Ira Glass Talks About Chickens, Karen Davis, Going Veg

[lindseyclark08]

Ira Glass AND Regina Spektor! Perfection

[omoniacy]

Bravo Ira! So proud of you. Activism on NPR is a must. Dave should get the msg with his heart problems. Of course the most fundamental reason is that sentient creatures are not for our mouth, clothing or entertainment.

[pooscifer]

I wonder how many people went vegan because of Ira Glass. Whether it's for the chickens, love of animals or the environment in general, or Ira Glass, kudos to whoever did :)

[socrponygirl23]

he kind of squeaks everytime he says chickens

[placebopleasesnedina]

I totally have a crush on Ira :)

[jswartz42]

This is probably the best clip ever! Ira Glass and Regina Spektor in one sitting!

[tallyRIN]

I'm now in love with him :P

[MidGroundInertia]

... Wait. this the best episode ever.

Ira Glass, AND Regina Spektor!??!?

[mdezotelle]

I love the way Regina Spektor waves. It's like a cartoon lightbulb

[kterbo]

This is great! Thank you Ira for being you.

[veggievampire]

HE IS SOOOO BEAUTIFUL! I wanna marry a man like him.

[rachelfpotter]

Ira Glass is so sexy.

[tblitba]

He was on tv for two years...did nobody see that?

[speedychorizo]

i like the way he says chickens

[callmeurine]

This is the first time I've ever watched him speak. I've seen pictures of him, but it's weird to connect his face with his voice.

[anilvij]

HE'S IN HIS 50s?!! He sounds like a 30 year old

[draco1204]

Ira Glass. An american legend.

[NortonPalamine]

Anyone ever notice - Ira Glass does not pronounce his L's?

[CarlosIsDown]

aw. regina is so adowable!

[chickenfun777]

I imagined him to be kinda chubby and to have brown hair. I was so shocked when I saw him on the TV series - "How!?!".

[rabbitgalaxy]

Yay!! Good for Ira Glass!!!

[frostybob123]

Ira Glass is such a hipster. I knew what he would look like before i ever saw a picture of him !

[mememooncat]

more ira glass! (only the first half of clip). I think he is a genuis, I think I shall end my bombardment on that note

[NikThaStik22]

I... love... those glasses

[CarlosIsDown]

What? Regina Spektor and Ira Glass? Too bad I missed that. wait, no I didn't!

[henrytophat]

I don't know if it was intentional or not, but thank you so much for leaving the Regina Spektor song it.

It was a wonderful surprise.

[roxyapoxy]

wow, he really uses great language here, powerful words...good stuff

go vegan!

[drezler5]

It's surreal for me to see him speak in person. His voice has become a character in itsself to me, like some vaporous creature floating in space.

[minkaminka04]

Ira has such a nice voice. = )

[DougJokester]

this ira glass guy is awesome, very woody allen-esque. He should do more stuff

[Lazyassdude]

regina spektor = awesome

[chocotofu3]

this is the best video ever!!! Ira Glass and Regina Spektor? It's like the best sandwich ever.

[onacruise]

what a nice surprise. the perfection that is regina spektor right after that amazing story about chickens from ira glass. regina looks so cute here too

[reverendslaughter]

Come for Ira, stay for Regina!

[flyflyingaway]

Ira glass and regina spektor within 9:05 minutes?!

this can't get any better.

[InappropriateMachine]

i love how he says chicken

[thejay2012]

His voice is very calming in TAL

[TheSchimmi]

From WBEZ Chicago, it's This American Life, i'm Ira Glass. He's such a good speaker! Damn, you could listen to him read the ingredients off of a twinky wrapper. A twinky in particular because of the probable lengthiness of the ingredient list.

[aha45]

Jesus Christ, there is no need to say it like "chICKens!"

[Blissinflux]

I was lucky enough to date a guy that looks and speaks almost exactly like Ira. They have the same mannerisms and smarts and wit and...sexiness. And the guy never understood what I saw in him physically. Meanwhile all I am thinking is- Wow, could the both of you BE any more adorable!

