Sometimes, you come across something that’s too good to be true. This is one of those times.
The other week I was listening to a podcast done by a pair of 20-something interviewers. The two interviewed a young, female actor who was explaining her meteoric rise from acting in her first independent film to acting in her second an incredible four years later.
Right in the middle of this riveting interview, as I was hustling back and forth between the show and an online dictionary of urban slang—to better understand the deeper meaning of phrases such as “like,” and “uh…like,”—the actor’s telephone rang. For the next eight minutes (no kidding, I went back and timed it), I was treated to the actor’s side of a telephone call, which I could hear quite plainly even though she was far enough from the microphone to be standing in her refrigerator.
Here’s the best part. This is the new model of professionalism for…NPR.
I told you this was too good to be true.
NPR wants its shows to sound more like podcasts. It makes perfect sense. How long can NPR continue to sound authoritative and dignified while competing for a younger audience with hosts whose idea of information is a noun, a verb, and either “awesome” or “perfect.”
I don’t know if NPR has thought this through, but I assure you I have.
Fade in on the All Things Considered theme. The theme runs for 5 seconds, then abruptly cuts off.
Siegel: (he sounds as if he’s speaking from the back of a large bus) Hi there everybody. I’m Bob Siegel. And with me is my partner, Audie Cornish. Hi, Audie.
Cornish: (she sounds as if she’s speaking from the back of the same bus) Hey, Bobby, what’s going on?
Siegel: Nothing. I had a quiet day today. You know, hanging out in the newsroom, watching a couple of videos. Did you know the video of us yesterday drawing pictures with Easy Cheese in a can went viral for a hour?
Cornish: Oh, that was a funny show. Episode 1,244.
Siegel: Yeah. 1,244. No, wait. I think it was 1,243. Today is 1,244.
Cornish: Are you sure?
Siegel: Check with our producer.
Cornish: We don’t have a producer anymore. Remember?
Siegel: Right.
Cornish: Too formal.
Siegel: This is better.
Cornish: Much better. I feel closer to our listeners. Like I’m one of them and not some Voice of God.
Siegel: I meant wearing my penny loafers and Ralph Lauren polo shirt. It used to be only on casual Fridays. But now, I mean this is Thursday and nobody’s come down on me for it.
Cornish: That’s amazing.
Siegel: Normally, by now, I’d have gotten a phone call…
Cornish: No. I mean I actually heard you say “come down on me” on the air.
Siegel and Cornish giggle nervously.
I’ve tried my hand at podcasting, and if NPR wants to go all in, I’ll swap them my garage for its North Capitol Street NE studios. Then it will have the ideal surroundings for sounding like a podcast. And it won’t even have to change its name.
NPR can stand for National Podcasting Radio—unless it sounds like National Puerile Radio instead.
(FOR THE RECORD: As students, Robert Siegel and I worked together, infrequently, at WKCR-FM, the legendary student-run radio station of Columbia University. He might remember me but after this post I’m sure he’ll never admit it.)
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wELL, BESDIES BEING BIASED (YES, I SAID BIASED)AGAINST ISRAEL IN THE MOST BLATANT WAY, THEY ARE CHANGING THEIR PROGRAMMING AND APPROACH AS YOU DESCRIBE AND TI IS PRETTY STUPID AND UNINTERESTING, SO I RAISE MY GLASS TO YOU, DOUG, IN AWE AT YOUR COLUMN!
Hi Bryna—
I’m tempted to say, “No, please, tell us how you really feel.” but I think you’ve done that. 🙂
I’m so glad you like the writing here. And thanks for letting me know. I’m afraid too many readers are suffering in silence 🙂 🙂