Innings declared

I felt this week as though a chunk of me had suddenly been taken away. I received an email from Johannesburg informing me that Inside Edge was being permanently retired to the cutting room floor. Inside Edge was the reincarnated name of SuperSport’s weekly cricket fix but of course I knew it better as its successful predecessor, Extra Cover. In fact I knew that show like the back of my hand as I had lived and breathed it for 10 years.

Extra Cover was an informative and entertaining show that we were proud of. The dedicated backroom production team along with those of us who hogged the camera angles on set had a strong affinity with every Tuesday night broadcast.

Executive Producer Richard Parker cracked the whip and maintained standards that are rarely seen in the television industry. He allowed all those involved with the show to voice an opinion and debate issues prior to settling on the theme or focus of the following week’s episode. It really was a collaborative effort that was driven by emotion and a professional drive to deliver the best we could on a weekly basis.

It will not surprise you to hear that some shows on TV are put together without any great thought or research and then thrown on air in a slip shod manner. We made sure right at the start of Extra Cover, way back in October 1997, that we were not going to be categorized as one of those shows. Some 600 shows later is testament to that.

I will never forget how it all started for me. At the time I was working for the SABC and unexpectedly received a phone call from Robin Kempthorne, Head of Production at SuperSport, saying he wanted to chat to me. He was sitting across from my desk in my office ten minutes later. In a matter of weeks we were on air. It all happened as quickly as that.

The energy behind the scenes of Extra Cover was invigorating. It was originally a live 2 hour show on a Thursday night hosted by Darren Scott and myself. That was a serious break for me. To be able to work with and witness the skill of Darren in front of the camera was an invaluable introduction to television work. His talent was extraordinary and I could learn from the best seat in the house, the ‘on air’ floor.

About 12 months later Darren was moved to launch another show and Fanie de Villiers took over as co-host. We continued together for a couple of years until I then took over the reigns and flew solo. A few years later when Pommie Mbangwa came on board with SuperSport, he co-hosted with enthusiasm and insight, until I departed.

The moment we finished one show on a Tuesday night an impromptu production meeting ensued to form the skeleton for the following week. Yes it may have included the odd brown vitamin tablet at some pub but the wheels were already in gear. Soon after, the rest of the week was mapped out, interview or guest travel plans put in place and production time booked. The wheels were in motion for the following Tuesday night.

We always made sure we were topical. We always engaged the appropriate guest and worked on the mantra that we would be harsh but fair, balanced and objective. Looking back, I have no doubt we successfully maintained those principles. There were a few guests who did not escape the live scrutiny unscathed as going for the jugular when warranted was encouraged.

One of the successes of Extra Cover and later Inside Edge, as anyone who was directly involved will testify, was the animated production discussion that often took place. By no means did we agree on everything and Richard Parker characteristically steered and controlled the debate in a healthy manner until we had consensus of direction. His style as Executive Producer was unique, often demanding but always rewarding.

I will always remember my 10 years with Extra Cover with fondness and pride. We all got a sense of achievement out of the show and the dedication behind the scenes was testament to the longevity of the production.

I have missed it.