Blog #7 NPR Radio interview analysis

Jon Stewart: America’s Ruling King of Fake News

In this NPR Radio interview analysis Terry Gross interviewed Jon Stewart for about thirty minutes.

Gross new a lot of background information on Stewart that went all the way back to his childhood.

It was obvious that she had done her research and was knowledgeable about Stewart’s past.

She knew that Stewart was the funny guy in high school and had his Bar Mitzvah when he was thirteen.

She also knew his political background well.

Gross asked a variety of questions ranging from Stewart’s political point of views to his Jewish religion and childhood memories.

She asked him about his career and how he is able to work so hard and still go home and be a family man.

Gross explored the type of questions that seemed to be easily elaborated on so that there was no awkward pauses or moments that were not interesting.

To build up questions Gross would start by telling a short story or giving an example of an event that happened in the past and Stewart would elaborate on what she started to talk to about.

The interview seemed interesting like a conversation instead of question after question.

For follow up question Gross would say, “Tell us what this was like or one more thing.”

The main strategy of this interview seemed to just pick Stewart’s brain about certain political topics.

She would ask a bunch of sarcastic questions and asked questions from the audience as well.

           

Whenever there was an evasive answer or a sarcastic response Gross would make a statement or question to clear the air.

The relationship between the interviewer and the interviewee seemed to be a professional one with some sarcastic moments.

From this interview I learned that when interviewing someone you should keep it interesting and not just ask question after question.

I also learned that it is important to know detailed background information on your interviewee so that you ask the appropriate questions and keep the conversation informational.