But given it only has 92 views after 18+ months – and 1 of those was mine – it seems far more impressive my friend found it than the fact I was on it.
In fact the the only thing more surprising than that is that someone who has known me for at least 25 years, is shocked I’m wearing a dodgy t-shirt and have a messed-up background … especially as that’s me trying to look more professional than I usually am.
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Were you invited because of R/GA? If you were:
Comment by Pete April 11, 2022 @ 8:15 am1. R/GA didn’t think it through.
2. Surely RSTV could have asked an agency who rates TV.
Yep to both those questions … hahahahahaha.
Then they invited me back for another. The good news for them was I couldn’t do it.
Comment by Rob April 11, 2022 @ 9:00 amI’m more shocked you know someone who speaks like that.
Comment by DH April 11, 2022 @ 8:32 amcampbell mingles with the hoipolloi. he thinks its because hes invigorating company but theyre studying how the jammy fuck gets to be a part of shit like this.
Comment by andy@cynic April 11, 2022 @ 8:44 amdont people know your resting bitch face is bored as fuck?
Comment by andy@cynic April 11, 2022 @ 8:43 amI know. Madness eh?
Comment by Rob April 11, 2022 @ 9:01 amim going to find this video campbell. and im going to fucking ignore it.
Comment by andy@cynic April 11, 2022 @ 8:46 amFTW
Comment by DH April 11, 2022 @ 9:08 amHere are the answers your friend needs.
1. Why and how are you a guest on a RST debate?
Rob’s career has been built on being jammy and lucky.
2. Why did you choose your background image to be of the Tardis?
Rob does not understand appropriateness or respect.
3. What possessed you to wear a Lemmy from Motorhead t-shirt?
Compared to what Rob normally wears, this is him smart.
4. Why do you look so distracted throughout the conversation?
Rob is always distracted by the shiny new thing. Even when the shiny new thing is reading the album notes from old queen albums.
Thank you.
Comment by Bazza April 11, 2022 @ 8:51 amYour 4th answer is frighteningly accurate.
Comment by Pete April 11, 2022 @ 9:24 amI’ve never known someone who can have a conversation to your face and on his phone at the same time.
TV execs speaking in cliches and stuff they read in headlines while Rob sits there trying to hide how much he disagrees with all of them. And then tells them.
Comment by John April 11, 2022 @ 8:53 amThat basically sums it up … though the CMO of Channel 4 nodded a lot. Probably in the hope I would then shut up. Ha.
Comment by Rob April 11, 2022 @ 9:02 amThanks to hindsight, your comment at 12.47 made me laugh out loud.
Comment by John April 11, 2022 @ 9:10 amYour adventures never cease to amaze me Robert. I look forward to hearing your perspective on terrestrial television.
Comment by Lee Hill April 11, 2022 @ 9:42 amTo paraphrase Dr Seuss, oh the places you go Robert.
Comment by George April 11, 2022 @ 10:57 amyou mean the place he blags.
Comment by andy@cynic April 11, 2022 @ 11:54 am