It don't mean a thang if he ain't got that brain.

It'd be tough.

[rubycrownedkinglet]

I hate the way everyone is laughing

[WonderBooger]

Thanks for the Regina Spektor bonus!

[degausser8]

Usually radio figures never live up to my mental image.... but that is EXACTLY how I imagined Ira Glass

[caulfieldryecatcher]

i've hugged that man. and i had him sign my buddy holly glasses

[TouchdaMonkey]

Yup, me too.

New fashion: Nerdy and cul.

[Andromanche1337]

Its really sad when people laugh about chickens. They have the worst lives.

[egnarbutterlump]

i <3 ira glass

[omerta69]

he's got such a smoothing voice when you hear him on radio.

[bmwx11]

haha....I came to this just to see Ira....and i got REgina too....that made me so happy....she is so beautiful and plays pretty

[VeganBreak]

This is awesome. Way to go Karen Davis!!!

[SvStRoJaN]

Does anyone else love how he says 'chickens'?

I do!

[VelvetNico]

Yeah it's pretty fantastic :)

[scatterbrainedfloozy]

it's strange for me to see Ira Glass while he speaks. I'm only used to him as a disembodied voice.

[yadeyrinii]

Ira Glass is awesome. You know it says a lot about a person who can consider and even be convinced by the opposite side of the argument. His radio show kicks ass, but what would you expect from someone as intelligent as this guy right?

[GotThatPMA]

Sign me up to be a chicken advocate .

[SaganAppreciationSoc]

Props to Karen... and to Ira for doing the right thing.

[billybobthortansbro]

IRA GLASS > POULTRY

[freshflapjax]

Just because chickens are less intelligent than most humans, doesn't mean they deserve the inhumane treatment they get.

[WSwan]

I meant 'squeaks'.

[WSwan]

His voice kinda squeeks when he says chickens. Kinda funny.

[imthepb]

Yes, he is entirely serious when he laughs and talks about his show being "the lynchpin behind the chicken Armageddon." Great observation.

[mmusins2]

yeah it was kind a bizare in that regard.

[2dhill]

I think it's hilarious how he pronounces "CHICK!ens"

[rocketdave]

Damn, I really would have liked to have seen the entire interview.

[hollis019]

So rather than get offended about the abuse of sentient creatures, you'd rather jump to conclusions about what vegansam said and get offended by that?

You, dear misguided chicken-abuse excuser, are screwed up. I hope you open your eyes and wake up to the reality that millions of animals are tortured and killed every day. You don't have to compare it to anything to find it reprehensible.

[abrighterplace]

I love Ira Glass.

[VEGANSAM]

I remember distinctly the day I decided to stop listening to This American Life after hearing Poultry Slam. I eventually went back to listening to it, though not as passionately... After all, it IS THE best show on the radio...& 99% of television. Period.

To discover his change of heart speaks volumes...NOT only about Glass, but the EXPLOITATION chickens have to endure...

Ms. Davis, Thank You...

[nutherefurlong]

OK... but you had really given up on that great show because of Poultry Slam? They still had a Poultry Slam last year, even after his conversion to vegetarianism. That's a strange, not very well known target for people to protest. Even though his conversion is remarkable, his point was valid: there are worse offenders to go after than one of the finest documentary programs running today. I hope at least his show got some publicity from everyone's protests.

[VEGANSAM]

#1: but- I'LL ASSUME YOU'RE NOT, BUT FOR US TRUE VEGANS, IT'S VERY OFFENSIVE. JUST AS 'NEGRO SLAM' WOULD BE. #2: They still- I DIDN'T KNOW...HOW HYPOCRITICAL. #3: That's- I WAS PROTESTING MAKING FUN OF EXPLOITED SENTIENT BEINGS. #4: Even- IT HAPPENS TO THOUSANDS DAILY! #5: his point- I/WE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO LISTEN TO A MAN WHO WAS INSENSITIVE TO OTHER SPECIES...UNLESS ENDANGERED. #6: I hope- I'M SORRY YOU FEEL SO APATHETIC TOWARD THE PLIGHT OF THE VOICELESS...SPECIALLY FOR A FAN OF THE SHOW.

