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This American Life (TV series)
Encyclopedia
This American Life is an American television series based on the radio program of the same name
. Like the radio program, the series is hosted by Ira Glass
. The series premiered on March 22, 2007. Two seasons of the show have aired on Showtime. The second season finale aired on June 8, 2008, and Showtime aired one final episode in May 2009.
In September 2009, Glass announced that he and the other creators of the show had "asked to be taken off TV", largely in part to the difficult schedule required to produce a television program. He went on to state that the show is officially "on hiatus", but would like to do a television special at some point in the future. From January 10th - April 4th, 2011, Current TV re-aired the series in its entirety.
. The TAL staff had already attempted to move their program to television once before in 1999. Even though two different networks offered to screen a pilot, the TAL staff ultimately decided that it would be too difficult to make a television show that reflected its already successful weekly radio show. In 2002 Showtime offered to shoot a pilot, to which the TAL staff eventually agreed. In 2007 the first episode, "Reality Check", aired on television. When the staff was asked why the show moved to a commercial television station, Showtime, instead of public television (i.e. PBS) , it responded that Showtime invited them to do a television show while PBS did not. This American Life
still runs weekly on public radio distributed by Public Radio International
.
In 2007, the series was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming, Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming, and Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming.
bookstores in April 2008. On May 19, 2008, Showtime announced the release would "go wide" to other retailers on September 23, 2008.
Season two was released on DVD to Borders on January 20, 2009. The set was given a wide release on July 17, 2009.
This American Life
This American Life is a weekly hour-long radio program produced by WBEZ and hosted by Ira Glass. It is distributed by Public Radio International on PRI affiliate stations and is also available as a free weekly podcast. Primarily a journalistic non-fiction program, it has also featured essays,...
. Like the radio program, the series is hosted by Ira Glass
Ira Glass
Ira Glass is an American public radio personality, and host and producer of the radio and television show This American Life.- Early life :...
. The series premiered on March 22, 2007. Two seasons of the show have aired on Showtime. The second season finale aired on June 8, 2008, and Showtime aired one final episode in May 2009.
In September 2009, Glass announced that he and the other creators of the show had "asked to be taken off TV", largely in part to the difficult schedule required to produce a television program. He went on to state that the show is officially "on hiatus", but would like to do a television special at some point in the future. From January 10th - April 4th, 2011, Current TV re-aired the series in its entirety.
Medium shift
The television version of This American Life is a twofold shift in media from public radio to commercial televisionCommercial Television
Commercial Television was the third free-to-air broadcast television station in Hong Kong. It first went on air in 1975, and ceased transmissions in 1978.-History:...
. The TAL staff had already attempted to move their program to television once before in 1999. Even though two different networks offered to screen a pilot, the TAL staff ultimately decided that it would be too difficult to make a television show that reflected its already successful weekly radio show. In 2002 Showtime offered to shoot a pilot, to which the TAL staff eventually agreed. In 2007 the first episode, "Reality Check", aired on television. When the staff was asked why the show moved to a commercial television station, Showtime, instead of public television (i.e. PBS) , it responded that Showtime invited them to do a television show while PBS did not. This American Life
This American Life
This American Life is a weekly hour-long radio program produced by WBEZ and hosted by Ira Glass. It is distributed by Public Radio International on PRI affiliate stations and is also available as a free weekly podcast. Primarily a journalistic non-fiction program, it has also featured essays,...
still runs weekly on public radio distributed by Public Radio International
Public Radio International
Public Radio International is a Minneapolis-based American public radio organization, with locations in Boston, New York, London and Beijing. PRI's tagline is "Hear a different voice." PRI is a major public media content creator and also distributes programs from many sources...
.
Awards
In 2008, the series won two Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Nonfiction Series and Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming. It was also nominated for Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming, Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming and Outstanding Editing for Nonfiction Programming.In 2007, the series was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming, Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming, and Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming.
DVD releases
Season one of the series was released on DVD exclusively to BordersBorders Group
Borders Group, Inc. was an international book and music retailer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The company employed approximately 19,500 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders and Waldenbooks stores....
bookstores in April 2008. On May 19, 2008, Showtime announced the release would "go wide" to other retailers on September 23, 2008.
Season two was released on DVD to Borders on January 20, 2009. The set was given a wide release on July 17, 2009.