Sports TV News

Charissa Thompson Learned To Interview By Waiting Tables

“I have to establish a connection where it’s like ‘hi, I’m Charissa, I’ll be taking care of you’.”

Published

2 years ago

November 27, 2021

Ricky Keeler

Getty Images

When trying to breakthrough in the sports media industry, you never know what tools from past jobs can help you succeed. For the host of FOX NFL Kickoff, Charissa Thompson, the key to being able to interview any personality came from working in a different field.

Thompson was a guest on the 10 Questions With Kyle Brandt Podcast and she said that the reason she is able to do good interviews is because of her work in doing every service industry job possible. It helped her read people

“For me, it all comes down to greeting a table that you are waiting. I have to establish a connection where it’s like ‘hi, I’m Charissa, I’ll be taking care of you’…For me, it’s sort of reading people. If the interview subject is standoffish, I immediately go you don’t like interviews, don’t you? I’m already going to say what that person is thinking. For me, it’s about reading people and what they want.”

Brandt did ask Thompson about something she feels she does really well in her current job.

“I think I do a good job of putting people at ease in interviews,” Charissa Thompson answered. “If I’ve never met them before, I would like to believe that they get comfortable pretty quickly having a conversation with me because there’s that very short amount of time. I learned this in entertainment that on a red carpet and you got the publicist saying you’ve got 2 questions, let’s go. You have to immediately try to establish rapport with someone and do it authentically. I like to believe that’s a gift I have.”

When Thompson isn’t hosting FOX NFL Kickoff, she is co-hosting the Calm Down with Erin and Charissa podcast with Erin Andrews. In fact, Andrews was one of the first people to greet Thompson when she arrived at ESPN.

“She gave me a big hug and she was like I’m here for you and it was just the beginning of a long friendship…She’s like a sister to me and all the ups and down through marriage, divorce, trying to have kids, and all the other things in between and this crazy profession where it feels great to have a girl friend that knows exactly what you’re talking about.”

Ricky Keeler

Ricky Keeler is a reporter for BSM with a primary focus on sports media podcasts and national personalities. He is also an active podcaster with an interest in pursuing a career in sports media. You can find him on Twitter @Rickinator555 or reach him by email at [email protected].

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‘NFL Total Access’ Comes to an End After 21 Years on NFL Network

“Today is our last show and while our team is disappointed, we are excited about what’s next for us at NFL Network.”

Published

22 hours ago

May 17, 2024

BSM Staff

‘NFL Total Access’ has been a part of the NFL Network since 2003 and today it is set for its final episode. The news of the show coming to an end came down earlier this month. Many of the current show participants took to social media to post their thoughts including hosts Mike Yam and Kimmi Chex along with analyst Chase Daniel.

“Tonight marks the last ever episode of NFL Total Access,” said Chex. “I was 7 years old when this show aired meaning that I spent my life watching. Co-hosting our flagship program this past season has been the honor of my career. I’m not going anywhere but for now, it’s goodbye TA.”

Yam said, “It’s been an absolute thrill hosting NFL Total Access. Today is our last show and while our team is disappointed, we are excited about what’s next for us at NFL Network. “Thank you” isn’t nearly enough to express the gratitude I have for the team. See you at 7est for 1 more run.”

A report from The Athletic said the show would be replaced “at least in the interim” by Insiders with Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero.

Today is the last day @NFLTotalAccess is on the air….bittersweet is a word that comes to mind.

I was honored to be a small part of this show the last 2 years and I still can’t believe it’s going away….Big things on the horizon!

Here’s some of my favorite moments 👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/5TBS5ME6KH
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) May 17, 2024

The final NFL Total Access production meeting❤️

Come celebrate with us tonight at 7pm ET on @nflnetwork @kimmichex | @Mike_Yam | @RealMikeRob | @DCarr8 pic.twitter.com/TSbHz5czi3
— NFL Total Access (@NFLTotalAccess) May 17, 2024

It’s been an absolute thrill hosting @NFLTotalAccess. Today is our last show and while our team is disappointed, we are excited about what’s next for us at @nflnetwork. “Thank you” isn’t nearly enough to express the gratitude I have for the team. See you at 7est for 1 more run. pic.twitter.com/pm13RIjbCe
— Michael Yam (@Mike_Yam) May 17, 2024

Tonight marks the last ever episode of @NFLTotalAccess. I was 7 years old when this show aired meaning that I spent my life watching . Co-hosting our flagship program this past season has been the honor of my career. I’m not going anywhere but for now, it’s goodbye TA ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zJXApKFyM1
— Kimmi (@kimmichex) May 17, 2024

So sad that NFL Total Access- the first show ever on NFL Network- airs for the last time tonight. It was an honor to produce and supervise that show for a couple years.

We made some really good TV.

No business making $20 billion (with a B) should ever be laying off anyone. pic.twitter.com/7g0O3TQ8hF
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NBCUniversal Names Olympic Hosts for USA, CNBC and E!; Kathryn Tappen Headlines

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Mike Tirico, Danica Patrick Return to Host Indy 500 for NBC Sports

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Logos for Indy 500, NBC Sports and photos of Mike Tirico and Danica Patrick

Photos Courtesy: NBC Sports

With less than two weeks until the event, NBC Sports has officially announced its team of race and studio commentators for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. For the sixth year in a row, we can expect to see familiar faces such as host Mike Tirico and studio analyst Danica Patrick contributing to pre-race, in-race, and post-race coverage.

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Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe will call the race for the sixth consecutive year. Marty Snider, Dillon Welch, Dave Burns, and Kevin Lee will serve as pit reporters. Former NASCAR driver Jeff Burton and Kim Coon will serve as roaming reporters.

BSM Staff