Chase Producer

A TV talk show is a lot like a duck: Above water, everything is calm and collected. Just below the surface, however, the duck’s feet are furiously flipping in order to keep it afloat. Although the Host of your favorite TV program is smiling on screen, therefore, there’s a whole cast of unseen characters swimming behind the scenes.

A Chase Producer is one of those characters, paid by television networks and TV production companies to help produce talk shows and news programs. Specifically, it’s the Chase Producer’s job to find and book — or “chase” — guests for a show. Whether it’s a Spokesperson for a news segment on “Good Morning America,” a family in need for a special edition of “Dr. Phil,” or a celebrity guest to be interviewed on “The Tonight Show,” the Chase Producer is the person who finds and schedules them.

Here’s how it generally works: First, you participate in meetings with other Producers to develop ideas and concepts for segments and stories. Then, you do research and legwork to find appropriate subject matter experts for each segment. Next, you pitch those experts to your colleagues and, if they’re approved, book them for the show. Once they’re booked, it’s your job to communicate with them — making sure they know the time, date, and location of taping — and to pre-interview them for the purpose of creating detailed notes that the TV Host uses to fuel an on-air conversation with the guest.

If a TV show were a person, you’d be its “ Social Secretary, ” in charge of keeping its calendar full and its Rolodex organized!