This November I'll be doing something I have never done before: "hosting" an interview, kind of talk-show style with a pretty large audience. This is exciting to me because it will be fun to be part of something kind of biggish, and also to be playing a supporting role (to the celebrity I'll be interviewing).
Now. The bulk of my preparation is going to be a lot like my preparation for teaching a graduate seminar. To wit:
1) find out all I can about the special guest. This will involve reading interviews and books the person has written, and it will even involve--yes--watching some game footage.
2) come up with some good questions that I'd like to hear this person respond to and that others might find interesting.
3) generate a thematic order for sets of questions so that we don't meander all over the place or misuse time, and so hopefully there is some kind of narrative arc or at least sensible segues.
Additionally, I will also do these things:
4) remember that this interview is not about me at all, but rather I am facilitating. (this, along with the preparation above, I'm hoping will help with nerves.)
5) try to find some interesting photographs or other visuals to direct questioning/audience eyes. My impression is that my interlocutor is a little on the humble side so this might be appreciated. And I will welcome them as cues.
6) start asking people who they admire as interviewers/hosts and why.
So maybe yall can help me with #6. Who is your favorite interviewer or host, and what qualities do you think make them do a good job?
