Lately, I fear I have been slacking in the Internet department. And that can be blamed entirely on one reason: This American Life. It’s all I pay mind to all day (besides work, of course). And I can’t seem to get enough of it. As a matter of fact, when the bell rings at the end of the day, I just can’t seem to interrupt whatever show it is I’m in the middle of. So I stick around working on whatever it is I can in order to finish the show. Otherwise, I’d feel as though I’m interrupting the person’s story.
I’m only half-way through the 2005 archive. Each and every day I get to meet new people and hear their tragic, or wonderfully funny stories. I feel privileged for being there even though they have no idea I am even listening. The one called Mind Games features an hilarious bunch of stories about mind games gone bad. Know Your Enemy features a reunion between Jello from the Dead Kennedys and Michael Guarino, the prosecutor who took him to court on obscenity charges. That had me laughing out loud. Which looks pretty damn silly when you’re at work and wearing headphones. Godless American was probably my favorite thus far. Although, Little Bit of Knowledge proved the funniest. (A woman actually believed until very late in life that Unicorns were actually alive once and merely facing extinction or actually extinct.) Reunited and it Feels So Good is captivating especially the part about cloning a pet bull. Remember Me brought tears to my eyes. Hell, they really are all wonderful. You really can’t go wrong. Thus far, I have loved every broadcast in some way. And each one brings me a little more respect, admiration and awe for my kind. We could all use a little bit of that, couldn’t we?
I think today I will listen to My Experimental Phase and Plan B which features a man referred to as Cuervo Man.
I wish everyone in America had to listen to this at least once a week. Each broadcast is filled with stories told by ordinary and not so ordinary people and each time I hear them I find I care a little more. But it has my wondering, what do other people busy themselves with during the day? If not blogs, what passes the time?
I think I will make reality radio the wave of my future.
Oh! My Experimental Phase is a good one. Curly Oxide.
OOOOoooo! I haven’t listened to it yet! I’m just finishing up with Plan B. Thanks, Nico!
i wish i could listen to stuff like this at work, but I’m working with words not images and too many words at once confuse my brain.
I need a silent bubble.
I know, I am very lucky for that. I realize this daily. :]
OH my! Williamsburg is the location for Act One. Yippie!
i can’t wait to hear what you think about cuervo man. it’s a good story.
i assume you know about the upcoming TAL television show. the tv staff will be in NYC (i think).
p.s. after the lurking admonishment earlier, i felt compelled to post.
yeah, yeah. it is all about the intersection of new coolio williamburgers and Hasidim.
it is your life. ok, not really, but sort of.
ringo, I don’t know about the TAL television show, but I’m all ears. Do share?
Showtime greenlighted a pilot for a show. It sounds like it will be a television version of his show—first person storytelling, thematic arrangement, etc. There was a story in the NYTimes giving more information a couple of Sundays ago. I’m sure a quick search will turn up something useful.
Of all of the shows on NPR, This American Life seems the best suited to television. I’m pretty excited about it.
I am so happy to see something like this do so well. As someone who has never understood the attraction towards reality television, and who is consistently frustrated when new shows pop up thereby kicking out something else perfectly wonderful, I’m excited to see something like this. It’s refreshing. And I have to say, I am often wondering what these folks look like. There have been numerous times where I have looked on Google. The guy who got into trouble for painting things on the sidewalk in New Mexico
– the one who eventually was interrogated by very high up officials –had me wondering who he was. He sounded so intelligent and charming. He and his girlfriend, Molly. It will be nice to see some faces, for sure. :]I’ll let you know if I find out anything else about the show.
Holy shit! The third act of My Experimental Phase is hilarious.
right on, these are great!
Ummmm. Are you suggesting that Unicorns are NOT real?
Oh no no no. Unicorns are very real. I meant pegasus.
(what is the plural of pegasus? Pagasi?)
I’d like to state for the record that Ira Glass is hot. Very hot.
I went through a This American Life phase…that combined with blogging? my work productivity took a sharp downward dive. sigh
and your post does nothing but taunt my inner desires… blak! This is my the most busy time of the year at work – crap. I will not start the habit until the fall semester is well underway (repeat to self)
Katie, please, tell me, is he hot? I haven’t seen him? I have wondered. Give pics. Yes, pics.
Yes, he is hot. Here’s a picture. I was lucky enough to catch the show on tour in DC two years ago. That was so awesome. They started off with all the lights out as Ira did the opening monologue, like he was talking just to you. It’s so intimate. It sent shivers down my spine.