A Conversation Analysis on the Interview of Tom Hiddleston on Late Night Talk Show “Loki Cast Returning for Season Two, Singing in Asgardian and Unexplained Phenomena”

Abstract

Talk shows blend scripted and spontaneous conversations to engage audiences, making them an ideal setting for studying conversational dynamics. This research analyzes an interview with Tom Hiddleston on Jimmy Kimmel Live using Conversation Analysis (CA) to break down key interactional structures such as turn-taking, adjacency pairs, feedback, and repairs. The objective of this study is to understand how these conversational strategies are employed to manage the flow of dialogue, contributing to the overall coherence and entertainment value of the interaction. Data were collected from a transcription of the interview, with utterances coded according to CA principles. Findings reveal that controlled turn- taking by Kimmel and extended responses by Hiddleston maintain the conversational flow, while adjacency pairs like question-answer and offer- response guide topic transitions. Feedback, both verbal and humorous, keeps the conversation dynamic, and repairs ensure clarity, particularly during ambiguous exchanges. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that CA principles are crucial for understanding how talk show interviews balance entertainment and fluid communication.