Week 7 - Features of a Genre

Hamish and Andy Podcast

Ames (2016 p.1.) states that the seemingly trivial talk that takes place during chat-based programming is actually "important talk that helps to construct a sense of community among listeners". An excellent example of this is the drive home radio show "Hamish and Andy". The show's two presenters Hamish Blake and Andy Lee have created an extremely popular radio show that resonates with their community of dedicated listeners.

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The three main features of chat-based programming according to Tolson (1991), is that it is oriented towards personal, it features wit and humour and the risk of transgression underlies the talk. Throughout the 'Hamish and Andy' radio show, humour and wit feature heavily. During this podcast which covers a segment of the show called 'Noticed at Work' the duo show expertly move the show along using humour and laughter throughout their own conversations as well as during listener interactions.

This show is also an excellent example of the way in which chat-based programming is oriented towards personal. Throughout the segment the two hosts use personal anecdotes both for humour and to create a close relationship with listeners. The whole show appears very conversational and unscripted and this allows the hosts to reinforce the sense of community they are trying to develop with their listeners.

The 'Hamish and Andy' show also risks transgression regularly by prompting laughter from listeners and each other throughout the show. As Ames (2016 p.1.) states "all talk in this format of programming is for an overhearing audience, so even if it’s conversational, it’s still ‘performed’". The Hamish and Andy radio show shows that as a host in this format, you need to be able to make the listener unaware of any performance which is happening and make your interactions seem natural and unplanned. It also shows the importance of creating a successful dynamic with a co-host.

References

Ames K 2016, COMM12033 Lesson 7 Genres of Speech - Media, CQUniversity

Hamish and Andy, Tuesday 26th April 2016, http://www.hamishandandy.com/listen/3/

Tolson, A 1991, ‘Televised chat and the synthetic personality’, in Broadcast Talk, ed P. Scannell, Sage Publications, London, pp. 178–200.