What to ask Alexyss Tylor?

October 11, 2007 6:35 AM

I have the chance to interview Alexyss Tylor (previously on the blue) over the the telephone next week. I'm excited, and I know it could be good. But I'm having trouble here -- because all I can think to ask is along the lines of "Why are you LIKE that?" She's serious about what she does, and takes herself seriously. Can you suggest some intelligent, fair questions to ask Alexyss that won't treat her like a freak or a laughingstock?
posted by chinese_fashion to media & arts (11 comments total)

Why is her mother there? What role does she see her mother playing on the show?

Less seriously: what is her mother holding in her lap?

Also: she seems to talk mostly about the psychologically negative aspects of sexuality. How would she describe a good sexual relationship?
posted by creasy boy at 6:50 AM on October 11, 2007 [1 favorite]

How about something like this:

Even in the 21st century, women are often afraid to talk about such vitally important issue as sex, their bodies and how to demand respect from a man. What made you decide to start your show and where do you get the courage to speak so openly about such a taboo topic.

(You can probably improve the wording on that one.)

Also: How has her internet fame affected her? I see her clips everywhere! She's on Jezebel.com at least once a week. I would have figured by show she's have her own show on Bravo or something.

This is too cool. If the interview results in something (a story, a blog post, whatever) please post it to Projects for me to enjoy.
posted by Brittanie at 6:54 AM on October 11, 2007

I'm watching this again and I'd like to know what her sources of information are. For example, how does she know that there are slews of people in old age homes that have their asshole done fell out from king-kong dicks? I wouldn't phrase the question like that, but I'd like to know seriously if she reads up on the issue, if it's all personal experience, if she does interviews, etc.
posted by creasy boy at 6:58 AM on October 11, 2007 [1 favorite]

Ask her what she had for breakfast, what time she went to bed, her favorite brand of peanut butter... expose her normal side. Let your audience know, that in some respects, she is just like the majority of the population.

Then introduce the freaker; let her fire up. Its what makes her interesting.

And by all means find out what that that thing is in her mom's lap.
posted by bkeene12 at 7:01 AM on October 11, 2007 [1 favorite]

This is fantastic, and you have my respect for wanting to treat her well.

I'd ask:

Is your show and your writing your full-time focus now? What other careers have you had?

The dynamic between you and your mother is fascinating -- why did you make her part of the show?

How have your friends and other people in your family besides your mother reacted to the show? Has your mother reported any interesting reactions from family or friends?

Please describe the basic concept of Vagina Power. What do you consider the most important steps for women to take in order to enhance their Vagina Power? What inhibits Vagina Power? (Every chance you get, ask about Vagina Power.)

In many religious traditions, sexuality and spirituality are opposing forces, but your work focuses on both. What has influenced your take on spirituality and sexuality? Generally, what books and thinkers have most influenced you?

You speak a lot about power and exploitation in relationships. What led you to this particular focus?

What do you want most for your viewers to take away from your show? What do you consider your most essential advice?

You often mention the Jackrabbit. Are there any other toys your particularly recommend?

I bet once she gets started your questions will naturally fall into place. She doesn't strike me as difficult to draw out, is what I mean to say. Man, do I envy you.
posted by melissa may at 7:54 AM on October 11, 2007

What does she see herself accomplishing with her shows? Are they supposed to be entertainment or was her intent just to educate? Why did she choose such a direct, vernacular approach, and how does she think it is helpful to her audience? Who is her intended audience? How does she feel now that her audience is much wider than she originally intended? How does she feel about the people who scorn or mock her style? If she were given a TV show on a major network, what would she change about her approach?

Who are her role models? As a child, what did she hope to be when she grew up? What goals does she have yet to achieve? What one thing would she like to see change in her community?
posted by desjardins at 7:55 AM on October 11, 2007

What motivates her to do what she does?

I couldn't stand to watch the whole thing, so it might be answered, but you could ask about religion, especially in the realm of sexuality.

What's up with that hair? (You can phrase that, "Some on the Internet have asked about your hair, especially the long ponytail that appears to be gelled. How would you answer those people?")

Is she married? Does she have a family?

Definitely seconding questions about her mom, both why she's there and what she's holding. Maybe also about the dynamic: It'd be pretty awkward for me to go on TV with my mom and talk about gay sex / prostitution in graphic terms. Is it awkward for her? Her does her mom feel about it?

Just for fun, what's her view on gay marriage?

How does she recommend solving the problem of black boys selling their body for drugs? (Sidenote: I feel racist saying that? I'm fairly certain it's not actually a problem?)

