TALENT -Music Station Shows and Politics January 2012
by Randy Lane
This promises to be an engaging election year, and seldom has the voting population been more polarized. That is the essence of entertainment -- anytime there is natural division, conflict and contrast it?s a good springboard for sticky content. This election has crossed over from the political arena into the pop culture mainstream. Not only are celebrities more involved in the political process than ever by urging women to vote, expressing their views, etc., the candidates are appearing on entertainment shows not to mention that the stories and pictures are all over the entertainment websites, TV shows and magazines.
Part of a broadcaster?s responsibility is to help simplify and clarify what?s being talked about. Where do the candidates stand social security, the economy, creating jobs, taxes, gay marriage and other social issues of interest to your audience. Work to get at the issues more from the emotional angle rather than just the opinion angle.
This is not Rock the Vote?this concept is much more selfish. We?re not trying to get you to help the country ? this will help your show. This is relevant and entertaining stuff. So, how do music stations relate to it and not sound like a politically based talk show?
Here?s how to get your show on the bandwagon:
It can be as small as playing clips back of Jimmy Fallon, SNL, Jon Stewart, Leno, Letterman, Kimmel, Tosh and Conan making comments or doing bits about the race. News and information segments are the perfect place to discuss the debates, the polls, etc. by playing back sound bites followed by discussion from players on the show. It also works on many shows to include listener phone calls during those discussions as well. Like the late night entertainment shows it can be kept from sounding like a talk show by injecting humor.
Get on the phone, get in the malls, get in the street, get in the workplace -- talk to people. Get people on the air who can passionately articulate extreme positions for both sides to set off reaction. Interact with comedy and seriousness. Go to the emotional heart of issues with people who are affected by the economy and job loss, the wealthy one percent/Occupy Wall Street vs the middle class, the national debt, the government?s role in our lives, the grid locked Congress, no or poor insurance coverage, etc.
Try features like:
Middle School Debate Analysis
Find two precocious middle schoolers, one a democrat, one a republican to evaluate the debates, the political platforms, statements they make in the news, etc. and interact with them.
Unfair Edit Idea
Use the Jimmy Kimmel concept of editing excerpts together to make politicians say things they don?t mean.
Presidential Panel of Listeners
Rotate groups of 3 real people who are different ? democrat, green party, mother, student, worker, suburbanite, urbanite, blue collar, 3 different religions, etc. to come on and give their opinions.
Simplify an Issue a Day
Find an entertaining Political Pundit who could simplify the platforms for each candidate.
Presidential Impressions
Doing impressions of the candidates can still be funny with some creative writing and an over the top delivery.
Stalk an Independent
Find a few independents (people who you recruit on air of off) and check in with them every day to see if the latest debate, news or scandal has impacted their vote.
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