Inane sports interviews and cliches - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Sleepyjack · 11-05-2003, 06:01 AM

Does anyone esle get quite frustrated when they have these post match interviews with players after a sporting events?

They ask an array of inane questions like:

how does it feel to win?

how did it feel kicking/getting the winning goal?

you must've been dissapointed with the loss?

will the win give you confidence for next week?

and so on. Does anyone see this? It's always the same. I am not too sure about other american sports, but we get quite a bit of this for AFL (australian rules football) and most other sports getting played atm.

Theres also the array of other cliches which get used so often that they should stop asking the same questions each week? Can't they think of something different to ask?

I also don't like how some of the interviewers think they're part of the team and sometimes try to rob players of the winning moment (like in a grand final or something) by not letting them enjoy it. There reactions on field speak much louder than any preconceived cliched answers or other implicit respones to inane questions.

just a bit of a rant i guess?

gov135 · 11-05-2003, 06:31 AM

Sleepyjack, I think reporters are pretty well versed in what questions provide them with quotable copy. Remember, they not only need the answers, but short, succinct ones from an athlete/coach that sum up the contest.

That said, I know what you mean. These questions may be okay for the casual fan, but those of us who wish for a little more information about certain places in the contest come up short.

I'm sure Australians don't get the benefit of seeing ESPNews, not would they want to, but this network does carry live press conferences after big events. And I love tuning in - the reporters in the press conferences tend to ask more in-depth questions. And you get to hear the athletes total answer, not read some snipped up quote the next day.

djtestudo · 11-05-2003, 08:04 AM

Watch the movie Bull Durham. There's a nice section where the catcher teaches the young pitcher what cliches to use in interviews.

mb99usa · 11-05-2003, 08:10 AM

It'a all about getting sound-bytes. They need to get something short and simple to play on TV or the radio.

dragon2fire · 11-05-2003, 11:57 AM

Some people like quick short answers i dont have time to listen to a long conversation

to be fair it does get a bit old

Spartak · 11-05-2003, 12:24 PM

Best cliche answer: "It was a game of two halves and Rugby [or any other applicable sport] was the winner on the day!".

absorbentishe · 11-05-2003, 02:45 PM

This not only applies to sports, but to any interview. Local news, etc.. they all do it, and it bugs the hell out of me. Makes me turn the channel.

11-05-2003, 06:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sleepyjack Fast'n'Bulbous Location: Australia, Perth	Inane sports interviews and cliches Does anyone esle get quite frustrated when they have these post match interviews with players after a sporting events? They ask an array of inane questions like: how does it feel to win? how did it feel kicking/getting the winning goal? you must've been dissapointed with the loss? will the win give you confidence for next week? and so on. Does anyone see this? It's always the same. I am not too sure about other american sports, but we get quite a bit of this for AFL (australian rules football) and most other sports getting played atm. Theres also the array of other cliches which get used so often that they should stop asking the same questions each week? Can't they think of something different to ask? I also don't like how some of the interviewers think they're part of the team and sometimes try to rob players of the winning moment (like in a grand final or something) by not letting them enjoy it. There reactions on field speak much louder than any preconceived cliched answers or other implicit respones to inane questions. just a bit of a rant i guess?

11-05-2003, 08:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
djtestudo Baltimoron Location: Beeeeeautiful Bel Air, MD	Watch the movie Bull Durham. There's a nice section where the catcher teaches the young pitcher what cliches to use in interviews. __________________ "Final thought: I just rented Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine. Frankly, it was the worst sports movie I've ever seen." --Peter Schmuck, The (Baltimore) Sun

11-05-2003, 08:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
mb99usa Keep on rolling. It only hurts for a little while. Location: wherever I am	It'a all about getting sound-bytes. They need to get something short and simple to play on TV or the radio. __________________ So, what's your point? It's not an attitude, it's a way of life.

11-05-2003, 12:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Spartak Bang bang Location: New Zealand	Best cliche answer: "It was a game of two halves and Rugby [or any other applicable sport] was the winner on the day!". __________________ I can read your mind... looking at you... I can read your mind...

11-05-2003, 06:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
gov135 Junkie Location: Midwest	Sleepyjack, I think reporters are pretty well versed in what questions provide them with quotable copy. Remember, they not only need the answers, but short, succinct ones from an athlete/coach that sum up the contest. That said, I know what you mean. These questions may be okay for the casual fan, but those of us who wish for a little more information about certain places in the contest come up short. I'm sure Australians don't get the benefit of seeing ESPNews, not would they want to, but this network does carry live press conferences after big events. And I love tuning in - the reporters in the press conferences tend to ask more in-depth questions. And you get to hear the athletes total answer, not read some snipped up quote the next day.

11-05-2003, 11:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
dragon2fire Junkie	Some people like quick short answers i dont have time to listen to a long conversation to be fair it does get a bit old

11-05-2003, 02:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
absorbentishe Boy am I horny today Location: T O L E D O, Toledo!!	This not only applies to sports, but to any interview. Local news, etc.. they all do it, and it bugs the hell out of me. Makes me turn the channel.