One of my first jobs in journalism was working on the news for the American network NBC, where I had the mundane task of recording shot lists of the various news feeds which would flash up throughout the day. Logging scene after scene violent demonstrations in the Middle East, I was always puzzled by the countless American flags the mob would set fire to. Who made these flags? Who sold them? Someone, it seemed, was making a tidy living in the bizarres of the Gaza strip.
A similar curiosity dawned on me during the ITV's Champions league coverage the other night. The producers always make huge capital in focusing in on the competition's glittering trophy which is parked on plinth usually behind Jim 'Snoz' Rosenthal's desk. I assume it's a fake unless UEFA deem the ITV studios a worthy place to keep the cup under lock and key, despite the fact an English side have only won it twice in the competition's 15 year history.
What niche market company makes such trinkets? I don't know. But seeing it close up under the studio lights, it appears Rosenthal needs to take it home and get Mrs Snoz to give it a wipe with a blob of Brasso.
I suppose, however, it's quite possible this has been done for effect, with ITV hoping (in line with the duplicitous relationship it has enjoyed with its audience this year) we might believe the marks are the remnants of Paulo Maldini's sweaty finger clasping the trophy aloft in Athens last June.
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