This American Life Makes Effective Jump from Radio
Add comment April 28th, 2008
Putting the Ira Glass-narrated radio documentary “This American Life” on Showtime doesn’t make much sense at first. The lack of images on the long-running NPR show actually enhances the effect by forcing the audience to mentally picture the subject. But some things you just have to see for yourself, and this is where Showtime’s counterpart show – also narrated by Glass – really takes off. From a paraplegic’s daily struggle with a life-threatening disability to an Iraqi transplant manning a booth labeled “Talk to an Iraqi” in the American Midwest, both the topics and conclusions of “This American Life” are candid and heartfelt. The second season airs on Showtime May 4th at 9 PM.
There are some foods we like in spite of ingredients we normally wouldn’t touch and there are some foods we hate even if the ingredients are among our favorite dishes. Unfortunately, the latter is the category the NBC show 30 Rock falls under. Tina Frey, Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan are all great actors with great chemistry. Unfortunately, they just don’t mix, even with energetic interplay. Most of the blame lies on Baldwin, whose clearly powerful acting chops leaves Fey and Morgan clamoring to keep up. Still, 30 Rock has a fresh aroma and enjoyable aftertaste – it’s just everything in between that’s lacking. 30 Rock airs on Thursdays on NBC at 8:30 PM.
