Host uses photos to chat with celebs
WHEN he sits down with Aussie celebrities on Pictures of You, host Brian Nankervis tries to channel Andrew Denton.
The RocKwiz co-host said he was inspired by the bespectacled interviewer turned TV producer.
"I've always thought he's one of our good interviewers," Nankervis said.
"I did warm-ups for Enough Rope and I remember being really impressed by the way Andrew had no notes, nothing on an autocue.
"I remember thinking if I was ever in a situation where I was interviewing someone I'd love to do it like that."
In Pictures of You, Nankervis chats to well-known Aussies about their formative years with the conversation being guided by a handful of memorable family photos.
"You can be presented by someone's holiday snaps and it can either be the most hilarious half an hour of your life or it can be quite tedious.
"We make sure that (the latter) doesn't happen."
The series debuted in a special preview episode after the My Kitchen Rules finale to nearly one million viewers before the Easter ratings break.
Comedian Anh Do's touching stories were a particular highlight, with many viewers talking about him on Twitter.
"You can do all the research in the world but a photo will trigger a memory that even the guests themselves can't predict," Nankervis said.
"Shane (Jacobson) told this great story about how one Christmas he was given a toy lawn mower.
"His dad would say, 'I want you to get right behind me and follow me'.
"He said, 'I haven't thought of that in 20 years'. That's what a photo can do, and ideally that's what a good interviewer can do."
This week Nankervis sits down for an intimate chat with sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney and Melbourne-based Kiwi comedian Cal Wilson.
Pictures of You - Seven - Monday at 9.30pm
