We managed to grab Hollywood TV producer Katie Horbury for a quick round of 10 questions, to hear all about navigating a post pandemic world of production, and what exciting shows she has coming up in the rest of 2022.
1. What has been your biggest achievement so far in 2022?
Definitely the second season of Crime Scene Kitchen getting the green light at Fox. We made season one when the pandemic was still very much at large, and believe me, it was no easy task. Such large scale stage shows have always been known for their grueling schedules and high intensity edits and to me, that was one of most exciting things about producing them. Then covid hit, and making a show like that while also keeping everyone safe, made everything that much harder. Keeping people socially distant while working to even tighter deadlines was tough, so to still be able to come out of it with a really fun show full of laughs, drama and everything in between was a real credit to a tremendously talented team all round. So I was extremely proud of all of us when a second season was commissioned and the show was nominated for a critics choice award.
Read more here.
2. What shows have you worked on that we will have heard of?
One of my first producer jobs was a Celebrity Big Brother back in the UK, where I also worked on X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Ex on the Beach. I was also lucky enough to travel and worked on the Australian version on Love Island..in Fiji! Since moving to the U.S I have produced on Masterchef, Love Island US, Go Big Show with Snoop Dogg and of course Crime Scene Kitchen and Dancing with the Stars is coming up. It’s been a wild ride!
3. What project are you working on at the moment?
I am just finishing up at Crime Scene Kitchen season 2 and I am about to start working on Dancing with the Stars, which I am really excited about. It’s my first time working on the show and I’ve always been a huge fan. We will be making season 30, which is incredible. Any format that can run for so long is an honor to be a part of.
4. What is different about the TV industry now that we are living in a more post pandemic world?
It’s a very busy time at the moment, there are a lot of shows being made and it really feels like there’s a real thirst for collaboration. I guess that’s what happens when you lock up a bunch of extroverts for 2 years, we all come out bursting to create. Working from home had a lot of challenges, but for me the worst of it was not being able to get in a room with your team, throw out creative ideas, get inspired and solve problems together. Working remotely kind of diluted all of those collaborative efforts. Which was tough for me, but the fact the industry stayed afloat and thriving is a huge achievement. We’re very lucky compared to so many people who had it so much harder than us.
5. What was the most fun show you ever worked on?
Oh there’s been so many I wouldn’t know how to narrow it down. Possibly the most fun day though was filming I’m a Celebrity Get me out of here Australia, when what we thought was going to be a quiet day turned into Perez Hilton screaming about a banana for no less than 4 hours. All to be edited down to 5 minutes in 1 day to get it into the show the following night. It’s was the funniest fight I’ve ever heard and certainly one of those ‘I have the strangest life’ moments.
6. What’s the best location you’ve ever worked on?
I think the most beautiful location was the set of Paradise Hotel in Mexico. We stayed and worked right on the beach, and that pink glow at sunset that sweeps across the sand is something I have never experienced anywhere else. Unlimited guacamole also was a big win for me.
7. What are your favorite TV shows at the moment?
I can watch so many completely different kinds of shows so this is going to be a very random list. I just finished Ozark which I absolutely loved, it’s been a long time since was so ‘cannot take my eyes off the scene’. I am also obsessed with the current season of UK Love Island. Young Sheldon I just adore and find so nostalgic. I also have a list of 100 shows I hope to watch soon including How I met your Father (Kim Catrall fan girl here), The Crown and The Shrink Next Door. All of which I’ve heard great things about.
8. What is your favorite TV show of all time?
Easiest question I’ve ever had to answer, Sex and the City, haha. I grew up watching it, and as the years went on I watched the reruns over and over. It’s feels like hanging out with my friends. I just love it.
9. What reality TV show would you love to work on?
I just heard they’re making a Squid Game reality show and I think that just sounds like so much fun. It is such a unique idea that if I was still living in the UK I would love to produce on it. I hope it’s a huge success and more shows pop up of a similar nature.
10. What do you hope to see more of in the future on reality and competition TV?
The world is changing at a rapid pace, and I think it is really important that TV shows respect the power they have when it comes to influencing young minds. Representation is so important, and I hope to see more and more representation of all minorities across the board.
