Our friend Jesse Thorn from The Sound of Young America, a public radio show about things that are awesome, interviewed This American Life’s Ira Glass in his most recent podcast. The entire interview is excellent, and there’s a section where they discuss the Improv Everywhere episode of This American Life that’s particularly interesting. Their discussion about whether a bias is created when searching for a compelling narrative in a story begins at 7:03 and becomes specifically about the Improv Everywhere episode at 13:15.
The Sound of Young America: Ira Glass
(download the mp3 directly)
If you haven’t heard of The Sound of Young America before, now would be a good time to check out the tons of other podcasts available on the site. It’s must-listen radio for any serious comedy fan.
Related Links:
- Best Gig Ever
- Ted’s Birthday
- IE episode from TAL’s radio broadcast
- Clip of the IE story on the TAL Showtime pilot
- TSOYA interview with Charlie Todd
Wow, I’m actually kind of surprised at Glass’s cutting stance. No pun intended. Though conflict makes for more of a story, it still doesn’t feel true to life. His opinion makes me question the validity of opinions listeners form based on his show.
I think the key point is that his show is based on life, but it’s not true to life.
as a listener to the original TAL show and not having been aware of improv everywhere before it, the show made it clear that 95% of the group’s activities are successful good fun…so they want the interesting 5%? obviously! so do i, as a listener. what’s the big effin deal? i still came away with a realistic idea of IE as to the other 95%. what’s next? prime time live not interested in following your mom to the grocery store and only cares about the murder she comitted?