Yeah whatever, babe
I'm going to be doing an interview with NPR's Weekend Edition about my Oscar piece. Should air Sunday morning. One thing that always bugs me about radio and TV interviews is the convention of the host saying, "thank you for joining us," and the guest replying either, "thank you for having me" or, "my pleasure." I mean, it's a waste of valuable airtime, and it's just so predictable. So here's my chance to shake things up. How should I reply when Sheilah Kast says, "thank you for joining us"?
Update: Thanks to cthomas in the comments I found this NPR ombud column.
Al Cedolite writes: My crotchety German grandparents taught me that the only proper response to "Thank you" is "You are welcome." But NPR's reporters and most of their interviewees respond to "Thank you" with yet another "Thank you." Doesn't anyone say "You are welcome" anymore?The "thank you" quadrille is something that irks a number of listeners. My sense is that it signifies a certain equality or equivalence between host and reporter. Often people who are appearing on the programs as experts or guests will respond with "You're welcome," indicating an acknowledgement of duty performed. There must be a scholarly monograph here somewhere...
Almost makes me want to "thank you," just for the pleasure of irking NPR listeners.
Update: Commenter Anno directs our attention to the most recent appearance of the meme -- and a particularly revealing one:
"More significantly, this industry gets one billion people around the world to sit and watch every year. Even those who hate the awards watch anyway, for, try as we might to believe it, anything that gets one billion people to pay attention cannot be shrugged off as inconsequential."
Comments
Silence.
Posted by: Merkin | February 24, 2005 1:05 PM
Say, "You're welcome." NPR's ombudman has been bombarded with people who hate it when "thank you" is replied to with "thank you."
Say "you're welcome" and you'll make at least some people happy.
Alternatively, you could shout, "Bitez-moi," in a Triumph the Insult Comic Dog accent.
Posted by: cthomas | February 24, 2005 1:07 PM
Say, "It was the least I could do." It doesn't sound outwardly rude, but it makes you think: What did that mean? Did he want to do more? Less? Is there some cause he's contributing to here? What is he, a big jerk?
Posted by: jason | February 24, 2005 1:25 PM
"You want to pick up the pace? I've only got a few minutes here."
Posted by: ugarte | February 24, 2005 2:07 PM
I don't know if you've seen this already, but at tnr.com there's a new (free) piece bandying about the billion number.
http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w050221&s=ventura022405
Posted by: Anno-nymous | February 24, 2005 2:59 PM
"Don't give me that crap."
Posted by: Jim Treacher | February 24, 2005 3:56 PM
What does "You are welcome" even mean? It's always seemed nonsensical to me. You are welcome to what? You are the host, why would I welcome you? It's also kind of arrogant, as if to say, "you should be thanking me because you're lucky to even have me in your presence." That's why people generally say thank you to let the host know that they feel it a privilege to be on the show.
And when she says "thank you for joining us," you should snort and say, "Hey, pimpin' ain't easy."
Posted by: Dashiell | February 24, 2005 3:57 PM
Oh yeah, a response. How about "Foshizzle"?
Posted by: Anno-nymous | February 24, 2005 4:36 PM
Possible reponses to "Thank you for joining us":
1) Say, "Why, are you coming apart?" and then laugh riotously for a full minute.
2) "I'm sorry, who are you exactly?"
3) "Thanks are good, but money is better."
Posted by: Francis | February 24, 2005 7:19 PM
Francis -- they're paying me $150. Maybe that's why everyone says 'thank you' back.
Posted by: radosh | February 24, 2005 8:11 PM
Take a very deep breath, and then howl like a wolf for three uninterrrupted minutes.
Posted by: Blitzer | February 24, 2005 9:35 PM
"Thank you for joining us."
Posted by: TG Gibbon | February 25, 2005 8:56 AM
I think Daniel is right: a super-unctuous, "NO, thank YOU" . . . and then watch the ombudsman column.
Posted by: cthomas | February 25, 2005 10:26 AM
In that case, I suggest "Thank you for paying me."
Posted by: Francis | February 25, 2005 11:35 AM