Ira Glass

Baltimore native Ira Glass has been active in public radio for over three decades. The veteran host and reporter began as an intern at NPR before quickly distinguishing himself as one of the quirkiest and most likable personalities in the nation. Glass has merged his passion for radio broadcasting and compelling stories about the human condition in the hour-long program This American Life, which can be heard weekly on Public Radio International affiliate stations and as a free podcast.

Guest Appearances

August 7, 2017

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes everyone who can hear his voice on this week’s Spontaneanation! This time out, Paul’s special guest is This American Life host and producer Ira Glass! They chat about what memory from Ira’s childhood he wishes he could change, not getting the point of drinking alcohol until he turned 30, and becoming involved with the rerelease of The Adventures of Chickenman. Paul is then joined by Little Janet Varney, Jean Villepique, and Craig Cackowski, to improvise a story set in Jury Deliberations. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

Paul F. Tompkins will be in Detroit this weekend for the Detroit Improv Festival! Check out DIF’s full schedule to see when PFT and some of your favorite Spontaneanation improvisors will be improvising!

http://www.detroitimprovfestival.org/schedule.html

This episode is brought to you by RiffTrax (www.fathomevents.com/RiffTraxDoctorWho), Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: PFT), Leesa.com (www.leesa.com code: PFT).

 

August 1, 2017

Ira Glass tells us why the audio series Chickenman, is one of his favorites! To hear the entire Chickenman archive head over to www.stitcherpremium.com.chickenman for more details.

January 16, 2017

Radio and podcast personality (and lifelong Gilbert fan) Ira Glass drops by the studio to share his love of, among other things, old-school entertainment, classic comedy albums, the Frank Sinatra songbook and the grand spectacle of “The Poseidon Adventure.” Also, Sammy Davis Jr. finds religion, Davy Jones finds inspiration, Ruth Buzzi hangs (or doesn’t) with Orson Welles and Ira crashes the set of a legendary sitcom. PLUS: “The Komodo Dragon Expert”! Red Buttons’ sister! The mercurial Zero Mostel! Yoko Ono improvises! And “The Incredible Mr. Limpet!”

This episode is brought to you Harold Ramis Film School.

March 16, 2016

Recorded live at South by Southwest 2016, comedian, storyteller, filmmaker Mike Birbiglia and storyteller Ira Glass join Leonard, Baron, and Jessie to discuss Mike’s new film which is produced by Ira, Don’t Think Twice. It tells the story of the friendship between members of a New York improv group that is put to the test when their lease is up and one of them lands a TV show. Plus, Mike and Ira recommend a couple of films that you should revisit.

December 24, 2012

It’s a special podcast mashup this Christmas when the venerable Ira Glass joins Tig, David and Kyle on the Bell House stage in NYC. Tig and Ira discuss their questionable “fun things to do for free” in any city, including insulting unsuspecting strangers on the street and purposely misinforming partygoers. Armed with disturbing clips from This American Life, Ira tests the gang’s gag reflexes and improvises a few characters before debating the merits of forced political and religious conversions. Break out your magic Mormon underwear and cool beer for this unforgettable holiday episode.