Comments on: This Show Is Good - This American Life

By: Apodaca

Apodaca — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:21:58 +0000

Even if you're not a fan of Chris Ware's writing, you can't deny his skill and revolutionary style, in terms of the storytelling and construction of his comics.

And if you do, you have terrible taste. Or are a liar.

By: Mike Bazemore

Mike Bazemore — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 17:22:02 +0000

Joe Rice: Maybe we only like the same stuff week after week when it comes to comics:) I admit the disconnect. Still and all, if I have to hear another plug for the "Ketchup (or is it Catsup) Advisory Board", or another tedious ramble about the good Lutheran folks of Lake Woebegon, I'll be asking for some extra fillings to go with my TAL root canal...
The only thing even remotely worthwhile on PHC is Guy Noir.

By: Joe Rice

Joe Rice — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 13:13:46 +0000

Wait, someone doesn't even like Prairie Home Companion? Jesus Christ! What's up with the readers of this blog?

By: Mike Bazemore

Mike Bazemore — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 19:40:00 +0000

T. mentions that the NPR schedule seems geared to smug white yuppies. Well, one out of three ain't bad! Seriously, though, I enjoy a lot of NPR programming. I just wish This American Life would go away. And Prairie Home Companion. And Car Talk. Pretty much all of the weekend non-news programming except Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me.
Dave Sikula- I have only heard Le Show when I travel. Our local affiliate doesn't air it and I'm too lazy to get it online. I would double my donation to the local station (and, yes, I donate- this is not a twice zero equals zero thing) if they bumped Ira and replaced him with Harry.

By: T.

T. — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 15:23:35 +0000

I pretty much hate everything on NPR, it all sounds geared to smug white yuppies. Except for that pimp show. Best NPR show ever. "Pimp Anthropology" on Itunes, I can't recommend it enough.

By: Dave Sikula

Dave Sikula — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 03:12:51 +0000

Every time I've tried to listen to TAL, I've quickly gotten annoyed with Glass's choppy nasal delivery and the overall tenor of the stories, which strike me as both smug and designed to make the listener think how swell his/her life would be if only they were as clever or interesting as the story-teller, who invariably has a dead monotone voice. Oh, and I hate the musical choice, too. I know it's one of the most popular shows on NPR, and that it's me rather than the show, but I just can't stand it. In San Francisco, the juxtaposition of the show with "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" and Harry Shearer's "Le Show" only makes TAL's weaknesses that much more glaring to me. Given the option, "root canal" looks pretty tempting; it doesn't advertise or come back every week.

By: Joe Rice

Joe Rice — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 19:49:41 +0000

Wow, I never wouldâ€™ve thought Iâ€™d see so much hate for This American Life. I can understand not liking a particular episode or finding the show to be a bit too mellow for someoneâ€™s tastes, but it never dawned on me that people could actively dislike the show so much. Just because you didnâ€™t like one or two episodes, doesnâ€™t mean theyâ€™re all crap. Hell, there have been episodes where I didnâ€™t care about one of the segments, but really liked the others.

My thoughts exactly!

By: Justin Davis

Justin Davis — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:56:30 +0000

Wow, I never would've thought I'd see so much hate for This American Life. I can understand not liking a particular episode or finding the show to be a bit too mellow for someone's tastes, but it never dawned on me that people could actively dislike the show so much. Just because you didn't like one or two episodes, doesn't mean they're all crap. Hell, there have been episodes where I didn't care about one of the segments, but really liked the others. This show, Bullshit, and Dexter are three reasons that I'm tempted to get a subscription to Showtime.

By: T.

T. — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 16:11:03 +0000

I never tried the rest of This American Life, and based on the lineup of topics I saw, I wouldn't be interested in subscribing to future listens, much for reasons Mike Bazemore mentions, but the pimp episode is gold, not so much for the hosts but for the insights and stories of the pimp. Then again, I have an intense obsession with pimps, I read about them constantly. They fascinate me.

By: Mike Bazemore

Mike Bazemore — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:23:38 +0000

For some reason the phrase "whiny navel gazing" comes to mind when I think of "This American Life" whereas root canal surgery connotes "blessed unconsciousness." Root canal surgery it is!

By: Mer

Mer — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:35:28 +0000

"You can download the one hour episode from the Itunes music store for like $0.95." - T. You can also sign up for This American Life's weekly podcast subscription and get the newest episode downloaded into your iTunes for FREE! As much as I adore Ira and crew [aside: Root canal? Seriously?! Well, I'd stay well away from NPR in general, its soothing tones and innovative programming may have you begging for colonoscopy.] I'm not sure if I'm ready to experience my favorite radio show in picture form. I've been listening to the show for years and it wasn't for the tv show and its publicity blitz, I'd never known what Ira Glass looked like. He's a fine, hipsterish-looking fellow, but I liked my perfect TAL world in my head. But out of loyalty, I will give the show a try.

By: Joe Rice

Joe Rice — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:58:06 +0000

This American Life is a great, great program. Saw it recorded live once back when it was a radio-only show. I saw the Ware segment animated about cameras online . . .really, really great stuff. One of the greatest living comic-makers animating on a great, great show.

By: T.

T. — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:31:06 +0000

I've only listened to "This American Life" once in my life, but it was a fascinating episode. It was called "Pimp Anthropology" and it was about a guy and his friends who all became pimps in Oakland, and the problems the guy had because he wanted to be a pimp that respected and didn't beat his women. You can download the one hour episode from the Itunes music store for like $0.95. That being said, like Dave I'd prefer root canal to Chris Ware as well.

By: Grant

Grant — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 06:59:39 +0000

I've listened to This American Life and had root canal surgery and found This American Life far more pleasant. I don't know. Ira Glasses pleasant mellow voice seems a lot better then some guy drilling holes in my teeth.

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 06:31:48 +0000

What don't you like about each one, Dave?

By: Dave Sikula

Dave Sikula — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 06:24:47 +0000

Personally, I'd rather have root canal surgery than endure either "This American Life" or Chris Ware in any form. I know that probably puts me in a minority, but I loathe both of them with every fiber of my being.