Phone-ins

Phone-ins tend to be thought of as a recent popular phenomenon. Although it is a technique more appropriate to radio, where hours of cheap programming can be obtained by asking listeners to ring in (often at their own expense) on all manner of subjects, phone-ins have a long history of exposure on television as well. (BBC Archives record a television phone-in for a Party Political Broadcast in July, 1954).

Series of phone-in programmes have been established, many a skilful mix of part studio-based, part telephone questioning. Politics, social and consumer affairs, and listeners’ letters are just a few of the topics which lend themselves readily to the treatment, and once you have been enrolled as a host, voluntarily or otherwise, you are likely to find yourself in charge of lengthy live programmes, frequently in the small hours.

Achieving balance

The simplest phone-ins are those which find you alone, fielding calls from the public on some stated topic. In others you will have to cope with a guest or two, a studio audience, and a succession of incoming calls. The skill here is to juggle all elements, keeping the programme flowing in the gaps between calls. Probably you will have help behind the scenes. Potential contributors speak first to a researcher/producer about the point they wish to raise. In this way repetition is avoided, a balance can be kept between arguments, and new or associated topics introduced. This is also an early warning against callers likely to let loose a stream of abuse or obscenities on the air. Some programmes have a built-in recording device which delays the question long enough for someone to intercept. Bona fide callers are asked to wait or are telephoned back when their turn comes.

Concentrate on the caller

Your role is to act as go-between, interposing when necessary to ensure the caller receives a proper answer. Some contributors become tongue-tied the moment they are invited to put their question, and you should come to the rescue, interpreting or clarifying as the need arises. The caller must not be allowed to seem foolish or be left uncertain about when to speak. Contributors’ names are probably fed to you through the earpiece, or on a television monitor out of sight of the viewing audience, but make a habit of writing down who each caller is, where he or she comes from, and the gist of the question. It might save embarrassment. Allow supplementaries and try not to cut people off abruptly. Thanking a caller politely for their contribution is a neat way of telling them their time has run out.