The End-of-Interview TV Pause Must Die

[Z_I_Peevey]

For the love of all that is good and holy, TV interviewers, please stop the maddening practice of thanking any person who has just been quizzed via any type of remote hookup, then waiting...and waiting...and waiting...for the TV amateur to figure out he or she is supposed to reply.

You ask your (often inane) questions. The person replies. The interview is clearly over. You thank the person. Then comes the excruciating two-to-seven second pause wherein the interviewee can't tell whether he's supposed to say something or not. The TV time wasted on this passive-agressive Manners Standoff could be better used in any number of ways: segments of how to groom a ferret, man-on-the-street features, even (dare I say it?) real reporting.

Just say "thank you" and cut to another shot, interviewers. Stop waiting for the awkward "You're welcome," or "No, no, thank YOU, Big-Time TV Person," or even "No problemo, Chief." Just have mercy on your viewers and end the damned interview.

I feel much better for having vented about this. There was an interview on the CBS Early Show today that almost sent me over the edge of sanity.

Thank you.