On Demand
The Next Big Thing
-
Cooking Captain BookFilling In the Blanks
Daily Show writer and performer Bob Wiltfong looks back to the days when he tried to be himself and be a news anchor. Joanne Karpowitz weighs the pros and cons of corrective surgery after having adjusted, over a lifetime, to severely impaired hearing. Also in this show we meet an emerging writer, and an angry mother (created by Ian Frazier and channeled by comedian Mary Purdy). This week’s musical guest is pianist Jeremy Denk.
Cooking Captain Book
Seven-year-old author (and CEO) Eric McCormick introduces his version of the age-old pirate’s tale. Produced by Julie Subrin.
» Click here for more on Zeno Productions
Not Just Another Bob
Bob Wiltfong was willing to do just about anything to succeed in his career as a news anchor – change his name, his voice, his appearance. He worked at stations from Topeka, Kansas to Lake Charles, Louisiana. But at some point, delivering the local news began to take its toll. Bob got out. Now he gets to use those stories for his material as an actor and comedian. Produced by Amanda Aronczyk.
Old Penn Station
Forty years ago, the original Penn Station fell victim to demolition. The building was well-documented in photos, but few people know that there's another relic of the place - a documentary field recording intended for use in creating sound effects at a production house. And those sounds create a sense of place you just can't get from pictures.
Not Hearing
When Joanne Karpowitz was growing up, there were few resources available for the severely hearing impaired. So she learned to make do, to the point where now she is often able to “pass” as hearing, though in fact she can barely hear at all. But as she’s learned, passing comes at a price. Karpowitz shares her experiences of not hearing in a hearing world with The Next Big Thing’s Julie Subrin.
» Click here for a transcript
Blowing Steam
Sometimes the most ordinary activities can give rise to very strong feelings. Like, say, preparing a pot of chili. "The Cursing Mommy Cookbook" was written by Ian Frazier for the R.B.S. Gazette. It was adapted for radio and produced by Curtis Fox, and performed by Mary Purdy.
