How often do we as hosts and producers think about getting the “biggest name” guest we can get our hands on in order to create that appointment listening with the audience in hopes of landing just one more quarter-hour?
We all do it. And it’s our job to do it.
But even when we land the “big fish”, how often do they live up to the hype? Not as often as we all would hope.
However, what if we started thinking about our supposed B-list or C-list guests as the stars they’re capable of being? Labeling guests based on their name recognition always seemed like a fool’s errand and I personally got a lesson in that last week.
Courtesy of the organization, FAIR, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, I was at their radio row event last week in Washington D.C. to discuss the most pressing issues surrounding illegal immigration and our southern border. Given the policies of the current administration, the timing could not have been more appropriate.
And while I worked hard to book some of the biggest names on the guest list, including many former officials who worked under President Trump, the best and most memorable conversations were with those who were unknown by the audience prior to the conversation beginning. I talked with border patrol agents who gave in-depth analysis and personal stories of what they’ve seen on the border. One mentioned how Native Americans, who own some land along the Arizona border, are working in tandem with the Mexican drug cartels on the issue of illegal immigration.
I talked with fourth-generation cattle ranchers who own land on the border that is home to a portion of former President Trump’s infamous border wall. They discussed seeing illegals walking across their property on a weekly basis and how some illegals have figured out ways through or around their wall.
Then there was the impromptu conversation with the fellow talk show host from San Antonio, who was booked at my radio table after my show wrapped up, and I popped him on for a few minutes since he had recently been to a portion of the border that hasn’t gotten as much attention as some of the hot spots covered in national media. Oh, and he’s a first-generation Mexican American immigrant so that just adds another twist to his story and mine.
As I wrapped up the radio row event, these were the kinds of conversations that stuck out in my head. These individuals were more transparent and not worried about misspeaking to possibly hurt any future political aspirations. They were real and raw.
And boy was it great talk radio.
There’s no doubt that the big names may bring in some P2’s or P3’s, and even if the content isn’t as outstanding as the name, it brings people to your radio station.
But for those of us looking to create great content every quarter-hour, treating every guest with that same attention, and then trying to help them deliver entertaining and informative content for the audience is what matters. Let’s put the same attention into these folks as we do our supposed “stars”. They’re far more likely to exceed their expectations and provide great content, anyway.
Pete Mundo is a weekly columnist for Barrett Media, and the morning show host and program director for KCMO in Kansas City. Previously, he was a fill-in host nationally on FOX News Radio and CBS Sports Radio, while anchoring for WFAN, WCBS News Radio 880, and Bloomberg Radio. Pete was also the sports and news director for Omni Media Group at K-1O1/Z-92 in Woodward, Oklahoma. He’s also the owner of the Big 12-focused digital media outlet Heartland College Sports. To interact, find him on Twitter @PeteMundo.
