The Next Big Thing

A shot from the "wolf snout cam" (Anivegvideo.com)

Unsentimental Journey

Show #552

Friday, November 18, 2005

We look back at the many careers of a taxi driver, and at the remnants of two very different singing careers – one belonging to comedian Jonathan Katz, the other belonging to jazz violinist Matt Glaser’s mom. Also, a journey to a Drive-In movie theater in Vermont which doubles as a motel. Travels with wild plants and animals, low to the ground. And finally, a visit with a fictional character overwhelmed by domesticated animals, and domestic life more generally, performed by Steve Buscemi.

Listen to the whole show

Drive-In, Drive Out

Ever wonder what it would be like to spend the whole night at the drive-in? That’s what Next Big Thing contributor Matt Power did. He went to the movies, and to bed, at the Fairlee Motel and Drive-In Theater in Fairlee, VT. Produced by Julie Subrin.

Email
Save

800 Jobs

If you work as a cab driver, a dishwasher or a McDonald's cashier, there's a good chance you don't have Labor Day off. Nasser ElGabry has worked as all three - and then some - and he's got lots of stories to tell. "800 Jobs" was produced by Judith Sloan and Warren Lehrer, as part of their multimedia project "Crossing the BLVD". Music by Scott Johnson and Sheldon Steiger.

» View a large picture of Nasser ElGabry
(Photo credit: photos © Warren Lehrer 2003 from Crossing the BLVD)

Email
Save

Jamming with Katz

You’ve probably heard of comedian Jonathan Katz. You may have even heard of talk radio host Jonathan Katz. But what about singer-songwriter Jonathan Katz, front man for the band Katz and Jammers? Katz shares the high and low points of his musical career with Dean. Produced by Amanda Aronczyk.

Email
Save

Poodles

Tom Finnegan sees competition for his wife’s affection on all sides, from the neighbors up the street to the pet poodles his wife coddles – Pierre LaRouche, Lilakee, Scarlett O’Hara et al. This fictional portrait of a man and his predicament was written by Next Big Thing contributor David Cale, and performed by actor Steve Buscemi. Produced by Emily Botein.

Email
Save

View from the Snout

Slurping, sniffling, scuttling, chomping - these are the sounds of the animal and plant kingdom, brought to you by video artist Sam Easterman. He attaches tiny video cameras to water buffalo, slugs, and other living things so that we humans can get a better sense of their perspective. You can find out more about the project, Animal, Vegetable, Video, by clicking here. Produced by Amanda Aronczyk.

Listen here to more animal sounds...
» Buffalo licking food off its face
» Chick running around the farm
» Horse eating hay

Email
Save

Why These Hymns?

Next Big Thing contributor Nuala O’Faolain is in the business of looking back. She is finishing up her second historical novel and has published two memoirs. Her latest line of inquiry: Irish Catholic hymns, and the impulses that have led her and other Irish Catholics to sing them. Produced by Jill Krauss.