I've become a bit of a connoisseur of the interview from home technique on Zoom since the start of the pandemic.
Some of you might remember the chap in the picture, from the days before covid19 who went 'viral' after being interrupted hilariously by his children in a BBC TV interview.
Since then of course, the technique has been honed to perfection. Most 'worthies' like politicians, now seem to opt for the bookcase approach. They probably don't realise that the likes of me, doesn't register a word of what's being said as I'm gazing past their shoulders to try to catch a glimpse of what they claim to have been reading lately. And I'm wondering at the same time if some of them had to run out and get a couple of Billy bookcases from Ikea and fill it with a job lot from the Oxfam shop. In real desperation, there are always those wallpapers like library shelves!
Celebs on the other hand will often be seen relaxing on an oversized comfy sofa, surrounded by designer furniture items, just to let us suitably admire the opulent lifestyle they are living.
It's essential to have pets and/or children handy, in case the going gets a bit sticky, to be released at the most embarrassing moment to cover lack of knowledge or interest. It works a treat. I'm immediately distracted by the antics of any crazy dog or cat, or naughty child.
And ultimately, if it's all gone terribly wrong, it's possible to sit very still, preferably with mouth open until the interviewer decides your internet connection is playing up, and cuts to something else!
For the ultimate Zoom interview check this one out:
(Don't forget to click on the white title and not the central button)