Media Training: The most important thing to remember

Tamron Hall

I just watched the video of the interchange with MSNBC host Tamron Hall and Washington Examiner writer Tim Carney, and it brought to mind the very first point that we make in media training:  You’re a GUEST on a show.  It’s not your show.  Don't try to commandeer the conversation.

I want to make one thing clear in my analysis… this ISN’T about politics.  In fact, this has nothing to do with what the intended conversation was about.  This is about appearing as a guest on a program, how you should act, and what might very well happen if you forget you are a guest.

Now there are some (but not many) media trainers who will tell you to try to hijack the conversation to make your points.  To me, that makes the guest look like he is evading the question and trying to subvert the conversation.

Angry Guest John Doe

And to me, it makes the guest look like a jerk.

Here’s what most media trainers will tell you:  Answer the question, then pivot to make your point.

It’s the respectful way of having a conversation.  “Well, Tamron, I think blah blah blah… but don’t you think that sometimes the media blows these kinds of things out of proportion?” would have been a much better way for Tim to have handled the question put to him.

As a radio host for over 20 years, I can understand the frustration that Tamron felt.  Her show tackles a lot of hot-button issues, and this kind of a situation is apt to happen from time to time.  I have been fortunate in that it has only happened to me a few times. It’s not only annoying, but it’s downright disrespectful as well.

So the next time you are asked to be on a radio or TV show, please remember YOU ARE A GUEST.  Which means that when you are asked a question, you answer it.  You don’t try to overtalk the host, or insult or demean them or their company.

But the most important thing to keep in mind is that the host is in control of the microphone.  So if you try to hijack the conversation, they may very well turn yours off. 

And that puts an end to any point you had hoped to make.