Penny pops up on TTT show

Penny on Point (PoP) has opened its run on TTT as part of the station’s Live for Local mantra and is hosted by Penny Gomez.

The show features several interactive segments introduced as surprise challenges issued to guests on set. From culinary cook-offs to karaoke, and even a game of charades in-between, viewers and guests are always reminded that anything can pop up on PoP.

The show began on November 26 and will air every Thursday.

“This is a feelgood kind of show. The kind that has a bunch of memorable moments that you’d be talking about with your friends between episodes, while waiting excitedly for the next,” Gomez said in a media release.

“Currently, most locally-produced shows in TT are either based on crime or current affairs and news. With all that’s going on in the world, we need something upbeat, fun and positive that pops. Our mission is simple, we want to bring positive energy to TT through great local television programming that’s at an international standard,” she said.

Gomez, who also serves as the show’s executive producer, is no stranger to the world of entertainment and television. While living in Barbados she hosted Morning Barbados, and doubled as host and producer for Barbadian TV shows Culture At Work, What’s On and Hype, the release said. She has a BA in language, literature and social sciences and a post-graduate diploma in arts and cultural enterprise management from UWI. She has staged-managed several productions for Island People, Tribe, the Office of the President and the 2009 opening ceremony of the Youth Forum of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

“It’s really great being back on screen. It’s something that I have been thinking about a couple years now but the timing wasn’t quite right. It’s all about the timing… and now as the world faces covid19, I think it’s an important time to insert some positive energy into the world.”

Gomez's production team includes Navindra Harbukhan of NH Productions TT as director of videography; audio recording and mixing expert Nicholas Meah; and Colin Greaves as producer and writer.

“For months we’ve been quietly working on this show spending our weekends shooting, and countless evenings in production meetings brainstorming, planning and reviewing edits to ensure that we get it just right,” said Greaves.

“We wanted to make the show light, engaging and entertaining so that each week viewers really have something fun to look forward to. It’s all about seeing your favourite personalities in another light as we get to know them a bit more intimately and find out who can cook, who can sing, who’s artistic and their thoughts on a range of personal topics.”

There are several opportunities for viewer engagement. Each week fans can add their voice to the conversations around the latest trends by visiting pennyonpoint868 on Instagram and voting for What’s Popping. Additionally, viewers can win hampers and prizes by going on social media and accurately guessing who will be appearing on that week’s episode. The prizes and special giveaways are courtesy the show’s sponsors: Blue Waters Products Ltd, Sacha Cosmetics, Nestle and Brydens PI.

“I’m really excited to bring something new to the television landscape. The support thus far, since the trailer aired, has been phenomenal and I just hope that people love the show as much as we loved pulling it all together,” Gomez said.

PoP airs at 5.30 pm with a simulcast on the Facebook page Penny on Point 868. Viewers can catch re-runs of the week’s episode on Sundays at 7.30 pm.