A Conversation Analysis of Speech Interruptions in the TV Job-seeking Program Shark Tank: Season 12

Television job-seeking programs like “Shark Tank” blend entertainment with real-world application, providing a rich context for analyzing conversational dynamics. This study aimed to explore the types and functions of speech interruptions within “Shark Tank: Season 12” through a conversation analysis framework. By examining 20 episodes, the research identified key interruption functions such as floor-taking, agreement, assistance, tangentialization, clarification, and disagreement. The findings revealed that interruptions are strategically employed to assert dominance, build rapport, provide guidance, shift focus, clarify information, and express dissent. These findings contribute to the understanding of how language is used to navigate high-stakes interactions in televised job-seeking contexts.