{"id":2173170,"date":"2025-11-23T08:28:31","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T08:28:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2173170"},"modified":"2025-11-23T08:28:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T08:28:31","slug":"a-closer-look-how-the-assembly-became-the-provocative-interview-format-that-celebs-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/a-closer-look-how-the-assembly-became-the-provocative-interview-format-that-celebs-love\/","title":{"rendered":"A closer look: How the Assembly became the provocative interview format that celebs love"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"ttsIcon-cIBsl\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/a\/assets\/texttospeech.svg\" alt=\"Text to Speech Icon\" width=\"44\" height=\"44\"\/><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Listen to this article<\/p>\n<p>Estimated 5 minutes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"toggletip-tKLKF ttsToggleTip-DSCNQ\">\n<p>The audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>In the new CBC series, The Assembly, a group of autistic people ask unpredictable, probing and direct questions to celebrities in a no-holds-barred interview. No topic is off the table.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s an international hit that\u2019s now available in some 19 countries, including Canada.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\" custom content\" class=\"customHtml\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Canadian celebrities sign on to appear on The Assembly<\/h2>\n<p>The six celebrity guests are comedians Howie Mandel and Russell Peters, singer Jann Arden, entrepreneur Arlene Dickinson and actors Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Allan Hawco participated.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to Executive Producer Sean De Vries, the celebrity guests didn\u2019t need much convincing to get on board, \u201cMany were excited by the fact that this was going to be an interview without an \u2018agenda\u2019 of any kind and one driven by an authentic interest in all aspects of their lives. Also, there is something exciting about the fact that our interviewers could truly ask anything.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI&#8217;m from the theater. I love the truth,\u201d said Hawco about his experience, \u201cAnd I&#8217;m honored to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n<div><strong>WATCH | The official trailer for The Assembly:<\/strong><span><span class=\"mediaEmbed\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"player-placeholder-ui-container  \" data-cy=\"player-placeholder-ui-container\">\n<div class=\"player-placeholder-video-ui\" title=\"The Assembly | Official Trailer\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:1.7778;--max-height:800px\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"player-placeholder-ui\">\n<div class=\"video-item video-card-overlay\" title=\"The Assembly | Official Trailer\">\n<div class=\"thumbnail-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/0520b1c7-0e88-4083-9c8a-d9d64c8754b9,1761074821252\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%2880%2C0%2C3840%2C2160%29%3BResize%3D620\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\" class=\"thumbnail\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"video-card-overlay-container\">\n<div class=\"video-info-container\">\n<p class=\"video-item-title\">The Assembly | Official Trailer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"media-caption\">A roomful of autistic and neurodivergent interviewers ask unpredictable, probing and direct questions to celebrities in a no holds barred interview.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p>The unpredictability of the format makes for an honest, authentic experience for everyone involved \u2014 even the audience at home.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How were the interviewers selected?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The casting process for The Assembly took over a year. Producers worked with professional organizations within the autistic community to find people who would be interested in appearing on the show. Once selected, they were provided with some background information about each celebrity guest, but it was up to them to do their own research and decide how much or how little they would prepare.<\/p>\n<p>Each came up with a handful of questions which were vetted to avoid potential duplication. \u201cIt was important to us and to them that everyone got the opportunity to ask a question they\u2019d prepared,\u201d said fellow Executive Producer Stephen Sawchuk.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mattreyi (seen from the back) is facing a group of interviewers.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/f6f98cea-1e5f-4d74-b646-e9fa48b9e5fb,1762192608190\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D805 805w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/f6f98cea-1e5f-4d74-b646-e9fa48b9e5fb,1762192608190\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D1104 1104w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/f6f98cea-1e5f-4d74-b646-e9fa48b9e5fb,1762192608190\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) 93.6vw,730px\" src=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/f6f98cea-1e5f-4d74-b646-e9fa48b9e5fb,1762192608190\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3B\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.7777777777777777\" data-cy=\"image-img\"\/><\/div>\n<p>Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is interviewed on The Assembly (Erich Saide)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The show\u2019s purpose is to offer a platform for people to exercise their own agency. He explains, \u201cEvery single person on this planet has a unique way of seeing the world and this series highlights and celebrates the perspectives and voices of our neurodivergent cast.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Preparing the interviewers for a TV taping<\/h2>\n<p>It was important that each participant felt as comfortable as possible from the moment they arrived. General tips and interview techniques were shared with each interviewer. The team held in-person meetings to show them what to expect on a TV set and what kinds of resources would be available on location.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A wise shot of the set which shows the guest, the interviewers and the production team around them. All are in a bright studio with natural light.