Customer Reviews

This American Life: Season Two

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This American Life was the first radio shows with which I became absolutely enthralled, revolving my Saturday morning schedule around its airing until other means of listening came along. So I was happy about Showtime picking at up, and not at all skeptical that a TV version would disappoint.

And it didn't, at first. Season one of the television show did not disappoint, and neither, truthfully, did season two. If I were to judge season two by nixing any preconceived notions about This American Life (either in radio format or the format laid out by season one of the TV show).

Something in season two was lacking for me right off the bat. It remained pure speculation as to why season two did not strike the same chord with me. I finally figured out that it was lack of Ira Glass's narrative. You see, the DVD has a live presentation as a bonus feature. And in it I see Chris Wilcha (co-director of the TV version) and Ira Glass discussing how they chose in season two to have Ira Glass be involved as little as possible(!).

This was the profound difference between season one and two. Chris Wilcha and Showtime mistakenly believed that it was wise to relegate Ira Glass to the background as much as possible, instead of letting him narrate the show as he had done in season one. From what I gathered, those whom had misgivings about a TV version agree that episode one of first season soothed those fears. The show was still lovable. No matter how many moving pictures were added, it was definitely still This American Life. Believing that Ira Glass wouldn't surrender so much creative control, I had none of these misgivings and the TV show did not disappoint-- in season one. That was season one though.

Showtime, in the second season, has chosen to deviate from the format that worked so well for them in the first season. Chris Wilcha basically stated that the photography should speak for itself in the TV version of the show and that little to no narrative by Ira was necessary or desired. I couldn't disagree more. Season one worked for the same reasons the radio show works. Ira Glass. While he isn't absolutely *needed*, you could say the same for the moving photography of the Showtime show-- it too, isn't absolutely necessary. The new way they have Ira Glass introducing the show, as though the story is an "afterthought", left me feeling cheated, as well as "cheapening" the overall quality of the introductory narrative segments.

Ira, in my opinion, is more necessary to the show than the filmography, and his inclusion is paramount to keeping the spirit of the show alive in any format. No Ira, or very little Ira, will equal a failed This American Life. I don't say this as a radio or television fan. I say this as a fan of "This American Life", with our host, Ira Glass.

I have bought season one three times- once for myself, and twice as gifts for others. I also bought season two. Once, for myself. I will not be buying it again. Though the content is up to par- amazing, poignant, entertaining- and the DVD comes with a variety of bonus features including audio commentary and the option for HDTV, watching it with the minimum of Ira's proud and comforting voice punctuating the story (sadly, in most segments he isn't included at all- a deliberate choice, they explain in the bonus "live" excerpt.) is just not the same show. This renders some episodes that would normally be extremely compelling into nearly unforgettable weakened versions of what I imagine its creators envisioned. It's now like "every other television show". These changes are an unwelcome shift away from not just what worked in season one, but from the spirit of the radio show as well.

Save your money. The radio version needs it more than Showtime. (The radio version is hosted by WBEZ and PRI, not NPR, as many believe.)

I for one will be watching the DVD for the bonus inclusions, which are pretty stellar. If there are more Showtime seasons planned, I cannot imagine them being as gripping as the first season was if they continue to deviate wildly from the format of season one. Season one was truly in keeping with the spirit of TAL. Season one WAS, "This American Life, with your host, Ira Glass."

Season two? Eh, not so much.

I still remember when I first came across the radio show for This American Life. My wife and I were first dating, and, coming back from a movie, we sat in the car from 11pm to midnight, listening to the story that so captivated. In the 12 years since, I have never missed an radio show.

Ira Glass has taken his ear for story and married it to a beautiful eye. Each episode this season is lovingly filmed, the themes running through each episode are familiar, yet meaningful, and the stories will stay with you for most of your life.

From the first episode in the series, "Escape", which chronicles the life of an young man striving to be on his own but constrained by a disease that leaves him physically helpless, to the last episode in the series, "Meet John Smith", which chronicles a year in the life of 7 men named John Smith at different ages, this is what you Edward R. Murrow must have hoped TV would become.

