NPR: Climb Aboard the BPP Bandwagon

Climb Aboard the BPP Bandwagon

Filed under:

MGM Studios/Getty Images

Our newfound fame, thanks mostly to the piece about us in the New York Times yesterday, has prompted a flood of comments from people interested in the show, but concerned that their advanced age might make them unwelcome. Joel writes:

"OMG, here I am turning 57 next week, an NPR junkie for a couple of decades -- and this pilot is the best thing I've heard on public radio since the start-up of This American Life. (OK, not counting the day Bill O'Reilly walked out on Terry Gross...) Mind letting a few of us 50+ folks into your listener's club? How about if we promise to sit in the corner and not complain about our prostates?"

Craig says:

"I'm just irked that I am now 45, putting me just outside your desired demo, but too young to be one of those still angry about Bob Edwards being booted off ME. Could you narrow cast a bit for my age group? Maybe:
1. Are you a Gen X trapped in a boomers body? Or sports injuries you might still bounce back from.
2. I don't remember where I was when Kennedy was shot, but my mom does.
3. Roth IRA Conversion or Red Miata convertible? Which choice says you're old?"

Well Joel and Craig, to show you just how welcome you are, I've selected a vintage photo (above) from a talking picture serial which my grandmother tells me was called "Our Gang," later turned into a TV series called "The Little Rascals." Apparently, it was quite popular in her day. I use it now to illustrate not only the diverse tableau that the BPP plans to weave, but also the lengths to which we'll go to find reference points that all can appreciate. Even if your idea of podcasting is to dictate this blog post into a recording device, press it onto a vinyl record, and play it on your Victrola, you're okay with us.

Dan Pashman

10:27 AM ET | 09-28-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Me, too - - Me, too. I'm 52 and listened to the show after seeing the NYTimes article. The show is great. It combines NPR's erudition and high production values with a real LIVE show (at least it sounded live on iPod). And now I can understand cricket!! As long as I can learn something new every day, count on me.

Sent by Steve Beste | 12:04 PM ET | 09-28-2007

I'm really looking forward to the show-- and specifically listening to podcasts. Along those lines I have one request: will it be possible for the show's podcasts to be divided up by segements, rather than one large 2-hour undifferentiated block. That way, if I'm a few days behind, I don't have to wade through (or fast forward through) stories that may no longer be of interest, but can focus in on the ones I want. I know that some NPR shows are podcast in this manner, but others aren't. (For example, for some reason Talk of the Nation's Science Friday is broken down by segment, whereas for some reason the regular M-TH TOTN isn't, which means that I don't listen to its podcast. If it's easier, you could offer two separate feeds-- one for the whole show and one for segments, with the latter going up later (that's how some other shows handle it).

Sent by Molly | 1:52 PM ET | 09-28-2007

I listened to your last pilot podcast and....how can I put this.....I liked it but I think that you need Bob Edwards to add a tad of seriousness.

It sounded a bit too much like a music radio morning show but with a bit more depth.

I am 36 and may not be hip enough to fit your target demographic. I've been a news junkie for the past twenty years and was drawn to npr for it's depth and tone.

I appreciated the view of the two Columbia students who attended the speech by the Prs. of Iran.
I liked the music selection the Instrumental of "Here Comes Your Man " was cool, and I liked the New Order'esque instrumental.

Sent by Wayne | 2:27 PM ET | 09-28-2007

For what it's worth, I've been listening to NPR since I was 11 (I'm now 23). You don't just have an old audience; most people I know download at least one of your podcasts. Thanks for spicing it up a bit.

P.S. I subscribe to US Weekly & The New Yorker. There are a lot of us I guess.

Sent by Juliet Frerking | 1:50 PM ET | 09-30-2007

i think the entire blog family is in the waiting room....the labor is ending and the birth is just about to happen...we're looking forward to new life!!! i'm certain that my own birth certificate got the year wrong...i'm so much younger now...here's to the whole gang!!! lots of nahhchus!!!

Sent by jay | 4:58 PM ET | 09-30-2007

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Host

Alison Stewart

Welcome to 'The Bryant Park Project'

The Bryant Park Project started as a blog in the summer of 2007 and ended as a radio show and online community in July 2008. Read our frequently asked questions and discussion rules.