After the After show by: Priya Panda For MTV Canada hosts of The Hills After Show Dan Levy and Jessi Cruickshank, every day is like the prom: they’re all dressed up, there are cameras everywhere, and they can count on hearing some rocking live music.
On-air they’re chatting away on MTV Canada The Hills After Show and MTV Live.“That brother-sister making fun of each other, what you see on camera is what you see off camera. We hang out far too much,” Jessi laughs. It took hard work, luck and loads of charisma to land their dream jobs. Dan remembers auditioning; “Given the job, you just kind of have to be yourself. It’s a lot of personal questions about your life and goals. I went in thinking I want this job because I am who I am. Fortunately, it paid off!”
While earning a degree in drama and English, Jessi started working as a host on a kids’ television show. Her last minute demo reel made in NYC is the stuff of legend. “I had a friend of a friend of a friend shoot me in Times Square talking to hot dog vendors and random people about Canadian music and a few weeks later, the vice-president of MTV called me. I was in shock!”
As a self-described introvert, Dan says that meeting new people and jumping into situations is something that he’ll never be comfortable with, but doing it almost everyday has made it manageable. He cites Gwen Stefani’s larger-than-life persona as the reason for one his most successful on-air interviews ever. “Actually getting something out of someone that has a lot to offer is inspiring to me.”
The guests that had Jessi knocking at the knees? It was the brotherly pop trio, Hanson. “When I was 14-years-old I waited in line hours and hours after a concert and got them to sign my chest. Ten years later, I asked them to re-live the magic… So on national television Hanson signed my chest. It was this full circle moment meeting these guys again!” MTV’s balance of pop culture and substance enables the hosts to tackle issues as daunting as the environment, or as light as Perez Hilton’s latest gossip.
Beyond meeting stimulating guests, they agree the best part of the job is its ever-shifting description. Compared with Dan’s past jobs – like working in a video store and a clothing shop – MTV suits his needs. “I’m the kind of person who needs new things happening daily to keep me on my toes. I wake up and come into work and I have no idea what the day has in store for me.” Jessi echoes, “The cool thing is everyday is different. It’s never the same.”
The station’s format, which involves a lot of improvisation, leaves room for mortifying moments – and Dan and Jessi have had their fair share. “I think there’s an embarrassing moment everyday. I’ve done so many silly things, it’s crazy. I’ve done an umbrella dance for Rihanna. I’ve asked Kelly Clarkson if I can call her K-Clark. I’m not very polished or slick,” Dan says. Jessi feels the same way. “I’m an awkward person. I’m not very put together and I can’t walk in high heels, so there have been a handful of occasions when they introduce me and I’ve fallen flat on my face in front of the studio audience.” Ouch! They’re happy to offer tips to the next generation of hosts. “You stand out more being something they’ve never seen before. Everyone is unique and everyone has something different to offer,” Dan notes. Jessi is quick to add that a post-secondary education is an amazing asset to include in your arsenal. “Even though I haven’t written an essay for awhile at MTV, it really gives you that breadth of knowledge and world experience.
"This being our prom issue, Dan and Jessi were gracious enough to share their experiences. “Prom was kind of boring, cheesy, we took our pictures. The after party was at my house! My parents were out of town. People are still talking about it. I have pictures that will live on… it was pretty epic.” “My prom was fantastic!” says Jessi with a huge smile. She skipped the stress of finding a dress and sewed a gown matching her date’s head-to-toe gold sequin suit! You can bet they made a splash. “We thought it was pretty funny, but we [were crowned] prom king and queen!”
Catch Dan & Jessi hosting MTV Canada The Hills After Show on Monday nights (check local listings) and online at mtv.ca.
While earning a degree in drama and English, Jessi started working as a host on a kids’ television show. Her last minute demo reel made in NYC is the stuff of legend. “I had a friend of a friend of a friend shoot me in Times Square talking to hot dog vendors and random people about Canadian music and a few weeks later, the vice-president of MTV called me. I was in shock!”
As a self-described introvert, Dan says that meeting new people and jumping into situations is something that he’ll never be comfortable with, but doing it almost everyday has made it manageable. He cites Gwen Stefani’s larger-than-life persona as the reason for one his most successful on-air interviews ever. “Actually getting something out of someone that has a lot to offer is inspiring to me.”
The guests that had Jessi knocking at the knees? It was the brotherly pop trio, Hanson. “When I was 14-years-old I waited in line hours and hours after a concert and got them to sign my chest. Ten years later, I asked them to re-live the magic… So on national television Hanson signed my chest. It was this full circle moment meeting these guys again!” MTV’s balance of pop culture and substance enables the hosts to tackle issues as daunting as the environment, or as light as Perez Hilton’s latest gossip.
Beyond meeting stimulating guests, they agree the best part of the job is its ever-shifting description. Compared with Dan’s past jobs – like working in a video store and a clothing shop – MTV suits his needs. “I’m the kind of person who needs new things happening daily to keep me on my toes. I wake up and come into work and I have no idea what the day has in store for me.” Jessi echoes, “The cool thing is everyday is different. It’s never the same.”
The station’s format, which involves a lot of improvisation, leaves room for mortifying moments – and Dan and Jessi have had their fair share. “I think there’s an embarrassing moment everyday. I’ve done so many silly things, it’s crazy. I’ve done an umbrella dance for Rihanna. I’ve asked Kelly Clarkson if I can call her K-Clark. I’m not very polished or slick,” Dan says. Jessi feels the same way. “I’m an awkward person. I’m not very put together and I can’t walk in high heels, so there have been a handful of occasions when they introduce me and I’ve fallen flat on my face in front of the studio audience.” Ouch! They’re happy to offer tips to the next generation of hosts. “You stand out more being something they’ve never seen before. Everyone is unique and everyone has something different to offer,” Dan notes. Jessi is quick to add that a post-secondary education is an amazing asset to include in your arsenal. “Even though I haven’t written an essay for awhile at MTV, it really gives you that breadth of knowledge and world experience.
"This being our prom issue, Dan and Jessi were gracious enough to share their experiences. “Prom was kind of boring, cheesy, we took our pictures. The after party was at my house! My parents were out of town. People are still talking about it. I have pictures that will live on… it was pretty epic.” “My prom was fantastic!” says Jessi with a huge smile. She skipped the stress of finding a dress and sewed a gown matching her date’s head-to-toe gold sequin suit! You can bet they made a splash. “We thought it was pretty funny, but we [were crowned] prom king and queen!”
Catch Dan & Jessi hosting MTV Canada The Hills After Show on Monday nights (check local listings) and online at mtv.ca.
