Pay Chen is a TV host, writer and producer
who got her on-air start at OMNI-TV in Toronto, sharing short infotainment
segments in prime time and late night. Her favourite pick-up line during those
years was, “You’re the last woman I see before I fall asleep.” She’s also the former host of Breakfast
Television Winnipeg on Citytv, and hosted programs for G4TechTV, The Biography
Channel and is seen nationally on the popular preschool series, 4 Square (it was a show before being known as a place
you can check-in).
Insider for iVillage.ca and The Bachelor Canada, where she’ll dish the dirt on
what’s really happening on the show, set to hit your screens this fall on
Citytv.
shows and is currently writing for an animated series. Her passion for all
things local and edible have lead to regular food columns for the Toronto Standard, Metro newspapers and contributions to iVillage.ca.
not, what other careers were on the horizon?
then became really interested in working in children’s television. After a few
years of doing educational TV and programs, I decided to go back to school to
get my teaching certificate. I was accepted into a post-grad program in
Australia and was making plans to move when, on a whim, I applied for the host
position at OMNI. I spent seven years at OMNI and never made it to Australia.
now?
still feeling challenged by it.
your industry?
on-camera. That’s a tough one. You don’t necessarily need certain skills.
Sometimes people are hired because they have the right look. I worked in
production and was writing before I was hosting. It gave me a true
understanding and appreciation for the process of making television. Also, when
you know how to produce segments and direct shoots, it’s harder for people to
bullshit you later as a host. To do well, you need to understand what others do.
My first job was as a production co-ordinator. I did the running around,
photocopying and tedious schedules. I have a lot of respect for good
co-ordinators and production assistants. They hold the show together.
You won’t build that show yourself.
including your own?
day. They repeat the stories every 15 minutes so after the third time seeing
the same story I always think, “I knew that.” And I feel really smart.
had such a strong influence on my childhood. My brother and I learned to speak
English by watching TV. CBC, PBS and Magnum P.I. formed us as people. I also watch a lot of Food Network. It’s no
secret that I would love to host and produce a food show.
ones feel like you’re shooting the breeze with a friend. The laughs are genuine
and you’re sad when you have to wrap.
rewarding and memorable interviews. I used to be a story researcher on a teen
show. We dealt with some heavy issues that affected kids (violence, eating
disorders, bullying, drugs) and kids don’t filter or edit what they say the way
adults do. They are brutally honest.
want to do press and you can tell they’d rather be somewhere else.
enough.
PR pros?
I write when you pitch. I’ve had people pitch me ideas when I was on BT and not
realize we were a LIVE morning show. Also, it might be one product that you’re
pitching to many outlets, but let me know you’ve considered my audience by
suggesting an angle that suits what I’m working on. I’ll feel like you did me a
favour.
We love to hear about #wins.
work with the ones I like over and over again. I count many PR pros as friends.
The ones who understand that TV is about visuals and good speakers. You want
promotion and I want content, so let’s make it work. Good PR people and good hosts have to be
great listeners. We both talk and “sell” for a living – sometimes you just need
to shut up and listen.
entitlement. The sound of girls shuffling their feet
when they wear Uggs. Will they fall off if you pick your feet up? The smell of boiled hot dogs.
expecting anything in return and those who do it without drawing any attention
to themselves. Plain chocolate cake, no icing. Things in jars. Seriously, it’s an
obsession.
access to cheese and dessert.
DeGeneres and some of my best friends together because we’d laugh until we
hurt.
answer this correctly did I?
downloading these days)?
lattes and nailpolish like everyone else.
sound and the smell of the ocean. Not the bad smells. I don’t miss those.
usually running around when people call so I’m only half listening.