The Turnaround with Jesse Thorn

In this special, bonus episode of The Turnaround, Jesse speaks to the legendary Dick Cavett, whose eponymous The Dick Cavett Show debuted nearly fifty years ago. Throughout his storied career, Cavett distinguished himself as the consummate interviewer, and has played host to the most interesting and compelling figures of his era--Salvador Dali, Jimi Hendrix, Betty Davis, Groucho Marx, Angela Davis, Katharine Hepburn and more. Cavett shares what it was like to interview a murderer, how he responded to an expletive-laden piece of hate mail he received and the difficult challenge of maintaining a conversation on camera while dealing with myriad distractions off camera. Before Cavett launched his show, he received a call from Jack Paar, who gave him this piece of advice: “Don’t do interviews...make it a conversation.” On Friday, January 12th, The San Francisco Sketchfest will pay tribute to Dick Cavett at the Marine’s Memorial Theater. John Hodgman, Lance Bangs and Dave Hill will join Cavett on stage to commemorate his show’s 50th anniversary. Tickets are still available. Be sure to visit CBS Decades to watch The Dick Cavett Show. The Turnaround is a production of Maximum Fun in partnership with the Columbia Journalism Review. Visit their website to learn more about their "mission to encourage excellence in journalism in the service of a free society," and to read edited transcripts of our other Turnaround episodes. Hosted and created by Jesse Thorn Produced by Kara Hart and Nick Liao Jennifer Marmor produced the Dick Cavett episode Senior Producer: Laura Swisher Managing Director: Bikram Chatterji Music for The Turnaround provided by Mobius Van ChocStraw. Special thanks to Kyle Pope and his team at CJR, Darrel Frost, and Emilie Erskine.

On the last episode of The Turnaround, Jesse talks to his all-time interviewing hero Terry Gross! For more than 30 years Terry's hosted Fresh Air from WHYY Philadelphia, conducting some of the most insightful, fascinating conversations you'll likely ever hear. Being a radio interviewer came somewhat naturally to Terry. She tells Jesse she prefers the medium to television, where you're expected to look or dress a certain kind of way, and where you can't just disappear behind a microphone. She also talks about the nuts and bolts of how Fresh Air gets made, and why doing a recorded show allows her take risks that often make for wonderful, unexpected moments. They also talk about a not-so-wonderful moment: that infamous 2002 interview with Gene Simmons. 

In a revealing chat, filmmaker Werner Herzog, celebrated for his boundary-pushing documentaries, shares insights from his five-decade career. He talks about the philosophy of shaping narratives to provoke deeper truths rather than just observing. Herzog reflects on his film 'Little Dieter Needs to Fly' and the ethics of reenactment, emphasizing consent and understanding. He even recounts the dramatic moment he was shot during an interview, showcasing his unique approach to storytelling and honesty.

Ray Suarez, a veteran broadcast journalist with decades of experience, shares captivating insights into the art of interviewing. He reflects on his journey from local news to interviewing politicians, emphasizing the balance between ethics and storytelling, especially when speaking to grieving individuals. Suarez discusses techniques for engaging reluctant speakers and the importance of tailoring questions for non-professionals. His anecdotes include managing live interview pressure and the art of prompting for honest, unscripted moments, revealing the heart of meaningful journalism.

America's Sweetheart meets America's Radio Sweetheart! Katie Couric visits Jesse Thorn on today's episode of The Turnaround. Name a famous person, and she's probably talked with them at some point in her illustrious career as a host and reporter: everyone from prime ministers, to superstar athletes, to actresses. But her skill as an interviewer also extends to her conversations with everyday people, as seen in documentaries like Gender Revolution. Katie talks to Jesse about what it was like being a morning talk show host for years, including dealing with the insanely early call times. She also opens up about some tense interview experiences, like the time in 2008 when she interviewed then VP candidate Sarah Palin about her foreign policy credentials. Plus: she has a great tip on how to exit conversations at parties. 

Louis Theroux, a British documentarian renowned for exploring fringe subcultures, reveals his unique interviewing strategies. He shares how spending time with those who hold opposing beliefs helps foster understanding. Louis discusses the power of calmness in tense interviews and the significance of non-responses as revealing moments. He reflects on the ethical challenges he faces, including how to balance storytelling with the responsibility of representing his subjects, all while maintaining authenticity in his acclaimed films like My Scientology Movie.

Reggie Ossé, known as Combat Jack, is a former music-industry lawyer and host renowned for in-depth interviews with hip-hop artists. He shares how he stumbled into podcasting after burnout and emphasizes the importance of long conversations for artists to fully express their stories. Reggie highlights his unique interview style influenced by icons like Howard Stern while focusing on vulnerability and authenticity. He delves into the challenges of addressing sensitive topics and the impact of public comments, encouraging a deeper understanding of hip-hop beyond its surface.

Anna Sale, host of WNYC's Death, Sex & Money, dives deep into the art of intimate interviewing. She shares how her background in political reporting shapes her current style, emphasizing the importance of asking tough questions with sensitivity. Anna discusses the balance between preparing for famous guests and keeping the conversation spontaneous. She reveals techniques for moving beyond rehearsed responses and highlights the challenges of addressing sensitive topics while maintaining trust. Plus, hear how she balances her new role as a mother with her compelling work.

The one and only Jerry Springer visits The Turnaround this week! Whatever you think you know about his long-running daytime talk show Jerry Springer is probably correct, and Jerry would likely agree with you. But as he explains to Jesse, he believes his show has a valuable role to play in the lives of his guests -- especially by giving them a voice. Now in his 26th season as the show's host, Jerry wouldn't trade his job for anything, mostly because he gets some really great stories out of it. Also, he talks to Jesse about his unlikely path to a career in broadcasting, including serving a term as the mayor of Cincinnati in the 1970s.

Errol Morris, an Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, shares insights from his journey that began with interviewing mass murderers as a grad student. He reveals how Truman Capote influenced his career and discusses the invaluable interviewing tip he learned: to be quiet and listen. Errol also dives into the art of capturing identity through transcription and explains his fascination with eccentric subjects, reenactments, and why he continues to interview despite the emotional toll. His unique perspective on truth and storytelling is both thought-provoking and entertaining.