Collin Kittredge Smith can be seen around campus all the time. With his unmistakable red glasses and towering height, he’s hard to miss, but he’s notable for a few other reasons too. The senior VMA Writing for TV major has a minor in Creative Writing and is a member of Emerson’s Honors College and has a resume that includes hosting the 2010 EVVY’s, interning at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and the second-year host of Closing Time on the Emerson Channel.
Closing Timeis Emerson’s one and only late-night variety program. It is a show where anything goes; Kittredge Smith explains it as “a forum to be silly and meet other awesome and accomplished students on campus.” New episodes air every other Friday while reruns are on all times of the day, all you have to do is turn on the Emerson Channel.
The Closing Time host position is a highly coveted position on the Emerson Channel, something Kittredge Smith is very aware of. He says, “I think the hardest part is living up to such a great position at the college and at the Emerson Channel. I just want to do it justice.” He also knows the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. He started out as a writer his sophomore year and has continued to be a staff writer since taking position as host. Last year he was also a Creative Producer and helped to facilitate the changes that have created a more streamlined show.
Although Collin has taken on many rolls throughout his time with Closing Time, he considers himself “first and foremost a writer, so a part of [him] will always be uncomfortable on screen,” making hosting a challenge at times. It is not an easy task to be personable and funny while looking into a camera, its like performing for an audience that doesn’t speak English; you have absolutely no feedback from a camera. To overcome this Collin has devised a strategy that includes a lot of Red Bull and an undying commitment to trying to make people laugh.
This drive to be funny is part of the reason he was chosen as co-host and head writer of the 2010 EVVY’s. Although Kittredge Smith explains the shows as very different performances, “the high-pressure, deadline-drive environment of a show like Closing Time certainly helped [his] preparation for an even bigger show.” With the viral success of the opening to the EVVY’s Collin definitely more than surpassed his goal of getting people to laugh.
Unfortunately, Kittredge Smith’s final moments with Closing Time are coming as the semester begins to wind down. Next semester Collin is going to LA to finish out his time with Emerson and while there are many unbelievable opportunities in LA, there are going to be things he misses. Collin says he appreciates “having The Emerson Channel as a forum to be silly and to try new things and to learn…in such an accepting environment.” This does mean the show is looking for the new host, to whom Collin has some words of wisdom for.
Collin believes there are no specific qualifications to be a host, but there is definitely an attitude that makes for a good host – open and experimental. The most important thing to remember actually comes from one of Collin’s former comedy troupe members, “the more you commit, the better the bit,” to which Kittredge Smith adds, “you just have to throw yourself out there and hope you have chops, chances are someone will like it.”
As Collin is preparing to pass Closing Time onto a new host, he is looking forward to his time in LA. After being an intern to the writing staff on Jimmy Fallon this past summer, he just hopes the internship in LA is just as good. After all, he does have big plans for his future. First, become a staff writer on a narrative or talk TV and then a show runner or producer.
If you want to learn more about Closing Time check out their Facebook page.
Photo Credit: Collin Kitredge Smith along with the rest of the cast of Closing Time Live taken by Bobby Fetault.