This American Life Videos

Plus an update on the fragile peace (and possibility of a military coup) in Sri Lanka, as well as perhaps the worst Ray Charles song ever recorded. It's ITL for Dec. 3, 2009

A format-breaker episode featuring nothing but stories from listeners about the highs and lows of dating Internet-style. In The Loop for November 27, 2009

Infidelity as covered by This American Life. Email polyweekly@gmail.com, call 206-202-POLY, Twitter polyweekly or visit www.polyweekly.com

Not pleased with the likes of our latest serving of A Christmas Carol? Want a little more originality served with your ho-ho-ho's? This might be the answer: Variety reports that Paramount Pictures has tapped Mike White to write the script for a new comedy called Santa Wars. Oh yes, it's just like you'd imagine. This project will follow the story of two rival factions that emerged within a group of professional Kris Kringles, and how they "became arch enemies during a Santa Claus civil war." And I should probably point out -- this concept is based on a true story. It all stems from a segment on Ira Glass' radio show This American Life, which aired last December and talked about how two professional Santas formed the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas, only to become bitter rivals. Talk about picking the perfect pen. White is the writer of all things weird, whether that be with creepy stalkers, transcript trouble, discontent with mundane life, rock 'n' roll classes, strange wrasslers, or dog obsession. Furthermore, he's jumped back and forth between mainstream and edgy indies, which means the potential for a film that will appeal to more than just the casual, family fare moviegoer. Let's just hope Paramount ignores this year's strange release schedules (Valentine's Day in the summer, Christmas before Thanskgiving) and serves this puppy up during the right season.Filed under: Comedy, Deals, Scripts Permalink | Email this | Comments

ITL for Nov. 20, 2009. After telling his story in song last week, we get our interview with Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao (R-LA), the lone GOP Congressman to vote in favor of health reform in the House. Listeners and Facebook fans share their alternatives to turkey on the Thanksgiving table. A NewsNiche interview with Missouri farmer Richard Oswald. A dandy tune giving thanks for the most ridiculous stories of 2009. The year of IHS Global Insight.

It's In The Loop Nov. 13, 2009. Featuring an interview with Minnesota Viking Visanthe Shiancoe, The Hill's Molly Hooper, Sanden Totten, and a new NewsTune.

It's ITL for Nov. 6, 2009, featuring interviews with TaxGirl, the Christian Science Monitor's man in Afghanistan, and a Pulitzer Prize winner on the incipient federal Shield Law. Plus nifty H1N1 vaccine and Hamid Karzai-inspired music. Damn!

Plus news from Pakistan and a human-fat-powered boat. It's In The Loop for October 23, 2009

It's a NewsNiche Spectacular. Well, "spectacular" might a little strong...But it's a nifty little diversion from our normal weekly fare. Enjoy! It's ITL for Oct. 15, 2009

Plus listener poems on moon water, Max Baucus, and the (final) end of Saturn. It's In The Loop for October 2, 2010. (And yes, we know Chicago lost at the very instant this podcast dropped. Grrr.)

Plus: Is anyone Congress looking after our mouths? And a musical tribute to our 1,500 Facebook fans. It's ITL for Sept. 25, 2009

It's ITL for Sept. 17, 2009. A "pop culture"-focused episode, featuring a chat about Fair Use and the Ellen Show, an elegy for Patrick Swayze, the new "Mind Your Manners Song" and listener stories of rudeness.

...plus the MPRNewsQ song and a new commentary from Nancy Donoval about keeping her health insurance. It's ITL for Sept. 12, 2009.

We asked listeners to call in to our voicemail with short stories. And they did. Also includes a random earthquake.

In The Loop for August 29, 2009. Plus conversations on small biz and health reform, the "end" of the Wikipedia we all think we knew, and Sanden-Ira the Birth Coach.

Jeff and Sanden have taken a wee vacation. But to mark our four-year-anniversary, please enjoy this first-ever episode of ITL from summer 2005.

ITL for August 14, 2009, featuring interviews with Mitch Berg, Bonnie Marsick, and Terence Mashingaidze. Plus a musical tune for John Yettaw.