[nutherefurlong]

Thanks for responding, but ease off on the caps please. The negro slam analogy doesn't work, because Poultry Slam is a direct pun on Poetry Slam; the slam just refers to getting a poem down quickly, just like they get down stories on fowl in quick succession. Did you respond to the title, or to the stories themselves? All this energy spent while companies are actually torturing these creatures. My point about my hope was that I don't think this was an effective protest because its focus is off.

[Bothychickens]

also, Ira said poultry slam and the Host said "like Poetry slam?".

so it WAS explained in the clip...

[muzical15]

lol. Ira always makes me crack up and laugh!

:^D

[radiofan6872]

What terrible reasoning for buying into the stupidity that is vegetarianism. I love Ira Glass and TAL, but between that and his constant stream of like, you know, umm, and so on, it's really disgusting.

[mpagner]

"stupidity that is vegetarianism" - huh? Vegetarians use fewer resources than meat eaters, create less pollution (e.g. it's "greener" to go veggie)and respect the lives of other sentient beings. How is that more ignorant than ignoring the fact that eating meat is causing massive environmental problems? If you don't know this, you're the ignorant one.

[animalliberation0961]

YAY, KAREN DAVIS, YOU PRECIOUS, PRECIOUS HUMAN BEING!

Karmah

[mharvill8674]

and one could say that vegetarians are more prone to disease, but what about heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks, cancer, and all the other fun that accompanies a poor diet composed of regular meat consumtion? is it worth the agony of dying a sick old person, wasting away?

[mpagner]

One could say that vegetarians are more prone to disease, but one would be incorrect. Study after study has shown that vegetarians and those who eat only small amounts of meat are generally healthier. The myth of "protein deficiency" is espoused by the meat and dairy industries. It's not true. A balanced veggie diet is extremely healthy.

[mharvill8674]

think about all the oil and oil byproducts (packaging, etc) used in the meat industry. all that meat has to get shipped and packaged, not to mention the fertilizer (which uses oil. we only "need" meat about one a week, yet people insist on eating it every day. and then we wonder why so many americans have colon cancer, acid reflux and heart disease. so in effect, humanity has set itself up for disaster, all for a measly steak or bologna sandwich. just as inexcusable as drug addiction.

[dizzyandparanoid]

Ira Glass is my idol. I love This American Life. I try to catch it everytime it is on.

Now then, I am personally vegetarian, but I respect meat-eaters. There are many arguments on both sides on whether humans are herbivores , omnivores, or carnivores. I do it because I personally believe that animals, living creatures, with feelings, thoughts, and therefore rights, should not be eaten. I completely support the rest of my family and friend's dietary habits.

[miketheday]

Ira Glass is a cool cat! If you've never caught his show on NPR, you're missing out.

[elizabethptp]

It's on PRI.

[bill2893]

i really dont understand how people cant care atall about animals dying for our food, everyone should become a vegetarian and people and animals should live together, because if an elephant killed a person then that elephant would be put down and it would be all over the news, but if a person kills an animal, then nobody cares atall, animals are living things, they should be treted with respect FULL STOP.

[angischy]

oooh, and Regina Spektor! haha, nice surprise!

[modernhustle]

The laughing was disrespectful at times. I love Ira Glass.

[angischy]

Obviously not an NPR audience. Very different crowd. (sigh, average America)

[bittetotoro]

I don't really like the way his vegetarianism was treated as a joke. The audience seemed to think the fact that this guy was affected by knowing the chickens was the funniest, craziest thing they'd heard all evening.

[calefjo]

Keep in mind the context of the David Letterman Show. It's entertainment, and not the space for serious conversation.

[bittetotoro]

You're right. I guess this is why I don't watch TV anymore ;)

[citybythesea]

you think "chicken slam" isn't supposed to be funny?

