MetaFilter posts tagged with ThisAmericanLife

Video on global demand

twoleftfeet — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:47:32 -0800

All TV episodes of This American Life are currently available for free in the U.S. through the main Chinese video sharing site; Youku (here's an episode guide and Season 1, Season 2.) Youku usually blocks U.S. audiences from viewing major U.S. content (Jaws, Casablanca, Citizen Kane). Episodes of "This American Life" may also be purchased in the U.S. through Netflix, Amazon, or iTunes.

Long live Quimby The Mouse

PuppyCat — Tue, 05 May 2009 08:49:09 -0800

Quimby The Mouse. That is all. I have been a Chris Ware fan since 1990. More specifically, I have been a Quimby Mouse fan since 1990. This is a video Chris put together for This American Life for their spring 2009 event. The music is by Andrew Bird.

For those of us who didn't take Econ in school.

zardoz — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:39:39 -0800

Confused about the banking crisis? Confused by banks in general? This American Life's latest show Bad Bank (streaming, mp3) is a highly informative (and entertaining) overview of how banks work, and what problems they--and we all--face in this current crisis. Produced by another great NPR show, Planet Money.

"There will be enormous, enormous losses..."

justkevin — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:04:39 -0800

This American Life gives you Another Frightening Show About the Economy.. The guys who brought us The Giant Pool of Money (previously) explain the credit crunch and why it's so scary. And not in the Halloween fun-to-be-scared sense.

The Giant Pool of Money

empath — Sun, 11 May 2008 22:20:37 -0800

The Giant Pool of Money. This American Life teams up with NPR News to explain the Housing Crisis. (I know everybody here already knows about TAL, but this is an exceptionally well done episode, and worth checking out even if you don't get the podcast.)

The Audacity of Government

East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:45:01 -0800

A very special 'This American Life' about an administration with the endemic belief that laws only apply to the little people, and a limitless refusal to concede on even petty issues, no matter the costs. The highlight is about immigrant widows of US citizens (30:50). The program also discusses the constitutional beliefs of the presidential candidates. Bonus post: Expecting a tax rebate check? Yesterday's 'Marketplace' says think again. (Marketplace transcript)

Probably not quite a fiasco!

bovious — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:21:17 -0800

Atlanta's Theat(er|re) community is unloading on a local Christmas show. Fun to read how awful it can get. This fellow explains why you probably won't read anything like that from him. And this, of course, shows just how awful it can REALLY get.

Every Bitch Must Tip

dhammond — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 23:13:50 -0800

Welcome to The Wieners Circle, a Chicago hot dog stand where you can stumble in after a night at the bar and trade some colorful banter from the staff (along with your chocolate milkshake). But a local tradition that was "supposed to be fun" often cuts a little too close for the black employees in the predominantly white Lincoln Park establishment. [NSFW]

This American Life Parody

srboisvert — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:58:50 -0800

Kasper Hauser's parody of this American Life :Episode 1 - Going Postal . Episode 2 - Phantom High School .

Would you shank me in a box?

CaptMcalister — Mon, 07 May 2007 08:26:33 -0800

Blood In Blood Out. Ira Glass, prison crew leader.

Store-wide Freak Out

chuckdarwin — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:59:41 -0800

Hobo Expert, MeFite, Daily Show Resident Expert, and reluctant celebrity John Hodgman's recent appearance on This American Life is truly inspired stuff. "He tells the story of what happens when celebrity hunts you down and finds you...on your living room couch, pushing 40, and a couple sizes larger than you want to be." Apparently Bill Gates isn't a fan. His loss.

Chris Ware + This American Life

ijoshua — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:23:37 -0800

Chris Ware animates a segment of an episode of the new This American Life television show. [previously: Chris Ware, This American Life on TV, Chris Ware on This American Life’s radio program]

A sneak peak of the upcoming Showtime edition ofThis American Life

JPowers — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:33:01 -0800

A sneak peak of the upcoming Showtime edition of This American Life (direct QT link).

Another look at counting the deaths in Iraq

Brandon Blatcher — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 19:46:33 -0800

There's an interesting piece over at This American Life (titled "What's in number"). It touches on the previously discussed Lancet study and gives a better explanation of the methodology use. Be sure and check out Act II, where Marc Garlasco, former chief of high-value targeting at the Pentagon, visits Iraq to see some of the actual sites he helped plan to hit.

