Alan Brough’s next career as Red Carpet bitch

If his career on Spicks and Specks were to take a sudden turn, Alan Brough could almost take up a new career hosting on Red Carpets.

Brough and Adam Hills hosted Movie Extra’s live Tropfest broadcast in 2009, and will resume the roles for the 2010 event this Sunday.

He told TV Tonight he was surprised how much he enjoyed the Red Carpet hosting.

“Last year I did the Red Carpet, which is something that I never thought I’d do, but I found it was quite fun.” he said. “I think people were a bit shocked to see me interview them on a Red Carpet because it was probably something they didn’t expect either. I don’t look anything like Catriona Rowntree or Angela Bishop.

“But I got to interview a lot of first-time filmmakers, which was really fun because it’s a huge night for them. There are hundreds of thousands of people who will see their work. For some of them it could begin what could possibly be the start of a long and illustrious career. In 25 years when I’m sitting in my one-bedroom flat drinking old sherry I’ll see one of them pop up and say ‘I remember speaking to you on the Red Carpet.'”

Brough and Hills will again host with commentary, interviews and a dash of humour.

“We clearly didn’t bugger it up too badly because they’ve asked us back. Basically, we’re the link people between the films,” he said.

“We’re in a Domain studio in Sydney telling people what’s happening. The films play, and in between them we both come on. There’s some breaks in the proceedings, so we fill in.

“It’s totally live, so it’s very exciting.”

Tropfest is now the world’s largest short film festival with events in Australia and New York. The 16 finalists in the 2010 event will be screened to live sites around the country as well as on Movie Extra.

Brough says despite he and Hills being perceived as musical guys, they both have a strong background in live performances.

“There’s a music association because of Spicks and Specks but I’ve been an actor since I was young and Adam’s a comedian. It’s more about just getting two guys who know how to interact on television.”

This year’s Signature Item, which must appear in all films to prove they were shot for Tropfest, is Dice.

“I’m hoping someone interprets that as finely-chopped meat but I imagine there will be a lot of people playing dice in the background, or fluffy dice in a car. Or a car that’s entirely a fluffy dice,” says Brough.

Having seen all 16 films, Brough is sworn to secrecy, but says the standard gets higher and higher every year. He also promises He and Hills will be offering a little At the Movies style commentary as part of their show.

“I’m not sure which one of us is which, but I have a penchant for really big necklaces so I imagine I’m Margaret.”

Movie Extra Tropfest will broadcast live on Sunday 21 February from 7pm .