| |
| |
| |
| The Pumamouse Website Presents... |
| Please investigate all of the varied sections of The Pumamouse Website by clicking on the links below. |
| "THE BACK ROOM BOYS" "...AND NOW, A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR..." |
| THE PUMAMOUSE WEBSITE SECTION LINKS: |
| |
| This website is owned, designed, created, maintained, and financed by The Pumamouse (MaryAnne) Copyright 2002/2003/2004/2005 |
| Thank you for visiting these webpages. Please return often to view new developments. I would enjoy receiving your comments. |
| You can email The Pumamouse (MaryAnne) by clicking on the link below: |
| You can return to The Pumamouse Website Homepage by clicking on the link below: |
 |
| Welcome to the “...AND NOW, A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR...” webpage of The Pumamouse Website. The following essay was written by The Pumamouse (MaryAnne). |
| "THE BACK ROOM BOYS" LINKS: |
| You are viewing "...And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor..." |
| "…AND NOW, A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR…" YIKES!!! Can you imagine the scurrying which must have immediately ensued amongst "The Back Room Boys" of radio and television broadcasting whenever those heralding words were spoken by a presenter? Although I have never been inside a radio or television studio to witness it, strangely enough, I can. Just thinking about it for a moment, I can imagine the tension in the air, the mind boggling and heart gripping sense of concern and anticipation, and the silent but shared anxiety as everyone hurried to do their part and switch from the announcer's live microphone to the pre-recorded advertisement(s), and then make the transition back to the announcer and/or the program which was formerly in progress, and which was often being performed and broadcast live. Come to think of it, in early days, even the advertisements were performed live, adding to the excitement. Then must have come the audibly undetectable sighs of relief, and subsequently, the same surge of emotion and activity when, only a few minutes later, the wicked words were wielded by the presenter's tongue once again to set "The Back Room Boys" in motion. All of this was perfectly orchestrated to happen so smoothly that the listener or viewer never thought for a second of the work which was occurring in the studios. The routine was repeated, hour after hour, day and night, and although it was never really "routine" at all, it seemed that way to most people. Indeed, due to the professionalism and prowess of "The Back Room Boys", most listeners or viewers only experienced a few moments of distraction, or perhaps mild annoyance that their program had been briefly interrupted. Ah, I suppose the old adage rings true in this regard. Ignorance is bliss. However, now that you have kindly considered these personal observations, please indulge me further and consider one more. There can be no doubt that the technology has changed and evolved dramatically through the years to improve the efficiency of radio and television broadcasting since the early days which we may fondly recall. Surely, radio and television studios must be far more automated now than "The Back Room Boys" of yesteryear could have imagined they would ever become. And yet, to my knowledge, in most instances, there is still some degree of the human element in the equation. Each time a radio or television broadcast transpires, there is still someone sequestered somewhere in a studio, monitoring the transmission and switching from this thingie or to that thingie, perhaps with a single flick of their finger or press of a button or stroke of a key, but still… I may be completely wrong about all of this. But, perhaps the next time we are listening to the radio or watching the television and we seize an opportunity to run to the kitchen or the bathroom during a commercial, perhaps we should whisper a word of thanks to "The Back Room Boys" who are still scurrying today, and in memory of those who were scurrying way back when. Thank you for your consideration of these ponderings. The Pumamouse (MaryAnne) 25 October 2003 |
 |
| Were you or was someone you know one of “The Back Room Boys”? If so, please contact The Pumamouse! I would be delighted to read your recollections and, with your consent, perhaps include them here for others to read and enjoy! |