The radio mic has overheard more than just Mr Brown
A box of electronics no bigger than a cigarette packet, a couple of AA batteries and a wire up your shirt. You'd think you wouldn't forget it was on your person, but in this businesses the stories of how people get caught out by a are legion.
As a matter of course when we finish filming I try and get the mic off an interviewee as soon as we're done.
It's partly out of self preservation. I have unfortunately witnessed the aural delights of a guest popping to the loo and forgetting they were still wired for sound. I can confirm that women also break wind with abandon when they think no one is listening.
It's difficult to look people in the eye when you have observed them " au naturelle". Worse still you can't really tell them or else it gets even more embarrassing.
Obviously I won't be naming names.
On the other hand you can get valuable intelligence from the unobtrusive microphone that listens to someone's every word.
On many occasions we have heard contributors muttering in no uncertain terms about us TV reporters after we've given them a grilling. Sometimes it's good to know how someone really feels about you. On these occasions it can be great fun telling them you've overheard exactly what they said.
And to prove we're all fallible; I too have fallen foul of forgetting the radio mic is happily broadcasting private comments very publicly.
TV crews get a bit competitive. After a long day it was down the pub and I struggled valiantly to keep up with the rounds of beer. Let's just say I got the worse for wear and during the night I ended up calling my maker on the big white porcelain telephone - several times.
Next morning, filming with the same crew, I glibly made out the many pints had been a mere trifle to a man of my calibre. However in a break I called a friend and spilled the beans about my near death experience after drinking too much on an empty stomach.
You've guessed it; my phone confession was overheard by the radio mic.
Inevitable ridicule and humiliation followed. I was cut down to size and rightly so.
Gordon Brown wasn't the first and he won't be the last to get caught out by the eavesdropping microphone that we really should know is always on.
ADDITION - Saturday 01 May 2010:
It was difficult finding a suitable web snippet relevant to this blog's topic, but this morning I found it. . Enjoy.
Hi, I'm Chris Jackson - presenter of the North East & Cumbria's very own current affairs programme, Inside Out. Welcome to my blog where I'll reveal some behind-the-scenes goings-on and share my thoughts on the stories we cover.
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