Narrative, opinion and situated argument in talk show discourse

In this paper I take a broadly conversation analytic approach to examining the function of narrative discourse in the development of arguments in television talk shows. Basing my analysis on an episode of the former UK TV talk show ‘Kilroy’, I show how arguments are sequentially emergent from lay participants’ narratives, and how these narratives function to structure the production of opposing opinions and stances. The discussion focuses on the way stories are elicited, as well as on the problematising and evaluation of narrative actions by the host and other participants. I argue that this articulation between narrative discourse and argument is one of the most salient organisational features of talk show interaction as a form of public participation broadcasting.