Aspects of advice giving and advice receiving in television talk shows

Abstract

Advice giving sequences are often the result of troubles telling sequences in both ordinary conversation and institutional interaction: it is often the case that a troubles teller is offered advice by interlocutors which he/she tends to reject because the interactional rights of a troubles teller are valued and troubles tellers are reluctant to abandon them. This paper analyses advice giving that takes place during Greek reality-television talk shows in which people participate to talk about their troubles and possibly find a solution to the problems they face. Advice is offered by the host/hostess of these shows and/or a professional expert. I explore the ways in which advice is either accepted or rejected during the shows by the guests. The analysis indicates that the guests accept advice that affiliates with their troubles and tend to resist advice that is hearable as criticism of their actions and perspectives. In addition, advice recipients often resort to troubles talk as seeking affiliation with their troubles seems to be more important for them in the talk-show context. © 2010 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden.