Politics and elections are particularly sensitive, but that doesn’t mean the topic should be off-limits. Radio shows don’t have to be controversial or polarizing to deal with a topic. The key is defining an entry point or angle so you are both relevant and relatable.
Here are some games and features almost every radio station can perform without lighting up the switchboard with angry callers.
Game: Name That President: Here’s the name of a fictional movie President. Tell us what movie or TV show they are from. You could also rephrase the questions to identify the show and ask the character’s name or the actor who played that role. For example: In what movie did John Travolta play the role of Governor Jack Stanton, a presidential candidate? Primary Colors
Game: How Well Do You Know Elections: This gets into the political process weeds a bit, but it’s good for some shows. It’s amazing how little the public knows or understands about politics and elections. This can make for an interesting and entertaining segment for team or solo shows. Create a trivia game around election terms. These are all terms we should know and have probably heard of, but who does? Example: Gerrymandering: The manipulation of district boundary lines in order to advantage or disadvantage a candidate or political group.
Game: Elections Fact or Fiction: This is a similar trivia game, but easier to play. The questions are all true/false (fact/fiction). Example: Donald Trump is the first President to NOT accept his presidential salary (2016). FICTION! George Washington was the first to refuse his $25,000 a year salary.
Game: Scattergories: Scattergories is a series of questions. The answers to each question begin with the same letter. Play this with listeners or among cast members on a team show. Here’s an example:
Letter B
A location where campaigning is intense. A: Battleground State
Something a candidate might do to gain support. A: Baby Kissing (as in kissing babies for photo ops)
A type of election. A: By-election
A term for a close race. A: Ballot Battle
Feature: Attack Ads: This is great for building character traits for team shows. Each cast member (with or without the help of the audience contributions) creates a political attack ad about a cohost.
Feature: Shower Thoughts: Shower thoughts are short, clever one-liners of intriguing, humorous, or profound thoughts that engage the audience. It’s easy to theme this around the election and politics. For example: If we elect a president that has a PhD or MD would we call him Dr. President? Where does the President go to the bathroom? Is there a special restroom in the White House that only the president uses or do they just use the closest one?
Feature or Game: Top 10 List: No prizes necessary. Just create your own Top 10 List around a political theme and have listeners guess what is on it. Example: Top 10 most unusual campaign promises ever made or 10 best excuses politicians have used for gaffes.
Feature: Bad Situations Worse: Set up a scenario and ask listeners or cast members what they would do in that situation if they wanted to make it a disaster! Here are a couple of examples: 1) You accidentally spill coffee on a stack of ballots, making them unreadable. The election is “too close to call,” and the ruined ballots may make the difference. 2) During a rally speech, you mistakenly endorse your opponent’s policies while trying to get support for your candidate.
Feature: Normal Or Nope: Normal Or Nope Election Edition is a terrific way to generate phone calls and stories with a different perspective. Make a character-defining statement and let cohosts or listeners decide if you are Normal or Nope. You can also take calls. Examples: 1) Hosting an election-themed costume party where guests dress as famous politicians. 2) Watching election coverage on mute and making up my own commentary.
There are many ways to adapt regular features and games to a political environment. These are just a few that can be fun and relevant without taking political sides or getting into the issues.
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Tracy Johnson is a talent coach and programming consultant. He’s the President/CEO of Tracy Johnson Media Group. His book Morning Radio has been described as The Bible of Personality Radio and has been used by personalities worldwide.