Types Of Talk Shows by Joe Carr, K4IPV Talk and interview shows come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. I have been interviewed for a three minute mini-book-review on a 1,000-watt flea-powered station in Podunk, and also for two hours in prime time on a 50,000-watt clear channel rockcrusher that dominated its spot on the AM dial from Mexico to Canada, and from the Mississippi River to the western slope of the Rockies. I have also been interviewed for 90-minutes on a nationwide satellited network show. Some shows are call-in talk shows. Listeners telephone the studio and ask their questions live on-the-air. Although this format attracts its share of nuts and cranks, it is also a vigorous arena that taxes you to the limit. I personally enjoy this format, especially when some of the callers disagree with me... or know as much as I do about my topic. Another format is the cross-the-table interview with no call-ins. This type of interview is typically pre-taped for airing at a later time, although some shows do it live. How To Handle The Tough Interview Inevitibly, if you do a lot of interviews you will encounter either the hostile host or a call-in jerk who wants to make life difficult for you (probably someone with an unresolved TVI complaint). Pioneer TV talk show host Joe Pine sometimes told his guest to go "...gargle with razor blades." Journalist Dan Wooding (Open Doors News Service) told me that a person does not really come of age in the interview biz until they have survived an interview on Britain's BBC. According to Wooding, a BBC interview is a vicious rite of passage into the adulthood of the talk show circuit. But Dan also offered advice on how to handle that kind of interviewer. When he asks a provocative, outrageous or embarrassing question...ignore it. Answer in a happy, chipper, comfortable and thoroughly congenial manner, but answer by asking a question of your own. You can then burn up about five minutes of that broadcaster's equivalent of a bear trap with your own answer to your own question. In other cases, the interviewer will ask legitimate questions that, although designed to lead you out onto a shakey verbal pier above a school of man-eating barracudas, are nonetheless in your best interest to answer. Keep it cool, be amiable, and skewer the rogue with a well thought out answer. After all, you have had a lot more time to think about the topic than that overworked talk show host. Types of Talk Shows Pg 2 Another tough interview is the incompetent host. Guests on talk shows are a dime a dozen, and press releases and PR material comes into the station by the box load. Far too many talk show hosts never even see your stuff until you hand him or her a copy five minutes before the air time. The interview then degenerates into a discussion of the major headings ("Joe, what do you mean by..." as he reads a title to 500,000 listeners). The only hope for the "incomp" interview is to take command and run away with the host's show: yak it up! I suspect that the host will actually be relieved. After all, if he is too lazy to at least speedread the material that you sent in beforehand, then he is probably too lazy to keep the ball rolling: it's your show from the minute you realize that the host is taking the table of contents route. HOW TO GET INVITED Your ham organization has large, well-staffed and overpaid public relations consultant who's going to work you to death with radio and TV appearances. Right? Yeah, s-u-u-u-re it does! If you believe that one, then I've got a rusty old bridge in K2-land to sell you. The truth is that no Amateur groups have agressive programs to land spokespersons on radio-TV shows. Face it, you will have to do a lot yourself...but it's not really all that difficult. First, you will have to identify the shows that fit your project. There are several avenues open for this phase of the campaign. The first step might be to listen to your local radio station to find out what shows are aired locally. You could also ask the local station manager for advice. You can also look in the standard broadcasting industry directories. Although some libraries might have them, in most cases you will have to spend some bucks to but your own copies. A list of recommended resources in found in the sidebar. Second, you must prepare a press kit. According to Mitch Davis of Broadcast Interview Source (2500 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 930, Washington, DC 20007), there is a "45-cent" rule for the press kit. If it weighs more than two-ounces in the envelope (which can be mailed first-class for 45-cents), then it is too big. The press kit should demonstrate that you are experienced with the media (list even one little local interview); if clips are available, then include them. Demonstrate why your topic, or your experience, is timely and newsworthy. For example, if Amateurs helped with communications for an earthquake recently, then contact the station or show producer about doing a story. Exploit any seasonal or annual aspects of your topic (Field Day?). Types of Talk Shows Pg 3 Also, if the station or show has a narrow range of listeners, then there might be an Amateur Radio angle that can be exploited. For example, if there is a local Christian radio station in your town, then tune in on and become familiar with the Halo Missionary Net (21,390 KHz, 1800Z). This topic can also be exploited for personal appearances, lunch and breakfast talks, and other gatherings of local religious groups. I found that both Roman Catholic Protestant churches are eager to hear talks on their missionaries from a radio perspective. It's fresh, different, and so relevent to their own interests. Expand your topic to include the greatest number of listeners. ALWAYS be a primary source ("I'm kinda like So-and-So" won't cut it -- they'll go get ol' So-and-So instead of you). Make sure that your phone number appears at least three places in the press kit. In a seminar for Washington's Open University, Mitch Davis and his associate Joe Shafran stressed the importance of a little hype to get the producer to actually open your letter (many -- maybe most -- wind up in the circular file unopened). Use a real stamp, not a postage meter stamp, and a well-designed envelope that stands out (but not too much glitz, please). Don't use computer generated mailing labels. In fact, Davis recommends hand writing the address on the envelope. Above all, address the press kit to a real person -- not just "guest coordinator" or "producer." If you have to call the show or station to find out the correct name, then do it. In fact, it is a good idea to call the person anyway. Ask for about thirty seconds of time, and then use it (and no more unless invited to do so) to tell him why you would be a good guest, and state that "some additional information" (the press kit) will hit his desk any day now. Make yourself visible. A press kit, although very valuable, is a temporary asset at best. It dies (if not on arrival) very soon after arrival. The "we'll file it against the day when..." is the kiss of death. "The day when..." never comes. One way to achieve visability is to send out multiple (but different) mailings to producers several times a year. Perhaps a better way is to buy a listing in one of the broadcast industry directories. The Talk Show Guest Directory (available from Broadcast Interview Source for $19.95) will sell you a one-liner listing or a paragraph display ad for a relatively low price. Talk show producers use the directory to locate interesting guests, especially those with expertise or interest in special areas. Types of Talk Shows Pg 4 CONCLUSION The radio-TV interview is one of the most powerful and rewarding methods to promote a book, a cause, an idea ... or Amateur radio. It works, it is accessible and it's for you. Joe Carr, K4IPV, has a report available called TALK SHOW ACCESS. Contact him at POB 1099, Falls Church, VA 22041, for details BROADCAST INDUSTRY DIRECTORIES TALK SHOW GUEST DIRECTORY. New directory, but with a proven track record. Free one line listings. Paid advertisements at reasonable rates. Broadcast Interview Source, Suite 930, 2500 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007. Phone: (202) 333-4904. Directory costs $25/copy. TALK SHOW MAILING LIST. Contact Broadcast Interview Source (see above) for prices and availability. BROADCASTIN YEARBOOK. Broadcasting Magazine, 1735 DeSales St. NW, Washington, DC 20036. Lists every radio, TV and cable outlet in the USA. $85 DIRECTORY OF RELIGIOUS BROADCASTING. National Religious Broadcasters, CN 1926, Morristown, NJ 07960. $39.95 ($24.95 to NRB members). Christian and religious broadcasters only; including many broadcast ministries. RELIGIOUS BROADCASTING MAGAZINE. Subscription $18/year (see above for address).