Just a friendly reminder, while ‘Silly Season’ may be a Brit’s cup of tea, this concept knows no borders and it can jazz up any news beat, anywhere on this lovely planet of ours.

When the Brits talk about the ‘silly season,’ they’re pointing to a time (usually the dog days of summer) when the hot and heavy news cools off a bit. It’s then that you’ll find journalists digging into stories that are lighter, full of fun, and let’s face it, a bit on the silly side.

Now, you might not hear the phrase ‘silly season’ tossed around at the water cooler in the U.S., but the idea behind it fits like a glove. Summer breaks, lawmakers hitting pause, and a generally relaxed vibe can create a void in the ‘breaking news’ department. And voila, that’s when the quirky, offbeat, and downright ‘silly’ stories can get their moment in the sun.

Our good friend and PR whizz, John Marston, puts it this way, “The silly season is like a golden ticket for PR folks. With newsrooms scrambling for juicy content, it’s the perfect opportunity to pitch those eccentric ideas that might typically be benched.” His words of wisdom? “Zero in on stories that hook, entertain, and offer a fun alternative to the usual heavy-duty news.”

So, let’s get our creative juices flowing with ten TV segment ideas that are ready to rock the U.S. ‘silly season’:

1. “The BBQ Kings and Queens of Your ‘Hood”: Imagine a friendly culinary showdown between local chefs, celebrities, and home cooks who are convinced they’ve nailed the holy grail of BBQ recipes. Each episode could turn the spotlight on a different competitor, firing up their specialty dish.

2. “The Break of Dawn Club”: Feature the folks who take the ‘early bird catches the worm’ mantra seriously. Be it surfing, bird-watching, or yoga — what are these pre-dawn adventurers up to?

3. “Staycation Magic”: Spotlight locals who’ve cranked their staycations up a notch, transforming their homes into everything from beach resorts, wild jungle adventures, or tranquil spa retreats.

4. “The Hidden Charms of [Your City]”: Unearth the lesser-known spots, eateries, or landmarks in your town that are the locals’ best-kept secret and often given a miss by tourists.

5. “Scavenger Hunt Mania”: Tail different teams during a city-wide scavenger hunt, giving viewers the lowdown on their rollercoaster ride of triumphs and challenges.

6. “Food Truck Extravaganza”: Get local food trucks to face-off in a friendly competition, giving viewers a peek into the deliciously diverse world of mobile dining in their neighborhood.

7. “Everyday Heroes”: Share feel-good stories about local folks who are making a positive difference in their community — it could be kids running lemonade stands for a cause, or people who are putting their green thumbs to good use.

8. “Street Art Diaries”: Zoom in on local street artists as they create their masterpiece murals, and chat with them about their inspiration, their craft, and what they hope their art communicates.

9. “Under the Stars”: Team up with local astronomy buffs for a night under the stars. Use this chance to educate viewers about the constellations, planets, and how to enjoy a stargazing session right from their backyard.

10. “The Offbeat Job Chronicles”: Introduce locals who are in unusual jobs that are far from run-of-the-mill, like professional sandcastle sculptors or miniature golf course designers.

Conjuring up these segment ideas for the ‘silly season’ can be an exciting challenge that lets your creativity run wild. The mission here is to focus on the lighter, brighter side of life. As TV producer Linda Patterson beautifully puts it, “During the silly season, viewers are all for a break from the routine. It’s an opportunity to remind them of the delightful, eccentric, and wonderful happenings that they are surrounded by.”

By coming up with lively and unconventional TV segment ideas, you’re not just filling a gap in the slow news season — you’re also offering viewers a much-needed break, a reason to chuckle, learn, and look at their community with fresh eyes.

Want to be on TV? Real TV? Talk to Tami! Tamisocialmedia@gmail.com Content one-to-one.

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Tamara “Tami” Patzer is the creator of the Authority Footprint Formula and the creator/producer of Beyond of the Best Seller Marketing System.

She helps her clients share their big messages and big missions via book publishing, social media, and mass media exposure to help them have more impact, influence, and income.

She is the creator of the Daily Success® Institute and regularly is a featured guest on podcasts, radio shows, and TV news including ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, and Fox.

Tami Patzer is the creator and producer of the Daily Success Media Network featuring seven podcasts including Women Innovators, The Daily Success Show, and The Thought Leaders Show. She also is the publisher of international best sellers Beyond the Best Seller and Women Innovators.

Tami is known for her insight into authority marketing and online visibility as well as an educator and advocate for transformational leaders who want to be seen, heard, and found, so that they can make a huge impact, have more influence, and more income.

Her latest project is the Authority Footprint Founders Club. She is the News Category Director at Podcast Magazine and a popular host and guest on many podcasts. Tamara Patzer is a former editor and a member of the Pulitzer-prize nominated Sun Coast Media Group news team for coverage of Hurricane Charley. She is the creator of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Social Media Certification program and is a frequent social media expert guest on TV news programs across the nation.