3 HN users recommended this interview3 months2019–2023score 3.5
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
HN holds it up as a model of interview preparation, where thorough research on the guest impresses the interviewee.
Nardwuar interviews Pharrell and Shay of N.E.R.D. in Vancouver, using his trademark deep research and gifts. The extended version runs about ten minutes.
“This is one of the most impressive interviews I've ever experienced in my life” (HN, 2023)
Narduar is my favorite example of a master interviewer. Watch him leave Pharrell speechless multiple times (starting around the 5:15 mark is a good example). This guy does his homework better than anyone. [this video]
Master interviewer leaving Pharrell speechless through deep research.
There's a Canadian interviewer named "Nardwuar the Human Serviette" who mainly does interviews with rappers/musicians. Before each interview, he conducts the most in-depth research on them that anyone has ever conducted, mentioning people, places, early inspirations from their childhood and musical career, things that only a handful of people, the rappers' parents or only themselves could know - which often astounds, confuses or even frightens them. [link] [this video] I agree with the previous comments, Lex' guests are really great, maybe the above can serve as inspiration :)
Interviewer with extremely deep research on guests, as inspiration.
If you're into interviewers who go the extra mile to give the interviewee and the viewer a good experience, I also recommend a Canadian named John Ruskin, who also goes by the name Nardwuar the Human Serviette. He's a music geek (in the best way) who interviews musicians and gives them gifts as a way to spark discussion, and they're often blown away by the research he does into the gifts he gives and the questions he asks. Here's an example he did with Pharrell Williams from the group NERD [1]. Quote from Pharrell: "This is one of the most impressive interviews I've ever experienced in my life... your research is second-to-none." 1. [this video]
Pharrell impressed by Nardwuar's research and gifts.
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