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The Earpiece

Newscaster's Life-saver (August 2010)

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JW
JamesWorldNews
I didn't know where else to post this daft question, but anyhoo............

Watched an edition of US Program "The View" last night. It was a flashback edition showing how things go on behind the scenes. When one of the guests was struggling to answer a question, the big man in the gallery screamed to somebody to ask her the question again, but in a more polite manner. The operator said "Ok, I've told Sherry (one of the presenters)". Sure enough, Sherry then asked the question again, but in a polite way!

At the wrap, it was evident that the presenters were fitted with earpieces, but not the usual ones that I see on BBC News and CNN (I am used to seeing either the white/bendy telephone cord style that you see security guards and police wearing, or else the clear plastic tube type that newscasters seem to embed in the back of their hair and moulding the shape of their neck - how weird). But on The View, there were no signs of any cables or wires as such. I did think I spotted a small kidney-bean shaped flesh coloured thing in two of the presenter's ears, however. Then, coincidentally, saw Anne Robinson wearing a similiar "insert" in her ear on TWL later in the evening.

Is there a small wireless earpiece thingy on the market these days? If so, how does it work. I am intrigued. And if it's used more often on entertainment shows rather than news where maybe hard wiring is a safer option, how come the likes of Ant and Dec are fully wired with the big ones.

Daft question, I know. But intrigued.
MW
Mike W
http://www.earpieceonline.co.uk/library/basicinear.jpg
Those are wireless earpieces made by Motorola, did it look like that?
Last edited by Mike W on 19 August 2010 7:57pm
JW
JamesWorldNews
It could have done, Michael. Your image is out of scale with what I saw because it shows the entire thing, but the general concept looks right. And same colour.

If this thing is on the market, how come they are not universally used on news? Are they unreliable?

I supposed most viewers don't even realise that the presenter is using a piece anyway, and it's only us tv junkies on here that are even (remotely) interested. (speaking for ones-self.)
GS
Gavin Scott Founding member
It could have done, Michael. Your image is out of scale with what I saw because it shows the entire thing, but the general concept looks right. And same colour.

If this thing is on the market, how come they are not universally used on news? Are they unreliable?

I supposed most viewers don't even realise that the presenter is using a piece anyway, and it's only us tv junkies on here that are even (remotely) interested. (speaking for ones-self.)


More discreet, but more expensive.

As a rule of thumb, if you can use a wired version of anything (mic or earpiece) then you probably should. Batteries and signals can fail, and that's less likely (or indeed, not applicable) over a wire.

I think most people do realise that presenters wear earpieces, actually. Its referenced in all kinds of things (finger in the ear... "I'm just hearing that..." - you get the idea).

My granny knows, and she's 94.

Also she died in February.

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