Quote:
Originally posted by Cowperson@Jun 25 2005, 08:46 AM
Morning talk show hosts are facile and heavily scripted, and too often they recite streams of perceived wisdom as if they were undeniable facts. Mr. Lauer showed grace but not much intellectual skill as he was out-debated by a Hollywood actor who described psychiatry as a pseudoscience and said vitamins and exercise could cure postpartum depression.
But Mr. Lauer was also lucky. Mr. Cruise provided exactly what talk show hosts are supposed to elicit from celebrity guests and so rarely do: sincerity.
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I think thats kinda Matt Lauer's style, and ever since i started watching that show in the mornings, ive been impressed with how he handles people. He gently prods and asks questions that elicit sincerity from celebrities, and then holds back and watches the celebrities talk their way through the interview. I think he realizes that he can't go on full out attack mode because then others would be hesitant to talk to him, but his style seems to always get more honest (and entertaining!) answers out of his guests. He doesnt kiss ass to celebrities, which is quite nice, but hed much rather let the guests talk themselves into saying something stupid than pull them into it. He doesnt hesitate to ask tough questions, which i often dont find with pop interviewers who usually just ask lamebrain kiss-ass questions that make the celebrity look great.