We’ve devoted enough space on this blog recently to the importance of a radio host identifying himself/herself frequently, out of respect for and for the comfort of the listener.
But tonight I was on the audience end of this equation, and it confirmed what I’ve been preaching (and preaching).
I went to a screening of THE DESCENDANTS, and afterward there was a Q&A session with the two screenwriters and the film’s director.
Oh, and there was a moderator. He introduced Writer #1. He introduced Writer #2. And then he introduced the director.
But he didn’t tell the audience who he was. Based on a couple of comments I overheard as I left the theater, I wasn’t the only one who found that annoying.
Why didn’t he introduce himself? It has to be one of three reasons:
- He figures he’s so important that everyone in the audience must know who he is. (If so, he’s mistaken.)
- He doesn’t know better.
- He does know better, but this time he forgot to introduce himself.
I’m guessing it was Reason #2.
He avoided the kinds of smug, “look what an insider I am” moderator questions that usually dampen such post-screening sessions. So it’s probably not Reason #1.
Anyone who does lots of public speaking knows even “good” speakers make mistakes, forget obvious points, etc. That can include forgetting introduce oneself to the audience. But that particular lapse is pretty rare, so I’m ruling out Reason #3.
But whatever the reason was, it made some audience members uncomfortable and detracted from their enjoyment of the discussion.
On the other hand, it’s an excellent film and I highly recommend it…
Spoiler Alert: Don’t watch the longer trailers for this film, because they give away an important plot point. You’ll enjoy the movie a lot more if you don’t know this particular twist is coming.
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Or was he un-important, hence why he didn’t introduce himself (Your here to find out more from the BIG NAME director and others who worked on the movie, not to find out info from just another moderator.. like.. -who- am I? Pfffft…)
Dan, I fill-in as a board-op/call screener/producer from time to time. It is a weekend shift full of guys who pay for their own airtime. On one of these shows, I contribute, a gardening show, but I’m there to keep things flowing…get into and out of breaks and tell the “star/host/gardening expert” who is on the line and toss out questions from time to time when the phones are slow.
I never introduce myself a) I’m too busy introducing the gardening expert, b) it seems odd saying “he’s him, I’m me and WE are here to answer your questions”, c) I’m really just an announcer (and you wouldn’t introduce the voice guy on the tape).
Should I be introduced?
@ Pottsy: Because you’re not playing the role of cost or of co-host, I agree that it would be awkward to introduce yourself.
But you are interacting with the host, live on-air. So it’s only natural for the audience to wonder who you are.
The solution is simply for the host to get into the habit of addressing you by name:
“Thanks, Pottsy.”
“Who do we have next, Pottsy?”
“Pottsy, do we have time for one more caller?”
Not in every sentence. But often enough so the listener gets the chance to understand who the heck the host is talking to and/or is talking to the host.
Dan,
Sometimes in the UK the presenter has so littel to say after another 30 minute music mix that I often don’t have any interest in finding out who he is (not his fault thought really, just another Suits decision)
RE Film Spoliers, I was once listening to a dvds review in the small hours and the reviewer cam to “Perfect Storm” – “of Course” he said ” We all know they all die at the end” Er actually, no I didn’t – until then. I’ve never understood why a review always includes plot details