In this installment of Pen to Paper, Riz Khan tells you about his exciting new show, Riz Khan’s Q&A.
Okay! So it’s got my name on it.
Yes, I know! We Brits feel a little embarrassed having our names attached to TV shows, but the “American way” seems to be universal now, so I’m stuck with it – and so are you.
Those of you old enough to remember my days on CNN (May 1993 – May 2001) will recall that the show I launched at the end of July 1996 (just in time for the Atlanta Olympic Games) was called Q&A with Riz Khan. And that’s when it all began.
My show on Al Jazeera English (November 2006 – April 2011) was called Riz Khan – yikes! – nothing else?! (Trust me, I did object).
So, I’m kinda going back to my roots and this one is called Riz Khan’s Q&A.
Confused yet?! I am.
So, what’s it all about?
Well, I enjoy doing TV – especially TV interviews. Since I failed becoming a doctor, all those years ago, journalism has been my way of life and it’s been a lot of fun… so why not keep doing it? After all, I like asking questions. Don’t I?
Am I sure?
Yes, I am. Get on with it, Riz!
This new show is a way for me to keep doing what I enjoy and have a life. That’s to say, I’m not doing five shows a week, dealing with the stress of lots of live TV, and coping with difficult or incompetent managers (usually both!), and corporate politics. (Me hate!)
Riz Khan’s Q&A is a weekly, half-hour show that I am producing independently for global syndication. The guests and topics will be internationally relevant and, hopefully, provide something informative and of interest to people of all backgrounds. Just because someone is not well-known in a particular country or region doesn’t mean they are not fascinating, or the subject of an unusual or engaging story.
If you’re reading this, you probably already know that I like to do interviews in a style that is not about shouting, or screaming, or constantly interrupting. I like to have “conversations that other people would want to hear.” (I made that up and I’m proud of it!)
I hope that the content I bring you on Q&A will keep you informed about the world around you and raise your awareness of issues that you might never have come across. Most of all, you should always feel Q&A is a show you never want to miss. I hope I live up to that as much as possible!
I started out recording Q&A in late in the summer of 2013, with a strong focus on Africa, as the series initially launched with Bloomberg TV Africa as that channel got going in late October of that year. It led to a busy few months running around the globe getting interviews with people such as Malawi’s President, Dr. Joyce Banda… the UN’s key figure for the Millennium Development Goals, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs (he actually has many long and posh titles – but you get what I mean)… the first woman to head the UNDP, former New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark… and Ghanian-born tailor and designer, Ozwald Boateng – the first black man to set up shop on London’s prestigious Savile Row.
I’m always open to ideas – so please do send your feedback to me through rizkhan.tv – and it’s here that I’ll also keep you posted on where and when you can watch Q&A – wherever you are in the world.
Stay in touch – and stay tuned (what a strange, and outdated expression that is… why did you use it, Riz? Oh no! Are we back to asking questions again?!)
