Dan Rather wants Eminem on “The Big Interview”.
Dan Rather is returning with season 9 of his “The Big Interview” show which will premiere 8/7c, April 14 on AXS TV. The legendary journalist sat down with TV Insider to talk about the new season where all interviews for six episodes filmed via Zoom and in-person camera teams. For the season premiere, he will interview Hillary Scott of the Country Chart-topping Lady A, and her husband and drummer Chris Tyrell. Dan Rather was also asked if there’s anyone in his interview Wishlist, and he named the legendary Eminem.
What made you decide to tie Season 9 to musical families?
Dan Rather: The way I understand it is things happened rather organically, led by the executive producer of the program Madeleine Rowe. We thought, “What can we do that was different? What would work?” It’s one of the more interesting years because people are at home and can relate to that family dynamic.
You listen to rap music and another episode that sticks out to me is Lil Jon and his son Young Slade, who’s a DJ. How was getting to know them?
I certainly knew who Lil Jon was. I knew really nothing about his son and I wanted to make sure I also paid attention to him. I didn’t want him to be this potted plant sitting off to the side. He’s talented and smart and eloquent. I was touched, which at my age as a hardened reporter isn’t easy. Lil Jon was talking about when he first realized Slade did indeed have the gift of music at an early age; he recalled Slade kicking in his mother’s womb any time Lil Jon would be in his studio making music. What a mental picture that is.
If there’s a Season 10, anyone on your interview wishlist?
Eminem. Number one, he has been very successful for a very long time. Number two, he doesn’t do very many interviews. He’s very hard to get. Third, he’s an intriguing character with a really good story to tell.
In Dan Rather’s 70-year career as a national evening news anchor, he covered everything from the Kennedy assassination to Nixon’s Watergate scandal and everything in between.
Now he works for the cable network AXS TV, where he hosts a number of news programs as well as The Big Interview with Dan Rather, a series of in-depth interviews with musicians and other entertainers.
Check out the full interview here on TV Insider.
