Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
worth a listen, October 24, 2006
This collection of Terry Gross interviews is great listening. She does pretty quality interviews, an oasis in the NPR desert of matte monotone. This collection showcases some of her more interesting interviews. In particular, the authors on display here are beyond the ordinary, and it is in this situation that Terry Gross excels.
It should come as no surprise, I suppose, that the appeal of the individual interviews mirrors the value of the writings of the authors. Philip Roth, for example, is hilarious but with a deeper level of thought-provoking observations underneath the surface. Allen Ginsberg is idiosyncratic and eccentric in a way that can be both compelling and strangely unsettling. Norman Mailer is reflective but more interested in displaying his inflated, grandiose ego. John Updike speaks with polished style and has absolutely nothing of interest to say. The Davids, Sedaris and Rakoff, amuse with impious wit. Fran Lebowitz amuses with lonely, cheerless wit.
But a good interview, which Terry Gross for the most part provides, draws out a little extra from the writer. There is no revising, no editing. No opportunity to perfect the rhythm of the speech. So you get a little extra. With any luck, there is a touch of candor, a little insight into the self-obsessive world of the artist.
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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great - and it *is* comedians, not writers, August 12, 2005
Contrary to what another reviewer wrote, I thought this CD had quite a few laughs. For the mostpart, I liked it as much as, and in some ways, more than, a standard comedy CD. It is interesting to hear these comedians be interviewed by someone as talented as Terri Gross. She brings out the laughs and shows them on a more personal level than you would ever get on a standard comedy CD.
I did find the interview with Richard Pryor inappropriate for inclusion on this CD. It was done after he was stricken by MS. He had a lot of trouble remembering what he was saying and even speaking at all. It was sad, but not really an insight into his life. It could have been an interview with anyone who had been stricken by MS and who isn't able to express themselves well anymore. It might be appropriate on a CD that contained bits from Pryor throughout his career, but for this to be his "entry" on a CD about comedians seemed almost cruel.
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14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Writing Clinic in a Box, December 5, 2004
Wow, what a great collection of interviews with the best writers in America.
I think the previous review applies to another Terry Gross CD set, I don't believe that reviewer even listened to this CD set, these are writers and not comedians.
I actually listened to this CD and realized that this is just like a writers workshop. Terry Gross' questions bring out the real personalities of the people behind the famous names, too.
The unexpected drama and irony, especially from Stephen King's interview about the traffic accident and his physical recovery is riveting. What an intimate and personal treatment for a celebrity interview. I feel greater respect and want to reach for a higher level of admiration for these people after hearing their interviews with Terry Gross.
Terry's ability to share her conversations and leave us feeling as if we actually know each of these iconic writers is such a wonderful part of her interview show. It's better than listening to a talk by any one of them at a book reading or event because you get answers to those questions you wanted to ask.
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