Lindsayism.com

Just So You Know, I'm "Boycotting" WNYC's New Morning Show, "The Takeaway"

So last summer, a good friend of mine who I'll call "Michelle" saw a job listing for writers for a new NPR PRI morning show (nullus on the title of the job listing.) She was applying, and because she knew I was keeping an eye out at the time, she sent it to me and encouraged me to apply too (a typical example of the kind of generosity that should be typical but isn't in media. Michelle, though made ungoogleable here for obvious current-job reasons, is awesome.)

Celebrity Snark

On this week's The Sound of Young America Podcast:

Jesse Thorn interviews my pals Amelie Gillette and Alex Blagg about "celebrity snark". Both Amelie and Alex defend the views of my other friend, "The Editor of Gawker Media" (sic, why can't anyone get it right?) Emily Gould against Jesse's seemingly unwavering adoration for Jimmy Kimmel, his suspenders, and his completely hypocritical views on celebrities. (Ok, I may be a leeeeetle biased.)

Whether or not I agree with Jesse (or his devil's advocate position, possibly) about the necessity of alternatives to the publicity machine when it comes to celebrity coverage, I donate to The Sound of Young America every month and you should too.

This American Life (TV) Preview/ Review

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, the first episode of the TV version of This American Life is already on Showtime OnDemand (so I assume big fans have already seen it?), but this animated preview of a future episode (by Chris Ware, natch) is going around:

(I tried to embed it but it's HUGE! (That's what she said.) So: here.)

I was going to review the first episode, but I don't really "review" things, per se, so I'll just say that (Spoiler Alert: if you don't already listen to This American Life regularly you might want to just wait for the show). But go ahead and order Showtime now and tell them it's because of TAL, because who knows? Maybe that works...

Breaking: This American Life is on Showtime OnDemand Already!!

I just called and ordered Showtime in preparation for March 22nd's premiere of This American Life (the TV version), and discovered that the full first episode is already available on demand. This fact isn't even on the TAL website yet, so I win.

Full review on Monday, because it's Saturday night, but I couldn't wait to share the news (hint: *****) Order Showtime! They also have Saw II right now if that's your thing.

The Sound of Young America is Coming to WNYC!

So last week during the WNYC pledge drive, when I donated online, there was a section for "comments". I wrote:

"Please add The Sound of Young America, it's awesome!"

Or something like that. Anyway, yesterday, Jesse announced that, starting March 4th, TSOYA will be airing on WNYC at 6pm Sundays in an 11 week trial run!

Coincidence? Yes! Awesome? Yes!

There are also three other announcements at that link. Yes!

Kind of Switching Over to Team Karen Anyway...

* Now that Extras is over, time to cancel HBO and order Showtime in time for the TV version of This American Life (premieres March 22). Here's a trailer.
Also, The Sound of Young America's Jesse Thorn interviewed TAL Senior Producer Nancy Snyder about both the radio and TV shows earlier this month.

* Team Pam vs Team Karen: after an impressive run, Claire and Steve have decided they're too busy to help the people of the world declare their allegiance to one of Jim Halpert's love interests through t-shirts, but there are still shirts left in every size: get 'em before they're gone.

from wbez in chicago...

My post today on Jane's Music + Celebs blog: Finally, This American Life Offers a Free Podcast (starting today.)

Another great podcast: The Sound of Young America (and this week's show features the always-aforementioned John Hodgman and Jonathan Coulton.)

who needs cable?

This article announcing the birth of Tina Fey's new daughter mentions that she's working on a script for Paramount called Curly Oxide and Vic Thrill, which tells the true story of a Hasidic man who starts a rock band in Williamsburg. This American Life listeners probably remember the story from an episode called "My Experimental Phase." It's an amazing story. You can listen for free here.

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea vs. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out = Vietnam

Kittenpants invented a new game: iPOD WAR.

I would like to play this, if only there was some way of removing Total Eclipse of the Heart from my iPOD (without erasing it, of course.) Wait, what am I talking about? TEOTH is the Greatest Pop Song of All Time. Nevermind.

Since I'm already engaging in Blogger Cheese by acknowledging the existence of iPODS, I'll go ahead and mention my main use for it lately when I'm out and about - I signed up for an Audible.com subscription a few months ago and have been enjoying my 1 book and 4 episodes of This American Life per month. In addition, I got $100 off my iPOD at Amazon.com just for signing up for Audible (my old one broke). Total cost with overnight shipping = $204. (If this sounds like a commercial for Audible, it's not. I've never had any contact with anyone there.)

I've learned that the only downside to listening to audiobooks and radio on your iPOD is this:

Nothing kills a party like a shuffle-set iPOD suddenly blasting the 4th chapter of "Freakonomics" instead of music.

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