POPULAR television host Sazzy Falak has been under the radar for the last seven years, but she is now taking centre stage on TV3's popular women's issues show Women Talk which is now in its 10-week fourth season.
Women Talk is Sazzy's "major comeback" on TV3, even though she played the role of co-host alongside Deborah Henry and Zoraya Vadillo during its third season screened over 13 weeks last April.
INVESTMENT BUSINESS
The 42-year-old mother of twin 12-year-old daughters, Lily and Tiara Nazril, has been focusing on her family as well as her investment business, which she co-owns with her husband, actor and entrepreneur Nazril Idrus of Tanda Putera and The Apprentice Asia fame.
Emceeing is also close to her heart, and Sazzy has been hosting various private events around the Klang Valley during her seven-year hiatus.
CHALLENGE AND PLEASURE
"Hosting Women Talk on my own now is a challenge, and a pleasure, as it is just the type of women's programme that I enjoy," said Sazzy at the launch of Women Talk's fourth season in Petaling Jaya recently.
Sazzy engages with guests from a wide spectrum of expertise including politics, finance, entrepreneurship, law, fashion, and of course entertainment in the talk show.
CAREER CHANGES
Sazzy especially enjoyed the first episode of Women Talk which was broadcast on TV3 at 5pm on Oct 28.
"Its main topic was the second wave of career changes, focusing on career changes among middle-aged women.
"The guest speakers, Zaireen Iskandar and Izra Izzuddin, were great and we discussed the reasons behind midlife career changes, from seeking greater fulfilment to pursuing a long-held passion and addressing evolving personal circumstances," said Sazzy.
EXEMPLARY MOTHER
Sazzy described the new season of Women Talk as "lighter and more heartfelt".
"Here I get to listen to my weekly guests' stories and be inspired. Every episode is different, and the topics are much more diverse than before," she said, adding that the episodes began filming on Oct 21.
Sazzy's favourite guest in the new season has turned out to be veteran actress Zarina Zainuddin, whom she describes as an "exemplary mother" of two special sons — Azil Raihan and Azal Raihan, both 27.
"I've known Zarina as a good drama actress, but my respect for her has grown tremendously after I got to know about Azil and Azal, her wonderful twin sons who wear their hearts on their sleeves," said Sazzy.
DISCUSS PLANS
Sazzy is honoured to work with her old friend, Women Talk producer Elaine Daly once again.
"We have been close friends for many years and share a common passion for women's issues. Elaine and I always discuss plans for future guests, and I always welcome her open-mindedness and willingness to accept new ideas," she said, adding that "many old friends" would be showing up as guests on Women Talk in the weeks to come.
OWN BRAND
The 10-episode Women Talk has Shahila Shah as chief producer and Daly and Said Thani as co-producers.
Daly said that having two hosts and two guests in the previous seasons meant that there was not enough time to go into detail on each topic.
"One host can do the job a lot better, and Sazzy with her vast experience is just the woman for the job," she said, adding that Sazzy had her own brand, spoke good Malay and English, and communicated well with all Malaysians.