A bad half-hour for ITN

Today (weds) at about 4.20pm, ITN had some big problems with their autocue. Presenter Salina Ahmed (I think that's her name) did, however, do a very good job of carrying on even though she's a new presenter. She spent a few seconds clicking her mouse after a report, before reading from what must have been a script on a computer screen under the desk. She then had problem with this, and was furiously clicking her mouse again after the next report. She giggled a bit and said 'As you can see, we're having a few technical problems', before reading the sport and weather from the computer screen again. She obviously tried to fix it during the weather, as she was fiddling furiously when we returned to her, and she didn't realise we were back with her for a few seconds, when she was leaning forward and frantically clicking.

Anyway, she ad-libbed the link at the end, and when we returned to her after the break, she was still having trouble. So, after the first report, she started reading from a sheet of paper, and I think ITN seriously need to give their presenters a printed script from now on, just in case! As we all know, technology can get extremely complicated!

She handled the situation fantastically well however. The little giggle was great and she managed to carry on regardless. Anyone else see this?

What other mistakes have you all seen?

Oh yeah, look out for another new presenter on ITN - Brigid Nzekwu (don't ask how you pronounce that!). She's extremely good, and she can't be more than 20 years old! I've only seen her once however. ITN seem to use the 4-5pm slot for trying out new presenters.

I am guessing this new presenter is South African, going by the name?
South African's are becoming very popular at CNN of late, with 2 reqruited recently... and i've chatted to both of 'em

The worst mistakes from ITN were during the tes transmissions of ITN NC.
Julia Sommerville saying 'There are some gremlins in the works' and then going 'Oh nobody is watching anyway' and then she carried on!
And going to adverts in the middle of the newsreader speaking etc.

Yes, she probably is. ITN seem to have recruited quite a few presenters from ethnic minorities recently, which is great. There's around 5 started in the last few months, and they're all quite good.

And surely you mean the best mistakes from ITN?!?!

Does anyone know where the phrase 'gremlins in the works' stems from, cos I've noticed EVERYONE uses it on TV when things break down - the CA on BBC TWO said there were really big Gremlins in the works on Saturday!!

Does it come from the Gremlins film when that little one was fiddling with the traffic lights, or am I barking up the wrong lamp-post?

Edit: FINALLY awarded my third pip!!

(Edited by BBC Choice at 10:43 pm on July 4, 2001)

Gavin Esler said @ around 8:10 'and coming up on News 24' but no music appeared. He then added: 'Some thunderclaps should have played there, but' & then joked about the weather (thunder & rain etc)!

Brigid, started doing The Big Breakfast news(done by ITN) about a year ago(when Phil Gayle left), she carried on until about september last year shen she was replaced by Jasmine Lowson, I saw her again reporting on the election, also on The Big Breakfast.

The presenter on ITN NC was Samira Ahmed. She used to present BBC News 24/BBC World News overnight (UK) about two years ago. She did indeed handle the situation very well.