Through the Looking Glass: NPR at the Movies

In a Top 40 world, Austin is proudly an NPR town. (Turning into a KGSR town at night—or maybe satellite radio or something, but certainly not Top 40.) Tonight should be a special treat for many of us who enjoy the popular NPR radio show (and podcast) “This American Life,” hosted by adorably geeky Ira Glass, whose sincerity and wit keep us laughing and crying right along with him every week.

For one night only you can catch a live HD simulcast of the show at movie theaters around town. Glass will be there onscreen, hosting, and contributors will include regulars like Starlee Kine, sex columnist Dan Savage, and the hilarious Mike Birbiglia, among others.

“Radio at the movies?" you say, rolling your eyes. "I could just listen to it sometime and use my eyes for other stuff,” you say. Stop whining—they know you can see them, and there will be some great visuals to reward you, as well as a new cartoon by Chris Ware. And then—icing on the cake—TV writer/producer/genius Joss Whedon (Buffy, Dr Horrible’s Singalong Blog, Dollhouse—you really should be watching this, btw. We have them all on Tivo if you want to come over) will be the MUSICAL guest. Yes, musical.

This promises to be a production unlike anything else you’ll see at the movies this summer, and only Ira could pull it off.