• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 04:44
CEST 10:44
KST 17:44
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
TL.net Map Contest #21: Voting10[ASL20] Ro4 Preview: Descent11Team TLMC #5: Winners Announced!3[ASL20] Ro8 Preview Pt2: Holding On9Maestros of the Game: Live Finals Preview (RO4)5
Community News
Chinese SC2 server to reopen; live all-star event in Hangzhou20Weekly Cups (Oct 13-19): Clem Goes for Four3BSL Team A vs Koreans - Sat-Sun 16:00 CET7Weekly Cups (Oct 6-12): Four star herO85.0.15 Patch Balance Hotfix (2025-10-8)81
StarCraft 2
General
Chinese SC2 server to reopen; live all-star event in Hangzhou The New Patch Killed Mech! RotterdaM "Serral is the GOAT, and it's not close" Weekly Cups (Oct 13-19): Clem Goes for Four 5.0.15 Patch Balance Hotfix (2025-10-8)
Tourneys
Merivale 8 Open - LAN - Stellar Fest Tenacious Turtle Tussle RSL Season 3 Qualifier Links and Dates $1,200 WardiTV October (Oct 21st-31st) SC2's Safe House 2 - October 18 & 19
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 496 Endless Infection Mutation # 495 Rest In Peace Mutation # 494 Unstable Environment Mutation # 493 Quick Killers
Brood War
General
OGN to release AI-upscaled StarLeague from Feb 24 BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Is there anyway to get a private coach? SnOw's Awful Building Placements vs barracks BW General Discussion
Tourneys
ASL final tickets help [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [ASL20] Semifinal B 300$ 3D!Community Brood War Super Cup #4
Strategy
Current Meta [I] TvP Marine Usage Roaring Currents ASL final BW - ajfirecracker Strategy & Training
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread Dawn of War IV ZeroSpace Megathread
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion LiquidDota to reintegrate into TL.net
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread SPIRED by.ASL Mafia {211640}
Community
General
Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine YouTube Thread US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread The Chess Thread
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Korean Music Discussion Anime Discussion Thread Series you have seen recently... [Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion!
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 MLB/Baseball 2023 Formula 1 Discussion NBA General Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
SC2 Client Relocalization [Change SC2 Language] Linksys AE2500 USB WIFI keeps disconnecting Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List Recent Gifted Posts
Blogs
The Benefits Of Limited Comm…
TrAiDoS
Sabrina was soooo lame on S…
Peanutsc
Our Last Hope in th…
KrillinFromwales
Certified Crazy
Hildegard
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1918 users

Interviewers Need to Get Out of the Way

Blogs > thedeadhaji
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
thedeadhaji *
Profile Blog Joined January 2006
39489 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-07-23 01:03:13
July 23 2013 01:02 GMT
#1
The best interviewers get the most out of their guests (more than if the guest were to give a monologue). They refrain from driving the show and instead let the show develop naturally from the guest's remarks.

The worst interviewers impose their own personalities onto the guest and the show and make a concerted effort to steer the direction of the show as they will. The guest is hampered from expressing the most interesting parts of his character and his arguments, as critical points are often diverted rather than expanded upon by the interviewer.

The first and most memorable encouter I had with the latter was in watching various MSNBC shows in the summer of 2005. The interviewer kept putting words into the guests mouths and asking questions where the desired answer was obvious. The show host insistently imposed her persona onto the direction of the show and stifled the guests. It was disgraceful and frustrating to watch.

I recently came across an even more elucidating example of this problem. . The first video is with a host who imposes his persona onto the guest. The latter is with a host who refrains from doing so and does a much better job at drawing insights from the guest. The guests are Richard Stallman and Steve Wozniak, respectively.





Pretty big difference (though admittedly the second interviewer is just plain "better" so maybe this isn't an entirely fair comparison, but the difference in viewing experience is dramatic).

(The only exception might be shows where it's understood that the strong personality of the host(s) is a vital part of the show's value to the viewers. ex: Pardon the Interruption on ESPN)


----

Crossposted from here


**
UniversalSnip
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
9871 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-07-23 01:16:12
July 23 2013 01:15 GMT
#2
what do you think of alec baldwin's style? (example: http://www.wnyc.org/shows/heresthething/2013/jun/10/ ). It strikes me as a counterexample. He steers pretty strongly but his interviews are very interesting, if you have any desire to listen to the subject in question.
"How fucking dare you defile the sanctity of DotA with your fucking casual plebian terminology? May the curse of Gaben and Volvo be upon you. le filthy casual."
Xxio
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
Canada5565 Posts
July 23 2013 01:36 GMT
#3
Haji is hot for the Russian woman, imo.
KTY
thedeadhaji *
Profile Blog Joined January 2006
39489 Posts
July 23 2013 02:32 GMT
#4
On July 23 2013 10:36 Xxio wrote:
Haji is hot for the Russian woman, imo.


will not deny that she is an attractive instance of the female specimen.
CecilSunkure
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States2829 Posts
July 23 2013 02:47 GMT
#5
On July 23 2013 10:36 Xxio wrote:
Haji is hot for the Russian woman, imo.

