A year has now passed since Ruslana Pysanka left her job as a weathergirl on Ukrainian television behind and in a gutsy career move came to Moscow to co-host NTV's new daytime hit, "Strana Sovetov."
Though her weather slot on Inter Channel had made her a household name in Ukraine, Pysanka wanted to alter the direction of her career. After more than six years of reporting the weather, she was looking for something new.
"I came to Moscow in May of last year," Pysanka said. "NTV invited me at first for a trial run with my former co-host, Lev Novozhyonov. They said the program would be called 'Strana Sovetov,' but I didn't know exactly what it would be about. So I came for a test. ... Afterward I left for Kiev, and the next day they called to say I had been chosen and to pack my bags and come to Moscow."
Recognizing that this was a real opportunity to advance her career, she decided to give the show a go. The first live broadcast of "Strana Sovetov," which translates roughly as "A Country of Advice," aired June 2, 2003.
Pysanka describes the program as practical in nature: a cross between a talk show and do-it-yourself guide.
"Strana Sovetov is a program that provides advice for all of life's situations, but more often practical advice. For example, how to repair things, how to clean silver, how to reuse worn-out things. If you have a run in your pantyhose, there is no need to despair. It is simple to fix. Just take some thread and beads and create a flower," she explained.
The show invites guests -- often well-known Russian celebrities -- to share their knowledge about such matters as how to decorate Easter eggs, master the basics of yoga or even how to act in difficult social situations.
Since it airs at midday, the show's viewers are mostly from Russia's nonworking population, including students, housewives and pensioners. Pysanka also has a large following of loyal male viewers.
"Our show is, of course, aimed at housewives, since we are on an hour or so before lunchtime. However, it turns out that many young people and men watch the show," Pysanka said.
"I also feel that it's incorrect to assume that housewives are people with primitive outlooks toward life, as there are a lot of housewives with two higher education degrees who just happen to be working from home and have the opportunity to watch television."
In December 2003, Pysanka's co-host, Novozhyonov, left the show to pursue his own project, and Pysanka took over his duties, presenting the show alone until NTV recently brought in famed Georgian musician Valery Meladze as her new co-host.
"Of course, when the job responsibilities are divided between two people, it's much easier. When you understand that all the responsibilities rest with you, it's harder," she said.
Born and raised in Kiev, where her family still resides, Pysanka's childhood dream was to become an actress.
"In childhood -- in the Soviet Union -- I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself and said, 'And now presenting People's Artist of the U.S.S.R., Ruslana Pysanka!' And I sang songs by Sophia Rotaru and dreamed of being an actress," Pysanka recalled.
"Then I understood that my physical appearance didn't lend well to becoming an actress. I felt that an actress must be a beauty -- slim and slender. But I was told that I had bright and lively facial expressions," said Pysanka, who decided to give acting a try anyway.
When she was 18 years old, Pysanka traveled to Moscow to audition at a theatrical school, but returned to Ukraine after her audition.
"One of the instructors said to me, 'Ruslana, we like you a lot, but you need to lose 20 kilograms in order to have a chance,'" Pysanka recalled. "She also said that I would never get any lead roles and would always have to play a mother, aunt or granny, which didn't really bother me," she said.
However, upon being told that it would be difficult to find male actors of significant stature to partner her, Pysanka returned to Kiev not the least bit disappointed or deterred and entered the Kiev Theatrical Institute's film and television directing department, where she found an outlet for her talents.
Graduating in 1994 as a television director, Pysanka first worked directing documentaries. Then, in 1996, she began work on "Pogoda" -- the weather show -- which was eventually bought up by Inter Channel.
In the little spare time she has, Pysanka can be found rehearsing for a play that will premiere in mid-June. Invited by a group of well-known actors, she finds it stress-relieving working with them on the project, which she is keeping secret.
"My favorite hobby is my car," said Pysanka, who loves to drive her BMW around town. She said the car's character is very much like her own.
In Ukraine, Pysanka even participated in car races and rallies, twice winning spots among the top three drivers.
She said that driving is an ideal way to let go of the negative energy that builds up during the demanding work on the set of "Strana Sovetov."
