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464
May 18, 2012

Invisible Made Visible

The radio version of an episode we did live on stage and beamed to movie theaters. David Sedaris, Tig Notaro, Ryan Knighton, and the late David Rakoff in his final performance on the show. The other half of this two-hour show was visual, including dancers, animation, and more. You can watch it on YouTube.

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  • Transcript

Adrianne Mathiowetz

Prologue

Ira interviews Ryan Knighton, a blind guy who had a very peculiar experience with a hotel room telephone. (7 minutes)

By

Ryan Knighton
Act One

Does a Bear Hit in the Woods?

Ryan Knighton tells a story about trying to get his daughter to understand his blindness. (7 minutes)

Ryan is the author of the memoir Cockeyed.

By

OK Go
Ryan Knighton
Act Two

Groundhog Dayne

Famous people are supposed to be somewhere else, invisible to us. Comedian Tig Notaro tells this story about repeatedly running into Taylor Dayne, who was a pop star in the late 80s and early 90s. At the end of the story, we have a little surprise for Tig. (16 minutes)

By

Taylor Dayne
Tig Notaro

Song:

“Needing/Getting” by OK Go
Act Three

Stiff as a Board, Light as a Feather

David Rakoff tells this story, about the invisible processes that can happen inside our bodies and the visible effects they eventually have. (15 minutes)

David died three months after this performance, in August 2012. We dedicated an episode to him, collecting stories he told on the show over the years. David finished a final book — a novel, written in rhyme — called Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish.

By

David Rakoff
Act Four

Turn Around Bright Eyes

Ira Glass's sister once met David Sedaris, and commented that he was much nicer than she thought he would be, given his writing. David replied, "I'm not nice, just two-faced." In this story, David shares the thoughts running through his head as he attempts to buy a cup of coffee. (8 minutes)

David is the author of many books, including Happy-Go-Lucky.

By

David Sedaris

Song:

“Do What You Want” by OK Go
Act Extra

Live Show Redux

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
132: Father’s Day ‘99
June 18, 1999

Act One: Paddington's Day At The Dump

The story begun in the Prologue continues.
515: Good Guys
Jan. 10, 2014

Act Two: The Heels On The Bus

Mike Birbiglia has this story about a time his good guy-ness was called into question.
50: Shoulda Been Dead
Jan. 17, 1997

Act Five: On the Edge of the World

The day Matthew Goulish saw Brigid.

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Mar. 26, 2004

The Sanctity of Marriage

A generation of researchers has revolutionized the way we see marriage.

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