I’m helping someone get some equipment together to do some audio interviews (not necessarily for radio, but we want broadcast quality).

They called a retailer who suggested a Audio-Technica AT8035 shotgun mic, sales guy said "This American Life" uses this mic, so that is why he recommended it. I was thinking RE50b.

When you don’t have to worry about a mic being in the shot, or making things ugly… What is the best (affordable) mic that is good for indoor & outdoor field interviews?

And if you want, what is the best expensive mic too?