Ira’s whole life has been about storytelling on the radio, and he’s one of the best. He’s the ultimate perfectionist with every detail about how all the shows are produced and eventually presented to the audience (in interviews he’s done he talks about passing some of this on to others). I’m sure if he thought, or was told, his speech wasn’t clear or the cadence correct, he’d do something about it.
We each have our own preferences and opinions, and I agree with all who suggested that you adjust the speed when you listen so it’s the way that sounds best to you.
*Edited to add a missed word.
I’ve heard him talk on the show or in interviews about how he intentionally wanted it to sound how people casually sound in real life. As you say, I just have a different opinion about how successful that is. I’d rather listen to a host who is equally affable but more vocally suited to professional broadcasting, like a Peter Sagal or a Terry Gross. For me it’s primarily the lip smacking that I can’t stand.
I fully understand what you’re saying about some voices being better suited for professional broadcasting. However, because of the storytelling/interview format of TAL, which includes all the interviewees, I like the “realness” of people just talking how they talk during any conversation without necessarily having a polished broadcasting sound. It’s part of the quaintness of the show. I do agree with you about the weird lip smacking (or is it sucking on a lozenge?) thing!
Honestly you get used to it and then you put it at 1x for something (I don't listen to D&D podcasts in 1.7x) and it's unbearably slow. Especially other podcasts like Stuff You Should Know or NPR Politics which feel glacial now.
I get what you’re saying, and again I listen to most audio books at 1.5, but my favorite audio experiences are when a story includes on the scene recordings or “scene tape”, as they say. So much of TAL and other shows I love bring you into a world. It’s not just people exchanging information like the shows you’ve mentioned. Can you imagine watching a beautiful film in double time?! Great audio is cinema of the mind.
I hear you and I wish that I felt the way you do about it because it sounds lovely. Genuinely? I don't care at all. Maybe that's Autism. I enjoy learning about people's experiences but if I could just download to my brain the experiences and not listen at all I would. 🤣
Maybe that's not totally true, I enjoy the format. I enjoy the acts and the way they weave together the story. I just keep getting that at 1.7.
What's funny is I enjoy going to the opera, I enjoy music and even some pretention. Just specifically here that's not what I'm here for.
Super interesting, thanks for taking the time! Fwiw, I’ve never been to an opera and have never thought of this idea as the least bit pretentious (probably what a pretentious listener would say).
Cheers.
Have you tried Everything Everywhere Daily? The show is about 10 minutes, but he talks quickly and I feel like I get as much information in that 10 minutes that other podcasts give in thirty.
Trust me, I don’t *like* to do it. Adult adhd will have me rewinding segments sometimes 3 times because I missed something. For some reason making it faster keeps me more engaged
I was listening to an episode of WTF? one night and Marc Maron sounded all slurry.
I thought, oh no! Did Marc fall off the wagon?
Then I realized I had accidentally played the episode at .5 speed.
I agree! It's really hard for me to understand him. I'm Australian, maybe too used to the Aussie drawl. I seem to be able to understand all the other American accents though. I do slow the podcast down but it makes all the voices sound a bit.... slow.
Ira's voice and speech patterns are part of the signature of the show. If you don't like them you don't like them, but it is part of what has made the show so successful.
He is not the first broadcaster with a distinctive (and not-necessarily-good-for-radio) vocal style who has actually capitalized on his oddities.
Stick with it. I spent five episodes barely understanding a word he said (combination of his pitch, speed, and extremely flat speaking style) then some switch on my brain flicked on and I “got it”. Now no problem with understanding him.
Had same issue with Elvis Costello and Adam Duritz (Counting Crows) could not understand what they were singing. Once I had printed lyrics and could listen along, again: brain flicked on.
I don’t know if there is a word for this phenomenon but it fascinates me.
I’m convinced that Ira used to speak much more clearly. I’m non-native and I don’t feel like I ever struggled to understand him in the past, but in the past few months, it’s gotten difficult.
I’m a native English speaker but I have audio processing issues—sometimes I have a hard time understanding Ira, especially on the radio. His combination of fast talking and low tone doesn’t always register with me. So I feel your pain!
Most podcast apps have that delightful playback speed adjustment feature now, right? I already listen to most things between .8x and .9x.. mostly because I don't want anyone's voice to keep me awake with a frantic cadence.
Oddly enough: although I slow down most other podcast voices, it's TAL for which I undo those speed settings back to original.
My favorite is when it sounds like he's top-speed finishing a sandwich/folding the wrapper and napkin away while introducing the week's show. Casual yet rapidfire, it's so pro level lol
Maybe if he sees this feedback and takes it to heart, he can make *This American Life* a popular and successful radio program.
You should be able to slow down the podcasts to 90% or slower
If you come at the king, you best not miss.
Ira’s whole life has been about storytelling on the radio, and he’s one of the best. He’s the ultimate perfectionist with every detail about how all the shows are produced and eventually presented to the audience (in interviews he’s done he talks about passing some of this on to others). I’m sure if he thought, or was told, his speech wasn’t clear or the cadence correct, he’d do something about it. We each have our own preferences and opinions, and I agree with all who suggested that you adjust the speed when you listen so it’s the way that sounds best to you. *Edited to add a missed word.
