Should You Transcribe Compliments Given During Interviews?

Advice for a reader.

A reader sent in a question, seeking advice. I do not have an advice column.

A question for you, Kelly —

When I first started trying to be a journalist one million years ago, anytime I did an interview I would include it when the person said, “That’s a good question.” Partly, because I felt it reflected a bond between me and the completely forgotten indie rock band Gauntlet Hair over the surprise we both felt that I had asked something smart. But mostly I thought it would trick my editor. Well, if Gauntlet Hair, the currently very cool and relevant indie rock band, thinks this guy is smart, MAYBE HE IS, the editor would think, fooled. Eventually after I started getting paid in more than just bylines, I realized it was a gauche move and vowed to never do it again and to privately make fun of anyone who did, like I never did it too, even once. Now the question part of the question, Kelly. As my self-proclaimed best friend and former employee of the only place ever to tell the truth on the internet, is it ever “OK” to keep the interviewee’s acknowledgement of me being smart and/or funny in the edit? For example, let’s say I am interviewing a Keegan-Michael Key and we are talking about sketch comedy (stay awake, the question is almost over), and I say something that causes him to say, “That’s a great way of putting it. I never thought of it that way.” Isn’t it maybe elucidating that he never thought of it that way? And that is the question.

— Jesse David Fox

Jesse —

I’m so glad you wrote in to ask me this question, even though you wrote it very long and I do not have an advice column. I’ve always wanted to talk to you about this. No. Please never transcribe compliments given to you during interviews. Also, if your interview subject laughs, unless it is desperately needed for clarity in a way that I cannot fathom at this moment, do not write [laughs] or [laughing].

— Kelly Conaboy