This American TV Show
When Ira Glass’ “This American Life” debuted as a television series last year, there was a lot of skepticism within the NPR community. Much of the skepticism probably stemmed from the fact that the NPR set doesn’t own televisions, but listeners also took issue with how the radio program would be visualized.
I was apprehensive too, but the Glass team and series director Chris Wilcha have done a wonderful job a) matching the pace and balance of the radio program with equally tranquil cinematography, and b) mastering what I call “sync”, or the moments when the narrative or verbal discussion slightly align with what you’re looking at. Syncing is an art, and some of the most successful edits let the two elements criss cross over each other without seeming forced, while still fleshing out more meaning.
The TV series is not the radio series, or at least it’s the radio series with something to look at. That makes it different, and at times draws out more meaning than previously existed. It also affords moments like this one here.
Season Two premiered on May 4 and Season One is now out on DVD.