Media trainers often tell their clients to prepare simple three-part messages before going in front of a TV camera for media interviews. (I give the same advice.) In part, this is good advice for any media interview, whether it be TV, radio or print. But it is especially good advice of TV because there are so many nerve racking things that can go on at a TV station or television network to make you lose your concentration. And if you can’t concentrate, you can’t think clearly. Hence, dumb things can come out of your mouth when the camera starts rolling.
I was asked to be a guest expert on “Fox & Friends” on the Fox News Channel to critique President Bush’s body language during his 2005 meetings with French President Chirac. I’ve been in many a green room (a room not green where TV guests are put before they go on camera), so I knew to expect the unexpected.
I sat down in the green room and looked to my right and there next to me was Don King, who is a colorful character, a convicted murder, and one distracting dude. To my left, was the cover model for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition (she too, was distracting, though seemingly non-violent).
Next, I stand up to go get a cup of coffee down the hall. When I return, the green room is overflowing with champion boxers, publicists, photographers, and various hangers on. The 10′ x 10′ room was so full of people, I couldn’t get to my notes or research for the story I would be commenting on.
So what did I do?
Fortunately, I did all of my thinking in advance of ever walking into the TV studio. I was able to relax, sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of the TV network, secure in knowing that I already had many facts, opinions and insights prepared. I didn’t need a quiet place for last minute preparation, so I wasn’t disappointed when I didn’t get one.
Because if I had been counting on that final 10 minutes before air time to prepare my comments, there would have been only one reaction.
PANIC!
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