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)

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)