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News • October 10 2004


Waking us up

Jackie Mercieca and Martin Sapiano are the presenters of Super One’s Breakfast show, intended to wake us all up in more ways than one. Jackie and Martin bring us the voices, images and stories of a variety of people who wake up very, very, early for work which means they have to wake up even earlier. The show will feature bakers, fishermen, pilots, factory workers, cabin crew, priest, grocers and many others at their place of work. News, traffic, weather and sports are regular items. And to send children off to school with a smile, ‘Hairy’ the program’s puppet provides fun, games and humour. Jackie and Martin are very different, but their characters compliment each other. The show is on from Monday to Friday from 7 to 8 am.

What pushed you in the direction of show business and the world of broadcasting?
Jackie: I love to communicate, I love people and I love making TV. I have not been very active these past 3 years because of other commitments and travelling. The fact that people choose to watch your program, choose to listen to you, gives me a good feeling. They welcome me in their homes, their sitting rooms etc I try to give them something in return, in One Breakfast apart from entertainment, news etc. We are doing one minuters a day on how we can live healthier, how we can better take care of our health.
Statistics are showing terrible results about our health, we must do something about it, I would like to help get the message across. The idea behind 'only in Malta,' another item in the show is to make people smile at the same time realise our shortcomings on safety for example. I would like to use TV to make a difference.

Martin: I was an alter boy and saw the churchgoers as my audience. For me it was the start of a theatrical career.

Throughout your careers have you aimed to educate or work for change, or more to entertain?
Jackie: I have a lot of respect for education and reading, I think for educators to be successful they need to entertain their audience, their students etc and I think entertainers have a moral obligation to educate. People in Malta spend so much time watching TV that this medium should be better used to educate indirectly without making it boring. I have always been non-conformist, loving change but it is unbelievable how people are afraid of change, of difference. Better the devil they know. Two great books which I read when I was 16 and which influenced my perception on life were Jonathon Livingston Seagull and Illusions of Richard Bach, “the river delights in to lift us free if only we dare let go.” (Illusions).

Martin: More to entertain, but given the opportunity I try to educate and if change, in my opinion, is necessary I would pass a remark. But who am I to remark!!

I would say your characters are very different, what is the chemistry like between you?
Jackie: Yes our characters are different. I am very Mediterranean and passionate. Martin is more diplomatic, I say it as it is! Everyone knows what I think, where they stand with me. I am not afraid of what people think of me. Martin is more subtle, we balance each other out. If we did not get along we would not be able to work everyday and so early in the morning.

Martin: We never really worked together, however we are actually settling in on the morning show. We love and enjoy it.

Martin has made a name for himself as a practical joker, will this carry on in your morning show?
Jackie: Oh yes! He played a joke on me today where he made me sing while I was gargling water!! I hope it did not disgust our viewers.

Martin: Yes it will and more practical jokes to come. So watch out One Breakfast viewers.

Your programme also intends to have a section aimed at encouraging the Maltese to read, why do you think we are such poor readers?
Jackie: People watch too much TV. While their life passes them by they are on the sofa living the lives of characters in soap operas, or watching cooking lessons for meals they will never make. It is not just important to read but to read good stuff, I would say that a big percentage of the Maltese do not know much about our history for example. Ironically the education system is to blame as well, the emphasis is on homework, exams and results. Students do not have much time for reading.

Martin: I haven’t got a clue! I don’t read much myself as I prefer to watch the movies instead. A movie is so much more entertaining and relaxing for me.

Are you inspired by programmes on TV in other countries, if so which?
Jackie: I don't watch much TV, I am very busy. Along with everything else, I am working on my thesis, assignments etc. The most important thing for me is quality time with Matthew, my husband whom I adore. If we watch TV it is generally a good DVD, I like films which are not mainstream. Occasionally I watch ‘Friends,’ I love the script!

Martin: We cannot compare ourselves with programmes from overseas. For one thing budgets are high there and non existent here.

Between 7 and 8 in the morning many people are still asleep or half asleep and cloudy in the mind, how do you manage to be chirpy?
Jackie: I am the kind of person who always wakes up ready to talk, eat and start doing what I need to do. I don't drink coffee, I only like it in sweets so my body does not crave for anything to wake it up.

Martin: We do our best though and miracles do happen!! We don’t plan on being chirpy! We are chirpy. How this is possible is another question.

If there were three things you could change in Malta what would they be?

Jackie: The number of people, we are too many for such a small island. The amount of buildings coming up, aesthetically a disgrace! We have inherited beautiful buildings and houses and we are leaving behind a concrete jungle for our children. Malta has become the unfinished island with cranes everywhere. No peripheries. We are one big fast city. Thank God for Gozo and Comino. And the government, it's been there for way too long!!

Martin: I would change our mentality, our buses and lorries due to the pollution situation, our roads which should have better surfaces and the recent cigarette ban law.

 

 

 

 

 





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