I mean, I like the attempt to get some interesting insights in the heat of the moment, but I really don’t think these interviews work when there’s still a series to be played. Especially at Worlds.
My issue isn’t with the players or interviewers. I just think the timing puts everyone in an awkward position, for very little benefit.
- They pull players away at a key moment. Players should be with their teammates and coaches, discussing the game that just ended and preparing for the next one. Some details are probably easier to talk through while they’re still fresh. Even if the interview is short, I don’t think it should take priority over that time with the team.
- They don’t bring much value. We rarely get particularly interesting questions or answers, and with good reason. Players literally just stood up, might still be celebrating, and haven’t had much time to process what happened. They also have more games to play against the same team, so there’s only so much they’ll want to share. It often just feels awkward for everyone involved.
- The format makes preparation difficult. Sometimes the interviewer seems prepared for a certain player, that player doesn’t want to be interviewed, and someone else has to fill in. I don’t blame either side, but it’s not surprising that we end up with fairly shallow questions and answers. It ends up feeling really unserious and counterproducrive for immersion about the competition.
- Coach interviews during the opening minutes feel even more awkward. You could see today how distracted some of the coaches were by what was happening in-game, while trying to answer without giving anything away. I’d rather let them watch the game and hear from them afterward.
I really think these interviews should be reconsidered. Save player interviews for after the series. If we’re going to have coach interviews between games, at least do them when they’re available and not trying to follow a game that’s already started. Maybe wait for players to get back to the stage? (might be worse, I don’t know).
I can see a strong argument for experimenting with this during regular splits. But during playoffs, international events, and especially Worlds, it feels like an unnecessary distraction. This is where I’d want the competition itself to take priority.
There’s also so much more you could do with that broadcast time. I’d much rather watch replays with a slower, more in-depth breakdown, highlighting plays or decisions we might have missed. Talk about how the drafts are changing throughout the series, which picks are working, and how the teams are adapting.
Especially at international events, there’s an opportunity to help us get to know teams and players from other regions—their styles, picks, personalities, and what makes them interesting to watch. That’s part of what I enjoy about co-streams: getting more context and analysis alongside the games.
I’m not against interviews. I just don’t think the middle of a Worlds series is the time for them. Let players stay with their teams, let coaches watch the game, and give us their thoughts once the series is over.