"When I am behind the wheel, I can rest. Everyone says the traffic jams are so awful, but for me it's the opposite. Driving calms me."
Though her weather slot on Inter Channel had made her a household name in Ukraine, Pysanka wanted to alter the direction of her career. After more than six years of reporting the weather, she was looking for something new.
"I came to Moscow in May of last year," Pysanka said. "NTV invited me at first for a trial run with my former co-host, Lev Novozhyonov. They said the program would be called 'Strana Sovetov,' but I didn't know exactly what it would be about. So I came for a test. ... Afterward I left for Kiev, and the next day they called to say I had been chosen and to pack my bags and come to Moscow."
Recognizing that this was a real opportunity to advance her career, she decided to give the show a go. The first live broadcast of "Strana Sovetov," which translates roughly as "A Country of Advice," aired June 2, 2003.
Pysanka describes the program as practical in nature: a cross between a talk show and do-it-yourself guide.
"Strana Sovetov is a program that provides advice for all of life's situations, but more often practical advice. For example, how to repair things, how to clean silver, how to reuse worn-out things. If you have a run in your pantyhose, there is no need to despair. It is simple to fix. Just take some thread and beads and create a flower," she explained.
The show invites guests -- often well-known Russian celebrities -- to share their knowledge about such matters as how to decorate Easter eggs, master the basics of yoga or even how to act in difficult social situations.
Since it airs at midday, the show's viewers are mostly from Russia's nonworking population, including students, housewives and pensioners. Pysanka also has a large following of loyal male viewers.
"Our show is, of course, aimed at housewives, since we are on an hour or so before lunchtime. However, it turns out that many young people and men watch the show," Pysanka said.
"I also feel that it's incorrect to assume that housewives are people with primitive outlooks toward life, as there are a lot of housewives with two higher education degrees who just happen to be working from home and have the opportunity to watch television."
In December 2003, Pysanka's co-host, Novozhyonov, left the show to pursue his own project, and Pysanka took over his duties, presenting the show alone until NTV recently brought in famed Georgian musician Valery Meladze as her new co-host.
"Of course, when the job responsibilities are divided between two people, it's much easier. When you understand that all the responsibilities rest with you, it's harder," she said.
Born and raised in Kiev, where her family still resides, Pysanka's childhood dream was to become an actress.
"In childhood -- in the Soviet Union -- I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself and said, 'And now presenting People's Artist of the U.S.S.R., Ruslana Pysanka!' And I sang songs by Sophia Rotaru and dreamed of being an actress," Pysanka recalled.
"Then I understood that my physical appearance didn't lend well to becoming an actress. I felt that an actress must be a beauty -- slim and slender. But I was told that I had bright and lively facial expressions," said Pysanka, who decided to give acting a try anyway.
When she was 18 years old, Pysanka traveled to Moscow to audition at a theatrical school, but returned to Ukraine after her audition.
"One of the instructors said to me, 'Ruslana, we like you a lot, but you need to lose 20 kilograms in order to have a chance,'" Pysanka recalled. "She also said that I would never get any lead roles and would always have to play a mother, aunt or granny, which didn't really bother me," she said.
However, upon being told that it would be difficult to find male actors of significant stature to partner her, Pysanka returned to Kiev not the least bit disappointed or deterred and entered the Kiev Theatrical Institute's film and television directing department, where she found an outlet for her talents.
Graduating in 1994 as a television director, Pysanka first worked directing documentaries. Then, in 1996, she began work on "Pogoda" -- the weather show -- which was eventually bought up by Inter Channel.
In the little spare time she has, Pysanka can be found rehearsing for a play that will premiere in mid-June. Invited by a group of well-known actors, she finds it stress-relieving working with them on the project, which she is keeping secret.
"My favorite hobby is my car," said Pysanka, who loves to drive her BMW around town. She said the car's character is very much like her own.
In Ukraine, Pysanka even participated in car races and rallies, twice winning spots among the top three drivers.
She said that driving is an ideal way to let go of the negative energy that builds up during the demanding work on the set of "Strana Sovetov."
"When I am behind the wheel, I can rest. Everyone says the traffic jams are so awful, but for me it's the opposite. Driving calms me."
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