Public Radio May Never Be The Same
For those who may not know, the "Skepchick" Rebecca Watson of Skeptics Guide to the Universe fame and long-time friend of NYC Skeptics has released her pilot episode as a finalist in the Public Radio Talent Quest this past week. She will now be searching for public radio stations to carry her irreverent and sorely needed skeptical take on current events called "Curiosity Aroused".
Listen to the pilot at www.publicradioquest.com/node/2696 and hear her interviews with Richard Saunders of the Australian Sceptic Society, Dr. Richard Wiseman (the Quirkologist), and a psychic "Lisa Marie" who displays just the sort of accuracy you might expect. Also, don't forget to check in on her blog as well at www.skepchick.org and tune into the SGU podcast every week with Rebecca, Dr. Steven Novella, and the rest of the skeptical rogues.
Congratulations on becoming a finalist Rebecca and best of luck with the show!
- Matt's blog
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Ok - Now we've gone and done it!!!
Again, from Rebecca's blog:
"Curiosity, Aroused was just licensed by WNYC in, obviously, New York City. That’s huge! No word on when it’s going to play yet, but I’ll let you know. Thank you to everyone who has written their local stations! Here’s the link again:
http://www.prx.org/pieces/22589"
http://skepchick.org/blog/?p=814
Now did one of you guys have something to do with this?
One more update: This may be
One more update:
This may be a little out of our area but the show has now also been picked up by WSKG which is available in Upstate NY.
Hooray!
Wow, that's fantastic news! Her show must really be generating a lot of buzz for WNYC to get involved. I did send WNYC an email to their show proposals address, but I didn't really follow any of their instructions when I did so (it's designed for people to propose their own new shows which haven't been produced yet). So I doubt that they even read it. I think it's far more likely that NPR station managers simply paid attention to the contest, kept tabs on the most popular contestant, and when the resulting show was good, decided to buy it.
Thanks for the link
Wow, what a great show! I really hope she gets picked up. Even disregarding the fact that it's a skeptical show (which would make me appreciate it anyway) and the fact that I met and liked Rebecca, it's a great show, and a real departure from the stuff I generally hear on public radio. Forgive me for the lapse into magical thinking, but- I'll keep my fingers crossed for her!
Update
From Rebecca's blog today:
"My pilot public radio show, Curiosity, Aroused, is now available on PRX.org. That means that public radio stations across the country can log on and purchase a license to play the show on air, filling some air time for practically nothing in time and money. Everybody wins!
A very cool, forward-thinking listener already wrote a letter to KUOW in Seattle, asking them to run the show. I’m not sure if that’s what did it, but the affiliated NPR station, KXOT, bought the show and will air it this Sunday, December 23, at 1pm! So, tune in if you live nearby. Another station in Gainsville, Florida has asked for the pilot as well — I’ll let you know when that will air."
I wonder if we have any cool, forward-thinking listeners with a contact at our local NPR station...
That's great news! I hope
That's great news! I hope they produce more! I actually tried to get a message to WNYC a few days ago, but the only real contact address that would apply to this situation is the one at which you would pitch your own idea for a new show.