Interviewer Quote by Joseph Mitchell
““It is perhaps an ugly comment on the American press, but the function of the interviewer on most newspapers is to entertain, not to shed light. . . . An interviewer soon begins to judge public figures on the basis of their entertainment value, overlooking their true importance. It is not easy to get an interview with Professor Franz Boas, the greatest anthropologist in the world, across a city desk, but a mild interview with Oom the Omnipotent will hit the bottom of page one under a two-column head. . . . It is safe to write accurately only about the nuts and bums. When a public figure does something ridiculous reporters may then write about him accurately.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Interviewer” by Joseph Mitchell, 1940s
The media often prioritizes entertainment over substantive insight, reducing complex figures to trivial stories.
In simple terms: Press favors entertainment over depth.
Key Takeaway
Seek depth, not just spectacle.
Themes
media
journalism
entertainment
depth
public figures
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- news reporting
- academic interviews
- political coverage
- media criticism
Key Concepts
journalistic ethics
celebrity culture
information hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can journalists balance entertainment with informative depth?
- What responsibilities do audiences have in demanding substantive coverage?
A Different Perspective
Entertainment focus can obscure truth and reduce public discourse.
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