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468
June 29, 2012

Switcheroo

People pretending to be people they're not: sometimes it's harmless, sometimes it's harmful, and sometimes it's hard to tell. From world-famous artists to mail-order brides to a practice that could change the face of American journalism.

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  • Transcript
Sharyn Morrow

Prologue

Recently, host Ira Glass and his friend Etgar Keret were at an exhibit of photography by Cindy Sherman, and a woman came up to Etgar claiming to be Cindy Sherman. Then she said she wasn't. Ira decides to call Cindy Sherman to clear things up. (9 minutes)

By

Etgar Keret
Act Extra

Listener Sightings of Cindy Sherman!

Act One

Healthy Start

What if someone mistakes you for someone else, and you decide to just go with it? Actor John Conlee reads this story from Etgar Keret's book Suddenly a Knock on the Door. In the podcast version, Etgar returns to explain the real-life experience that inspired him to write the story. (12 minutes)

By

Etgar Keret
Act Two

Forgive us our Press Passes

Producer Sarah Koenig reports on a company called Journatic, that is producing local journalism in a brand new way. Or is it really journalism? (23 1/2 minutes)

An article at Poynter.org adds details to the story.

By

Sarah Koenig
Act Extra

Updates about Journatic

Act Three

Runaway Groom

Comedian Jackie Clarke tells this story, about parents pretending to be parents. Jackie is a writer for the ABC sitcom Happy Endings.

Song:

“Switcharoo” by Gadjo

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This American Life is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange.

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