NPR: A Whole Hour of BPP Goodness

A Whole Hour of BPP Goodness

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Listen to a whole hour of radio, BPP style

If drips and drops isn't your style, this should keep you occupied. In the UK, the mother of a missing girl has been named as a suspect in a story that has capitvated the nation. We'll talk to a reporter covering the story. Meanwhile, Bryant Park is overrun with fabulous people right now, because it's Fashion Week. Apparently naming our show after Bryant Park didn't make us cool enough to get invited, so we'll talk to Michael Musto about the parties, then Luke will attempt to sneak into the tent while he's on the air. We'll cover YouTube sensation Marie Digby, who turns out to be backed by a major record label, we'll preview the football season with 21-year-old prognosticator Andy Benoit, who's been analyzing football since he was 11, and we'll have a major BPP announcement. Check it out!

Dan Pashman

5:17 PM ET | 09- 7-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I was at the Good Magazine bash at the Hirshhorn tonight; thus, no play-by-play commenting.

This hour disappointed me.

First, the McCann story made me want to scream, "Why do we care so much about kidnapping cases when the victim is a Caucasian female from at least a upper-middle class background?!!!" Am I listening to NPR or watching cable news? I'm sorry about the TV reference, Alison. Further, how many times are the parents or spouses considered potential culprits in these high-profile cases? This reminds me of the Ramseys. Am I concerned about Madeleine? Yes, but the way the BPP covered the story today seemed superficially tabloid to me. What are the nuances of an international kidnapping case? Is it more complicated for the McCanns to involve themselves in the search for their daughter when working with foreign law enforcement organizations? How many other people are missing? Why has Madeleine enjoyed such attention when other victims haven't? For instance, Elizabeth Smart had wealthy parents who knew how to keep her disappearance in the limelight. Perhaps y'all journos can explain how to keep the media's attention.

Second, I think that Fashion Week deserves coverage, but all I got out of the segments today were tidbits that don't help or enrich my life. How about profiling a designer, model, or other fashion insider? What makes them tick, unusual, or surprisingly grounded or self absorbed?

Third, the Digby story went fine, but I would've liked more of a discussion about the implications of the lowly novice seeking fame while bypassing large media conglomerates via the Internet.

Fourth, Andy Benoit was great. I like how BPP turns to bloggers so often.

Fifth, "The Most" and last two newscasts seemed to just haphazardly occur without the transition music and sound effects.

Sixth, the "major" announcement about BBP's declaring the arrival of the Christmas Season was funny but oversold. If you tease me too much, I might just tune out. Further, while I liked Win's escapades in the New York shopping scene, the whole gimmick lacked substance. Perhaps a commentator could have shared their thoughts -- even if they're silly (yet thought provoking) -- about how Corporate America keeps extending various holiday seasons.

Y'all are trying, and I appreciate that.

Sent by Steve Petersen | 10:10 PM ET | 09-07-2007

Mouseketeers gone wild!!!

Oh yeah, I actually would've liked to hear a discussion about those naughty pictures that Vanessa Hudgens made her boy toy, Zac Efron.

The cast of High School Musical 2 have enjoyed positive press since they have had a wholesome appearance; we all seem tired of watching Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and Lindsay Lohan spiral out of control. Hudgens and Efron presented a much more positive image, but what happens when those Mouseketeers go bad?

Yes, I know that Spears was a Mouseketeer...

Sent by Steve Petersen | 10:23 PM ET | 09-07-2007

BPP--

So, I just realized that the BPP podcasts seem to be more of a talk show. Luke and Alison make a good team. But seriously, is the whole show going to be the two of them, and Rachel, and the producers talking to each other? You're never going to throw it over to correspondents? Feature pieces? Is your team REALLY that charismatic? I would argue no. Nothing personal -- no one is. I suppose NPR doesn't have a "Morning Latte" or "Regis and Kelly" or "Dingo and the Baby"... but is that a problem?

Sent by johann gruber | 10:45 PM ET | 09-08-2007

Go Idaho! Speaking of Idaho, what happened to Ben Steele, iPhone guru from the first episode. Bring him back!

Sent by Matt | 2:23 AM ET | 09-09-2007

This was one of my favorite episodes. I thought it was well done (with the exception of the special announcement which was overdone). I thought the story on Maddy McCann was done well, though I thought after such a serious story you should have just gone to a break instead of teasing a light hearted story (Luke sneaking into the fashion week tent). The Digby story was covered well and Lukes foray into the tent was fun.

I do agree with the other statements though. I think BPP is NPR light. A person would have to listen to ATC and or Day to Day for the indepth reporting NPR is known for and sought out for. BPP seems to be NPR lite. A few more pieces where I actually learn something important would be appreciated.

Sent by Jim Trenton | 1:25 PM ET | 09-10-2007

Jim,

I've already accepted that BPP is aiming for a "NPR Lite" format, but that's fine as along as the show is consistently informative and enriching. BPP has a great staff; I'm confident that they'll produce a great show on a day-to-day basis.

However, I'll admit that NPR should focus on developing an hour talk show aimed at a younger crowd to bolster PRI's Fair Game with Faith Salie. I have no problem with a "youth" oriented morning/evening drive time news magazine, but Morning Edition and All Things Considered are some of my favorite public radio programs. On the other hand, it is the daily talk shows that sometimes bore me.

That makes me wonder why PRI, WNYC, WGBH, New York Times Radio, and the BBC are developing their own morning drive time news magazine show to compete with BPP. I guess the allure of Morning Edition's ginormous audience is tempting... Also, I'm just me, and I don't necessarily represent that rest of public radio's audience (even that of the 25 year olds in that audience).

Further, back to BPP, if it brings more people into the public radio news audience, that's a major plus.

Sent by Steve Petersen | 3:11 PM ET | 09-10-2007

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Welcome to 'The Bryant Park Project'

This new radio show from NPR comes to you weekdays, straight out of New York City. You can find audio and video from us here and in our podcasts. Bryant Park is not a talk show, but it is a conversation. Intrigued? Read our frequently asked questions and discussion rules.