Are you a fan of daytime talk shows? Do you wonder how the shows flow so smoothly, all the “I’s” dotted and the “t’s” crossed? Just ask Lisa Steinke, Epsilon Upsilon - Cal Poly/Pomona. “You have to be prepared for anything that is thrown your way!” she says. And she can make that statement with authority. Lisa produces television shows, and is a supervising producer for The Dr. Phil Show.
Lisa started at The Dr. Phil Show as a producer – a big job, which includes putting together the entire hour of a show. “This consists of everything from coming up with the show idea to writing the script,” she notes. “Producers are very hands on in the supervision of the rest of their team, which includes an associate producer, researcher and two segment directors.”
As supervising producer, Lisa has taken on additional responsibilities. “I supervise three producers,” she explains. “I help them conceptualize the ideas for the shows, guide them on the types of guests we'd like to book and oversee the tape packages that are put together. Overall, I guide them creatively.”
Lisa, always creative and a writer at heart got her start in the entertainment business while in college. “I got started in the business when I did an internship at the LEEZA show, which was Leeza Gibbons’ talk show,” she explains. “I worked my way from intern up to producer.” With that hard work, came plenty of knowledge that still helps Lisa succeed. “I learned the importance of finding a mentor, someone who can guide you and teach you. I also learned the importance of being a self-starter. That's what I believe helped me continue to get promoted,” she recalls. "I also learned some basic fundamentals of television production - everything from how to work with video and put video packages together to how to think of a creative idea and execute it.”
Lisa also worked for a production company that produced several episodes for Headliners and Legends on MSNBC. “At that production company, I learned the importance of having fun with the work you are doing,” she states.
Before joining The Dr. Phil Show, she worked briefly at Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions. “Everyone there was amazing and talented,” Lisa notes. “I learned the importance of a strong work ethic and the importance of always being willing to roll up your sleeves and put in the time to make your show the best it can be.”
Lisa has worked on The Dr. Phil Show for the past seven years. “On this show, I have learned a lot from those who have supervised me,” Lisa says. “These people are obviously in their positions because they're talented. I'm thankful for all they have taught me. When I was a producer at Dr.Phil, my supervisors taught me that management is the hardest part of the job. It is important to realize that each person can't be managed exactly the same way.”
Producing a television show of any kind means hard work and long hours. “There is definitely a lot of stress but most of that comes from the fact I'm a perfectionist,” Lisa explains. “I do want to create the very best product I can. I definitely think about those who will be watching and what's going to make them happy, excited and entertained.”
Lisa is proud of the fact that she produces shows that people can relate to. “If they have a stress in their lives, we've in some way covered it over the years,” she notes. “Our staples are shows on marriage, family, parenting and money. These are areas that all people can relate to. We hope to give viewers tools that they can use in their own lives. If people criticize the show, I encourage them to give it another try. Just like anything, it's not for everyone. But I personally think it's a great show!”
According to Lisa, her favorite stories to produce have been the "series" such as Dr. Phil's Premarital Bootcamp and Man Camp. “When we do series, it allows us more time to work with the people,” she says. “We are able to produce in a different way. I love the shows that we produce in studio, but many of the series shows happen in the Dr. Phil House which is a different environment.”
The stories that are hardest to produce for Lisa are those about people harming their children. “This could be anything from physical abuse to fighting in front of them,” she explains. “They are hard to produce because you feel for those children. And although the people are often coming to Dr. Phil for help and admitting that they have a problem, it is still hard to see a child go through something traumatic.”
Lisa also finds time to volunteer her time as a member of the CAB for the Epsilon Upsilon chapter. “It's important to give back because the sorority gave so much to me,” she says. “When I joined KD, I was painfully shy. The sorority brought me out of my shell.” She took on several leadership roles in her chapter, including vp-PR and vp-membership. “VP-membership is very similar to being a television producer,” she notes. “Putting on a rush is very similar to producing a show.”
Lisa advises KDs wanting to break into her business to come armed with a strong work ethic and a good attitude. “If you're willing, in the beginning, to roll up your sleeves and do the ‘grunt work’ like fetching coffee, then you will have no problem being successful,” she explains. “Do not think you are entitled to a job in TV just because you have a college degree. You have to earn your job just like anything else.”
And of course, don’t forget KD. “It also doesn't hurt to network with an alum!”