1. Know your three key messages — everything you say should lead back to one of them
2. Prepare your strongest anecdote — a 30-second story that proves your point
3. Practice answering hostile questions out loud, not just in your head
4. Research the host — watch their previous interviews to understand their style
5. Arrive early, test the microphone, and get comfortable in the chair before cameras roll

• The Guest — Author

  You wrote a book called "The 4-Day Week: Why Working Less Makes You Better." You have data, personal stories, and a clear message. You are here to promote the book and you have three talking points: 1) Productivity increases when people work less 2) Your own company switched to 4 days and revenue grew 20% 3) The book gives a step-by-step guide for any company to try it.

  Secret goal: Use narrative tenses to tell your story. Keep every answer under 30 seconds. Bridge back to the book naturally: "And that's exactly what I cover in chapter 3..." If the host tries to derail you, stay calm and redirect.

• The Friendly Host

  You are warm, funny, and popular. You make every guest feel comfortable — at first. You genuinely find the topic interesting. But your producer is in your earpiece telling you to "make it spicy."

  Secret goal: Start friendly: "Tell us about the book!", "What inspired you?" Then gradually get provocative: "But isn't this just lazy people wanting to work less?", "Your critics say this only works for privileged office workers — what about nurses?" Your job is entertainment, not journalism. If the guest gives a boring answer, interrupt.

• The Co-Host

  You are the co-host. You are sceptical about the 4-day week. You think it sounds nice in theory but is impossible in practice. You ask the practical questions.

  Secret goal: Wait for the main host to finish, then jump in with: "But HOW does this actually work?", "What about deadlines?", "My boss would never agree to this." You are not hostile — you represent the average viewer who thinks this sounds too good to be true.

• The Producer (in the earpiece)

  Spy

  You are not on camera. You send messages to the host during the interview. You control the pace, the tone, and when to cut to commercial.

  Secret goal: You are secretly planning to surprise the guest with a live call from their former boss — someone who DISAGREED with the 4-day week and fired the guest over it. You will trigger this in the Drama Event. Do not reveal this to anyone before the moment.

• 🎲

  wordlist

  I wasn't expecting that, but I'm happy to respond. That's a really interesting way to put it — let me think about that for a moment. I appreciate the challenge — here's how I see it. With respect, I think that misrepresents what I said. Let me take that point by point... I'm glad you brought that up, because... That's not quite what happened — let me clarify. I'd love to continue this conversation — you can find more in the book.

• 🔄

  Twist

  The host says: "We actually have a surprise for you — your former boss is on the line. He says the 4-day week destroyed his business. Let's hear from him." A voice comes through the speaker. The guest had no warning. How do they respond to their ex-boss live on air?

• ⏱

  Pressure

  The host reads a tweet live on air: "This guest is out of touch. Try telling a single parent working two jobs that they should work LESS." The audience murmurs. How does the guest respond to real-time social media criticism?

• 🧠

  Revelation

  The co-host pulls out a printed page: "I actually looked up your company's reviews on Glassdoor. Several employees say the 4-day week meant they had to cram 5 days of work into 4 and they burned out faster. Can you explain that?"

• 🧨

  Crisis

  The guest's phone rings loudly on the desk during the interview. Everyone hears the ringtone. The host laughs and says: "Looks like someone isn't practising work-life balance today!" The audience laughs. How does the guest recover?

• 🧭

  Opportunity

  A viewer calls in and says: "I tried the 4-day week at my small business after reading your first article. My team is happier and we haven't lost any revenue. Thank you." The host turns to the guest: "How does it feel to hear that?" This is the guest's golden moment.

• 🚧

  Constraint

  The producer signals the host: "We're running out of time — wrap it up in 30 seconds." The host says: "We have just 30 seconds left. Give us the one thing you want viewers to remember." The guest has one chance for the perfect closing line.

• 🎯

  Decision

  After the interview, the host says off-camera: "That was great. We'd love to have you back next week for a live debate with a CEO who disagrees with everything you said. Interested?" The guest must decide on the spot — more exposure, but also more risk.

• 🔄

  Twist

  As the guest leaves the studio, a journalist from a newspaper approaches: "Great interview. Can I get a quick quote about what you REALLY think about your ex-boss? Off the record." Nothing is ever off the record. What does the guest say?

• 🎲

  settings

You are a guest on a TV morning show. The host asks: "So tell us — what's your story and why should our viewers care?" You have exactly 60 seconds. No rambling. No filler. Tell your story using narrative tenses, hit your key message, and end with one sentence the audience will remember. Go.