Good This American Life Episodes

[TromboneAl]

I'm recording a few This American Life episodes to have for listening in the car. Recorded the What I Learned from Television and the Testosterone episodes so far.

Any other episodes that are particularly entertaining?

 

[Martha]

Its tough because it is hard to remember the titles. Two that I recognize and are really good are Babysitting and Liars.

 

[TromboneAl]

Perfect. Thanks Martha.

Liars: This American Life

Babysitting: This American Life

 

[samclem]

"My Big Break" I remember the Act One segment very well. The others I don't recall.

This American Life


I'll think of more. What a great show this is.

 

[samclem]

And another:
David Sedaris's Santaland Diaries segment.

This American Life

 

[Zoocat]

My suggestion : Prom

 

[ERD50]

Thanks T-Al, I rarely catch them on the radio, will try to catch up with these links.

I can't find it by description, but there was a fascinating one about a gambler. He owned his limo, and he seemed happiest to start the day with nothing but that limo. Run a few pick-ups, and take the money into the casino. Lose, and he's back trying to arrange rides, win and he just keeps going. Seems that if he won big, he would blow it. He seemed addicted to the struggle of getting there. Every day. Wow.

Another one about a guy with some car engine invention. He basically drove himself nuts working on it and was broke his whole life. Really sad.

But I can't find the episodes, you might come across them. Note that you get a synopsis if you click the title. Still a lot of trial and error. A one line description sure would help.

-ERD50

 

[Coach]

My goodness, this site could cost me hours!

I loved Somewhere in the Arabian Sea

Coach

 

[flipstress]

Any other episodes that are particularly entertaining?

I liked Puppy Love in Starting From Scratch.

There was also a story about a woman who rented a house from a landlord who was in ill health and was soon-to-die. She would get the whole house when he died but he kept hanging on for years and years.

Also, anything by David Sedaris is great. Users can just search by his last name on the web page you linked to.

Thanks for letting us know these are available online.

 

[flipstress]

I can't find it by description, but there was a fascinating one about a gambler. He owned his limo, and he seemed happiest to start the day with nothing but that limo. Run a few pick-ups, and take the money into the casino. Lose, and he's back trying to arrange rides, win and he just keeps going. Seems that if he won big, he would blow it. He seemed addicted to the struggle of getting there. Every day. Wow.

I think this might be in the Starting from Scratch episode above.

 

[REWahoo]

Al, you're limiting your enjoyment by not considering other NPR programs. Case in point: Scott Simon's "Weekend Edition" interview with Dame Edna

 

[ERD50]

I can't find it by description, but there was a fascinating one about a gambler. He owned his limo, and he seemed happiest to start the day with nothing but that limo.

I think this might be in the Starting from Scratch episode above.

Yes - thanks, that was it! - about 20 minutes in.

This American Life

It was so fascinating to me because his risk tolerance is in another universe from mine, yet, you can tell he is really smart, probably genius level. His brain is just wired different from most others.

-ERD50

 

[Zoocat]

The Giant Pool of Money
This American Life

"A special program about the housing crisis produced in a special collaboration with NPR news. We explain it all to you. What does the housing crisis have to do with the turmoil on Wall street? Why did banks make half-million dollar loans to people without jobs or income? And why is everyone talking so much about the 1930s? It all comes back to the Giant Pool of Money."