Every great project starts with a question. Ours was simple: what could we do to go over the limits and expectations for the final project?
And then came the next inspiring question: what if we could rewrite football history?
At that moment, our group consisted of just Me and Fran, we sat down during the break of our first TV class to brainstorm ideas for our final project, and in 10 minutes we both knew we wanted to create something that went beyond analysis or match coverage. We wanted a concept that felt bold, cinematic, and intriguing that made people connected and inspired about the game we love.
That’s where the idea for “The ‘What If…?’ Football Talk Show” was born: a roundtable show where we revisit football’s most iconic moments and reimagine how the sport might have changed if just one decision, one goal, or one red card had gone differently. We realized that football isn’t just about results, but it’s about moments, and how those moments ripple through time.
We decided to structure our team like a real production crew.
Fran was clearly the brains and organization of the whole project, her leadership style and idea generation came easily, so we decided she’d be head of production. We agreed I’d take on the role of host, taking into consideration my skills and dream to become a studio presenter, we felt it would be the right role for me to prosper. I then proposed we look at the other 4 open job roles as if we were job hunting: looking for not only someone that will do the job, but looking at their characteristics and personality as well, and making sure we’d all work great together and have that important talk show chemistry you see on TV.
Halfway through planning, we had another lightbulb moment: why not include a co-host out in the field, interviewing fans and capturing raw opinions? That instantly made the show feel more alive: a blend of studio analysis and real-world emotion. This led to our first scout being our close friend Mette. We took into consideration her skills and aspirations, and figured she’d be great as an interviewer of fans. Considering she speaks English and Spanish fluently and feels comfortable in front of the camera, we couldn’t imagine anyone better for the position.
After that, we were left with looking for the 3 panelists that would lead the discussion on the show. We made our picks, and made sure that they have good and easygoing conversation out of the studio, so that they can have great and professional conversation in the studio. They all have distinct football views and extensive football history knowledge, as well as a similar work ethic and respect, which completed our team.
Once the core idea was set, the challenge became production realism: how do we make a 30-minute episode engaging from start to finish?
We mapped everything out minute by minute, from the opening monologue and first debate, to our co-host’s fan interviews, to the final “rewrite” where each panelist reimagines football history their way.
We decided on a blue-and-neon theme for the visuals for a modern, sharp, and slightly futuristic vibe, to match the concept of “reimagining time.” The title “The ‘What If…’ Football Talk Show” also fit perfectly: clean, curious, and ready to live on any platform.
