How to Become a Talk-Show Host

Oprah and Letterman, Howard Stern and Rush Limbaugh. What talkshow
hosts have in common is marrying the gift of gab with the ability
to glean juicy details from their guests. To get your own show, you can
rise through the ranks of broadcasting or enter as an expert in your
field. Either way, you need a double dose of confidence and a perpetually
quick response.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Get a college degree in journalism and/or communications with coursework in public speaking and drama. See 149 Decide Which College Is Right for You.

2. Attend a private broadcasting school. Before you enroll, ask a variety of broadcasting professionals about the school's reputation. Or apprentice in a training program at a radio or TV station.

3. Work at a campus radio or TV station, or intern at a commercial station to gain experience and develop contacts. See 161 Set Up an Internship.

4. Produce a demo tape to distribute to program directors. Film or record a live performance to showcase your on-air experience and ability to interact confidently with guests.

5. Start out in radio--you have a better chance of getting on the air than you do in TV. Even there, your first job probably will be operating equipment or working as an production assistant, not hosting a show. You'll work behind the scenes--taping interviews, meeting guests' needs and running out for coffee.

6. Expect to begin as an assistant, a researcher or a camera operator if you start out in TV. With luck, you'll move up to an on-air position. Start in a small market to gain experience. You'll do everything from production to fund-raising--and hopefully some broadcasting work.

7. Get some years of experience under your belt and move to a bigger market, where you'll earn more prestige and more money. Your goal may be to work at a radio or TV station in a thriving metropolitan area, but you need a proven track record first.

8. Get on the air first as a guest if you're a specialist in a field such as psychology and want to become a talk-show host. People will fall in love with your wit and wisdom, and you'll go from there. At least, that's how it worked for Dr. Phil and Dr. Ruth.

9. Cultivate mental and verbal flexibility and the ability to ad-lib. You never know who's going to say what on a talk show, and you have to be ready with the right response.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't worry about having the perfect voice for broadcasting. Years ago, it was important because a lot of sound was lost in transmission. With the quality of today's broadcasting equipment, you don't need such a strong voice.
• Get ready for odd hours. Even experienced talk-show hosts often work on earlymorning or late-night shows.
• Focus on radio if your voice scores more points than your face does.
• Start purging the seven "forbidden words" from your vocabulary.

[jumbojimbo]

on 12/13/2009 Angie,

What topics you most feel strong about??

Thanks.

Jim B.

[Angiediva]

on 11/8/2008 If there is anyone professional who wouldnt mind helping me wuth advice in starting my own talk show host please call me. My name is Angie.[phone]

[Angiediva]

on 11/8/2008 Hi my name is Angie and Im a 29 year old female from StlLouis MO. I aminterested in becoming an talk show host. Can you give me ideas on how to get my feet wet? Thank you.

[StoryTip]

on 1/21/2008 I can show you how to actually become a talk show host by doing a one-hour per week call in program. Eme at [e-mail] for more info. All topics considered.

[abigfro]

on 1/9/2008 I would love to become a talk show host because I think that I have an amazing consistant life story to tell. I also believe that because of my incredible life story, I can connect with many different people on many different levels. My idea for a talk show is as follows :
The name of the talk show would be "REAL EVERYTHING 101".I would start out each show by saying to my audience : Some of you will like what you hear, Some of you will hate to hear,Some of you will connect, Some of you will laugh,Some of you will cry, Some of you will applaud. All of you will know someone or be that someone that is just like me. This is my life exposed and I am sharing it with you each and every day. This is "Real Everything 101". Topics that are very controversial have happened at some part of my life. I would bring guests who have had the same experiences.