Ok, I'm pretty sure this episode includes a Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff jam.
Now that stated, we can begin.
This episode was pretty good- one of the more entertaining of the ones thus far. Ira's mother starts off the show by discussing the meeting she had recently been leading- the topic being that of adult children and how parents deal with them. She is indeed one of my favorites to hear on the and it's extra entertaining when Ira points out how he hadn't done what all parents want them to do, get married and have grandchildren for them. I love hearing what she's got to say and take some of what Mrs. Glass says to heart, that good motherly advice.
After Ira's mom, Sandra Loh adds some more entertaining stories to the show (she was part of the first really good episode, "Vacations" ). She tells of her father and his funny adventures in catching rides with strangers (including Angelica Houston) and his idea to get a mail order bride. Too funny. Sandra's probably one of my favorite contributors from the earlier shows and I'm looking forward to checking out some more of her stuff throughout the different episodes.
Dig it.
Showing posts with label this american life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label this american life. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Episode 17: "Name Change/No Theme"
FINALLY the name change! I feel better about things and doing this project now that the name of the show was officially, finally, changed to "This American Life". Good riddance, "Your Radio Playhouse"- I can see how those public radio folks hated the name.
As the title states for this one the name changed and there wasn't a theme- there's around 5 different stories going on in the three acts and they're alright but nothing that spectacular. The follow up to the Navy Pier story from the week before was an interesting thing, sharing the fact that the pier had announced, after the episode promoting how much they were giving back to the city of Chicago, that they were having to cut a lot of the job force due to loss of money. Then Ira dropped that people paid $16 to park for this place. Then I lost any sympathy I had towards to the government and their running of the place. Anyways- I liked the follow up, the city of Chicago still not wanting to give into having to tell about their possibly boo-boo in the economy.
Overall, this show's a listen to it and just let it go on shows...the stories that were told, of no particular theme that is, could possibly pop back up at some random times on you.
No harm, no foul, thank the Lord they changed the name.
As the title states for this one the name changed and there wasn't a theme- there's around 5 different stories going on in the three acts and they're alright but nothing that spectacular. The follow up to the Navy Pier story from the week before was an interesting thing, sharing the fact that the pier had announced, after the episode promoting how much they were giving back to the city of Chicago, that they were having to cut a lot of the job force due to loss of money. Then Ira dropped that people paid $16 to park for this place. Then I lost any sympathy I had towards to the government and their running of the place. Anyways- I liked the follow up, the city of Chicago still not wanting to give into having to tell about their possibly boo-boo in the economy.
Overall, this show's a listen to it and just let it go on shows...the stories that were told, of no particular theme that is, could possibly pop back up at some random times on you.
No harm, no foul, thank the Lord they changed the name.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Malcolm Gladwell Lecture//Episode 9: "Julia Sweeney"
I've finally hit the next episode, after getting the opportunity to see Malcolm Gladwell speak (for free! Score!) at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga last night (I highly suggest seeing him if you can. Good stuff). I felt like I was in a real life episode of "This American Life" or something. He spoke on leaders who are so sure of themselves that causes the missteps. Comparing the financial meltdown to a Civil War battle was something I would have never thought of, but made total sense. I feel very enlightened and admittedly, slightly hipper, having gotten the chance to see such a popular and awesome speaker.
Anyways, onto the episode...
Julia Sweeney was on Saturday Night Live back in the day and this episode of TAL is parts of her stand up from 1994-1995, speaking on her experience having cancer, while her brother also has the disease. I won't ruin the episode by saying too much about what goes down in her story, but it is a very interesting one and I can't hate on it because it is such a strong episode. Much of the hour, I almost couldn't stand how personal and real her stories are and I had such a response to it, but then I considered my thoughts on art: if it makes you have a strong response, it's good.
Well, I had a strong response, so I guess it could be considered art. The nonchalant way that
Julia tells the story is almost painful at moments, yet it is worth the listen. As Ira notes in the show, the stories lighten up some when Julia begins speaking about her diagnosis of cancer, which is appreciated after the utter dark cloud over part one, but it is still clear it isn't all sunshine in her life and her families lives.
Overall, even if it doesn't sit easy with you, listen to this one. It's pretty good.
Anyways, onto the episode...
Julia Sweeney was on Saturday Night Live back in the day and this episode of TAL is parts of her stand up from 1994-1995, speaking on her experience having cancer, while her brother also has the disease. I won't ruin the episode by saying too much about what goes down in her story, but it is a very interesting one and I can't hate on it because it is such a strong episode. Much of the hour, I almost couldn't stand how personal and real her stories are and I had such a response to it, but then I considered my thoughts on art: if it makes you have a strong response, it's good.
Well, I had a strong response, so I guess it could be considered art. The nonchalant way that
Julia tells the story is almost painful at moments, yet it is worth the listen. As Ira notes in the show, the stories lighten up some when Julia begins speaking about her diagnosis of cancer, which is appreciated after the utter dark cloud over part one, but it is still clear it isn't all sunshine in her life and her families lives.
