During his early years at university, Tom Gleisner planned to follow a path into law. But had he done so, his life would be vastly different to what it is today – and perhaps a little more dull.
“I’d be a small-time suburban solicitor specialising in conveyancing, who plays bridge on a Wednesday – it’s quite depressing when I think about it,” he says with a laugh.
Thankfully, for us, Tom made his way into television as part of the team at Working Dog Productions and Have You Been Paying Attention? Now, the show’s host – or as he prefers to describe his role, “a cross between a headmaster and a punching bag” – returns for another side-splitting season.
In a chat with TV WEEK, Tom, 57, shares how the TV WEEK Logie Award-winning show will endure through a global pandemic and why he’s never sure what will happen on set – which is just how he likes it.
Tom (pictured with Ed Kavalee and Sam Pang) is back!
(Image: Supplied)TV WEEK: Due to government restrictions, how different will the show look upon its return?
It’s a challenge. We did a trial run a few weeks ago – I went into the studio and the five contestants were at home. It was like a bad Zoom meeting, but it worked out. If we can get Marty Sheargold off dial-up and onto something resembling the internet, and Kitty Flanagan’s numerous cats out of the room, I think we’ve got a show. For the most part, HYBPA? will look as close to what it normally does, but without a live studio audience.
How will you tackle the news topics in this current climate?
The show is about the week’s news, so we’ll follow that. While the coronavirus is dominating the news, we’ll find the lighter side of life in isolation. Donald Trump is giving two-hour nightly media conferences, and Prince Harry and Meghan are still floating around somewhere in North America, so there’s plenty of news to have fun with.
Funnyman Sam gets ready to join the fun from home.
(Image: Network Ten)Any hints about upcoming panellists or quizmasters on the show?
We’ll stick with our regular panellists for now, but we’re hoping to tap into some people overseas and big names – whether they be musicians, actors or sports people.
Are you saying the elusive Lindsay Lohan [who was scheduled to appear last season, but abruptly dropped out] might still be in reach?
I forgot about that! [Laughs] The Masked Singer [in which actress Lindsay flew in to appear as a judge in 2019] is the one show that may not be affected by this – they just put the right mask on and they can do anything.
WATCH BELOW: Sam Pang reveals the bizzare list of questions he couldn’t ask Lindsay Lohan. Post continues after video…
Which guest quizmaster has been your favourite to date?
The quizmasters I most enjoy are the women from The Bachelor Australia. It’s often their first time on TV and they come up against our panel, who have never watched the show, so I love watching the exchange.
When a guest quizmaster comes on set, I always ask if they’ve seen the show before – you can tell when they’re lying. If they haven’t, I think ‘Oh, s–t.’ But if they have, it’s usually OK. Netballers are fantastic to have on the show. They don’t take themselves too seriously and have a great time.
Will Kitty’s cats cause chaos?
(Image: Network Ten)What do you love most about Have You Been Paying Attention?
I have so much fun, I forget that it’s even work. I ask the questions and have no idea what answers are coming – I’m as amused by them as the audience is. It’s a real joy to be part of.
The show has found a place on a Monday night – it’s an opportunity to gather with familiar faces at the start of the week and go through how much has happened in the news. People right now are turning to TV for entertainment and an escape, so we’re hoping to be that.
