Original stories from David Sedaris, Jonathan Goldstein, and others, on two animals who don't even seem like they should know each other, much less appear on the same radio show.
-
Download Control-click (or right-click) Tap and hold to download
- Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe
- Transcript
Prologue
Host Ira Glass talks with Rosie Schaap about an unlikely love affair between a dog and a parrot, and how the dog betrayed the bird's trust, never to regain it. (7 minutes)
Act One
Parrot
This parrot story began as a journalism school assignment. Then, for reporters Alex Lane and Eric Holm, it became something much bigger. They tell Ira the epic tale of a rare parrot stolen by "Johnny," or John Bryant Davila as he likes to be called now, from the Central Park Zoo in 1999. They say it's the best story they've ever worked on, but after years of telling it to friends and strangers, Alex and Eric aren't always sure of where the facts stop and the embellishment begins. So they decide to go back to the main characters and find out. (22 minutes).
Act Two
Act Three
Combo Platter
David Sedaris reads a new story that explores the age-old question: Can a parrot and a pot-bellied pig find happiness in a world that only wants to pigeon-hole them? David's most recent book is Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. (12 minutes)
Related
If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
Act One: Semper Fido
Susan Orlean tells us about the moment America asked untrained household canines to make the ultimate sacrifice: to serve in World War II.
Working In Another Decade [Retracted]
This episode originally included a story by reporter Stephen Glass (no relation to Ira) about an internship at George Washington's former plantation, which we have removed because of questions about its truthfulness.
Act One
We go to Lynnwood, Washington to retrace the steps of a rape investigation gone undeniably wrong.
Staff Recommendations
Dr. Gilmer and Mr. Hyde
Did a beloved family doctor with no criminal history suddenly up and strangle his own father?
The Giant Pool of Money
The surprisingly entertaining story of how the U.S. got itself into a housing crisis.