One of the keys to effective show prep is the ability to personalize generic content. Many shows don’t know how to turn interesting information from a survey or list into compelling entertainment. This is a good example of how to do that well from Free Beer And Hot Wings (Syndicated). Listen to this segment about What Makes You High Maintenance.
Here’s why it works:
- The list was just where the topic originated. They didn’t make it about the list.
- The show personalized the content by playing the Which Of Us game.
- It could have been even more effective if they had been required to accuse another member of the show of fitting that description rather than allowing it to be a self-analysis.
- Another option would be to ask listeners which cast member fits that description most.