Who's she backing for President? Do his (or her!) stance on the issues address the problems she sees?

Does she have a day job? What does she do when she's not filming videos? What does she do on weekends?
posted by fogster at 7:58 AM on October 11, 2007

Who is her audience? Who would she like it to be?

How would she define success for her show? Press for specifics.
posted by NortonDC at 9:22 AM on October 11, 2007

Ask her what she thought her life would be like as an adult when she was, say, a teenager.

Ask her what her favorite album is and why. Or movie, or novel.

What opportunities has she been presented with since the dawn of her "internet celebrity" that she wouldn't have otherwise had.

The Presidential election angle is a good one, in light of the Pussy Power theory.

Ask her what she likes to do in her down time. Hobbies?
posted by SassHat at 9:25 AM on October 11, 2007

who's your audience for the interview? what do they know about her already, and what do they want to know now?

i don't think many people know about alexyss-- she's kind of a cult internet pheonomenon, and even a lot of internet people don't know her. both my roommates are savvy internet pop-culture nerds who trawl the net 15 hours a day and neither of them know who she is. so if you interview her for all the weird details (like her mother's lap object and her peanut butter choices), then people who don't know her will miss out on the fun. personally, i DO know about her but i had no idea her mother had a lap object, i didn't remember it from the 10 minutes of youtube i watched last month, so that Q wouldn't interest me. i'd avoid any Q about visuals from the show, including her hair, and stick to questions that showcase her voice and her ideas.

off the bat, i think you should embrace that no matter how funny and witty you are, she will upstage you (that voice would upstage pretty much anyone). so don't try to be impressive- focus on letting her talk and paint her own pictures.

i'd say, try to ask very open questions:
"why"
"how"
"tell me about X".
"how did this start"
"what will come next?"
look at your list of Qs beforehand, and if any can possibly be answered with yes or no, discard or re-write them.

the best kind of question is short and simple, uses bland words, and requires a paragraph to answer correctly. ask naive, simple questions and let her give the detailed answers.

also, remember that nobody but the interviewer cares if the interviewer did any research. i watched a terrible interview a few weeks ago where the interviewer said to michael douglas,
"now your father kurt is such an amazing actor. what a gift he has. he was incredible in spartacus. and he's now writing a book. growing up, did you love having a famous father?"

i almost fell out of my seat. what kind of question is that? first of all, 90% of it is not a question at all. the part that is a question only requires a yes or no answer, and it's phrased in such a way that of course michael douglas will just say yes. and of course, michael douglas did say "yes, he's great." next question. BOOOO-ring.

there are much better ways to phrase that same curiosity, like "tell us something we don't know about your father kurt douglas." or "what's the worst thing about having a famous father?" or "what's the most important thing your father ever said to you?" those are all simple, naive questions- like a child might ask. they show no pretension on the part of the interviewer. and they would all elicit interesting, clourful answers.


so for alexyss,

"hey audience, i'm intereviewing akt, known for her frank public access tv show about sex. hi akt. (hi.) what's your show called? and what's it all about?"
(this will get her off on a 2 min rant and introduce her to new viewers, and will still be entertaining to those who know her already.)

"tell me about your audience."
"what happened in your personal life to generate these strong opinions?" (maybe she'll say something like, "a man cheated on me". you say, "wait, can you tell us more about that situation? what happened?")
"on the show, your mother "annie" (or whatever) is a frequent guest. what's your relationship with her like?"
"what kind of responses do you get from your viewers?"
"maintaining confidentiality of course, is there any story a viewer has shared with you that really affected you?"
"tell us about your ideal man."
"if you could teach our female listeners one motto, what would it be?" (she'll say a short soundbite, then you ask her to expand) "can you explain that further?"
"what about our male listeners- what's your message for the men?"
"if you could give advice to famous people, what would you tell the following people? bill clinton? monica lewinsky? barack obama? ted haggard? ...etc, etc, etc."
"what's next for you?"

hmm, i hope all that wasn't too prescriptive- there is basically nobody in the WORLD i'd rather interview than AKT. you're lucky- enjoy her!
posted by twistofrhyme at 11:09 AM on October 11, 2007 [1 favorite]

Thanks so much for all your answers/questions. She just kinda said "yes" on MySpace yesterday, and I've been so stoked I haven't been able to think straight ... these help a lot.

I'm planning on posting this on my blog. I'm planning on recording it, but will be posting it in text/transcript form as well.
posted by chinese_fashion at 11:38 AM on October 11, 2007 [1 favorite]