Written for First Year University 'News Day'
Published in Southside News (Arts & Entertainment Section) - Issue 4, 2005, pg.28
Flattery Also Works Well
Published in Southside News (Arts & Entertainment Section) - Issue 4, 2005, pg.28
Flattery Also Works Well
Jonathan Coleman has one piece of advice for those who would interview celebrities: suck up to them. As a radio presenter for London radio station LBC 97.3 FM, Coleman has interviewed such big names as Hugh Grant, Robin Williams, Elton John and Renée Zellweger.
Coleman shared his secrets and experiences in an address to a National Radio conference in Sydney in October.
He said you must prepare for your guest, and always have the next question ready. You should listen carefully to their answers, and never try to be bigger than the star.
But most importantly, you must provide an enjoyable atmosphere for your “great talent”. Whether it involves flattery, pandering to their every whim, or simply ignoring their ruder moments, Coleman insists interviewers must keep the celebrity happy – be their “best friend” – if they want a productive discussion.
“Always promise to go to their show. Always say you love their work. Suck up – it works.”
He said that stars want an interviewer’s exclusive attention, and demanded treatment that goes above the conventional interview procedures.
“You almost have to fall in love with the person. You have to become completely obsessed with that person. They have to become the most important person in the room. That’s what makes them enjoy themselves, that’s what gives you the good interview.”
He said that well-known stars such as Kylie Minogue become media trained after too many interviews. The results of this were that “they’ll chat to you, but it becomes very hard to get anything out of them. My advice is to make them laugh, then at least you’ll get something real”.
And finally, if they offend you, do not take it personally.
Coleman shared his secrets and experiences in an address to a National Radio conference in Sydney in October.
He said you must prepare for your guest, and always have the next question ready. You should listen carefully to their answers, and never try to be bigger than the star.
But most importantly, you must provide an enjoyable atmosphere for your “great talent”. Whether it involves flattery, pandering to their every whim, or simply ignoring their ruder moments, Coleman insists interviewers must keep the celebrity happy – be their “best friend” – if they want a productive discussion.
“Always promise to go to their show. Always say you love their work. Suck up – it works.”
He said that stars want an interviewer’s exclusive attention, and demanded treatment that goes above the conventional interview procedures.
“You almost have to fall in love with the person. You have to become completely obsessed with that person. They have to become the most important person in the room. That’s what makes them enjoy themselves, that’s what gives you the good interview.”
He said that well-known stars such as Kylie Minogue become media trained after too many interviews. The results of this were that “they’ll chat to you, but it becomes very hard to get anything out of them. My advice is to make them laugh, then at least you’ll get something real”.
And finally, if they offend you, do not take it personally.
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