Ira Glass on Storytelling, part 1 of 4

[jkovert]

What a d-bag

[Crimm]

Lol, why are people arguing? You don't have to like or agree with what he's saying; if you don't, why stick around? Go watch something you like instead!

[klutzyknockoutlady]

Ira Glass is a PMS-laden liberal with poor diction and poor delivery. He (apparently) tries to sound like a homosexual even though he is (apparently) not one. He produces an unprofessional sounding program that sounds as though it was put together by a load of pot-heads at a small college radio station. He is perfect for the Public Radio wine-and-cheese crowd who are undoubtedly delighted that our tax money goes to pay at least part of the over-paid salary he derives from his cushy job.

[leonlime]

this doesn't have enough views for how important the info it's presenting is..

[AntipodeanStar]

If you get this message Ira Glass, I have something to say to you. Take you American culture and shove it up your ass. Get out of Australia. We dont want you here. We are uninterested in your American stories and your American understanding of the world. We are thoroughly sick to death of your dull, superficial, idiotic American culture. We dont want to listen to you. Go back to America and take your American executives in the Australian Broadcasting Commission with you and dont come back.

[ladyfuschia]

@AntipodeanStar I'm curious. In what way do you think that your culture and that of Americans is so different?

[MrMatt674885]

@AntipodeanStar Thank you! I loved your comment, sir! I even posted it on my Facebook-- (which, incidentally, is yet another example of "idiotic American culture!" :)).

[TheYouBot018]

test

comment 4

[snouty2005]

Also see this amazing new animation of the bit about not quitting before you get good. Brilliant way to make the point. Wonderful message well presented. bit . ly / pJX0b3

[jazzigod]

Ira for god.

[AnnaInGV]

Video notes:

2 basic building blocks to stories - it's not like what you learn in high school composition class -

1. the anecdote/sequence of actions; a story in its purest form; with a bit of bait - raise Qs from the beginning; if you raise one, it's implied you're going to answer, along the way; keeps people interested.

2. the moment of reflection; what it all means. Don't omit this.

You need to get both, for it to come together - and be larger than the sum of its parts

[MrGrevy]

What a moron

[stevendurr]

i still want to know what happened to the guy from 1:44

[drkungpao]

this dood can suck it!

[firetruckgreen]

He actually pokes fun at himself for the "L" thing in an episode of TAL. Its at the end when he does the Tori Valentia joke.

[scepticalmuffin]

does anyone else think he sounds like dustin hoffman from "rain man"?

[YourFaceWillDie468]

@scepticalmuffin I don't.

[davidnhvtme]

I love This American Life as Well. It's riveting!

[AuntieArtichoke]

Hello from Montana...So love NPR..

You may want to check out our web site at .Montana Story keepers  dot com

we have done great work with gathering community stories. We also have done great work with Story Corps.

Judy Helm Wright

[MilesTrane21]

@AuntieArtichoke This American Life is actually on PRI

[RickLance10]

As a Voice Actor , I love Ira Glass as a true storyteller. I've already stolen some of his ideas. Looks like I've got more chances to do that again coming up!

Rick Lance

[NortonPalamine]

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

[salutemyshortsnow]

@NortonPalamine He does pronounce his Ls. Listen closely.

[saunjuan2]

jake and Amir ?????

[trirachel86]

@saunjuan2 lol

[saunjuan2]

@trirachel86 i didnt feel like watching this again so why did i put jake and amir

[Sejaynus]

Can someone PLEASE teach this man to say the letter "L"!!

[ihath]

Good tips



[ihath]

Good tips

[ihath]

Good tips

[ademuth93]

Lol... It's a good thing you didn't include Jon Stewart. xD I love it when someone's conspiracy-esque point gets destroyed like that.

[1986hangman]

driveway moments every show!!! Ira rox I think his real name is Ira glasser, NEway this is the first time Ive ever seen him!

[neverbeenfree]

Like nearly everyone in the media, he is there because he is Jewish. Jews mentor, support, and promote only JEWS. If you don't know this, then you are a brainwashed automaton--brainwashed by the Jews who own and control the entire media in this god-forsaken country.

