Why David Letterman is an excellent interviewer

Yes, the video below is hilarious because Paris Hilton once again looks like an idiot. But as a journalist I was struck by Letterman’s interview skills. Listen to Hilton’s responses. They’re all one-word “yes/no” answers. It wouldn’t surprise me if most journalists absolutely hate interviewing her. Watching that youtube segment makes me cringe when I think of all the interviews I’ve conducted with empty-headed people who have absolutely nothing to say.

But Letterman just runs with it. Each yes/no answer is met with a rapid-fire follow-up question. It goes so smoothly that it almost seems rehearsed.

Youtube video embedded below:

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