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/35d03b9d-8284-4513-9f1b-e3aefa122d51,1762358426249\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D805 805w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/35d03b9d-8284-4513-9f1b-e3aefa122d51,1762358426249\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D1104 1104w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/35d03b9d-8284-4513-9f1b-e3aefa122d51,1762358426249\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) 93.6vw,730px\" src=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/35d03b9d-8284-4513-9f1b-e3aefa122d51,1762358426249\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3B\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.7777777777777777\" data-cy=\"image-img\"\/><\/div>\n<p>The set on Episode 2 of The Assembly (Erich Saide)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Filming locations were chosen with the needs of the community in mind. Each was fully accessible and used natural lighting. Extra rooms were available as quiet spaces and producers offered things like stress balls and noise cancelling headphones to anyone who might need them. \u201cIt was important to everyone involved that the set be an inclusive, safe space,\u201d said De Vries.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was a scary yet an absolutely amazing experience,\u201d said one of the interviewers, Jenny Story, \u201cI have had fun, faced my fears, tried something new and I am truly grateful.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Interviews on The Assembly are completed unscripted<\/h2>\n<p>There were no pre-planned scripts or rehearsals and the celebrities came prepared to answer questions as openly as possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In the debut episode, Ramakrishnan shared a frightening encounter she had with a fan, talked about her favourite memory (<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/collection\/time100-next-2021\/5937731\/maitreyi-ramakrishnan\/\" target=\"_blank\"><u>being the first Tamil woman on the cover of Time magazine<\/u><\/a>) and explained the reason behind <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bv5GsZXBZEu\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==\" target=\"_blank\"><u>her advocacy work<\/u><\/a> (the first time someone has asked her about it). She also thinks a gorilla would win in a battle with 100 men.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div><strong>WATCH | From The Assembly:<\/strong><span><span class=\"mediaEmbed\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"player-placeholder-ui-container  \" data-cy=\"player-placeholder-ui-container\">\n<div class=\"player-placeholder-video-ui\" title=\"Do you love yourself? | The Assembly\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:1.7778;--max-height:800px\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"player-placeholder-ui\">\n<div class=\"video-item video-card-overlay\" title=\"Do you love yourself? | The Assembly\">\n<div class=\"thumbnail-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/4d5afa4f-b7ca-4e80-ac9d-360097b16270,1762357955707\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C312%2C6000%2C3375%29%3BResize%3D620\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\" class=\"thumbnail\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"video-card-overlay-container\">\n<div class=\"video-info-container\">\n<p class=\"video-item-title\">Do you love yourself? | The Assembly<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"media-caption\">Actor Maitreyi Ramakrishnan answers a personal question on The Assembly<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p>\u201cIt was everything that I thought it would be,\u201d said Ramakrishnan, \u201cYour questions actually require me to think and not be on autopilot. Thank you for doing the research and being so thoughtful with your questions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There were lots of tears, hugs \u2014 and some singing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Mariah Reitmeier, a trained opera singer, performed Puccini\u2019s O mio babbino caro, which is Ramakrishnan\u2019s favourite aria.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A young South Asian woman with dark hair, wearing a red top and a black leather jacket stands on a bright set.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/9ae894fb-a366-463e-82e1-ffbe8029f31b,1762193205018\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1020%29%3BResize%3D805 805w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/9ae894fb-a366-463e-82e1-ffbe8029f31b,1762193205018\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1020%29%3BResize%3D1104 1104w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/9ae894fb-a366-463e-82e1-ffbe8029f31b,1762193205018\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1020%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) 93.6vw,730px\" src=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/9ae894fb-a366-463e-82e1-ffbe8029f31b,1762193205018\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1020%29%3B\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.8823529411764706\" data-cy=\"image-img\"\/><\/div>\n<p>Actor Maitreyi Ramakrishnan on set at The Assembly (Erich Saide )<\/p><\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s simply unforgettable television that challenges stereotypes about autistic and neurodivergent people.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There is value in offering an inclusive opportunity for people who are too often excluded. Nicole Jinn, an interviewer says, \u201cThat is why The Assembly holds a greater social and cultural value than almost all other programming on TV.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Watch The Assembly on CBC Gem<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cThe interviewers are incredibly excited for Canadian audiences to see the show,\u201d says Sawchuk.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Watch The Assembly, now available on CBC Gem.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\" custom content\" class=\"customHtml\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.cbc.ca \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen to this article Estimated 5 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence. In the new CBC series, The Assembly, a group of autistic people ask unpredictable, probing and direct questions to celebrities in a no-holds-barred interview. No topic is off the table. It\u2019s an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2139257,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25173],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2173170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-artists"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/The-Assembly-gave-Jann-Arden-her-best-ever-interview-Heres-how.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2173170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2173170"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2173170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2173171,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2173170\/revisions\/2173171"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2139257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2173170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2173170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2173170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}