Late yesterday I blogged about the 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair survey which has radio “dominant” at 49%..
Deeper down in that survey was a question “Who would you most want to see with your daughter?” (Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, One Direction, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus).
In the college class I teach on Monday night we were having a lively discussion about the survey and then I got to that question. It effectively stopped the class.
THE PASSION that came out of the students. Everyone talking, talking over each other, ARGUING about how Tayolr Swift is boring and Miley Cyrus is slutty and Bieber needs to go back to Canada.
A full 15 minutes until I hooked it and took the break. Then after the break one of the students mentioned Taylor and it started up again.
Now be honest, what got you to click on this post? Was it because you are a fan of John McDermott and all his media insights? Was it your interest in Ukraine? Nope…the picture caught your eye and the headline was OK enough that you clicked.
That’s how you approach topics on the radio. Yes we’d all like to be our best selves. There are some really important ISSUES out there. The reality is that most people are busy and your job is to entertain them until they get to and from the salt mines.
I imagine the latest unemployment figures are important. I’m unemployed and I can’t even be bothered to hold a one minute conversation about them.
But the non-story of bringing your kids to see Taylor Swift of Miley Cyrus? That lit up the room. That will light up the phones.
Don’t overthink the topics. Now I’m not saying be boring and bland….but don’t overthink the topics. Sometimes they are as stupid as this one.