Nardwuar vs. N.E.R.D - The Extended Version

Narduar is my favorite example of a master interviewer. Watch him leave Pharrell speechless multiple times (starting around the 5:15 mark is a good example). This guy does his homework better than anyone. [VIDEO]

There's a Canadian interviewer named "Nardwuar the Human Serviette" who mainly does interviews with rappers/musicians. Before each interview, he conducts the most in-depth research on them that anyone has ever conducted, mentioning people, places, early inspirations from their childhood and musical career, things that only a handful of people, the rappers' parents or only themselves could know - which often astounds, confuses or even frightens them. [LINK] [VIDEO] I agree with the previous comments, Lex' guests are really great, maybe the above can serve as inspiration :)

If you're into interviewers who go the extra mile to give the interviewee and the viewer a good experience, I also recommend a Canadian named John Ruskin, who also goes by the name Nardwuar the Human Serviette. He's a music geek (in the best way) who interviews musicians and gives them gifts as a way to spark discussion, and they're often blown away by the research he does into the gifts he gives and the questions he asks. Here's an example he did with Pharrell Williams from the group NERD [1]. Quote from Pharrell: "This is one of the most impressive interviews I've ever experienced in my life... your research is second-to-none." 1. [VIDEO]