Memorable "Mike" Moments

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 21, 17 November 1939, Page 49

Memorable "Mike" Moments

(7) Des. Lock () NE good thing about the ridiculous moments in our lives, we can usually limit our discomfit- — ure to the people immediately concerned — or, if we’re lucky, just. to ourselves. Radio announcers, on the other hand, are subjected. to the merciless ears of a large, unseen audience every time they open their lips before the microphone. So when an awkward moment does by chance crop up they must act quickly and coolly — to save complete demoralisation at the thought of all the unseen consequences that might result from the smallest incident. When we put the question to Des. Lock, of 1ZB about any memorable moment he could remember — a comically rueful expression came into his face, and he said: "Once it was my good fortune to conduct a relay from a tearoom where a luncheon was in progress. We had just been given the air, and I as announcer on duty, was performing my office nobly and well, when one of the waitresses tripped over the carpet towards me, and presented me, a trifle unconventionally, and in no uncertain manner, with a steaming hot bowl of soup! Which all goes to prove the force of the old saying. ‘It’s in moments like these. .. .’!" (8) John Gordon At this point John Gordon, Production Supervisor, interrupted with " Why, that’s nothing — listen to this. Quite the most awful mike moment in my experience was a little matter of badly placed breathing. This is the story: "A nervous announcer, who was I, had to share a microphone with a worthy celebrity who was making public appearances in New Zealand. At the conclusion he was called upon to make a pretty speech of thanks to the Personage, thanking him for coming to the studio the evening before the final concert of his tour, which had been a most popular success. What the nervous announcer meant to say was something Tike this: ‘We much appreciate the visit of Mr. XX the night before his last appearance in New Zealand. We hope, however, that the near future will bring him again to our country for a further triumphal tour,’ "What he did say, forgetting his full stops, and gulping for breath was this: ‘We much appreciate the visit of Mr. XX the night before his last appearance in New Zealand we hope .. .!’" (Collapse of Celebrity and all.in studio).