The Red Flag Panel Discussion Technique
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A Panel Technique from Jennifer Hudson and the Cast of “Nobody Wants This”
I recently watched this hilarious segment on The Jennifer Hudson Show featuring the cast of Netflix’s Nobody Wants This. Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, Jackie Tohn, Timothy Simons, and Sherry Cola played a rapid-fire game of “dating red flags,” where they each responded to cringeworthy relationship scenarios by literally holding up red flags.
It was quick. It was playful. It was packed with personality. And I couldn’t stop thinking… “This is actually a brilliant panel technique.”
We have all sat through our fair share of traditional, sometimes-too-polite panels. But this format? It had spark. So let’s break it down and talk about why this “bit” on daytime TV is a goldmine for anyone who wants to create a more dynamic, audience-worthy panel discussion:
Jennifer Hudson’s Set Up
Here’s what happened: Jennifer, the panel moderator, threw out a classic dating deal-breaker such as:
- “They go through your phone…”
- “They use your toothbrush…”
- “They call people on speaker without warning…”
The panelists would instantly raise their little red flags if that behavior was a hard “no.”
Some waved them with glee. Some hesitated. Some looked deeply disturbed. And that’s when the real, spontaneous conversation started!
It was fun and unpredictable—and exactly the kind of energy we wish more panels had.
Why This Worked (and What We Can Steal for Panels)
This wasn’t a formal panel, but it had all the ingredients of a great one. Here’s what I saw that panel moderators (and panelists) should pay attention to:
- Visual Drama. Visual props like a red flag add a dose of theatre. The moment someone raised a red flag, you knew something juicy was coming. I talk about this all the time: give your audience something to see and react to, not just listen to. A simple card or prop can shift the energy instantly.
- Instant Contrast. Within seconds, you were able to see different opinions. Some red-flagged immediately. Others defended the behavior (toothbrush sharing? REALLY?!). It sparked real debate. And that tension (especially when handled playfully) is exactly what makes panels memorable.
- Audience Surrogates. Even though we didn’t have a flag in hand, I found myself mentally raising my own red flag (or not). And that’s the sweet spot: when an audience feels in the conversation, not just watching one. You can replicate this with live polls, colored paddles, or even an “Agree/Disagree” moment from the audience.
How You Can Use This in Your Next Panel
Here’s how I’d riff off this idea in a real panel setting:
- Start with a few “flag-worthy” statements: Industry myths, ethical dilemmas, hot takes. Let panelists hold up a red flag when they disagree—or a green one when they love it.
- Use it to jump-start stories: “I see you raised your flag on that. Tell us why.”
- Invite the audience to vote too: With a polling app (such as Sli.do), a show of hands, or even a red card or flag (And yes, red cards do fit nicely under chairs!).
This is especially effective if your topic is nuanced, emotional, or full of gray areas. It gives people permission to disagree. More importantly, it makes space for the conversation that follows.
Whether you’re talking dating drama or business best practices, red flags are an invitation to go deeper, disagree out loud, and make your panel pop.
So next time you’re planning or moderating a panel, ask yourself:
- What’s our red flag moment?
- How can we make it visual, fast, and a little unpredictable?
- Are we setting the stage for real conversation?
Huge thanks to Jennifer Hudson and the Nobody Wants This crew for the unexpected inspiration.
Turns out even daytime TV can teach us how to create more powerful panels!
Want help building red-flag moments into your next panel? I’ve got lots of creative ideas—just ask.
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For more information about how to moderate a lively & informative panel discussion, check out our free 7-part video series on how to moderate a panel and other resources to help you organize, moderate, or be a panel member.