My suspicions align with yours!

Actually the first interviewer got on my nerves from just his introduction. I skipped ahead a little later and found the interviewer cutting off his guest... Stopped listening right there.
Daswollvieh
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
5553 Posts
July 23 2013 07:08 GMT
#6
Is it already time for the: What´s her name?
Danglars
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States12133 Posts
July 23 2013 07:11 GMT
#7
How about interviewers that inject comedy i.e. what's good and bad interviewers when they're injecting trolling a la Hot Bid?
Great armies come from happy zealots, and happy zealots come from California!
TL+ Member
thedeadhaji *
Profile Blog Joined January 2006
39489 Posts
July 23 2013 07:25 GMT
#8
On July 23 2013 16:11 Danglars wrote:
How about interviewers that inject comedy i.e. what's good and bad interviewers when they're injecting trolling a la Hot Bid?


I think that qualifies for the exception, since we as viewers are looking forward to Hotbid trolling.
thedeadhaji *
Profile Blog Joined January 2006
39489 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-07-23 07:27:46
July 23 2013 07:26 GMT
#9
On July 23 2013 16:08 Daswollvieh wrote:
Is it already time for the: What´s her name?


from the comments in the YT video, Abby Martin. Clearly this blog would be rated higher if the YT previews showed her instead of two middle aged, bearded, overweight, hairy (but brilliant) men!
Daswollvieh
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
5553 Posts
July 23 2013 07:58 GMT
#10
On July 23 2013 16:26 thedeadhaji wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 23 2013 16:08 Daswollvieh wrote:
Is it already time for the: What´s her name?


from the comments in the YT video, Abby Martin. Clearly this blog would be rated higher if the YT previews showed her instead of two middle aged, bearded, overweight, hairy (but brilliant) men!


I´m sure she is brilliant in her own way.

Enough derail. I find the OP valid and would add for SC2: I know, it´s easy as an interviewer to feel like the big cheese. You get the camera set-up, you ask the questions, you got the routine, but it´s not about you. Your job is not to outshine the interviewee, but to put a spotlight on him, in a way that gets the best interview. Stop making your interviewees look awkward! Make them comfortable! When you interview a 16 year old Korean kid, who never left his home town and is kinda shy, don´t be happy that you look good next to him, or make jokes he cannot understand, and please, don´t make them speak English, when they can´t in front of a huge crowd. Think about how to make them comfortable, because they matter, not you! Please.
Alabasern
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States4005 Posts
July 23 2013 08:24 GMT
#11
Thanks for posting something about Richard Stallman.
Support your esport!
Athos
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States2484 Posts
July 23 2013 11:18 GMT
#12
I saw that Richard Stalllman interview a while ago and was disgusted by how idiotic the interviewer was. He seemed incapable of listening to Stallman, and was almost making fun of his guest. Stalllman did a good job of not getting angry with the interviewer and confronting him.

I think that the most important aspect of an interview is that the host is listening to the interviewee and actively engaging in a meaningful conversation (which can be hard to do).
QuanticHawk
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States32083 Posts
July 23 2013 13:22 GMT
#13
ill take a look at the videos you posted later today, but definitely agree about what makes for a good interviewer and for exceptions to that rule. I think people like Jon Stewart and Colbert are other examples of that exception. those guys are entertainment first. that's generally when you want that type of active interviewer. news shows, even opinion, you want the person who gives questions meant to stimulate further discussion based on where the conversation is at that moment.
PROFESSIONAL GAMER - SEND ME OFFERS TO JOIN YOUR TEAM - USA USA USA
Chobra
Profile Joined June 2013
131 Posts
July 23 2013 16:08 GMT
#14
ill have to check out your example videos later, but I do agree with the most part. Good read.

I wanted to add food for thought, but then I wanted to get context before blabbing. Exactly which situations moved you to make this post? interviews AT esports events by the organizer? esports interviewers that visit live events/players? interview podcasts? interviewers in general regardless or games/esports?

I'd like to know before I add to the discussion!
3FFA
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States3931 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-07-23 16:46:45
July 23 2013 16:34 GMT
#15
The interviewer in the Richard Stallman interview wasn't even really listening to what he had to say. He also was just waiting for his own time to speak, always waiting for his chance to put his original spin on it, the same spin that Richard Stallman had already declared as a false view.

Really smart people being interviewed in both cases. Really gave a slightly different perspective, while echoing my own in many senses.
"As long as it comes from a pure place and from a honest place, you know, you can write whatever you want."
esReveR
Profile Joined February 2010
United States567 Posts
July 23 2013 17:20 GMT
#16
On July 23 2013 22:22 QuanticHawk wrote:
ill take a look at the videos you posted later today, but definitely agree about what makes for a good interviewer and for exceptions to that rule. I think people like Jon Stewart and Colbert are other examples of that exception. those guys are entertainment first. that's generally when you want that type of active interviewer. news shows, even opinion, you want the person who gives questions meant to stimulate further discussion based on where the conversation is at that moment.


