What’s a Party Without Bloopers

I've been spending a lot of time these past couple of weeks working on the annual WBTW Blooper Tape. Basically, it's a collection of miscues from the previous year that made the air, along with many that did not.
They're woven around a "skit" that spoofs a current event, trend, TV show or "inside station" issue.
In the past, the tapes have centered around such matters as the Anthrax Scare and Weapons of Mass Destruction... Who Wants to be a Millionaire (in our case, you could only become a Thousandaire and even that gift was revoked at the end for budgetary reasons), the Bachelor, CSI:Quinby, Grey's Anatomy and former sports director Jon Wofford portrayed Austin Powers a couple of times in search of things like the stolen WBTW Christmas bonuses.
That of course, like the bonuses themselves, was a big joke.
The tape also includes gag commercials mainly featuring non-on air employees, perhaps a second skit or two and greetings sent back from former News13 folks... usually those who were on air. That's mainly because they have better access to the equipment to send something to us that we can edit and put into the video.
I need to mention, too, that the video would not be possible without our fine production and creative services departments. All their work and expertise on our fancy equipment actually gives it a somewhat professional look.
The tape is usually well-received although we once had a boss who at first said they loved the tape, but later called me and all those involved in one "questionable" scene (including our superiors) into the office for a "talking to".
We do our best to poke fun but not humiliate.
Sometimes you see "snippets" from past tapes on our newscasts when one of our people leaves. We'll throw a few of their bloopers on the air to send them on their merry way.
But it's all a matter of fun and over the past 14 years, the holiday reel has become a history of sorts for WBTW, which holds the richest history of any station in our part of the Carolinas.
I certainly don't get rich from producing the tape but one year, when I was in a crunch, our fine General Manager at the time gave me a day off from my normal duties to finish the project.
Which reminds me... I need to run and finish this year's version. I'd like to tell you what the theme is... but that's a not-so-well-kept secret until the Christmas party.

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