Can you talk about?

[Locked]

The first five questions opened with that question to Doc Rivers after game four. Whatever happened to asking a real question?

 

[Write-brained]

Such as?

 

[Songbird]

"At what point in the first quarter did you start thinking about Game 5?"

 

[beardpuller]

I'll take a whack at that one.
You don't want to ask a question that gets a quick, dismissive answer.
"Can you talk about" is a polite way of saying, "hey, asshole, here comes my question, and don't answer 'yes,' 'no,' or 'we'll see.' "

 

[forever_town]

When did Doc Rivers become Erik Bedard?

 

[Write-brained]

I have no problem with opening up questioning with talk about. It allows the source to set up the scenario in his own words and explain his thoughts. I'll ask more pointed questions as the interview goes on.

I didn't see the presser, but I'm guessing you had four different people asking about four different situations or four tv guys who want a soundbyte.

Starting off with a pointed question - much like you did on this thread - can make it sound like you have an agenda. As you no doubt do. It's fine for a message board, but you can put the source on the defensive really quick.

 

[joe_schmoe]

How about:

What's your opinion of Kingman's performance?

 

[Write-brained]

How about:

What's your opinion of Kingman's performance?

But that's as softball a question as any. If it was a really good/really bad performance the answer is predictable.

Talk about is a scene setter.

 

[forever_town]

Starting off with a pointed question - much like you did on this thread - can make it sound like you have an agenda. As you no doubt do. It's fine for a message board, but you can put the source on the defensive really quick.

Imagine I'm a coach of a team that blew a 24-point lead and is currently down three games to one (hi Lakers!).

You ask me a pointed question for the very first question.

My response: "You saw the game. You tell me." Then I walk out and refuse to address the media at any subsequent game.

Bingo. You just lost any chance to get the coach of the losing team the rest of the series. Even if said coach is eventually forced by the commissioner's office to talk to the media, I may clam up when I see you.

Interviews are about building trust with a source. Even if you've seen them play over 100 games that count over the course of a season.

 

[RedSmithClone]

"CAN YOU TASTE IT?"

WTF?!?!?!

 

[Locked]

but the question was used in the first five questions.

 

[zebracoy]

I hate "Talk about the way your team played." I would much rather ask, "Would you talk a little bit about the way your team played?"

We're not commanding them. We're questioning them. At the very least, can we ask them a real question?

 

[Boobie Miles]

I hate "Talk about the way your team played." I would much rather ask, "Would you talk a little bit about the way your team played?"

We're not commanding them. We're questioning them. At the very least, can we ask them a real question?

Is there really a difference? Do you think the person you're asking (commanding) really takes note how you word it? I think it's almost a little subconscious thing we do and it gives the coach/player a feeling of freedom to talk, but really they are going to be talking about whatever we ask after we say "Can you talk about..."

 

[zebracoy]

I hate "Talk about the way your team played." I would much rather ask, "Would you talk a little bit about the way your team played?"

We're not commanding them. We're questioning them. At the very least, can we ask them a real question?

Is there really a difference? Do you think the person you're asking (commanding) really takes note how you word it? I think it's almost a little subconscious thing we do and it gives the coach/player a feeling of freedom to talk, but really they are going to be talking about whatever we ask after we say "Can you talk about..."

There is a difference. One is a question. The other is an order. At the very least, I'd like to be polite. I can't imagine someone in the L.A. locker room is going to want to talk to reporters at this time, given the chance, so the least we could do is be nice about it.

 

[Boobie Miles]

"Kobe, can you talk about what happened in the third quarter that turned things around?" How is that an order? You could eliminate the talk about, but like I said, I think it's just a subconscious thing that sometimes comes out as you're asking a question.

I can understand people having a problem with something like "Talk about the way the Celtics played." But if you just use the words "talk about" and ask a question, I think it's being a bit anal to get bothered by it.

 

[Some Guy]

A lot of people in the business have an immediate knee-jerk reaction to any question with the words "talk about" in it.

I don't.

What makes a question bad or not is usually what comes after the "talk about."

"Talk about the third quarter" is a bad question, because it's too vague.

But I don't have a problem with a "talk about" question, so long as it is specific enough to, you know, be answered specifically.

 

[StevieNicks]

How about:

What's your opinion of Kingman's performance?

But that's as softball a question as any. If it was a really good/really bad performance the answer is predictable.

Talk about is a scene setter.

When you fall off the pedestal you fall hard, my friend.

 

[Write-brained]

How about:

What's your opinion of Kingman's performance?

But that's as softball a question as any. If it was a really good/really bad performance the answer is predictable.

Talk about is a scene setter.

When you fall off the pedestal you fall hard, my friend.

Why don't you tell me how you feel.

 

[StevieNicks]

How about:

What's your opinion of Kingman's performance?

But that's as softball a question as any. If it was a really good/really bad performance the answer is predictable.

Talk about is a scene setter.

When you fall off the pedestal you fall hard, my friend.

Why don't you tell me how you feel.

I dunno. I just poured myself a drink. I'm trying to deal with the fact that Superman has his kryptonite ... kryptonite indeed.

 

[Write-brained]

How about:

What's your opinion of Kingman's performance?

But that's as softball a question as any. If it was a really good/really bad performance the answer is predictable.

Talk about is a scene setter.

When you fall off the pedestal you fall hard, my friend.

Why don't you tell me how you feel.

I dunno. I just poured myself a drink. I'm trying to deal with the fact that Superman has his kryptonite ... kryptonite indeed.

Oh well. I suppose I'll have to find another secret admirer with lower standards.