b l o g o s

on hosting

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?

from the classified ads archives (circa 2002)

Announcing TRYOUTS for a new alternative rock band to be named ARCADE FIRE. Must be able to play 6-9 instruments including a healthy mix of wind, percussion, and strings. n.b.: "play" can include tossing and breaking, but only after you have established your sure range. Audition includes several rounds of instrument roulette. [Note: if you only play one instrument--e.g., violin--you had better tear that shit up.] We are looking for young people who are physically distinctive, especially from a distance, which means: a) great hair; b) a sharp jaw line; c) exquisite fashion sense (and preferably all of the above). Must be able to move nimbly around a crowded stage with a mess of cords and guitars and whatnot. Strong vocals required--how else will you be heard over all those goddamned instruments? Must generally appeal to the post-graduate crowd. Deep ambivalence toward the U.S. preferred. Between eight and twelve band members will be chosen. No recordings, please.