After The Flood - Surprising stories from survivors in New Orleans

y2karl — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 08:38:19 -0800

After The Flood Surprising stories from survivors in New Orleans. We give people who were in the storm more time than daily news coverage can to tell their stories and talk about what they're thinking. This leads to a number of ideas that haven't made it into the regular news coverage. The most recent episode of This American Life is now up on their website--This American Life is one of the best programs on public radio and this was one of their best episodes ever. It is well worth a listen.

Suprisingly Safe For Work

drezdn — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:43:44 -0800

The Beaver Triologyblurs reality and fiction as it tells the story of a teen obsessed with the spotlight. [as heard on This American Life.]

The Apology Line

bluno — Wed, 17 Mar 2004 11:48:36 -0800

The Apology Line was an art project by Allan Bridge. For 15 years, anonymous confessions were collected by an answering machine. Covered by This American Life, and an early Wired Magazine article, The Apology Line predated online confessionals like grouphug.us by over 20 years.

The resulting messages were compiled into tapes. The long out-of-print cassette The Apology Line: Uncut Gems From Year Zero (1980-1981) is available in mp3 form: Side A. Side B. Fascinating, funny, and disturbing, all at once. [via Fluxblog]

Next up: I'm a Senator and I can't keep my clothes on!

mathowie — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 10:56:56 -0800

The popular radio show, This American Life, has an upcoming series devoted to Jerry Springer's previous life in politics. Along with the radio piece, an entire website has been launched to try and convince Springer to re-enter politics and "revitalize the Democratic Party." Is Springer the new Arnold of the left?

Come Fly With Me!

MiguelCardoso — Sun, 27 Apr 2003 23:46:52 -0800

The Chairman Of The Bad: "Brassiere! I dig a broad with no brassiere!"... Full of unreleased concert material and wonderful anecdotes, This American Life's programme about Frank Sinatra is still the most entertaining I've ever heard about The Voice, bringing out his worst as well as his very best. It almost makes you feel like catching the next corny My Way [Though it has a goodish list of his most lasting songs] or Rat Pack show. Bone up on the wonderful slang or take the Sinatra quiz. And, if you're still a bit of a stranger to Sinatra, perhaps the Frank-ylizer will lead you to a record appropriate to your tastes and lifestyle. No, there can't be many better ways to fight the Monday blues! ["Chairman of The Bad" is a 1994 Bono quote; Sinatra's "brassiere" adlib is sung to the tune of Ary Barroso's famous Aquarela do Brasil/Brazil. Real Audio req.]

Fears of Your Life

Hildago — Sat, 15 Mar 2003 11:55:39 -0800

“Fear is a warning thing,” Loggins says, “a warning system. It lets you know you’re going to be in danger, like something jeopardizes your life. I guess everybody has fears in common. In fact, I’m quite sure they do. Things like bees, monsters, and probably pit bulls.”

Radio interview with Mr. Rogers

cmicali — Sat, 01 Mar 2003 10:23:45 -0800

Radio chat with Mr. Rogers on This American Life. I found it a really touching and revealing piece on personality that I grew up watching on TV. (via memepool)

Movie Adaptations of Books

MiguelCardoso — Mon, 02 Dec 2002 06:13:10 -0800

Sometimes Movies Are Even Better Than The Good Books They're Based Upon. [More inside]

puddsharp — Wed, 09 Oct 2002 07:09:07 -0800

David Sedaris on tour Go see him in your town! Anybody see David Sedaris on Letterman last night? He read a new piece about a portable colostomy bag. Mr. Sedaris is a regular contributor to This American Life on NPR. If you haven't read or heard David Sedaris, you are really missing out.

The Michael The — Fri, 23 Aug 2002 14:12:32 -0800

Pimp Anthropology (RealAudio file) is the title of a 1999 episode (description) of This American Life. It chronicles the rise and fall of a man that, with three friends in the '70s, became a pimp, didn't follow the rules, and lost everything. It's amazingly honest, interesting and heartbreaking, and doesn't fall into the trap of glorifying pimping and prostitution. This is the best thing I've heard in a while.

bob bisquick — Mon, 18 Mar 2002 08:42:17 -0800

Best... Phone Message... Ever! An audio clip from This American Life. Check out Act Four... Buddy Picture, the last maybe 20 minutes. Long but hilarious.