This Morning

Executive Producers: Haim Saban, Chip Lynn, Brian Casentini

Why does this show need a producer, show runner (what ever that is), two deputy editors, head of production, a series director, an executive producer and an editor?

"Show Runner" is a relatively new post in the UK, mainly as a result of the success Russell T Davies had in that position on Doctor Who. It's a role that has been common in US TV for decades. I've always thought of it as an Executive Producer that actually does some work.

I'm not sure about This Morning but many daily live shows have two deputy editors because there are two separate teams that split the episodes between them. The Big Breakfast for instance, had a Monday/Wednesday team and a Tuesday/Thursday team and then they'd do alternate Fridays (or something like that). Each team would be headed by a deputy editor who would report to the editor.

Are we not getting mixed up with runner? You know the poor sod that has to make the teas for everyone?

Guess they'll be the last guest hosts of the summer - suspect Ruth and Eamonn will do the final show of the summer.

Well the Series Director will have a totally different Job to everyone else in that list - as they will probably be the senior studio director and 'run' the show from a directing point of view (even if they don't studio direct the show every day) Directors have a very different job to to producers on a studio show. On some shows they may also set the 'look' of location VTs - as well as handle long term stuff like studio and graphic design development and brand consistency.

The Producer credit will almost certainly be a day producer - so they will probably have produced that days show in detail, over a number of days and be responsible for all of the nuts and bolts (along with researchers and assistant producers probably) - sourcing and clearing stills, VT inserts, fact checking, writing show and guest briefs for presenters, talking through each item with contributors and experts etc. Most shows like This Morning will have different day producers working on consecutive shows - possibly on a 3, 4 or 5 day turnaround.

The Deputy Editors will almost certainly supervise the live teams and also the location VT insert teams, going over scripts, checking that from a more experienced point of view that the show running order makes sense, that the shooting scripts and edit production of inserts is being handled correctly etc. They will probably lead a daily production meeting, or the Exec will.

The Executive Producer/Editor will be the most senior editorial figure. They will have overall responsibility for the long term strategy for the show, driving the forward planning teams as well as the day teams. They will have significant overlap with Deputy Editors on many shows - but for a 5 day a week show you need to spread the load. The Exec will also have to have regular meetings with commissioners and/or channel management, and will almost certainly run things like forward planning meetings.

Head of Production is likely to be a non-editorial job - effectively a senior production management / budget figure who will also be looking after staffing for the show. Shows like This Morning which are long running will constantly be hiring staff and someone needs to manage this.

Show Runner is a more complex role to define - and isn't as usual on a factual show. On a drama they have the overarching 'view' of the show - creatively and practically. I guess if the Executive Producer is more tied up with other elements - or works across more than one show - the Show runner will assume some of the responsibilities they may otherwise have.

With Holly being reported to be off to Australia to cover for Ant on this year's I'm A Celebrity it will leave a gap next to Phillip for a few weeks, especially in the run up to Christmas.

I wonder if we'll see a mix of guest presenters as over the summer or if they'll choose one person to fill in. After the Royal Wedding coverage earlier in the year (and on previous occasions) I would like to see Julie Etchingham give the programme a try.