This American Life: Invisible made visible

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/464/invisible-made-visible

Invisible Made Visible

Originally aired 05.14.2012

This week, the radio debut of the episode we just did live on stage and beamed to movie theatres all over the country. David Sedaris, David Rakoff, Tig Notaro and Ryan Knighton performed stories. Mike Birbiglia made a short film, co-starring Terry Gross, which you can see here.

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You can watch the animated intro created by Claire Keane, Vincent Rogozyk and Chris Sonnenburg here.

 

Prologue.

Ira interviews Ryan Knighton, a blind guy who had a very peculiar experience with a hotel room telephone. Then Ira introduces the rest of the show, which was recorded live on stage in New York City and beamed to movie theaters in the US, Canada and Australia. (7 minutes)

 

Act One. Does a Bear Hit in the Woods?

Ryan Knighton, who was interviewed in the prologue, tells this story about trying to get his daughter to understand his blindness. Ryan is the author of the memoirs Cockeyed and C'mon Papa. (7 minutes)

 

Act Two. Groundhog Dayne.

Famous people are supposed to be somewhere else, invisible to us. Comedian Tig Notaro tells this story about repeatedly running Taylor Dayne, who was a pop star in the late 80s and early 90s. At the end of the story, we have a little surprise for Tig. Tig hosts the podcast Professor Blastoff, and has a comedy album called Good One. (16 minutes) Song: "Needing/Getting", OK Go

 

Act Three. Stiff as a Board, Light as a Feather.

David Rakoff tells this story, about the invisible processes that can happen inside our bodies...and the visible effects they eventually have. David is the author, most recently, of Half Empty. (14 minutes)

 

Act Four. Turn Around Bright Eyes.

Ira Glass's sister once met David Sedaris, and commented that he was much nicer than she thought he would be, given his writing. David replied, "I'm not nice, just two-faced." In this story, David shares the thoughts running through his head as he attempts to buy a cup of coffee. David is the author of many books, including Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary. (8 minutes)