Talk Show Journalism

Talk shows, as one of the most traditional and simple radio and TV formats, continue to be popular, not only because of their very simple formula, but because of their ability to spectacularize conversation. By focusing on issues or topics regarding political or social matters, as well as pertaining to the guests' private domain, talk shows need to come across as spontaneous. At the same time, since home audiences have to be involved in a conversation that is not specifically addressed to them, they somehow become “ratified bystanders.” In order to represent the main interactional mechanisms studied in research and theory of sociology of communication and journalism, this entry addresses different types of talk, with particular attention to television formats. The central role of the talk show host, divided into different and complementary functions, is a key to read some of the changes in the role of journalists.