“Don’t be nervous,” Bill told Avril. “You’ll nail this.”
“I hope so,” she muttered. It was her first day on camera, doing the weekly NewsHour program and she was very nervous.
It was time. They stood in front of the cameras. Bill spoke first and then he introduced her.
The program was underway and when it was over, she was relieved but confident that she’d done well.
Weeks later, the producer announced, “The ratings have gone through the roof so, beginning next Monday, this will be the Avril Haines NewsHour.”
Bill gaped at him, “That means…”
“You’re out, Bill.”
99 Words
This post is for the Friday’s Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. You can find this week’s prompt here. To read other stories or to participate, click here.
Notes to Women 
Very true to life. We all only have a certain shelf life, and TV can be more ruthless than most.
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Yes, TV can be a cut-throat business at times. It’s so unfortunate.
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Usually it’s the women who get the sack
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You’re right about that, Neil. In this case, the ratings were what mattered and they were in her favor.
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Jings, that’s pretty harsh!
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Yes, it is. That’s the world of TV for you.
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Ratings are the bottom line, but I feel so sorry for Bill. Would be nice if Avril stands up for him.
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Yes, they are. I’m with you regarding her standing up for Bill.
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Dear Adele,
As they say, “That’s Show Biz.” I guess Avril did very well. Poor Bill. Nice write.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
That’s “Show Biz,” unfortunately. Yes, she did. She was responsible for the ratings going up. Poor Bill indeed. Thanks 🙂
Shalom,
Adele
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Celebrity is a dirty business, but its also an addiction for those who crave the spotlight. I hope Bill finds something that satisfies his jones now that he’s gotten the boot. And Avril is now the one in the hot seat to perform well enough to stay in it. Good storytelling, Adele.
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Good points, Lisa. Yes, Avril is in the hot seat now. The pressure is on her to keep those ratings up. I too hope that poor Boris finds something soon. Perhaps Avril should have stood up for him or maybe she didn’t because she didn’t want to ruffle any feathers.
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TRP rules all lives in TVdom 😦
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That’s the nature of the business. Fickle is the word that springs to mind.
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Yes, fickle is the right word, Sandra. Avril could be there today and gone tomorrow just like Bill if she doesn’t keep the ratings up or someone else comes along who outshines her.
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So it’s bye-bye Bill, you’re over the hill!
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Yes, that’s pretty much the message. Poor Bill.
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Bill’s old news, poor chap.
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Yes, he is.
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cutthroat
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Poor Bill. A victim of our thirst for the next new sensation. I wonder how long Avril will last.
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Yes, he was. I’m not sure how long Avril will last but it’s only a matter of time before she meets the same fate as poor Bill.
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Wow! That just goes to show how good Larry King, Wolf Blitzer, Ted Koppel, etc… are.
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Yes, it does.
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