Tommy Kramer Coaching Tip #652: ‘Survivor’ and Connection

Note: Since I totally forgot to post a tip last week (I plead Christmastime madness), I’m doing two this week. Here you go…

One of the reasons I still watch “Survivor” on TV is because of how it defines connecting with the audience.
Every contestant has a story. One of the ones in its current season (#49) is a guy whose father has been diagnosed with glaucoma.
He and his dad have watched the show together since he was a kid.

His father will be blind by the end of this season’s shows. So this will be the last season he’ll be ABLE to watch.

His son said, “I just want to make my dad proud.”

I immediately thought of my father, who’s gone now.
So did millions of other people. THAT’S CONNECTING.

Question for you: Is there any element of your show that connects on that level? If not, why not? Any competent air talent can just throw together a listenable show. But you need some emotional “touchstone” to be great.

As I always say, “Crack your chest open and show us what’s in there.”