The Talkshow

There are 2 main types of Talkshows.

• The "serious discussion" type programmes, which generally go out evenings (experts/politicians discussing weighty topics),
• The talkshows which take place during the day and are more "tabloid" (i.e. Superficial) in nature (celebrities discussing lighter themes)

Table of Contents Gossip-talk shows Characters Elements Subjects Speech, appearance of the guests Typical progression of events Turning points Serious talkshows Characters Elements Topics Language and demeanour of guests Typical procedure Turning points

Gossip-talk shows

Characters

• Relatives
• Youths
• The unemployed
• Surprise star guest
• (Celeb) Wannabes
• The cheat/womaniser
• The cheated
• The other woman/mistress
• Members of the great unwashed
• "Father who needs a paternity test"
• Bird of paradise - extreme looking e.g. numerous piercings, a tattooed face, extremely overweight etc.
• A sometimes sympathetic, sometimes shaking his head in despair.

Elements

• Host/Hostess
• Chairs, sofas on one side, audience on the other
• A sliding screen
• Camera crews
• Guests/Audience
• Expert guests (sometimes)
• Lie detector
• Choice of doors
• Wall with projected silhouette to ensure guests remain anonymous

Subjects

• Paternity tests
• Marriage proposals
• Unrequited love
• Internet love
• Disagreements, "Neighbours at war"
• Confessional, admitting guilt, double life
• Conflicting (and non-reconcilable) views on topics such as unemployment, adultery/sexual expression, children, etc.

Speech, appearance of the guests

• Chavvy (Google this)
• Screaming
• Mixed up expressions
• Dialects
• Nose-picking
• Crying, laughing
• Extremes of emotion
• Extreme views
• Provocation of other guests

Typical progression of events

• Send someone out, then ask all the remaining participants
• "Do you think you know why you are here?"
• Name a long list of women which have nothing to so with the issue at hand (I think it's because of Suzy, Annica, Catherine?)
• Give conflicting statements: "We are together/separated" – "No, we aren't!"
• "I told you, you didn't tell me"
• "XYZ still owes me money"
• Opening statement to present ones self "I am Joe Bloggs and I...."
• Comments, opinions and criticisms form the audience, asked for by the presenter
• Vocal taking of sides in the audience (agreement, dismissal, ostentatious unrealistic laughter, shaking of heads and so on…)
• Using text message to start/end a relationship…
• Internet lovers – meeting each other for the first time
• Somebody only appearing via telephone, someone who didn't dare come to the studio
• Staying behind, not in the studio
• Storming out of the show after an argument gets heated
• Everyone talks at once (only suitable for a short amount of time as it detracts)
• I can sing and want to show the world, wannabe singer
• I have a secret I want to confess (I really a man/woman, I lied to to you, I'm leading a double life, am a stripper…)
• I have contact to secret powers
• "Make a decision"

Turning points

• Reconciliation (offered, even if not meant or accepted)
• Bringing an surprise guest into the studio
• Results of a test (lie detector, paternity test…) are revealed
• Asking (or begging) for forgiveness

Serious talkshows

Characters

• Celebs
• Politicians
• Organisations-/Lobbyists
• Artists (actors, authors, singers, musicians, directors…)
• Experts
• Journalists
• Someone affected by the item of discussion
• Someone of noteworthy appearance and notoriety to liven things up (Nina Hagen, Klaus Kinski - UK equivalent would be Graham Norton, Jeremy Clarkson…)

Elements

• Presenter and/or interviewer
• Chairs, armchairs, sofas on one side, audience on the other
• Camera crews
• Guests/audience
• Decorations

Topics

• Current political themes
• Publishing or release of a book, cd film, a tour…
• Personal topics (illnesses, problems, dramatic experiences)
• Life story of the affected person, evaluation of their life, anecdotes involving them…
• Something explained by an expert

Language and demeanour of guests

• Politicians long-winded, say nothing meaningful, hot air, elude being pinned down and make for good discussions
• Experts serious, neutral, objective
• Organisations-/Lobbyists one-sided, also possibly long-winded, say nothing of meaning and full of hot air
• Artists make subtle references and adverts to their previous (last) work macht, talk about their work
• Sufferer / person affected cannot talk well, is not media savvy, stutters, gets muddled, appears unsure

Typical procedure

• Interruptions due to film clips, displays, photos, music…
• Interpreters for foreign guests
• Introductory talk from the presenter
• Closing words from the presenter
• Drinks get poured/drunk
• An interview takes place
• Controversy, disagreement and argument are generally polite and objective
• Members of the audience are asked for their opinion
• Loud objections/agreements from the audience on controversial subjects
• Presenter attempts to ensure (his own) objectivity
• Guest arrives too late during the show

Turning points

• Victims of verbal attacks leave the studio in a huff
• Those affected loose their self-control
• One of the participants steps out of their typical role (e.g. politician talks of his highly personal experiences)