Word of the Day: Talent

Did you know that people interviewed on ONE News and 3 News are referred to as “talent” by reporters?  We were surprised and uncomfortable to hear it being used in this context.  Of course, we’ve heard it in relation to actors, hosts, reality show contestants etc before.

When Kate Lynch and Amanda Gillies clarified their recent stories to Throng, both used the curious word:

We weren’t the only ones to notice the use of the word.  

Vaughan Davis tweeted: “‘Talent?’ I’d never heard that term used for the subject of a news story before. Is it common?  Familiar from ad and programme production but hadn’t heard in a news context.”  

Wendypoo tweeted: “I was a little gobsmacked at that term too!  Yeah I wouldn’t have thought it would be used in news terms, doesn’t sound like a very creditible term”

What do you think about the use of the word “talent” in the context of a person being interviewed by a TV news crew?  

About the author

Co-founder of Throng. Favourite TV shows recently: Homeland, Revenge, House.
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  • AJ

    Sounds contrived.  What would a better term be?  Something like : contact or witness etc.?

  • Benjamin Paul

    “subject”

  • Tommy

    It’s a term that has been used in news and television for years.  I thought you would know that.

  • pixie1

    It’s almost creepy sounding.  I’ve never heard it being used for tv news before, just for tv ads, or reality shows or when talking about hosts for shows.  Are there any examples online of it being used overseas like this?  Was trying to find a tv industry definition for it.

  • kbl

    Learn something new every day!

  • noname

    Term used in TV for years as Tommy said. I think you have to distinguish between “Talent” and “talented”… they are two entirely different things…. don’t get confused.

  • regan

    I don’t think anyone would dispute the word being used in television for many years, but in a news context when referring to a witness?

  • craig

    Well, the evidence from two different reporters from two different channels is that it IS used in newsrooms.

  • regan

    Perhaps this is the best piece of sentiment:

    I agree it’s rather crass to refer to people as talent. Just as it would be crass for say an undertaker to refer to dead bodies as ‘units’ or ‘jobs’. That said, in his business planning he might refer it them as jobs, but he would say that publicly?

    and this:

    The term originated in marketing and advertising; not in news – and I think it is instructive that it made that transition. It
    crept into the broad news area when it was used by production staff to
    reference the tv frontperson; mainly the “newsreader” but then it
    morphed into a label for all on-air “performances” which now seems to
    include the interviewees as well as the interviewers.

  • Jimbo

    Wow. Clutch at straws much?

  • Tommy

    Linking to Whale Oil does little to strengthen the arguement.  Talent refers to anyone who you can get on camera.  It’s not a new term in news.  Your amazement of the use of the word suggests how little you know about the business.

  • regan

    Tommy, I think you’ve failed to understand the point of the question.  Is using the word “talent” the most appropriate way to publicly refer to someone who witnessed a crime?

  • regan

    To answer the actual question of this post, 

    Did you know that people interviewed on ONE News and 3 News are referred to as “talent” by reporters? 

    Work in the TV industry: Yes

    Don’t work in the TV industry: No

  • Stephen Press

    Back in the day news was staffed by camera and sound crew who rotated through all types of production. So it’s not surprising that the terms and jargon we used crossed with us. Calling the interviewee “talent” is very old school and while it might sound strange or dated now it was about treating the subject of the interview with respect.

    Today it’s not likely we would call the talent that to their face but it’s a term anyone working in the industry would recognise and use amongst ourselves.

    Nothing sinister or creepy. :)

  • Stephen Press

    I really don’t see what it has to do with the public what jargon we use behind the scenes as long as we do it with respect.
    And just to reiterate this is not just something that TVNZ and TV3 do, it’s a worldwide industry thing, I work for the BBC, ITN, ABC, CNN etc… and “the talent” is a term used by all… still if you find it creepy and old fashioned we could start calling you “meat puppets” if you’d like that better?

  • Smithy

    Nailed it Tommy.

  • Steve

    I’d like to know what industry experience (and qualifications) the people who run this site have, if any.

  • Henderson

    Steve – totally agree. Some of the observations on this site are just odd.

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