Ah, politics again. It's such a strange thing- I'm not a very political person, yet I am loving this 1996 political race coverage- but I can tell you exactly why I'm digging it so much: Michael Lewis. I know that I've written about how awesome this guy's writing is and how much he is just making for interesting stories....so what's he talking about this time?
More politics, of course. This time it's a funny story about having a video camera on the campaign trail and how different the response is from people around you, as opposed to just doing print journalism. Lewis' tale then fades into Ira discussing the difference in cable vs. network news campaigning with a professor from MIT.
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I won't lie, folks, I listened to this episode over a week ago. Thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday, I've been in and out of the house, traveling around the southeast to visit family and waited too long to write this show up. I would go back and try to remember all that was on it, but even after reading the show notes on the website, I'm not completely recalling the episode. That says enough for me, atleast: the one story I've written about is pretty memorable. The other stuff? Take it or leave it.
Showing posts with label michael lewis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label michael lewis. Show all posts
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Episode 34: Democratic Convention
I guess if you do a Republican convention show, you have to do a Democratic convention show, right? Fair and balanced, that is NPR!
The episode didn't have the Dan Savage spin that I loved so much from the Republican convention episode, but Michael Lewis comes back into the picture to share his thoughts from this convention and Danny Drennen, who is introduced as a writer of a "90210" blogger (but this was 1996, so blogger wasn't quite the term) talks about what he saw on the C-Span coverage of the convention.
These two stories make the show pretty good. It's not quite as up there as the Repbulic episode, but pretty good- and that's just the entertainment side I got out of it, not political.
Honest.
The episode didn't have the Dan Savage spin that I loved so much from the Republican convention episode, but Michael Lewis comes back into the picture to share his thoughts from this convention and Danny Drennen, who is introduced as a writer of a "90210" blogger (but this was 1996, so blogger wasn't quite the term) talks about what he saw on the C-Span coverage of the convention.
These two stories make the show pretty good. It's not quite as up there as the Repbulic episode, but pretty good- and that's just the entertainment side I got out of it, not political.
Honest.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Episode 32: Republican Convention
Once again, I thought "UGH! Politics in 1996, no way this will be good!" and, once again, I was proved wrong.
Episode 32 includes a story by Dan Savage, about his infiltrating the Republican party and trying to overturn some of their rules and regulations on gays. The story of his going to the party events and trying to turn them on their head- it's just pretty great. Probably the most I've ever laughed during a political story that was put together over 10 years ago.
Michael Lewis also makes another appearance, talking about visiting Bob Dole's house (but Bob isn't there...from what I could tell..?) and finishing up his coverage on the Maury Taylor election trail (see here and here for his earlier appearances on TAL). Once again, I really like this guy.
This is going for 2 really good shows in a row...and the next one looks pretty sweet. Woohoo!
Episode 32 includes a story by Dan Savage, about his infiltrating the Republican party and trying to overturn some of their rules and regulations on gays. The story of his going to the party events and trying to turn them on their head- it's just pretty great. Probably the most I've ever laughed during a political story that was put together over 10 years ago.
Michael Lewis also makes another appearance, talking about visiting Bob Dole's house (but Bob isn't there...from what I could tell..?) and finishing up his coverage on the Maury Taylor election trail (see here and here for his earlier appearances on TAL). Once again, I really like this guy.
This is going for 2 really good shows in a row...and the next one looks pretty sweet. Woohoo!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Episode 29: Bob Dole
It's 2010, almost 2011. I'm listening to an hour on Bob Dole in 1996.
Well then.
Have to say it, though, this episode isn't as bad as I had predicted. Political author Michael Lewis returns for some more of his commentary on candidates, this time Dole. This dude has to be one of my favorite writers on the show when it comes to making politics interesting.
Robert Smigel even shows up on this episode, talking about how to properly imitate Dole. Pretty great.
Have to say it- if you were picking this episode or the "Detectives" episode, I would definitely go with this one. I would even pick it as one of the better of the 30 I've almost listened to so far. Here's to hoping the comedians keep coming through the show and stay this solid.
Well then.
Have to say it, though, this episode isn't as bad as I had predicted. Political author Michael Lewis returns for some more of his commentary on candidates, this time Dole. This dude has to be one of my favorite writers on the show when it comes to making politics interesting.
Robert Smigel even shows up on this episode, talking about how to properly imitate Dole. Pretty great.
Have to say it- if you were picking this episode or the "Detectives" episode, I would definitely go with this one. I would even pick it as one of the better of the 30 I've almost listened to so far. Here's to hoping the comedians keep coming through the show and stay this solid.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Episode 19: Rich Guys
This episode's talking about guys who have lots of money and how they act due to this. Stories on rich folk who run for president and set up their wife with 15 viles of their sperm for after they die so more kids can be produced.
Yeah. Some people clearly need more money to blow on stuff.
EDIT: Writer Michael Lewis is one of my favorites, after some other shows with his pieces. Listen to this man. Plus his story here links up to episode 31.
Yeah. Some people clearly need more money to blow on stuff.
EDIT: Writer Michael Lewis is one of my favorites, after some other shows with his pieces. Listen to this man. Plus his story here links up to episode 31.
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