I just got done watching the first episode of This American Life on Showtime. It’s the first time the long-running NPR show has made an appearance on TV despite being rumored for the better part of a decade. Holy crap, it’s amazing. I never would have thought that I would be as emotionally invested in a cloned bull as I was with Second Chance and his family.
I should have expected nothing less than amazing though. Ira Glass and the rest of the team that works on the fantastic NPR version have been apparently working on the television edition for over a year, and it certainly shows. I love the radio version, and as much as I’ve been on the edge of my seat waiting for this one, I have to admit that I was more than a little concerned. Would it translate ok? I love Super Size Me, and while there are some standout episodes, 30 Days (it’s television counterpart) doesn’t hold a candle to it.
My fears were quickly squashed with TAL’s opening piece about a woman remembering an accident on a bus when she was a little girl. From there I was wrapped up in two equally amazing stories that you have to watch to appreciate. I’m going to try and see if I can talk to Ira Glass and crew for Netscape, I think they’d make an awesome piece. I do have one request though, I want more!!