Why is it that major business and political business leaders often insist on doing recorded TV interviews instead of live interviews? Because they think this gives them more “control.”
Of course, I am all in favor of trying to control the outcome of a media interview. But the second you consent to a recorded interview that is going to be edited, you lose a tremendous amount of control unless the people who are doing the editing are on your payroll.
This is a classic case of what “feels” safe is the exact opposite of what actually is safe. (not unlike SUV drivers who “feel” their bigger cars protect them more, even though the statistics show they are much, much more likely to die in a car accident due to the weight and lack of maneuverability of the SUV)
The safest media environment for anyone to ever be in is a live TV or radio show because you can repeat your message and control the context for your answers. So why do people want to do taped interviews? One TV anchor/reporter recently confided this to me:
“TJ, big time CEOs and corporate honchos demand on us doing recorded interviews with them. They think that if they make a mistake they can demand that the interview be changed by complaining to us after the interview is over. The reality is that we never change a guest’s sound bite just because they don’t like it.”
The recorded interview creates the illusion of safety, especially if you are on a controversial program like 60 Minutes. You might be interviewed for 12 hours and make one 8 second slip. And that 8 second slip is all that airs.
I don’t belief that anyone should turn down an opportunity to do an edited, recorded interview. But I do believe that given a choice between a live or a recorded interview, the wise thing is always to choose the live format. And I urge people to NEVER demand a recorded interview—it does not help the interview subject.
~ TJ Walker
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