This American Life Customer Reviews

Oh sure, This American Life almost always begins with some rollicking, humors piece directly related to its theme. You’ll hear Ira interview someone to a backdrop of fun, upbeat or whimsical music….You can’t help but get sucked in.

But know this, and know it well: Ira Glass is an insidious and manipulative genius. Sure you’ll start out the hour laughing (maybe harder than you’ve ever laughed at a public radio show) but inevitably and seamlessly, in a completely unconscious manner your emotions will be turned inside out and you’ll end the hour sobbing in your car, in the Target parking lot you’ve been parked in for the last 40 minutes. And sometimes you won’t even know why you’re crying, all you’ll know is that some sort of emotional release is needed before reintegrating yourself into the outside world.

Remember how the television show The Outer Limits began with the warning, “We have taken control of your TV….” well, Ira Glass and Co. take control of your emotional state with full reign to raise you to dizzying heights of euphoric happiness or plung you down, down into unsettling depths of despair.

So beware. The stories within have the ability cling to you for days, weeks, month, or even a lifetime. That’s why I never miss a show.

The podcast itself is evidence of the producers' dedication to their art. I've purchased this program for the last couple of years from Audible. I held on to an XM Radio subscription only because they added TAL to their lineup. I've streamed it online. I even offered to help my local public radio station raise money to carry the program JUST so they could carry TAL. The fact that it is now available as a free podcast is a great public service. Since Audible will be refunding this year's subscription price, I plan to send the money to my local public radio affiliate. Thanks, Ira and Gang!!

I don't know if it's true for you, but I am SO very tired of listening to ridiculous, air-headed, disingenuous disc jockeys handing me "life trivia" stories of "public interest." Most of the time their false giggles make me want to puke.
This American Life is so very different from any other radio experience I've probably ever had or will have. It captures, as well as it can, in audible form, the human condition, in all its delicious and uncanny glory. Glass may well be suited to manipulate his audience into convulsive laughter or tears, but I have never finished broadcast feeling as though I were duped into feeling anything. Each one of the participating storytellers edits his or her tale brilliantly and with individual flourish. I would be loathe not to admit that it sometimes can be geekily playful, but really, my friends, if you're telling yourself you've never been a geek about anything, you need to check your pulse. You're downloading podcasts for goodness' sake. Regardless, this is an excellent, moving and already blazingly popular radio program, so if you don't listen to it already, you should at least give it a try. I have NEVER heard an unsatisfying show yet from Glass and his crew.

NPR doing things like putting TAL up on itunes free proves that it really is PUBLIC and non-profit. They earn their name and will earn a whopping donation from me this year. Any money I was going to give to Audible just went directly to THEM! Woo Hoo! Thanks NPR, Ira, and the other amazing people that serve all of us with thier art and voices.

If you haven't experienced This American Life, you are missing one of the best shows in radio today. When I listen to this program, what I feel is a deep connection with the stories narrated by the guests and Mr. Glass. And if you haven't had a chance, listen to David Sedaris' pieces- the man makes you laugh until your ribs hurt and the muscles on your face seize completely. I happened to attend a lecture by Ira Glass at a college in Oregon. If you think his charisma and humor diminish in person, you would be wrong: this man has worked his way from go-fer of the radio station to producer of one of the best radio programs in the United States. And I bet you didn't know the secret to those perfectly timed music cues: a couple of iPods :) A must-have Podcast and not a minute too soon.

This American Life is by far the best show that I have ever listened to. They have great stories from authors like Sarah Vowell (who is also a Contributing Editor to the show), David Rakoff, David Sedaris, and Shalom Auslander and a talented staff (headed, of course, by none other than the Ira Glass). It is a must listen for anyone who wants to hear what a truly great, creative, original radio program sounds like, and for anyone who appreciates great radio.

The most honest, heartwarming, sometimes sad, sometimes funny, and always insightful look into our society and culture, incredibly real, and incredibly entertaining.

The show has such a following that it has 20 5 star reviews and the first podcast hasn't even been, well 'casted yet. It's THAT good.

Have been listening since inception (25 years?) and not only has the show continued evolve, and even generate the amazing Serial and Planet Money pods, but it remains absolutely consistently excellent and engaging and surprising. Hats off to Mr. Glass!!!

Will there ever be new material again?

Then stop here. Bc this might be THE only satisfying podcast for someone who doesn’t like podcasts for all the reasons ppl don’t like podcasts. Even if you do, there really is nothing else like it.

For years, a long time ago, I also didn’t enjoy podcasts for all the reasons ppl don’t like them. (Long intros; aimless rambling; misleading topics; hosts taking up the oxygen no matter the topic; terrible interviewers; withholding interviewees; lengthy runtimes, etc. Yes, similar to this review. :))

But then one day my friends & I were discussing health insurers & pharmaceutical companies. To make her point, one of my friends pulled out her laptop & played an episode of this. The first thing that sold me & still does, was the editing. TAL is edited like something visual, yet audible. Like a short documentary, or a 30x30 episode, or 20/20 l, but for your ears. Okay, I clearly can’t explain it well. But that first the time, I was floored. I had enjoyed a podcast so much that I actually wrote the title down! Then actually starting listening to it in my free time. Even though now I listen to a few more pods these days, I actually still have never heard anything else like it. Not the format, the contributors, the tone, or Ira Glass. This show is a rare thing of artistry & thoughtfulness & editing combined to make something eternally enjoyable. Even for those who genuinely don’t wanna hear it.