How we got on TV
For the past month or so, our friend Pon has been competing in a singing competition at the largest recording company in Thailand. The competition is being televised and the winner gets a recording contract. (The music style that he sings is "luuk thung" - a kind of country music.) Pon made it into the final six and yesterday was the day they picked the final three. He invited some of us to go with him to the studio, so Claire and I went and spent the whole day watching the competition. It was a very interesting experience to see the behind-the-scenes preparation that goes into shooting a TV show. All six finalists sang for a panel of judges, were interviewed by the host, and got feedback from the judges. And in between, the host recorded all of his lead-ins and teases about what would be coming next.
Even though we all thought he sang very well, Pon was unfortunately not chosen as one of the final three. He (and we) were disappointed, but he handled it well and is glad for the opportunity that he had to go this far in the competition.
The recording was done in a very small studio - and most of the contestants only had one or two friends and family members with them. So, the six foreigners there cheering for Pon really stood out. The host mentioned us during his introduction and they then asked us to wave for the camera. So, when all of this airs next week we'll have our few seconds of fame. (The show is only broadcast on a cable TV channel - so it will be very limited fame.)
Pon singing - something about a heart being erased. (The "luuk thung" songs strike me as even more corny than American country music.)
Listening to the judges criticism (they were pretty harsh with everyone) along with another contestant and the host.
Claire takes to the stage. She was a big hit with the staff. The host kept practicing his English with her and one of the camera operators repeatedly videoed her - so she would show up on the studio TV screens, much to her embarrassment.
And on the way home we walked past this typical Bangkok traffic jam. Thankfully we were using the Skytrain!
-Tom