Jay Onrait is many things to many people. For thousands, maybe millions who watched his TSN coverage on Sportscentre and the Olympics, he’s the hilarious anchorman who turned the same old sports show into a hybrid of a late night talk show. He’s also the guy who, when Fox Sports offered him and his co-anchor Dan O’Toole an opportunity of a lifetime in L.A, he couldn’t turn it down.
For me, and others who don’t really know/care about sports, he’s that guy that has seemingly worked his way up from the very bottom to, what I consider, the very top and he’s written a hilarious booked called Anchorboy to tell us how he did it. I started reading it last week, because I’ve always enjoyed following Jay’s tweets and remember how funny he was during CTV’s Olympic coverage and since then, I haven’t put the book down. For someone like me who loves TV, there probably hasn’t been a more interesting book to read about the Canadian television industry. Full of tips, tricks and hilarious stories from a guy who pretty much worked at every station in western Canada, before being called up to the big leagues (TSN), I really think that if you even want to consider working in the entertainment industry, it’s a must read. One point that stuck with me the most is when Onrait explains that if you want to work in broadcasting be prepared to work when everyone else is off.
Earlier today, I asked Jay if he wanted to do a Twitterview to talk about his new book, the move to L.A and what he thinks lies ahead for TSN. Below are the tweets. Enjoy and make sure you pick up Anchorboy, you won’t be disappointed!
About to start a Twitterview with @jayonrait, the incredibly tall sports-anchor and author of Anchorboy. Follow along!
— Mike Morrison (@mikesbloggity) November 28, 2013
.@jayonrait, on a scale of one to Tim Horton’s cakes, how much do you missing working in Canada? #twitterview — Mike Morrison (@mikesbloggity) November 28, 2013
.@JayOnrait Yummg! In your book, you quickly jump into a story about shitting yourself. Any hesitation to share that tidbit? #Twitterview — Mike Morrison (@mikesbloggity) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity almost took that story about pooping my pants out of the book, then @HarperCollinsCa insisted it stay in. Good thing…. — Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity it’s the most popular chapter !!!! — Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity @HarperCollinsCa Wow Letterman! Great question! I would be nervous. The good news is he is as socially awkward as me — Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity but letterman is absolutely my hero
— Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@JayOnrait which is part of your charm!
— Mike Morrison (@mikesbloggity) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity I think one of the themes of #Anchorboy is: “Embrace the journey not just the destination” that means internships too — Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity in our business.. At some point … You will have to work for free … Accept it and do it as young as you can — Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity every name is real. I have a good memory for that stuff. Except for “The Dreamcrusher”… Trying to forget that one!
— Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity thankfully @fs1otoole never leaves his hot tub so I don’t see him much
— Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity I was worried about the traffic in LA but here’s the weird thing Mike… The traffic in Toronto was worse!
— Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@JayOnrait that’s because Toronto can’t have enough condos! #constructionhell — Mike Morrison (@mikesbloggity) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity yes great question mike I did have to get permission from “Mrs Saunders” my makeup artist at TSN for ten years — Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
.@JayOnrait haha! It's good that you asked! Where are you doing this #twitterview right now? I'm at the zoo. pic.twitter.com/rT4jMGP3WB
— Mike Morrison (@mikesbloggity) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity I would say exactly what I already said in the book: Be nice to everyone in this industry because things can change QUICK
— Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity believe I also said: “don’t be too brand loyal” … Also relevant — Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity but TSN will be just fine — Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity Biggest challenge was just getting it done! I hit @darkhorsecafe 5 days a week for a year and wrote 2000 wrds/day.
— Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
@JayOnrait now I have to ask one more question, what’s the next book about?
— Mike Morrison (@mikesbloggity) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity next book will be more stories about my career & will feature more stuff about my Alberta upbringing (Hint: think Ukrainians)
— Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
That wraps up my Twitterview with @JayOnrait. I love his new book Anchorboy, whether you love sports or TV industry, definitely pick it up!
— Mike Morrison (@mikesbloggity) November 28, 2013
@mikesbloggity thanks Mike! Really enjoyed it! Enjoy the zoo.
— Jay Onrait (@JayOnrait) November 28, 2013
Thanks for the blog post.Much thanks again. Cool.
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