Top Billing on SABC3 divulges some of the TRUE, TRUE, TRUE modus operandi of getting the 'gets', the access, and the stories.

You don't get to be on television - and stay there - for 20 years, a massive landmark achievement Top Billing celebrated with a special episode on SABC3 tonight, without very real experience of the often cut throat TV biz and learning very real, very hard, life and production lessons on what it takes to get there ... and stay there.

For myself as a journalist, formerly a hard news journalist, now a TV critic and a journalist covering this industry and this medium for longer than the past decade, a lot of what was said and mentioned in tonight's special Top Billing episode rang extremely true. 

It was quite surprising to hear Top Billing actually divulge very real behind-the-scenes scoop and very true rules and experiences of how you get the story, the star and the access.

Here's some of the remarkable (and I can personally concur how 100% true all of this is, having experienced it all as a journalist myself) insights viewers would have been able to gather from tonight's Top Billing episode, making television and getting the story:

"What happens is, because you're from Africa, they think you're this small little company. So they try to push you out of the way. They pick your camera tripod up and throw it away. And I used to be this little guy going 'Please can I have a chance? Please can I?' Then later I thought: 'You know what, I know now what to do. You become a 'bully'. You walk in there and you start moving their stuff and you go: This is Top Billing.' And now people recognise you and go: 'Oh, don't be in his way."  

"No matter how good the plan is; no matter how good the structure of the shoot is, something will go wrong and you've got to be there. You've got to be on your toes. It's about planning for the best, but preparing for the worst."

"The world never sleeps, that's why Top Billing can never sleep. You've got to be at the forefront; you've got to be there to capture and seize all of the opportunities as and when they happen. We are known for getting the world's best celebrities on the show. It doesn't matter who they are. Getting access to them doesn't necessarily mean you're keeping up with the celebs, but it's keeping up with their management. So building and keeping those relationships strong is the most important thing in securing interviews and time with these celebs."

"The best thing is to keep moving."

"You have to be hardworking. You have to be able to work under pressure. Every week there's pressure - to get the new show out and the next one and the next show. And the promos. So you have to be dedicated."

"You're not going to be in love with each and every subject matter which crosses you're desk. They key is to find and get a kick out of the thing that you never thought would interest you."

"You have to entice your audience and get your facts 100% correct."

"Her [Patience Stevens, executive co-producer] knack for spotting talent is just spectacular. She can see and recognise it as the viewer who still loves television herself."