Politeness Strategies for Interviewing Michelle Obama in The Ellen Show and The Late Late Show

Abstract

This study explores the politeness strategies employed by Ellen DeGeneres and James Corden in their interviews with Michelle Obama, utilizing Brown and Levinson's (1987) politeness theory as a guiding framework. The research explicitly compares their use of bald-on record, positive politeness, negative politeness, and off-record strategies. A qualitative case study methodology involved transcribing interviews from "The Ellen Show" and "The Late Late Show with James Corden." The data were systematically categorized into primary politeness strategies and their respective sub-strategies, allowing for a detailed comparison of each host's communicative approach. The analysis revealed similarities and differences in how Ellen and James employ these strategies. Ellen demonstrates a relatively balanced use of politeness strategies, with a slight preference for the Off-Record strategy. This balance indicates her ability to navigate interactions with a mix of directness and subtlety, reflecting her personable and engaging hosting style. In contrast, James predominantly relies on Bald-on Record strategies, which aligns with his more direct and energetic approach to hosting. Despite these differences, both hosts aim to maintain rapport with their high-profile guests, albeit through different communicative techniques. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of politeness strategies in media communication by highlighting how distinct hosting styles influence politeness in interviews. Additionally, it provides practical insights for media professionals and educators, suggesting effective strategies for managing politeness in high-profile interviews. The findings emphasize the importance of understanding cultural norms and individual hosting styles in shaping audience engagement and interaction.