This is exactly what I was thinking as I was perusing the comments. I consider Jon Stewart a quality interviewer, and he does steer the conversation in most interviews; however, I think most of that is due to time constraints. But, what really makes him great (as someone pointed out above), is that he is actually just having a conversation with the interviewee. You can tell he is actually listening to the interviewee, and he asks intelligent questions back. It gives the interview a more complete feel.

I'm not clear on the OP's intent. Was it simply to say people on TV/radio need to get their act together, or were you eluding to (without saying it) interviews at tournament main stages? You know, the awkward ones (not Hot_Bid) that are painful to watch and get the stream muted temporarily. You know, all of them... I don't know who's more to blame, the players for their answers or the interviewers with their aloofness. It's certainly fixable, but it's been going on for so long with little improvement. I wish I knew how they could fix it so I could suggest something actually helpful. =(
Skill is relative.
Jerubaal
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
United States7684 Posts
July 23 2013 17:48 GMT
#17
Interviewers need to get out of the way. Except for Smix.
I'm not stupid, a marauder just shot my brain.
sharkeyanti
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States1273 Posts
July 23 2013 20:50 GMT
#18
Terry Gross is still the master, and George Strombolopolous is no slouch either.
Hi Mom
Toboe
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States276 Posts
July 23 2013 22:45 GMT
#19
I hadn't seen these interviews before, but they were really interesting watch. I must admit I was very aggravated by the comportment of Stallman's interviewer. What distracted me the most was how the interviewer's tone was almost the opposite of Stallman's.

In an unrelated note, Stallman said during his interview, "It's a mistake to use the word 'hacker' to mean breaking computer security. I call that cracking, and the people who do it are crackers." My immediate thought was "wow that's racist"
Immortals are your friend, you can tell by the way they waddle at you
StarStruck
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
25339 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-07-24 00:59:08
July 24 2013 00:25 GMT
#20
On July 24 2013 01:08 Chobra wrote:
ill have to check out your example videos later, but I do agree with the most part. Good read.

I wanted to add food for thought, but then I wanted to get context before blabbing. Exactly which situations moved you to make this post? interviews AT esports events by the organizer? esports interviewers that visit live events/players? interview podcasts? interviewers in general regardless or games/esports?

I'd like to know before I add to the discussion!


There are very few guys in the industry who know what they are doing; after all, most of them are just amateurs. Heck, it used to be a lot worse in the Brood War days (websites would always follow the same template when it came to the foreigners anyway). Same thing applies to all the wannabe journalists. I hate generalizing. >_< Look it's not all bad. There are a few guys who do a bang up job and you got to have your own style. Follow up questions are the basic fundamentals. I would try to avoid the same questions as much as possible. If your working an angle to get a good story (like pre-game/post game interviews go for it, but try to switch up the questions to get rid of the redundancy). I'll speak for myself, I've seen plenty of podcasts (for example JP's real talk) where they have a generic template for setting up the interview. Nothing wrong with having bullet points, but try to make sure there's a natural flow to the conversation. Keep it fresh. I'd say I see it everywhere. It's not so much of a problem for you Chobra so I wouldn't be too concerned. I've seen your LoL stuff on OGN and you did an exceptional job at the WCS Finals.
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 2h 16m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
OGKoka 143
StarCraft: Brood War
Shuttle 2282
Leta 241
Mind 70
Shinee 30
Sharp 26
Nal_rA 22
Dota 2
XcaliburYe115
ODPixel42
League of Legends
JimRising 626
Counter-Strike
olofmeister824
allub1
Other Games
ceh9516
crisheroes243
Tasteless180
NeuroSwarm82
Trikslyr20
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick532
Counter-Strike
PGL223
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 15
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• LUISG 43
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV122
League of Legends
• Jankos1454
• Lourlo739
• HappyZerGling117
Upcoming Events
WardiTV Invitational
2h 16m
Online Event
7h 16m
RSL Revival
17h 16m
RSL Revival
1d 1h
WardiTV Invitational
1d 2h
OSC
1d 6h
SKillous vs goblin
Spirit vs GgMaChine
ByuN vs MaxPax
Afreeca Starleague
1d 23h
Snow vs Soma
Sparkling Tuna Cup
2 days
WardiTV Invitational
2 days
CrankTV Team League
2 days
[ Show More ]
RSL Revival
2 days
Wardi Open
3 days
CrankTV Team League
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
WardiTV Invitational
4 days
CrankTV Team League
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
CrankTV Team League
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
The PondCast
6 days
CrankTV Team League
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Acropolis #4 - TS2
WardiTV TLMC #15
HCC Europe

Ongoing

BSL 21 Points
ASL Season 20
CSL 2025 AUTUMN (S18)
C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
EC S1
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025

Upcoming

SC4ALL: Brood War
BSL Season 21
BSL 21 Team A
BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
RSL Offline Finals
RSL Revival: Season 3
Stellar Fest
SC4ALL: StarCraft II
CranK Gathers Season 2: SC II Pro Teams
eXTREMESLAND 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
SL Budapest Major 2025
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.