I’ve done some radio and television over the years, but I had to come all the way to China to be offered a TV hosting job.
ICN-TV, a U.S.-based network that caters to Chinese viewers in North America, asked me to host a travel program called “Joy in China.’’ They wanted me to spend 10 days exploring the ancient city of Lijiang in southwest China and then help put together a one-hour program about the visit.
Unfortunately, the trip would conflict with my teaching duties at Henan University of Technology, so I had to turn down the offer. Maybe they can get Brian Williams or Anderson Cooper.
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ICN, which broadcasts in New York, Los Angeles and seven other major cities in the U.S. and Canada, uses a lot of expat teachers in China for its travel show. Some have experience in journalism, but most don’t.
I’ve watched a few of the shows on the ICN website, and they’re pretty good. They’re nicely photographed and feature an interesting mix of history and local culture, including segments on food, crafts and architecture.
I told the producers I’d be interested in working on the program next year if I could fit it into my teaching schedule. Traveling around China for a TV show would provide a nice break from explaining gerunds, participles and compound sentences.
