The stress of live TV

The joy of live television – and indeed a big reason to watch – is that anything could happen.

Which may be why the live broadcast of the musical Grease:Live was such a ratings hit in the US.

And may also be why it was such a ratings flop when Nine finally broadcast it, decidedly unlive, 48 hours later when the stakes were exponentially lower.

Footage has now emerged of what was going on in the live control room. Dr Mumbo doesn’t think he’s ever watched anything quite so stressful.