Firstly, I listen to public radio almost exclusively and at least once per day. My favorite type of programming is what I call entertainment programming--human interest, science, humor, old time radio, etc. The reason for stating this is that I can compare with many listneing experiences. The Radio Lab is a program that i don't get locally and have heard only a couple of episodes. This one was one of the best examples for many of the elements that I find appealing. The individual stories were fascinating and they definitely keep my attention through-out. The "Goat-on-a-cow" story will go down as one of the best ones I have ever heard. The timing was perfect as the significant aspect, that the coincidence of seeing the goat & cow that lead to such a mysterical story that had human interest, tragedy and a completion of the story. It almost sounds "written" but the faith that it was actual binds me to have review its high quality.
My major critisms are the added pieces (filler) in the stories that seem to make it "cute" with dis-jointed story connectors or story breaks. Dis-jointed music, un-discernable statements, unrelated statements are examples. I like the banter between the story's reporters and this shows host interjected in the stories. The story of the rubbish piles in Egypt seemed lite on actual information, and the method of the three favorites seemed silly. Please give me the information (facts, Dano), especially the ones that question established history. All in all, a big thanks.