This Week: NPR Entertainment

NPR (National Public Radio) is, according to Wikipedia, "an independent, private, not-for-profit membership organization of public radio stations in the United States." Now, some people probably think this is for the upper class intellectuals and is nothing but monotone DJs discussing literature and politics. That is if they've ever heard of NPR at all. Well, this week will look at three of their podcasts that are about music, movies and pop culture. No right or left wing commentary in these shows, just entertainment info.

Title: NPR: All Songs Considered
Average Length: About 30 minutes
Number of Episodes: 5 (available without a subscription through iTunes)
Frequency: Weekly
Podcasters: NPR hosted by Bob Boilen
Audio or Video: Audio
Quality: Good
Language: G
Website: http://www.npr.org/programs/asc/?ft=2&f=37

"All Songs Considered" started as an online show in January 2000 and began being broadcast as podcast in August 2005. Originally designed as an offshoot of another NPR show called "All Things Considered," it has really found it's own voice. Bob Boilen gives us a great mix of music that we have forgotten about, never knew existed or had heard about, but never checked out on our own. I personally have found a handful of bands from this show including Artic Monkeys, Spoon, the Decemberists and Ray Davies. Each song gets an introduction that includes a little trivia, background or insight on the artist or song. When they have permission, they play the whole song instead of just a clip. They whole song is always available to listen to on their website if you do want to hear more than just a clip. Bob occasionally makes a comment about what he thinks about it and I generally find myself agreeing. A well-done show that people looking for new music will love and appreciate.

Time Worthy: Yes
Subscription Worthy: Yes
Grade: A "Hang on the fridge for all to see"

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Title: NPR: Movies
Average Length: 40 minutes
Number of Episodes: 5 (available without a subscription through iTunes)
Frequency: Weekly
Podcasters: NPR
Audio or Video: Audio
Quality: Good
Language: G
Website: http://www.npr.org/templates/topics/topic.php?topicId=1045&ft=2&f=1045

This podcast is made up of clips from NPR's "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered." It takes movie news, reviews and interviews and rather sloppily slaps them together and offers them as a podcast. There isn't a flow from one piece to another. It would work much better if they put some effort into making it feel more like a stand-alone show than a clip show. Also, I found they used the same interview of Ang Lee and piece on "The New World" in two different episodes. Someone appears to be asleep at the wheel. However, despite the format, it does occasionally have some interesting interviews and reviews of upcoming movies. I would just keep an eye out for something that might interest you.

Time Worthy: On occasion
Subscription Worthy: No
Grade: B- "Not living up to family reputation"

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Title: NPR: Pop Culture
Average Length: 22 minutes
Number of Episodes: 5 (available without a subscription through iTunes)
Frequency: Weekly
Podcasters: NPR
Audio or Video: Audio
Quality: Good
Language: G
Website: http://www.npr.org/templates/topics/topic.php?topicId=1048&ft=2&f=1048

This podcast also is made up of clips from NPR's "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered." The clips flow together harmoniously to give you news, stories and interviews on such topics as movies, music, television, art and literature. It really highlights the quality NPR puts into their shows. I really enjoy the information that I normally wouldn't have come across otherwise. I would love to see this turn into its own program much like "All Songs Considered" did with its own host instead of just being a clip show. I think this is perfect to listen to out on a Sunday morning walk as a nice little recap of entertainment info for the week.

Time Worthy: Yes
Subscription Worthy: Yes
Grade: A- "Deserves an extra desert at dinner tonight"

So now you know that NPR isn't just for the Fraiser Cranes of this world. Stay tuned next week when we look at podcasts about the comic book industry. With all these adaptations to movies, they aren't just for geeks anymore.

Powering off.