[treefingers68]

@neverbeenfree not only is he an atheist, he's also talented as fuck. You, however, will never go anywhere in life because not only are you stupid and untalented but you invent excuses in your head to mask your stupidity and lack of talent. for example "I'm not in the upper tiers of society because only jews are in the upper tiers of society." Do yourself a favor and lose your stereotypes and work hard for a change.

[Orsley]

@neverbeenfree -- You're right!! Only Jews can get a break in the media!! Just look at those Jews Leno and Letterman and O'Brien and Fallon and Couric and Williams and Winfrey and DeGeneris and Seacrest and Lauer and Stephanopolos and Hannity and O'Reilly and Matthews -- they're ALL JEWS!!! Oh, sorry, I forgot -- none of therm are Jews, and you need to figure out what it is you're really angry about.

[101feven101]

@Orsley Good one lol :D

[tatelabianca]

@Orsley I like your style, kid. :)

[FsGGam1ng]

suB toi my channeL so i will suB bacK !!!

[kevinflory]

half glass full or empty?

[careerfair1]

I love This American Life

[jenejen1]

i love ira glass and this american life!

[rivronjack]

This guy has it all wrong. He provides no evidence, just his opinion.

[IHateMadeUpNames]

@rivronjack: And the right way is?

[fosterslover]

@rivronjack

Evidence? Have you listened to his program? What other evidence do you need??

[MRoy01]

Probably a nice guy, but uh, I don't think I'd want him with me if we had to fight our way out of a bar.

[MrFuckshitty]

@MRoy01

Very insightful comment. You are a true scholar among men, with an innate ability to make one not only ponder the outer universe, but also the inner self. I feel like my life has gained something by your spectacular observations, and I am forever in your gratitude.

[angelgirl9964]

cool

[TheGliderman]

the best thing ima glass could do for all of us is to fall in front of a bus.

truly poor journalism.

[rbdeconomist]

@TheGliderman Not sure if your comment is intentionally meant to ignore the fact that his radio programs have won more journalism awards than any other show on the raido and are also the most compelling on radio, but hey if you are so small minded to want someone you disagree with to be hit by a bus I can only have sympathy for your pathetic existence.

[resaspieces]

god his voice is awesome!! I love This American Life

[elchamber]

@resaspieces does he really have an awesome voice or is it just the fact that "this American Life" is soo good?

I sort of feel the same and maybe we can test it if he does audio books.

[resaspieces]

@elchamber well i suppose it's both really isn't it:)

[FourFingerFilms]

@resaspieces sorta reminds me of Woody Allen's voice

[kirbyspudnik]

This is similar to how you write a screenplay. Good stuff.

[GreensongOakheart]

We have a whiter selection on line.

[reidevjord]

He's older than I expected from his voice.

[TheJapanChannelDcom]

I am sure this was fascinating.. but I sort of lost interest not long after it started... sorry...

[1schwererziehbar1]

he's absolutely right. also i want to say that many south park are good examples for the good storywriting he talks about.

[mranenome]

This guy's radio show is great. Been listening to it for years.

[xleeca]

how can he help produce quality show after an other.. i hope one day he will get the recognition he deserves for all of the programs on This American Life.. he seems so endlessly talented, i love the way he talks about storytelling and i hope to hear more..

[mcgrawtim123]

My only disagreement with Mr. Glass is that the "Moment of Reflection" should come in the reader's mind, and not be there blatantly on the page with the writer's opinions all over it.

The anecdote part of his argument is the secret to good story-telling. Sometimes the best stories don't end, and are filled with digressions.

[Ltlgrrl]

Great stuff, thanks PRI for posting this and calling it out.

[benjamred]

thanks for taking the time out to share with your listeners a bit of the story telling philosophy that makes this american life so compelling

[nutherefurlong]

Really good point. Hard to keep both in mind, but when I listen to their stories on TAL that's just what they're doing :)