I'm a HUGE "This American Life" fan. I listen religiously ever week. When I had a car it was my Monday drive time and now it's my subway commute soundtrack. If you've never heard of it, you must, must, must listen. The premise of the show is 3-5 stories of people around a central theme. Some are hysterical (seriously people must think I'm crazy because I'll be walking down the street and start laughing), some are sad, some are life affirming, all are entertaining. The host is Ira Glass and he's incredible story teller. On the radio he always sounds incredibly genuine and approachable. He sounds like he is loving every single minute of his job and is absolutely obsessed with making you feel the same way. 
They started doing a Showtime show based on the radio program and last night it went on sale. I found out that Ira was going to show up to the Time Warner Center (one of my favorite buildings in NYC) borders to speak, answer questions, and sign copies. I had to go.
First off the crowd was interesting, almost exclusively 25-35 year olds. Looking like an ivy league reunion. That wouldn't be surprising if it were a public radio crowd but when Ira asked almost no one was/has listened on PRI; most listen on podcast.
So really quick I'm twice as impressed with the dude as I was before. He was wicked funny. The place was pretty packed and he was honestly touched, he was so engaging and eloquent, and almost everything he said was thoughtful yet comedic. It's really impressive to have a conversation with 125 people feel intimate but he managed to pull it off great.
The audience questions where great. A lot were about the difference and transfer of the show from radio to television while you're still doing a weekly radio show.
Funny lines "Listen everyone has a story, no really everyone has something somewhat interesting to say, right? it's just not everyone has a story that should be told to 2 million people"
"I always thought radio was the most visual media; I mean you hear the words and your mind can create the story, but as it turns out, pictures actual pictures are pretty damn visual"
"Yes the death squad retiree super now elevator inspector is still working in New York, and I get to leave tonight" (seriously listen to this episode it too crazy for words)
"Television is freak hard people, so much harder than radio. I mean radio we show up do about 3 hours of taping but TV we are shooting on someones house for like 8 days, seriously who lets us do that. The fact that we have a show is pretty amazing."
Couple other ones were where he would take off on a tangent. One point he goes (paraphrasing), "he do you mind if I ask a question? are there any John Smiths in the House? we are doing this study on John Smiths and they are surprisingly hard to find, at least those with something interesting happening to them.. you think it would be easy but not so much... really.. John Smiths or associates of John Smiths raise your hand... actually its hard to keep track of them I mean they are all John Smiths so we are numbering them. Like I'll be in a meeting and someone will say "yah so I was talking to John Smith 33.." (laughing)
The other one was they are thinking of broadcasting the season opening into theaters (like the MET Opera does) and he wanted to know 1) who would go and 2) what would they pay. So most raised their hands for going, but then he started at $15 and asked how much you would pay (I guess the equipment costs a small fortune). $15, most peoples hands are up, $20 most still up, $25 few drop, $30 (questioningly) at that point just laughed and said "New Yorkers"
He was nice enough to stay for everyone to get things signed but the coolest part is that he refused to sit down at the table and literally spent 30 seconds with everyone having a small conversation (which he started). Although exhausted he looked like he had a ball. My old coworkers (that's tough to say, miss you guys) would call him "an outstanding human being" I'm even more of a fan now, so start listening you wont regret it. Long post but I had fun.
