Who Are You Wearing?

favorite questions of lazy interviewers

Published on February 27, 2005 By Gene Nash In Movies & TV & Books

Everyone has something they fall back on when they don't know what to do or say. For the talentless and the newbie, that is often to just do what everyone else is doing.

There was a time when a celebrity (particularly musicians) could not be interviewed without being asked, "Who are your influences?" You couldn't watch an interview without hearing, "Who are your influences?" Celebrities even began coughing up the information unbidden. "Well, as you know my influences are...." "That comes from my being highly influenced by the great...."

I eventually decided that the interviewers were a) Lazy,

So uncreative and bad at their jobs they didn't know what else to ask, and c) So cliche driven that they subconsciously believed it "should be" asked and therefore had to be asked.

You still hear the occasional request for influences, but it has mainly subsided.

Unfortunately, it has a bastard step-child to take its place. The modern equivalent, coming soon to a red carpet near you, is "Who are you wearing?"

Without a doubt one of the stupidest questions ever has become a red carpet mantra for journalism wannabes everywhere.

I used to enjoy watching the pre-award show programs, seeing the stars arrive, hearing them interviewed. Not anymore! Now it's nothing but, "Who are you wearing?" "I have to ask -- Who are you wearing?"

It would make a great drinking game. Get a couple kegs, gather your friends around the Oscars, and every time someone says, "Who are you wearing?" down a shot. The kegs should be empty and everyone requiring medical attention within 8 minutes.

If I were producing one of these shows, I'd tell my people, "If I hear those words coming out of your mouth I will fire you on the spot on camera and instantly replace you with a random fan from the stands, you uncreative, talentless hack. Then I'll send a video copy to your mother."

It's time for this bad boy phrase to be retired. Considering the kickbacks celebrities get for wearing and mentioning certain designers, and the fact that the shows will play the game just to get the interview, it's unlikely to end anytime soon, though.

Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go call random celebrities and ask, "Who are you wearing?" Think I'll get in trouble?

Comments

greywar

on Feb 27, 2005

Personally I am wearing BDU's from the lowest bidder:)

Gene Nash

on Feb 28, 2005

from the lowest bidder

Never thought about that before... Could have gone without thinking about it...

Gene Nash

on Feb 28, 2005

Say, what do you suppose they ask at nudist awards?

Toblerone

on Mar 01, 2005

The "who are your influences" question is lazy interviewing but the "who are you wearing" is probably due to some deal between the networks and the fashion houses (or more likely the celebs are obliged to mention the designers name and the networks realise this). After all the celebs often get their clothes for free to get free publicity for the fashion houses so they'd have to mention there name. I seem to remember some celebs that weren't asked that God awful question just blurting out the designer's name.

However there are a number of lazy question that annoy me "Are you anything like the character you play?" is one of them.

"So you Anthony are there any similarities between you and Hannibal Lector?" *smacks forehead*

Gene Nash

on Mar 03, 2005

is probably due to some deal between the networks and the fashion houses (or more likely the celebs are obliged to mention the designers name and the networks realise this)

Yep, that's why I concluded "Considering the kickbacks celebrities get for wearing and mentioning certain designers, and the fact that the shows will play the game just to get the interview, it's unlikely to end anytime soon, though."

I've heard of celebrities being given houses when they wear a certain designer. Considering how many millions of dollars of world-wide publicity it's worth, though, what's a house?

Of course, the TV ruminating and magazine blurbs would come regardless of them being asked the question, so....

Either way, it's time for the obsession to end.

"So you Anthony are there any similarities between you and Hannibal Lector?" *smacks forehead*

Mmmmm, brains.

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