“Entertainment Tonight” Producer is Awake Before the Sun Rises

By Johnny Russo — 03/05/10
At 3:15 in the morning most people are still sleeping, but for Bonnie Tiegel her day is just beginning.
Tiegel is a Senior Producer for “Entertainment Tonight.” She looks at news stories and checks in with sources all over the globe to find out what is happening in the world of entertainment. She has her ears and eyes across the world giving her the scoops and inside information to build a rundown for an entertainment show, all before the sun comes out.
It takes true passion to be successful in the entertainment journalism profession. Tiegel said she loves what she does because everything is constantly changing. “It’s different every day. Every minute of every day is different. Nothing is the same. Nothing is boring. I do not think I could get up at 3:15 in the morning, hop out of bed, and get right into everything going on if I did not have that passion.”
Tiegel is no stranger to the red carpet. She has covered every major award show. But compared to all of the other awards, the Oscars are a cut above the rest. She said the Oscars show is the pinnacle of the entertainment business. Part of that may because movie stars are larger than life compared to those on television who come into our homes in a more intimate way via a television set. Tiegel describes the impact as “It’s a different feel. There is a difference accessibility.”
Tiegel has been a producer for a long time, and during her career she has crafted her own technique of producing. She uses everyone’s input to make the best show possible. She believes trusting your talent as well as members of the crew is vital. “You have to rely on the people with the experience. And you have to rely on the people you trust and you work with everyday to give their input.”
In the end it is up to Tiegel and the rest of the producing staff at “ET” to make the final call, while allowing the crew to have some creative freedom.