Not a wasteland of reality TV shows and laugh tracks, but a respectful and deep record of the dignity and challenges surrounding everyday life.

I got this season on iTunes, but I would highly recommend that you pre-order this season. You will not be disappointed.

I recommed this honest, thought provoking, non-sentimental look at life and love through the eyes of a young man with severe physical and medical challenges. It explores profound questions about freedom vs. security, about love between two people (mother/son, girlfriend/boyfriend)and how it gets expressed when one party is completely physically dependant on the other. Does the "freedom to take risks" define human adulthood? How does one person's need for life-sustaining care and another person's need to be needed combine / collide? How does a parent who has devoted decades of her life to that child's physical care come to terms with her adult child's need for independence, self-expression, privacy, a life apart?

I work for a disability service agency, and we will be using this video to spark awareness and discussion.

Why can't TV shows be made for adults? Why can't TV shows trust the audience to be intelligent and curious? This American Life is one of the rare shows on TV that aspires to bring something more to the medium.

Subtle, easy-paced, and ultimately, enjoyable.

Ira Glass and crew are masters of story-telling on radio and TV. Season Two is even better than Season One.

I know they're on hiatus from TV for now. I just hope they decide to jump back in at some point. Until then, I'll keep listening to TAL on PRI.

If you are looking for this dvd and/or reading this review, kudos on being one of the few people left with good taste (and I don't mean in your mouth).

I love This American Life on the radio, so I had to try it on DVD. I love the show, but I still prefer to listen while I'm driving or having breakfast.

This American Life is a Showtime series based on the award-winning Chicago Public Radio show of the same name. Just like the radio program, this series is hosted by Ira Glass and focuses on portraying compelling stories from real, everyday American people. The show is a hybrid between a traditional documentary, news story, and even a reality show with a hint of humor thrown in. This unique approach helps the series appeal to more than just documentary fans and morphs the show's style into something else completely.

Season two of This American Life takes the same approach as the first season, but this time with new stories and new people. Much like the radio series, each episode centers around a different theme, ranging from the power of the human spirit and fear to the many different elements of married life. Each episode is divided up into a series of small vignettes that explore the theme as it exists in the lives of real American people.

Each of the six episodes here has something unique and interesting to offer, but occasionally things tend to get a little slow or seem to have little other purpose than to take up time (seriously--spending half an episode showing a couple arguing about mowing a lawn?). Aside from these scenes, the series is filled with unforgettable gems that will leave an impact.

One of my favorite parts in the entire season is when a rather gutsy Iraqi citizen living in America goes across the southern United States, setting up a "Talk to an Iraqi" booth to find out what people are thinking about the war. This cut right to the core of an issue that Americans have been facing for what seems like too long and the fear that consumes most Americans is almost scary in itself. In another episode, a brain damaged man takes a collection of photos of fictitious World War II-inspired battles portrayed by action figures, which serves as a disturbingly sad reminder of the dangers of war and the harsh reality that some Americans face. But by far the best episode in the bunch is the finale, an extended episode that examines seven different stages of life through the eyes of seven different men named John Smith, none of whom know one another and all of whom live in different parts of the country, but all of their stories feel connected and compelling.

The special features on this DVD are fantastic and surprisingly complete for such a short series. The features include an audio commentary for the first episode with Ira Glass and director Christopher Wilcha, a biography on Glass, a stills gallery, and an entertaining live performance entitled "This American Life Live." This supplemental feature is hosted by Glass and includes a great collection of additional items from season two, such as outtakes, extra interviews, and even a Q&A session with the audience members.

The only difficulty with this show is the film quality. Due to the documentary style of the series, some scenes are shot with different types of cameras, which forces the quality to shift fairly frequently. This doesn't detract from the great stories at all, but can be a little awkward for viewers who aren't familiar with documentary filmmaking.

Despite these quality issues, This American Life is highly recommended for both documentary buffs and for those who just enjoy a well told story. Rather than trying to be a trendy new reality show, This American Life is a truly amazing series that celebrates the dignity, nobility, and challenges that exist in everyday life.