He’s interviewed everyone from the president to the Dalai Lama, and here’s (little) old me putting Ricardo Karam on the other side of the mic.
How does it feel to be sitting there for a change?
Very weird, I’m usually the one who sets the rules in my shows. But it’s OK, I think I’m a good communicator in general, and I like talking to people even outside the scope of my job. I don’t live in my own shell, so I don’t really mind. And I like curious people.
You’re quite unlike other media personalities here; your fame I mean, it sort of blindsided everyone didn’t it?
I’ve chosen a path that implemented a change in my field, the media field. I’ve tried to present something to the audience that they weren’t used to. I didn’t go for game shows for instance, I’ve always gone for shows with a message.
What kind of message?
A message of bringing people together, people of different cultures, natures and nationalities. I try to bridge the gap between east and west in my shows. I try to spot the scattered success stories all over the world and bring them back home to give hope. You can also make it; it’s not limited to Nicholas Hayek, Paul Orfalea or Joseph Abboud. You can do it, they started from scratch and so can you; I want people to understand this.
And contribute to our melting pot while you’re at it…
Yes, I also aim to bring the western culture to Lebanon. I wanted to bring Paulo Coelho, Georgio Armani, the Dalai Lama, Andre Agassi; people the media panorama weren’t used to. I wanted to broaden the scope of my work.
And you did bring them all, when several others failed in fact…
I’m not sure many people have tried. The path I chose wasn’t an easy one, it was filled with thorns. The people I wanted were difficult to reach. It’s not a simple matter of calling someone up and organizing an interview, some of these interviews took years to set up. It wasn’t easy, and it’s not really commercial.
Although you did manage to spread it…
I’ve tried to commercialize it of course but that isn’t easy either. People were happy to listen because I was a Lebanese. When you know it’s a local interviewing a celebrity you feel closer to the show and that’s what happened. I have some convictions and wanted to make a difference. I wouldn’t have remained in media otherwise. I mean, I’m not a journalist, I’m a chemical engineer with an MBA. But I love this industry.
And I’m a software engineer who hates computers; what caused your flip?
It was my hobby and now it has become my life. I fell in love with radio in school and became a radio broadcaster in a small station, Magic 102. I had a show twice a week in French and spent all my money on LPs – this was before the CD era of course. Then I went to AUB and things changed when, by a stroke of luck, I met the chairman of Tele Liban at a dinner and he suggested I host a show. So I did.
Were you thrilled?
It was a startup. I would get $100 a show, I was 21 or less and I stayed there for a few years. But I couldn’t stick to French, it limited me. And I started the interviews in 1996.
Certainly more interesting that talking to a sound booth; any tips?
It’s chemistry between my guest and myself. Sometimes the chemical reaction is not complete, but more often it’s a good relationship. It has taught me a lot. I’ve learned to question things and have discovered myself very well. I now know what I want and where I’m headed.
Remember your first interview?
The first interview I conducted was with Elias el Hrawi, who was president at the time.
A mere president, eh?
It was OK. Looking back on it now it was a flop, of course, but it wasn’t all that bad. I’ve had some fantastic interviews since and a lot of them I enjoyed immensely. I remember my interviews with Amin Maalouf, Charles Aznavour, Farah Diba, and the Dalai Lama amongst others, very fondly.
Well keep bringing them back home; speaking of which what’s your favorite place here?
The sea. It’s easy to forget that you live next to the sea when you’re surrounded by buildings.
Ricardo has an incredible portfolio of interviews, produces his own shows and is one of the most charismatic faces in modern Lebanese media. If you’d like to get a closer look at his work, head here.
Written for Time Out Beirut
I'm Karl, and I'm an acquired taste.
I've been an editor for 4 years, a writer for 5 more, and a geek ever since I wrote Pong on my first Atari. I'm married to the perfect woman and we live in the desert. 
Interesting info! Never knew that he was a chemical engineer! Living proof that studying in a certain field does not restrain you from doing what you really love.
We need more charismatic people in our country like Ricardo Karam.
Inta 7elo Karl.
what did he think of your interviewing skills?
@Antox
It’s true; it’s also proof that the country is in serious, desperate need of career guidance counselors.
@wliknayla
I’m not sure, I didn’t ask and he’s far too polite to comment. But you should have seen how calm, composed and articulate he was; puts me to shame
So you went for the master! His show was actually the one and only show I’d actively watch, I’d watch it with my grandmother, that tells about how interesting this broadcast is.
Karl, how do you prepare your interviews? How do you choose the questions besides the fact that they are pertinent?
@Agenor
I really should prepare for them, shouldn’t I? But I’ve so far been relying on the interviewee to lead me.
I love the fact that he’s a freelancer, and works on his own ideas then sells them. And now that he’s launched his production house the sky’s the limit.
I think you should keep your questions the way they are.
They feel more “alive” like that, rather than a set of not-so-lively already prepared and predefined questions