Most of us consume a significant amount of entertainment content in our daily lives, either on social media or on our favorite streaming sites. We’re constantly interested in the lives of actors, singers, and entertainers — and in some cases, just as interested in the person conducting the interview.
Whether you’re watching an award show red carpet or concert interviews with your favorite performers, you can always identify what makes a good interviewer. At its most basic level, watching a good interview means you’re engaged enough to watch the full piece without changing the channel. When it’s an exceptional interview, you may even go back and watch the interviewer’s past stories because they themselves are talented enough to continue drawing you in.
So, what exactly makes a good pop culture interview? In this article, we’re going to explore exactly that.
The Interviewer Has Conducted Enough Research
When you’re watching an interview, there’s nothing more uncomfortable than watching someone ask their interview subject questions that are either unrelated or factually incorrect. This means they haven’t done the appropriate research and are coming to the interview unprepared.
As with any professional project, how prepared you are will determine the success of the task at hand. A good interviewer puts in the time and effort to learn about their subject and what they’re promoting so that they can ask insightful questions that will elicit an engaging response.
The Interviewer Creates a Welcoming Environment
Everyone can feel an awkward energy in the room, even if you’re just watching the interview from your phone or computer. Experienced interviewers know how to make artists and performers comfortable and put them at ease. It’s all about their demeanor and the energy they bring to the table. This means the questions they’re asking aren’t intrusive or inappropriate, and they seem genuinely invested in the interview. With this approach, you’re more likely to get more out of your subject and produce content that viewers will be excited to watch.
The Interviewer Has Conducted Enough Research
When you’re watching an interview, there’s nothing more uncomfortable than watching someone ask their interview subject questions that are either unrelated or factually incorrect. This means they haven’t done the appropriate research and are coming to the interview unprepared.
As with any professional project, how prepared you are will determine the success of the task at hand. A good interviewer puts in the time and effort to learn about their subject and what they’re promoting so that they can ask insightful questions that will elicit an engaging response.
The Interviewer Creates a Welcoming Environment
Everyone can feel an awkward energy in the room, even if you’re just watching the interview from your phone or computer. Experienced interviewers know how to make artists and performers comfortable and put them at ease. It’s all about their demeanor and the energy they bring to the table. This means the questions they’re asking aren’t intrusive or inappropriate, and they seem genuinely invested in the interview. With this approach, you’re more likely to get more out of your subject and produce content that viewers will be excited to watch.
The Interviewer Asks Open-Ended Questions
If an interview is based solely on yes or no questions, there’s no room left to tell a story of antidote that engages viewers. Open-ended questions are designed to give the subject the freedom to elaborate and to have a better rapport with the interviewer.
You’ll often see a seasoned interviewer ask a question and then leave a longer pause even after their subject has answered. This pause encourages them to expand on their answer, and gives off the impression that the interviewer is more invested in their answer than if they were to skip directly to the next question.
The Interviewer is Objective
The best pop culture interviews are the ones that come from an impartial place, because it gives the artist or performer the freedom to speak freely without feeling judged or as if there is an agenda. Objectivity should always be a part of an interviewer’s mindset, as a standard journalism practice and to help get the most out of their interview subject — and is ultimately more engaging for your audience.
