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241
July 11, 2003

20 Acts in 60 Minutes

Instead of the usual "each week we choose a theme, and bring you 3 or 4 stories on that theme" business, we throw all that away and bring you 20 stories—yes, 20—in 60 minutes.

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Tomi Um

Inspiration for this week's show came from the Neo-Futurists, whose long-running Chicago show promises 30 plays in 60 minutes every single weekend. 

Prologue

Ira Glass introduces the idea of doing 20 stories in one hour.

By

Ira Glass
Act One

Don't I Know You

Contributor Starlee Kine talks to actor Tate Donovan about the day he felt he was being exactly the kind of celebrity he'd wanted to be: when suddenly, he was approached by a kid with a camera.

By

Starlee Kine
Act Two

No, Of Course I Know You

Writer and producer Scott Carrier recognizes a woman he sees in a restaurant.

By

Scott Carrier
Act Three

It's Commerce That Brings Us Together

Susan Drury talks about "Swap and Shop," a local radio classifieds show that has become a low-tech, personable sort of Ebay.
Act Four

The Sound of One Hand Waving

From Patty Martin: a one minute, four second vacation on Nantucket Island, involving a lot of waving.
Act Five

The Sound of No Hands Clapping

From Vicki Merrick, Eric Kipp, and Jay Allison at Transom: scallops on Martha's Vineyard.

By

Jay Allison
Act Six

Reaching Out With Radio

From Blunt Youth Radio: a story of a possibly bad "food situation" at the cafeteria in juvenile detention.

Act Seven

Up Where the Air Is Clear

Jonathan Goldstein, host of Wiretap, brings us this story about The Penguin as a young man.

By

Jonathan Goldstein
Act Eight

The Greatest Dog Name in the World

Two brothers, ages 12 and 13, have very different ideas for their dog's name.
Act Nine

Of Dogs and Men

Elaine Boehm overhears a couple in her pet shop, trying to choose a dog collar.
Act Ten

Act Ten

A two minute play called “Title,” written and performed by Greg Allen and Heather Riordan of the Chicago group, The Neo-Futurists. It’s part of their long-running show "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind: 30 Plays in 60 Minutes."

Act Eleven

Etiquette Lesson

Author David Sedaris on cell phone usage in restrooms.

By

David Sedaris
Act Twelve

To Tell the Truth

Brent Runyon reports from the kids' section at the public library.
Act Thirteen

More Lies

Catherine and John, two college undergrads, do a babysitting gig together. After the kids are asleep and the two of them get hungry, John doesn't think they should eat any of the food in the house; they settle on a compromise.
Act Fourteen

Call in Colonel Mustard For Questioning

Mystery and missing flavor at the hot dog plant.
Act Fifteen

Mister Prediction

Author David Rakoff worked at an advertising agency, and could see exactly where its technology was going.

By

David Rakoff
Act Sixteen

That One Guy at the Office

Someone sits next to the printer. You see him forty times a day. What's his name? What does he do?
Act Seventeen

You Can't Choose Your Gift

Richard Kerry has an impressive ability: he can recreate the sound of a whole swamp.
Act Eighteen

Party Talk

Author Chuck Klosterman and his friends make a party game out of comparing television shows to rock bands. They call it "Monkees Equals Monkees."

By

Chuck Klosterman
Act Nineteen

The Hard Life at the Top

Every year 1,200 new army cadets arrive at West Point. Once they say a single sentence correctly, they can go to their barracks. But not until then. David Lipsky reports. He's the author of Absolutely American.

Act Twenty

The Greatest Moment I Ever Saw On a Stage

Teenage girls from a detention center perform a song for their parents.

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
245: Allure of the Mean Friend
Sept. 5, 2003

Act Three: And What's Going On With You?

A case study in every word from a friend meaning its opposite.
177: American Limbo
Feb. 9, 2001

Act Two: What's French For "Steeee-rike Three?"

Adam Gopnik reads a story from his book Paris to the Moon, about living in Paris with his family and wanting his son to be a bit more American.
240: I’m In Charge Now
June 20, 2003

Act Three: You Talkin' To Me?

Adam Davidson reports from Baghdad on the charismatic, ambitious young Americans who want to bring freedom and hope to Iraq, if only the Iraqis would listen to them.

Staff Recommendations

View all
186
June 8, 2001

Prom

While the seniors danced at Prom Night 2001 in Hoisington, Kansas—a town of about 3,000—a tornado hit the town.

597
Sept. 23, 2016

One Last Thing Before I Go (2016)

Ordinary people make last ditch efforts to get through to their loved ones.

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