There is a feature about the jump NPR's This American Life is making from radio to TV in this morning's screen-paper. Any Canadian over a certain age can tell you that this bears risks but perhaps Mr. Glass will not be Mr. Gzowsky, the sainted latterly less than interesting Canadian radio icon who flopped embarrassingly in around the late 70s when he was stuck on the screen with a sofa. Mr. Glass may have what it takes:
Mr. Glass is a radio wonk who got his start as a 19-year-old intern at National Public Radio. He has since worked as an audiotape editor, a newscast writer and an education reporter. He became known for having a light, fanciful touch with common folks, and in 1995 he was asked if he had any ideas for a local show in Chicago. What eventually came to be "This American Life" gradually gained steam, winning most of the significant radio awards along the way. It brought a kind of radio majesty to the prosaic, the significant and the weird: kids frolicking at summer camp, love in wartime between a soldier and a prisoner, or a woman who goes to a Bible class really to hear its message and is unnerved by the violence underlying many of its stories.My favorite This American Life was about a guy who was a photographer who had just met a girl and the guy was just back from a freelance trip to Afghanistan who got caught up with the FBI through a mad series of events including somehow being a crank in the mind of security to the daughter of Donald Rumsfeld. By the end...no, I won't tell you. The story is too good.
I can't find it in the archives. You look, would you? Check around and find a show you'll think is some of the best radio ever.
Comments
gorthos - March 21, 2007 9:39 am
I am happy to say Alan that although at first attempt, the granite mountanis around my home prevented my receiving your NPR station of choice, the huge unnused old TV antenna beside the house has a connection that alows for crystal clear connection! This is the kind of show my wife would love.
Alan - March 21, 2007 9:45 am
Check both 88.9 and 93.9 in Kingston for NCPR and also 90.9 for classic music NRP as well as 89.9 for WRVO out of Oswego. It is great being a border town.
Mike - March 21, 2007 10:17 am
I think "Double Exposure" must have been the worst Canadian radio-tv move. Ugh.
Alan - March 21, 2007 10:36 am
Me thinks you forget "Friday Night Live with Ralph Benmurgie."
gorthos - March 21, 2007 1:06 pm
I personally think "____ with Ralph Benmurgie" is the worst show.. "_____" being a variable that works for all shows past and present.
gr - March 21, 2007 1:34 pm
Fans of this American life, can we just say 'squirrel cop' and die laughing?
David Janes - March 21, 2007 1:58 pm
Yes gorthos, but you can thank jebus that we haven't been subjected to "The ___, with Ralph Benmurgie and Evan Soloman" yet.
portland - March 21, 2007 2:04 pm
squirrel cop and little mermaid. babysitting if you like creepy.
portland - March 21, 2007 2:08 pm
and for the record i liked gzowsky tv show. classic clunky canadian tv.
Chris Taylor - March 21, 2007 4:09 pm
I know this is heresy, but I could never stand <i>The Beachcombers</i>. Or <i>Danger Bay</i>.
<i>The Littlest Hobo</i>, however, was all that <b>and</b> a side of fries.
Alan - March 21, 2007 4:17 pm
Maybe you just hate British Columbia and don't know it yet.
Chris Taylor - March 21, 2007 4:47 pm
Hah! That's a possibility...
I think it had more to do with the fact that these shows had nothing to offer a teenager looking for something a little more <i>Airwolf</i> or <i>Miami Vice</i>.
gr - March 22, 2007 10:13 am
Sarah Valle and her little voice. David Sederis and HIS little voice. Ira Glass and his little voice. The funniest bunch of nerds on the radio, and its all real. With those boppy little musical numbers between sections.
M - October 23, 2008 3:37 pm
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1148