[bittetotoro]

That's just the point. I think Karen Davis was right- Slamming poultry isn't funny. The language the media use influences the attitudes of people listening, and the violent implication of that language only serves to distance people from caring about these nice, smart animals.

[joshsowords]

bittetotoro you make an excellent point. Although I make not wholly endorse the ideas of Karen Davis, to stigmatize her ideas for the sake of entertainment is troublesome. Its typical media behavoir, the first priority is always entertainment, in the case a clever ancedote for the Late Show audience to consume. It a guest doesn't or refuses to fit the mold, then thier riduculed as the next Harvey Pekar.

[eigenadam]

Ira Glass is awesome. And I thought that even before I knew he was veg.

[person2personme]

the way he says "chickens" is getting on my nerves.

lol.

he's a good guy though

[ch920211]

haha how funny that this video is posted by united poultry concerns. i'm a vegetarian because i feel bad for the animals that become food, and i'm glad ira glass became a vegetarian.

[veganstud]

Karen davis Kicks ass and takes names. HEHE She has alot to do with why Im a vegan. And why I got to know chickens and now have many as animal companions. If I would have heard myself now like 8 years ago I would have thought, crazy fucker. But it only took getting to know one chicken. And that was it. I was veggy.

[inncident]

Ira Glass and Regina Spektor in the same video? Amazing.

[babygotgoing]

YES.

[bibliophilechick]

I love when Ira really gets into the story (around the time when he is discussing the "underground railroad" for chickens) and whenever he says the word "chickens", his voice shoots up an octave. Although kudos to Ira to learn to from the experience of visiting Karen Davis' farm.

[veganoflight]

Yeah! I love it and the birds too. Yeah for not eating birdies. I stopped eating all beings when I read that people were eating cats here in Florida. It's legal and it's normal for some cultures, so I felt I was a hypocrite if I were to judge them.

[sstansbe]

Do you have the first part of this interview?

[boywithstars]

It's great that Ira Glass went veg and all, but that this started from a woman who didn't get the Poultry Slam reference is kinda lame. There was nothing offensive about that title, Karen!. And this is from a vegan. In fact those episodes of the show, often showcased many birds in positive / interesting ways.

It somehow worked out in the end, but Karen, you come off looking like an idiot. Sorry, it's true.

[ClaudineMignard]

Bravo to Karen Davis for convincing Ira Glass to let Chickens be free and not be tortured and eaten. I am very impressed that Ira became vegetarian. Wow! That's great! The Chickens would thank you if they could Ira.

[suchsubtlety]

thanks karen davis.

[LiveVegan]

Thanks for sharing. Great vid. Karen Davis is a hero.

[fixpetz]

Loved the video, and Ira Glass' conversion to vegetarianism says it all. Bravo to Ira and to Karen Davis!

[tracyam1]

We vegans don't discrimate between animals when it comes to our love and respect for them. Listen to Ira's story, but substitute the word "dog" for "chicken." Unbelievers may hear the story the way we hear it. :)

[aucoon]

LOVED IT!! Victory for the chickens....my dream is to move somewhere where I can have a few chickens.

[JimandPamfan]

You Fruits!

[LiveVegan]

You mean vegans ;) Go UPC !!! :)

[TilkiMom]

Good for Karen Davis!!!

[Zooey01110]

So great to see this. I love Ira Glass "This American Life" and I've long had immense respect for Karen Davis and her tireless work to put an end to animal cruelty. Kudos:)

[BirdFeederLady]

This video speaks to the power we have to create change, one person at a time.

[epskionline]

I was so thrilled with how that wrapped up. Good for Ira Glass (and the chickens)!

[coolmtnman]

I've met KAren and she's great. I've had two pet roosters and they are intelligent and interesting. Think how smart parrots. Birds are underated and we don't even need them in our diet. According to the Corn Growers association,80% of the corn grown in this country is fed to animals. Poultry manure poisons the streams and ground water supply and smells really really bad. Ppl that work in poultry houses develop depression. do good and go vegan

[pmhauge]

UPC does some great work. Karen Davis will give anyone second thoughts about eating poultry.