| Lotto job: I wish it could be me |
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Sir - We are accustomed to seeing headlines and much speculation concerning the salary and conditions of some of our top TV personalities, but I wonder if many have noticed what seems to be a handy little job shared by a few lucky people who appear on our TV screens for about 15 seconds every Wednesday and Saturday evening.
The scheduled time for this brief appearance is 7.57pm, but loyal viewers should not be offended if it does not happen bang on schedule. The script is also very brief, just three little words, and there are times when the first word seems to be dropped, leaving only two. The routine is that on a given signal our subject appears, ghost-like from the shadows, is greeted by the host and then delivers the three words. On delivery of the last syllable of "Good evening Ronan," the image vanishes. The title given to this person is 'Independent Observer'. It is difficult to know what exactly is being observed, but I think perhaps if all the balls were to spill out all over the floor, he or she would observe that and would, I am sure, have another three little words suitable for the occasion, like "Good man, Ronan".
Years ago one would have needed to know somebody very important to get a job like that. How times have changed. Jim Bolger, Kimmage, Dublin 12
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=53&si=1249155&issue_id=11410
