TV Host Basil Bradshaw celebrates 21 years

Dec 04, 2016 News

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By Isanella Patoir
Television personality, Basil Bradshaw, is popularly known for his show “Wake up Guyana”,

aired on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 hours and lasts for one hour. On December 8, 2016, he will be celebrating 21 years on air.
The show covers current issues in the society, and airs on Hoyte Blackman Television (HBTV), Channel 9.
Bradshaw said that with the previous administration it proved to be a bit difficult and the show was not much appreciated. Its main target audience are housewives, also there is also an audience that would view the show from their workplace.
Bradshaw said, “There is a major adult following. However, young people also find interest in the show”. He also said that he features Guyanese artistes and 90% of the time there is local music being played on the show. There is a call-in segment, where persons have the opportunity to voice their concerns.
“I always make it clear to the callers that there should be no slandering of other persons. There has so far been very disciplined call-in sessions. I commend my callers on their level of maturity.”
One main feature of the show highlights the headline stories of the Kaieteur News. Bradshaw addresses humanitarian issues, and the show also aids in raising funds for persons with medical needs.
It would also feature special persons from time to time. There was President David Granger, before and after his appointment as President of the Republic of Guyana. Others guests included police officers, sports personalities, and overseas visitors.
Bradshaw spent 14 years as a radio broadcaster at Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). He began in 1981when he was just 18 years old.
His High School teacher at the Bladen Hall Secondary School signed him up for the job as she reportedly saw the potential in him to become a successful broadcaster.
The then 18-year-old broadcast apprentice embarked on a new journey following his early success as a national junior and senior sprint champion. As it turned out, he was destined to live his life in the public domain. His attraction for sports gained him national recognition when he established an 11.0 record in the Under-17 100 metres category of the schools’ athletic championships.
The mark was set aside when the age group was changed from Under-17 to Under-16.
Bradshaw did not know at the time that he was setting himself up for a rewarding career in the broadcasting arena.
For 21 years this very talented TV broadcaster has entertained and informed the Guyanese people about the current issues that surround society.
To commemorate this huge achievement Bradshaw will be hosting a show called, “Show of Struggle”, on December 9, 2016 at the National Cultural Centre (NCC). This will coincide with his birth anniversary.
He prided himself with having the accomplishment of being the longest standing talk-show in Guyana.
The concept of “Show of Struggle”, according to Bradshaw is to showcase the struggles the programme would have gone through for the past 21 years. “Show of Struggle” will also be featuring a number of prominent local Guyanese artistes namely, the Soca King, Jumo Primo, Charmaine Blackman, the Yoruba Singers Band Leader, legendary Eze Rockcliffe, Sean Bhola, G-Money, Kwesi Ace and Calvin Burnette, Young Bill Rogers, Roger Bowen, Devon Denny, Abigail James Nelson, Jovinski, Gavin Mendosa, among others.
Bradshaw said, “These are artistes that the show would have promoted over the years, so they will be coming out to celebrate.” The MCs for the programme would be broadcast legends, Margaret Lawrence and Ron Robinson.
The producer of the show is Bonny Alves.
Guyana’s number one female comedian, Odessa Primus, will also be showcasing her talent. Dance Fanatics and Kreative Arts, two of Guyana’s very talented dance studios, will also be performing at the event.
Tickets for “Show of Struggle” are available at the National Cultural Centre, HBTV Channel 9, also from the multitalented individual himself, Basil Bradshaw, Bonny Alves and Charmaine Blackman. The show is said to commence at 8:00pm.
Bradshaw said, “I certainly enjoy what I do— marketing, producing and hosting”. He said that, “it wasn’t easy to have made 21 years, especially under the PPP who tried numerous times to get the programme off the air”. The main challenge that Bradshaw had faced so far would be lack of sponsorship, he noted that, “persons would make promises to come on board but would eventually fall through for some reason or the other”.
However there are very dedicated advertisers to the programme and have stuck with him throughout the years.
One main hurdle that Bradshaw had overcome, according to him is, “I think that I managed mostly to stand up to political suppression and that is the most important of all.”

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