Emily Maitlis: The Interview That Brought Down A Prince
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
This is an R Media podcast.
Marie Claire presents You're Gonna Want to Hear This. I'm so much happier being my age now, being my level of kind of familiarity with the job. Because, you know, I think back to the people who call me a silly little girl, right? The release of the fires is not an end in itself. The release of the files is what allows us to get on and do the work. So I think let's get on and do the work. That's what I want to do.
When one of the world's most formidable journalists joined me on a video call with a glass of wine in hand, I thought this is going to be such a fabulous conversation. And guess what? Emily Maitlis did not disappoint. Hello, and welcome back to the Marie Claire podcast.
What does it take to interview powerful figures?
You're going to want to hear this. I'm Georgie McCourt, editor of Marie Claire Australia, and thank you so much for joining me today. Honestly, it was a bit of a pinch me moment, and it felt very much like I was just catching up with a very funny, smart, and witty girlfriend for a drink. Only that girlfriend was Emily Maitlis. Now, as so many of you will know, the British broadcast journalist has spent decades at the center of global events. She's interviewed world leaders, hello, the Dalai Lama, reported on elections and asked the questions most people would not dare to ask. You will, of course, know her for that now infamous interview with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. You know, that guy formerly known as Prince Andrew.
It was a moment in broadcast history, wasn't it? And it still reverberates today. It was actually turned into a film called Scoop, where none other than Gillian Anderson played Emily. We all might remember the moment Andrew told her he wasn't guilty because he couldn't sweat. And yes, we talk about that Prince Andrew interview and what was going through her mind in those moments in this conversation. I also ask her how she feels about that interview now. Emily breaks down today what it takes to be a great interviewer, including how she sits in those moments of discomfort, even when it feels really, really awkward, and she doesn't move on until she's got an answer. We go behind the scenes of a career that has unfolded in full public view, how she was dismissed earlier in her career as a, quote, silly little girl,
how she walked away from the BBC at the height of her career and built something entirely new. And I hope that you have listened to her brilliant podcast called The News Agents. She also talks about how she copes with reporting on the world's biggest, most confronting stories without feeling totally overwhelmed. Emily Maitlis is sharp, she's self-aware, and she's disarmingly honest. This episode is a masterclass in asking better questions, holding your ground, and knowing exactly when not to move on. Let's meet Emily.
It's my sweet son. He's just brought me water. Will you just shut the door, my angel? Thank you. He's a puppet.
Oh, my God, bless him. Is your son giving you a wine?
My son saw the glass of wine and brought me water.
he's like I'll just give you this as well I'm not passing judgment but here is water well thank you so much Emily for doing this interview I'm so yeah followed you for a long long time and and we're so thrilled to be doing a story and a podcast with you for Murray Clare so thank you very very much that's really lovely to hear thank you in your book Airhead which I loved and I love the title I think it's brilliant You write that the belief you have any control is mythical and you have spent decades at the centre of global events. How much of great journalism do you think is preparation and how much is just surrendering to chaos?
Yeah. 80-20. There you go. I think that you have to do the preparation. And I'm a big believer that you are crazy if you go into these kind of big moments of history or broadcasting or interview without having done the prep that you need to. I mean, honestly, Georgie, I woke up this morning, I don't know what was on my head, but I'd had this really... like crazy dream that I had to do an interview with the King and it was a sit down interview and I hadn't read enough around it.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:02–0:56
2
What does it take to interview powerful figures?
0:56–9:05
3
What happened moments before the Prince Andrew interview?
9:05–9:44
4
How does Emily Maitlis handle discomfort during interviews?
9:44–10:41
5
What challenges did Emily face as a woman in journalism?
10:41–11:26
6
Why does Emily feel more empowered in her career now?
11:26–11:47
7
What insights does Emily have about motherhood in the public eye?
11:47–17:36
8
How important is preparation in journalism?
17:36–44:52
Speakers
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