I ask this question because I was struck by a recent article I read on TPM about an editor of Scientific American showing up on Fox and Friends. Basically, the experience for him went as most would have predicted. The editor, Michael Moyer, wanted to talk about climate change, and the producers of Fox and Friends said, "Choose another topic." The editor made several tweets that demonstrated it was a dreadful experience for anyone not conservative. From his experience, I doubt Moyer will show up again on Fox. So I wonder, what would have happened if he did go off topic and brought up climate change?
I don't know how TV news shows work. I have this vague idea that the hosts go over preset questions with the guest, but just how fixed is the interview? What are the supposed repercussions if you wander off topic, besides not being invited back to the show? Is there some kind of TV show jail that you go to if you bring up something the interviewer doesn't like?
Given how Moyer felt after his appearance, he helped out Fox and not Scientific American. So I just wonder what would have happened if he decided NOT to play Fox's game and keep their audience in darkness on an important scientific topic? I'm sure they probably would have scrubbed the whole episode, but at least he wouldn't have felt like a person who had been fondled by a perspective employer.