Naked Desert Island Discs - Ottawa Style

I have for some time now been listening with great appreciation, via podcasts in the car, to the 70 years plus running BBC radio show called Desert Island Discs.

Interviewing noteworthy folks (such as artists, writers, entertainers, philanthropists, philosophers, physicists – you name it) the premise and the format is this:

·         The interviewee is to be made a castaway on a desert island. They may take with them 5 music tracks that have in some way influenced their lives or that will sustain them on the island, a book (they are already supplied with the bible - may substitute other religious work - and the collected works of William Shakespeare) and a luxury (not a person and not something that will help them get off the island)

·         The interviewer begins with a brief bio, takes them through their life story (focusing on the interesting bits) and the music tracks are interspersed throughout.

·         At the end they have to choose only 1 of the 5 tracks, the book and the luxury.

Naked Desert Island Discs – Ottawa Style will feature interviews (narrative not audio) with denizens of Ottawa – current, former and visitors.

My take is that everyone is interesting (not just the famous) and I plan to interview all sorts of “ordinary” people to discuss their unique life experiences and perspectives.

What do you folks think?

The interviews need to follow a fairly standard script – initial thoughts are (but looking for feedback):

·         Starts with a little bio of the interviewee highlighting key areas of interest

·         Relationship to me (old friend, client, neighbour, never met…)

·         Relationship to Ottawa

·         Background – how would you describe your life and yourself as a young person/teenager?

·         What is the worst thing you ever did?

·         Describe your education

·         Which Professional do you admire (sports, academe, entertainment etc.) and why?

·         Current role/position/job – how did you get here?

·         Best things that happened in career/job?

·         Worst things that happened in career/job?

·         What is next for you? What do you see in the future?

·         Marriage – how many, how is it going – did it meet expectations?

·         Dream job or what you would be doing if not this

·         Your take on Canada – what makes you happy to be a Canadian