HOSTS OPINION COUNTS MOST WHEN PRODUCING TALK AND INTERVIEW PROGRAMS

In a survey of public radio talk and interview show producers conducted by the KMA Talk Radio Initiative, the working relationship between producers and hosts is best described as a delicate dance. Producers most often view the relationship as collaborative. But when push-comes-to-shove, the host is the “senior partner” and the producer is the “junior partner.”

Steve Martin conducted telephone interviews with seven talk show producers. Six of the producers worked on station-based programs and one produced a national talk and interview program. The interviews were conducted in December 2004.

Host ego is a major concern. Over 70% of the producers surveyed indicated that the ego of program’s host had considerable or some effect on the producer’s ability to do their jobs.

According to Martin, producers need to do more than develop topics, research and manage the programs. “Producers must also have great negotiating and people skills to work with program hosts. Most producers hold their hosts in high regard but tread lightly when providing criticism.”

The delicate relationship between producer and host is further complicated by defacto -- rather than deliberate -- designation of authority. Only one of the producers said their station had written guidelines for handling editorial decision making.

When asked how program editorial differences are worked out almost all of the producers said they first try to “work it out” with the host.

If a difference can’t be worked out within the show team:

- 43% of producers say the host has the final authority.
- 29% say the station’s PD is the final authority.
- NONE of the producers said they had the final authority.

The unique bond between talk show hosts and producers is often an arrangement of convenience. Both hosts and producers focus on the task at hand -- getting the program done and doing the best job possible.

Like a marriage, hosts and producers need to trust each other. Limited resources and time push hosts and producers to reach accommodations between themselves.

Producers need to make room for host’s ego rather than challenge the host. Some producers said they “...allow things to happen just to avoid conflict.” A couple of producers said that hosts need a solid ego. “That’s the reason people listen to [the host],” one producer said.

Producers sometimes find roundabout ways to offer criticism and make suggestions. One producer said ““I’m reluctant to suggest ideas. If I do, [the host] will want to do the opposite thing.”

The Talk Radio Initiative is a leadership effort by the Ken Mills Agency. Through consulting, research and resource sharing, the Initiative works to make talk and interview programming on public radio stations more successful.