Podcasting...

I spent pretty much all of February listening to hours and hours and hours of podcasts, so why not post them? Summaries taken from each podcast's respective website.


Ask Me Another (NPR)
"Ask Me Another blends brainteasers and local pub trivia night with comedy and music into a rambunctious hour-long show.

Fantastic for keeping me awake on my two-hour commute to work. The trivia is fun, but it's really the interactions (and awful puns) that make AMA so much fun. Plus, there are usually celebrity guests!




Click (BBC)
“the best debate on global technology, social media and the internet,” or “your guide to all the latest gadgets, websites, games and computer industry news”

Fun and conversational updates on technology.






Discovery (BBC)
"Explorations in the world of science."

'Explorations' is exactly the right word for Discovery. The podcast spends about 20 minutes exploring random issues in science, from editing the genome to Einstein's refrigerator patent.






Faith Middleton Food Schmooze (NPR)
Faith and her foodie friends talk about food, share recipes, review cookbooks, and make you SUPER hungry.





  

Freakonomics 
 "...surprising conversations that explore the riddles of everyday life and the weird wrinkles of human nature... with Nobel laureates and provocateurs, social scientists and entrepreneurs" 


 
Fresh Air (NPR)
 "Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries."

Interviews and other interesting tidbits on a variety of contemporary subjects. Terry's interviews are great (and it seems like she's interviewed everyone at some point...)



Graham Norton (BBC)
"Graham hosts a vibrant Saturday mix of music, problems and celebrity chat."

Graham Norton is a talk show host for the BBC (pretty much the best talk show host ever, check him out)... and this is his podcast.

Inside Science (BBC)
"...illuminate the mysteries and challenge the controversies behind the science that's changing our world."

More quick stories about random scientific discoveries and problems.


NPR Books (NPR)
A mix of 4-5 minute reviews and 20-30 minute interviews with authors.



NPR Interviews (NPR)
Gathers together a host of interviews from other NPR podcasts: scientists, authors, actors, politicians, comedians, regular people.


NPR Movies (NPR)
5-10 minute reviews of upcoming movies, including many movies I otherwise would never have discovered. Also gathers together movie topics from other NPR podcasts.


NPR Politics (NPR)
 "...where NPR's political reporters talk to you like they talk to each other. With weekly roundups, quick takes on news of the day, and reporting from the campaign trail, you don't have to keep up with politics to know what's happening this election year. You just have to keep up with us."

A relaxed, conversational, and well-informed take on current American politics.


NPR Technology (NPR)
Quick 3-5 minute updates on new advances in technology.

NPR World (NPR)
Quick, 5-10 minute updates on current politics and social issues around the world.


Science Hour (BBC)
"Science, health and technology news and highlights of the week."

More science! I think I'm noticing a trend. This one gets a little deeper into the subjects it covers.







 Seriously... (BBC)
"A rich selection of documentaries aimed at relentlessly curious minds. No subject is too strange, no idea too weird."




 
TED Radio Hour (NPR)
 "The TED Radio Hour is a journey through fascinating ideas: astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, new ways to think and create. Based on Talks given by riveting speakers on the world-renowned TED stage..."

Unlike the Ted Talks podcast below, this gathers together several TED talks on similar topics, and knits them together with interviews and new information.



Ted Talks Audio
Audio from new and popular TED Talks. These can be a little frustrating if the TED presenter uses a lot of visual information in their talk.




Wait Wait Don't Tell Me (NPR)
"NPR's weekly current events quiz. Have a laugh and test your news knowledge while figuring out what's real and what we've made up."
 

Very similar to Ask Me Another (I couldn't tell the difference until I moved from radio to podcast).

Food : a love story // Jim Gaffigin {Audiobook}

Why I'm reading
His other book was alright.

Where I got the book
Greenwich audiobook.

Expectations
Well, something like Dad is Fat, but about food.

So how was it?

Eh, alright. More relatable for me than his first book, at least for me, since it isn't about kids; it seems less heartfelt, though. It's a lot more similar to his stand-up (especially his "hot pocket" bit).

Recommendation
Fans of his stand-up, and food-related comedy.

Feels
A little repetitive, but funny.

Dirty Daddy // Bob Saget {Audiobook}

Oh my GOD I got Alan to read a book. Okay, listen to a book. Without internet. While trapped on an airplane. In other news: we went to Arkansas for an action-packed week of alcohol and board games with friends!

 Why I'm reading
Bob Saget, star of Full House, bastion of 90s TV.

Where I got the book
Overdrive, Greenwich Library.

Expectations
It’s called Dirty Daddy, and I’ve certainly heard how bad his stand-up can be, so… dirty.

So how was it?

And -- it wasn’t. Dirty, that is. It was a fairly clean and even motivational memoir about Sagat's life and family, and most of the crude humor seemed tacked on to keep the reader from getting bored.

Apparently, despite what we've all heard, Bob Saget actually is (a slightly ruder) Danny Tanner. And that’s actually pretty neat.

Recommendation
Fans of Full House, or Bob Saget in general. Not for people who can’t handle a few “my laptop is melting my balls” jokes, but it doesn’t go much further than that.

Feels
Heartfelt, but inexperienced in terms of writing.

Favorites
The unexpectedly heartwarming focus on the role of humor in times of tragedy.

Least favorites
Like quite a few memoirs, this one falls into the trap of talking about itself way too much -- naval gazing about the process of writing a memoir, the whys and wheres, the deadlines, how far along it is, how silly and awkward it is to be writing about oneself, etc. etc. Sagat is an actor and comedian who can write jokes, but doesn’t seem comfortable writing an actual book.

Writing style
Conversational and heartfelt, with a dirty joke tacked on every few paragraphs.

The King of Comedy // Stephen Chow {Movie}

The story of an out-of-work actor / acting coach who sabotages himself by being a terrible extra, and the hostess club worker who goes to him for acting lessons.  

Why I'm watching
Movie night with friends… theoretically bad movie night, but more along the lines of confusing movie night. Plex pulled it in wrong, so Dan was pushing for it because he was expecting a different movie.

Where I got the movie
Sitting on Alan’s server for who knows how long.

Expectations
None, really. I was advised that it was something like Shaolin Soccer (same director).

So how was it?

Well, that was pretty random. It follows an aspiring actor who fails miserably at being an extra, teaches acting for free, and makes pretty much every wrong choice possible. He keeps getting kicked out of his extra roles when he “gets into his character” and tries to steal the spotlight. His love interest is a club hostess, looking to become a better actress for College Girl Night. She gets beat up ; he eventually makes it big, then fails. Then he’s briefly an undercover cop. They get together. Then… suddenly cans of Pringles, and a huge crowd outside their little theater for some reason?

Recommendation
If you’re looking for a little bit of recreational cognitive dissonance...

Feels
Satirical and random (no, no sporks involved).

Favorites
The Jackie Chan cameo, the main character nagging zombie-like extras, and the hugging gag.

Least favorites
They pretty clearly had no idea how to end it.

Earth : the Book // Stephen Colbert {Audiobook}

I barely remember listening to this, and I’ve read it before, so… yeah. I probably won’t ever review it, but I promised myself I’d at least mention everything I read/write/see, so I’m trying to make a habit of it. And hey, just making this post reminded me of several movies I forgot to write up!