Overall, even if it doesn't sit easy with you, listen to this one. It's pretty good.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Episode 3: "Poultry Slam"
Originally Aired 12-1-1995
I was originally excited to listen to the infamous "Poultry Slam" episodes. Well, I'm thinking not. Atleast not the first time around. I don't want to sound like I'm totally hating on the first few shows, but 20 minutes was just spent on getting an interview with a duck puppet. A STUFFED ANIMAL.
(I'm trying not to write during the episodes and gather my thoughts at the end, but that just about murdered my brain it was so ridiculous and painful. Here's to hoping the rest is better...here's to the rest of the show..oh and how Ira keeps talking about this "Chicken Man" show. The things I do for this project of patience...)
Ok, once I got over the stuffed duck annoyance and it got a little better. The story about living on a turkey farm was eh, the "Chicken Man" stories were entertaining and David Sedaris, thank the Lord, pulled it together towards the end.
I'm beginning to think the reason that these earlier episodes can be tough to swallow is due to a little heavy handedness of the themes. That is one of the things that originally made me love listening to TAL- their ability to take a theme and expand on it so well. They don't necessarily give the stories you would expect on the theme of the week and that is one thing that, I realize, does take practice. The Sedaris & turkey farm stories from this episode do that and give a fortaste of the future, so onward I will venture, praying for no more stories about talking stuffed animals.
I was originally excited to listen to the infamous "Poultry Slam" episodes. Well, I'm thinking not. Atleast not the first time around. I don't want to sound like I'm totally hating on the first few shows, but 20 minutes was just spent on getting an interview with a duck puppet. A STUFFED ANIMAL.
(I'm trying not to write during the episodes and gather my thoughts at the end, but that just about murdered my brain it was so ridiculous and painful. Here's to hoping the rest is better...here's to the rest of the show..oh and how Ira keeps talking about this "Chicken Man" show. The things I do for this project of patience...)
Ok, once I got over the stuffed duck annoyance and it got a little better. The story about living on a turkey farm was eh, the "Chicken Man" stories were entertaining and David Sedaris, thank the Lord, pulled it together towards the end.
I'm beginning to think the reason that these earlier episodes can be tough to swallow is due to a little heavy handedness of the themes. That is one of the things that originally made me love listening to TAL- their ability to take a theme and expand on it so well. They don't necessarily give the stories you would expect on the theme of the week and that is one thing that, I realize, does take practice. The Sedaris & turkey farm stories from this episode do that and give a fortaste of the future, so onward I will venture, praying for no more stories about talking stuffed animals.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Episode 2: "Small Scale Sin"
Originally aired 11-24-1995
This one's a little funny in the outdatedness of the episode- the majority of the show is about computer hackers. In 1995.
It wasn't too earth shattering of a group of stories, and I hate to say how much I cringe ever time Ira Glass says "Your Radio Playhouse". That being said, onward to the next...
This one's a little funny in the outdatedness of the episode- the majority of the show is about computer hackers. In 1995.
It wasn't too earth shattering of a group of stories, and I hate to say how much I cringe ever time Ira Glass says "Your Radio Playhouse". That being said, onward to the next...
Episode 1: "New Beginnings"
Originally broadcast 11/17/1995
So we start from the best place to start: the beginning.
This was the first listen from anything from the first year of the show. I wouldn't rank it one of my favorites but the more dramatic stories (the moments which Ira isn't talking- sorry dude, but you don't ever seem to shut it on the first go round) are somewhat bleak yet inspiring.
Besides the actual stories, the best part probably had to be the interview with Mrs. Glass. Between the talk of Ira looking like Hugh Grant and how she's already had an interview that day with a newspaper, it's just entertaining. Bringing the fam into the fold is one of my favorite things throughout the series.
Alas, I don't want to sound like I'm hating on the first go round,but hey, it was the start of something new- of course it would take time to work it out. But can we PLEASE stop saying "your radio playhouse"?
Thanks.
On to episode 2....I know they'll get better, as will my thoughts reflecting on them.
So we start from the best place to start: the beginning.
This was the first listen from anything from the first year of the show. I wouldn't rank it one of my favorites but the more dramatic stories (the moments which Ira isn't talking- sorry dude, but you don't ever seem to shut it on the first go round) are somewhat bleak yet inspiring.
Besides the actual stories, the best part probably had to be the interview with Mrs. Glass. Between the talk of Ira looking like Hugh Grant and how she's already had an interview that day with a newspaper, it's just entertaining. Bringing the fam into the fold is one of my favorite things throughout the series.
Alas, I don't want to sound like I'm hating on the first go round,but hey, it was the start of something new- of course it would take time to work it out. But can we PLEASE stop saying "your radio playhouse"?
Thanks.
On to episode 2....I know they'll get better, as will my thoughts reflecting on them.
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