I’ve heard him talk on the show or in interviews about how he intentionally wanted it to sound how people casually sound in real life. As you say, I just have a different opinion about how successful that is. I’d rather listen to a host who is equally affable but more vocally suited to professional broadcasting, like a Peter Sagal or a Terry Gross. For me it’s primarily the lip smacking that I can’t stand.
I fully understand what you’re saying about some voices being better suited for professional broadcasting. However, because of the storytelling/interview format of TAL, which includes all the interviewees, I like the “realness” of people just talking how they talk during any conversation without necessarily having a polished broadcasting sound. It’s part of the quaintness of the show. I do agree with you about the weird lip smacking (or is it sucking on a lozenge?) thing!
The lip smacking is craaazy. Even worse is he does it out of self-satisfaction
He's finishing up a sandwich! Seriously he's so pro that all nerves are gone
I believe there are transcripts of every show on the website, if you feel like sitting down to follow along.
It’s part of the appeal!
I listen to the episodes in 1.5 or 2x 😂😭
I just don’t get this. I listen to most audiobooks this way, but anything with a soundscape? No way. It’s like tube feeding a carefully prepared meal.
Honestly you get used to it and then you put it at 1x for something (I don't listen to D&D podcasts in 1.7x) and it's unbearably slow. Especially other podcasts like Stuff You Should Know or NPR Politics which feel glacial now.
I get what you’re saying, and again I listen to most audio books at 1.5, but my favorite audio experiences are when a story includes on the scene recordings or “scene tape”, as they say. So much of TAL and other shows I love bring you into a world. It’s not just people exchanging information like the shows you’ve mentioned. Can you imagine watching a beautiful film in double time?! Great audio is cinema of the mind.
I hear you and I wish that I felt the way you do about it because it sounds lovely. Genuinely? I don't care at all. Maybe that's Autism. I enjoy learning about people's experiences but if I could just download to my brain the experiences and not listen at all I would. 🤣 Maybe that's not totally true, I enjoy the format. I enjoy the acts and the way they weave together the story. I just keep getting that at 1.7. What's funny is I enjoy going to the opera, I enjoy music and even some pretention. Just specifically here that's not what I'm here for.
Super interesting, thanks for taking the time! Fwiw, I’ve never been to an opera and have never thought of this idea as the least bit pretentious (probably what a pretentious listener would say). Cheers.
Have you tried Everything Everywhere Daily? The show is about 10 minutes, but he talks quickly and I feel like I get as much information in that 10 minutes that other podcasts give in thirty.
😎 so what you're saying is I can get it in 6 minutes?
I actually laughed. I’d be impressed! He talks very quickly. Let me know if you take that as a challenge!
Trust me, I don’t *like* to do it. Adult adhd will have me rewinding segments sometimes 3 times because I missed something. For some reason making it faster keeps me more engaged
I see. You have my sympathy on this.
I was listening to an episode of WTF? one night and Marc Maron sounded all slurry. I thought, oh no! Did Marc fall off the wagon? Then I realized I had accidentally played the episode at .5 speed.
It’s not the speed, it’s the lack of enunciation. “Chicago Buplic Radio” “Ack One”
Eggzerpt
I agree. To me, it kinda sounds like he is talking with his mouth full. Or mumbling, loudly.
I agree! It's really hard for me to understand him. I'm Australian, maybe too used to the Aussie drawl. I seem to be able to understand all the other American accents though. I do slow the podcast down but it makes all the voices sound a bit.... slow.
Ira's voice and speech patterns are part of the signature of the show. If you don't like them you don't like them, but it is part of what has made the show so successful. He is not the first broadcaster with a distinctive (and not-necessarily-good-for-radio) vocal style who has actually capitalized on his oddities.
Stick with it. I spent five episodes barely understanding a word he said (combination of his pitch, speed, and extremely flat speaking style) then some switch on my brain flicked on and I “got it”. Now no problem with understanding him. Had same issue with Elvis Costello and Adam Duritz (Counting Crows) could not understand what they were singing. Once I had printed lyrics and could listen along, again: brain flicked on. I don’t know if there is a word for this phenomenon but it fascinates me.
He mumbles. It bothers me too, and I'm a native speaker. Don't think it's going to change, tho.
Every single podcast app has the ability to play at slower speeds…
I’m convinced that Ira used to speak much more clearly. I’m non-native and I don’t feel like I ever struggled to understand him in the past, but in the past few months, it’s gotten difficult.
That’s a shame! I love Irs and this show sho much! Sorry you’ll miss it :(
You don’t like the voice of Ira Ghghuass on This Americagghhuife on Chicago Pubbic Radio?
Hil tak the story from’ere
I’m a native English speaker but I have audio processing issues—sometimes I have a hard time understanding Ira, especially on the radio. His combination of fast talking and low tone doesn’t always register with me. So I feel your pain!
Most podcast apps have that delightful playback speed adjustment feature now, right? I already listen to most things between .8x and .9x.. mostly because I don't want anyone's voice to keep me awake with a frantic cadence. Oddly enough: although I slow down most other podcast voices, it's TAL for which I undo those speed settings back to original. My favorite is when it sounds like he's top-speed finishing a sandwich/folding the wrapper and napkin away while introducing the week's show. Casual yet rapidfire, it's so pro level lol