Block host Scott Cam helps tradies rule on reality television

HE’S got 15 years of television experience under his tool belt and now a Gold Logie nomination to boot.

But when Channel 9’s working-class hero Scott Cam fills out a form which asks for his occupation, he’s still a chippie at heart.

“I suppose TV is my job but I’m a bit of an imposter really. I always write (on forms) I’m a carpenter, that’s how I see myself.”

He says it’s why “this Gold Logie business is pretty crazy to me and my wife (Anne) because we’re just like any normal working class couple. She’s a school teacher and I’m a carpenter who does some telly. Getting the nomination, well, we just laughed and laughed.

The Block host is as humble as they get in the local TV industry, staying true to one simple rule which has kept him grounded all these years.

“My theory in life, in the TV game is as soon as you ask someone to go and get you a bottle of water you’re in strife. That’s what I live my working life. I don’t ask for much, I get there, do the job, have fun of course and don’t get any special treatment because I don’t ask for any.”

It may be this battler personality which has keep him connected to the audience - poised to post record ratings for The Block grand final on Wednesday night - but it’s also inspired TV programmers to hire a new generation of TV tradies on reality television.

Channel 7’s returning renovation series House Rules relied on these salt-of-the-earth characters in casting its surprise reality hit last year - where couples could change their life and makeover their homes.

This season, Victorian carpenter Adam Dovile was as surprised as anybody when he and partner Lisa Lamond were picked to star with five other state-based couples in the upcoming series.

“That’s a funny story actually... she thought I’d never renovate our house so she went behind my back and applied for the show. I said to her we can’t have kids til the house was renovated and so obviously she wanted to make that happen a lot quicker,” the 31-year-old builder said.

“We only had our house for a year-and-a half and I was trying to get plans in place, but I was obviously going too slow for Lisa.

While his trade skills and reputation as a hard worker helped during the pre-recorded competition, Dovile said nothing prepared him for the “stress you go through because of all the time limits in a seven-day house turnaround.”

Emu Plains electrician Ryan Pusic was also under a different pressure during the contest, with his girlfriend Candy Stuart challenging him to put a ring on her finger at the end of the show.

He said regular construction sites were prime pickings for TV personalities.

“There’s a lot of characters on a job site and everyone’s got their own personality. It’s what makes it so entertaining, I guess.”

Meanwhile, Scott Cam is a hot favourite to win this year’s Gold Logie.

Sportsbet confirmed Cam has “bulldozed his way to the top” of the market for the TV industry’s top gong, in from $10 to a short-priced $1.10 favourite by late Friday.

The Block host jumped ahead of Asher Keddie, the Logies reigning golden girl ($4.50), The Project favourite Carrie Bickmore ($15), Home And Away’s Steve Peacocke ($15), Gap Year funnyman Andy Lee ($20) and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries star Essie Davis, the long shot at $26.

Not rating his chances, Cam also has irreverent plans for the prize “if the ridiculous happens” and he wins.

“I’m going to get my router, router out the bottom and house in one of those flat bottle openers, then it will be at my barbecue area and when anybody needs a stubbie opened I’ll say I’ll just go and get my bottle opener for you.’”

The Logies will air on Sunday, April 27 at 8.40pm on Channel 9.

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