Blog Post 3.1
So, my sentiment might be unpopular but I’m not too fond of NPR’s storytelling. I’m not sure what it is that turns me off more- the voices reading the stories or if it’s that the stories are just too predictable and told in a way which feels like color-by-number storytelling. For either or both of those reasons NPR doesn’t excite me too much.
While I still managed to find stories I appreciated and enjoyed one which really irritated me was Act 2 “No Ofcourse I Know You”. I find this method of storytelling extremely irritating. I’m curious if I would perhaps enjoy it more if I was alone, reading it to myself silently, using my own inflections. However, in hearing it something about this story in particular felt inauthentic, like a poor attempt at creativity. trying so hard to remain obscure in an effort to catch my interest but failed. I didn’t care who this woman was who he thought he knew. Not once did I in my mind try to guess. Then when he assumes it may have been someone he may have been in love with, just pushed me over the edge. How would you not remember THAT person?
In examining those stories which I did enjoy i noticed a common thread- a light-heartedness, humor, and that most of these stories were told as if part of a conversation rather than author taking a sort of authority over the story. The reason I enjoyed these stories was because it captured an authenticity which I didn’t feel the color-by-number stories had.
I in Act 1 actor Tate Donovan tells a story of how once in a while he would get recognized for minor roles he’d played in nineties sitcoms. This story is featured as part of a conversation between himself and Starlee Kline. The story was told as if part of an interview featuring natural, seemingly unrehearsed inflections. Immediately upon his explanation of the two dorky prom kids attending prom I knew where the story was going- and I was fine with that aspect of predictability. I think this type of predictability is positive because it leaves the listener to feel anxiety for the person in the situation. As Tate kept the ending in suspense, I knew these kids had no idea who he was, something which he was very much unaware of at the time. Personally, I thrive in awkward situations. I love them. So, the fact that Tate naturally assumed they wanted a picture with him and then proceeded to kiss the teenager’s date and put his arm around her made me smile.
Act 9 “Of Dogs and Men” was also a humorous story, told with laughter. Additionally the story triggered images, I could see it happening.
However, one my two favorites were David Sedaris’ story in which he describes overhearing a man having a conversation while on the toilet. We’ve all either done it, or witnessed it and I think I can pretty safely say that every one of us has either knowingly or unknowingly conversed with someone while they were on the toilet. That said his conversation with his sister following this encounter- I loved. The way after her admission. he reflects on all the times he’s hung up the phone thinking he’d helped her open a jar saying “Well, its a good thing she called me!”- sold me. One thing which I didn’t like was his voice. I found it to be annoying. I’m realizing that that is something which ruins the experience for me. I prefer to read, and place my own voices within the story.
My other favorite was Act 13 “More Lies”. Catherine and John, two college undergrads, are babysitting together, and eventually get hungry. However, John is uncomfortable and suggests they only eat that which the family has a lot of and then proceeds to hide the evidence. However, when the family returns they are caught red handed and the evidence drops out of John’s bag leading them to make a series of ridiculous explanations. This story is totally relatable to me. Yes, babysitting is REALLY about watching the kids BUT it’s also very much about getting to eat awesome kids snacks like fruit snacks and fruit roll up! Two things which I have no excuse to keep in my own house. I loved the humor and the laughter with which it was told. I felt that those stories which had the storyteller laughing helped in making the story and voice seem more authentic.
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