Certain BlogTalkRadio host on right track?

[Maxirad]

A certain Facebook friend of mine hosts a certain BlogTalkRadio show. She mainly interviews actors known for roles on daytime soap operas. I’ve heard her ask two of her actor-guests about a certain national tragedy. Though the actor-guests were quite willing to respond, I can’t say I wasn’t bothered personally. I have told my host-friend privately that she should exercise caution when asking her guests about their thoughts on national tragedies since it may be too upsetting for guests to talk about such tragedies, and I also recommended that my host-friend privately ask her actor-guests if they would be willing to answer her questions about such tragedies before they actually appear on the show. The host-friend got upset, basically accusing me of bossing her around. She told me that she does ask guests beforehand, but she later said to me that there’s nothing wrong about asking her guests about a certain national tragedy since some of them have lived in a city affected by the said tragedy. She claims that all of the guests she has had would love to appear on her show again. Should I tell her anything more about the issue in question? Keep in mind that she has hosted her BlogTalkRadio show for over six years.

 

[bluerose]

And what, exactly, are your credentials for giving a 6-year veteran talk show host advice on how to do her job?

I have been interviewed by a BlogTalkRadio show host and she pretty much tells me what the focus of the interview is, a rough idea of what the questions will be, and asks if there are any points that I would like to cover. I’m sure I could tell her that I don’t want to discuss certain topics and she would honor that… however, it is HER show and by agreeing to appear on it, I am also agreeing to discuss whatever topics she cares to bring up.

That being said, it’s not your place to tell her how to do her job. If it bothers you so much, don’t listen. I’m sure her guests will tell her if she is out of line with her questioning.

 

[Maxirad]

Well, bluerose, you have to keep in mind that my Facebook friend’s BlogTalkRadio show is streamed live and allows listeners to call in. You should also keep in mind that daytime soap operas are basically light entertainments. Even though daytime soaps are drama-filled and can deal with social issues…

 

[bluerose]

I am keeping that in mind. I said I have been interviewed by a BlogTalkRadio host on a live show. I understood quite well that the host or listeners were free to ask questions… and I was free to answer them or politely decline.

Anyone, ANYONE, who makes a living from being in the public eye should be prepared to be asked “upsetting” questions and be able to respond to them with grace and professionalism. Any actor worth his or her salt shouldn’t have any problem with being interviewed live, especially one who makes a living on drama-filled shows. If they do, then they need to refrain from appearing on shows where their sensibilities might be offended.

In any event, it’s still not your place to tell your friend how to do her job. After six years of hosting a show, I’m pretty sure she knows what she’s doing.