The Winner: Dr Lisa Mckenzie
Appearing on Good Morning Britain (GMB) is a big opportunity for any commentator. As one of the UK’s most influential morning programmes, it sets the agenda for public debate and attracts a wide viewership. This week, Dr Lisa Mckenzie, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, demonstrated a masterclass in maximising limited airtime during a panel discussion on the reintroduction of mandatory national service.
GMB’s producers assembled a well-balanced panel: former Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood argued in favour, while Dr Mckenzie opposed.
On paper, the pairing might seem uneven – an experienced politician with a military background versus a sociologist known for her working-class perspective. However, despite the inherent challenges, Dr Mckenzie showcased exceptional media discipline.
Ellwood’s fluency as a politician ensured he dominated much of the discussion, leaving Mckenzie with just one opportunity to contribute in the seven-minute segment. Recognising this constraint, she executed a highly effective strategy: rather than attempting to engage in a rapid-fire rebuttal, she bridged seamlessly from the presenter’s invitation to respond, immediately reframing the debate to align with her key messaging.
She opened with, “We are asking [this] of a really divided society,” a statement that de-escalated the polarising topic of discussion, while subtly shifting the focus to her argument. She followed with, “There are two things here,” a deliberate phrasing technique that bought her time and structured her response.
Ellwood’s case rested on the geopolitical realities of national security – complex and difficult to dispute. Sensing time constraints, Mckenzie countered effectively by grounding her argument in tangible, human realities. By drawing attention to the societal impact of conscription, she connected with viewers on an emotional and relatable level, reinforcing the importance of framing in televised debates.
In just one minute and twenty-three seconds of airtime, Mckenzie exemplified precision messaging. Her performance was a textbook demonstration of how to deliver a compelling argument under pressure, ensuring clarity, control, and resonance without resorting to confrontation.
Watch the panel discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRuZxruURQM
The loser: Adrien Brody
The Academy Awards represents the pinnacle of recognition for actors, demanding a high level of composure, professionalism, and self-awareness from its attendees. For Adrien Brody, a two-time Oscar winner, this was not unfamiliar territory. However, his conduct at the 2025 ceremony – where he won Best Actor for The Brutalist – undermined his own success and became a reputational liability.
As Brody made his way to the stage to accept his award, he turned, removed gum from his mouth, and threw it toward his girlfriend, Georgina Chapman. While Chapman effortlessly caught the gum, the act itself was widely criticised as crude, inappropriate, and out of step with the gravitas of the occasion.
Brody’s acceptance speech contained strong political messaging, but any potential impact was immediately overshadowed. The incident – now dubbed ‘gumgate’ – dominated social media and media coverage, shifting attention away from his words and onto his behaviour.
The controversy illustrates a media coaching lesson: your behaviour is just as important as your words.
If Brody intended to appear charming or irreverent, the outcome was instead a stark reminder of how your message can be lost with thoughtless actions. In an industry where perception is everything, this was, quite simply, a brutal error.
