Finally, the long awaited series return of Have You Been Paying Attention? has arrived!
This week, The Water Cooler caught up with host and comedic royalty, Tom Gleisner.
Now in its tenth season, we spoke to Tom about the show’s success and why Sam Pang is always last to leave the party.
Congratulations on 10 seasons! What do you think makes this show so successful?
I think it is the combination of contestants we have on each week.
It’s always an interesting mix and I genuinely have no idea what each of them is going to say. So, there is an element of surprise that I think audiences respond to.
Who has been your favourite Guest Quizmaster and who do you want to see on the show this year?
We have had so many great people over the years that it is hard to say.
How about I name my dream Guest Quizmaster? They would be a Real Housewife who has just been evicted from a reality TV show and is now planning to enter Eurovision followed by a career in parliament.
As for who I would like? Ash Barty. She is an amazing athlete and would be more than a match for any of our contestants.
What happens behind the scenes when you finish taping the show? Who is always the last to leave?
We usually like to gather in the green room for a drink and some food.
Ed Kavalee rarely stays long because he tends to have a gym session or a new podcast to finish.
Sam Pang likes to wait for everyone to leave so he can stuff his bag full of Network 10’s Pringle supply. Pathetic really.
We know we’ve had a big night when the Studio 10 team arrive to do their show.
Who makes you laugh the most on and off the show?
There’s a bunch of people, all for different reasons.
Marty Sheargold always looks like he is genuinely trying to answer the question, even when he clearly has no idea.
I love Celia Pacquola’s enthusiasm – she often puts her hand up instead of pressing the buzzer because she is so excited to get in.
Then there are old colleagues like Tony Martin and Glenn Robbins; even though I have known them both for decades they still surprise me.
I love it when Kitty Flannagan gets fired up – often over her favourite type of potato chip.
I could go on. I really enjoy all of our contestants.
