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Playlist: News Station Picks for April '10

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Curated Playlist

Here are April picks for news stations from PRX News Format Curator Naomi Starobin.

What Naomi listens for in news programming.

Jobs, jobs, jobs. Ever want to ask people with interesting or weird jobs what it's like? This month, a collection of stories that take you to a room full of 911 operators, to an ambitious marriage broker in Vietnam, a sound engineer who caters to Elvis and God, and back in time to the second World War to see what theater set designers added to the war effort.

Have a listen!

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Marriage Broker

From Homelands Productions | Part of the WORKING series | 00:07:44

This feature is part of a series called "Working," by Homelands Productions out of Ithaca, NY, and Marketplace Radio. You will find yourself immediately immersed in this story of a Vietnamese marriage broker who matches Korean men with Vietnamese brides. It is sound-rich in just the right way.

The reporter is Kelly McEvers.

Be sure to check out the rest of the series. They are all compelling and well-produced.

The Other End of the Line: Profile of a 911 Operator

From Aaron Henkin | 00:08:09

The stress that goes with being a 911 operator n Baltimore comes through nicely in this feature by independent reporter/producer Aaron Henkin. But it also captures how seriously operators take their work and how they feel about what they do. It was created in 2007, but it's relevant today.

Footlight Parade: The Noble Working Person (FP10:13)

From Footlight Parade | 00:56:58

Here's a treat to fill an hour. A narrated collection of Broadway show tunes about working people. Sound-rich, obviously. It moves along at a nice clip, it's cheerful and your listeners will find themselves singing along, or at least head-bobbing.

It's hosted and produced by Bill Rudman, and this feature is part of the Footlight Parade: Sounds of the American Musical series. Enjoy!

Grrb: The Water seller

From Sarah Kramer | 00:03:39

New York City independent reporter/producer Sarah Kramer brings us to Rabat, Morocco, with this profile of a man who sells water. In it, listeners will learn why it is that different people buy different water, how the water seller lets the buyer decide what to pay, and just how to pronounce "grrb," which is his job title.

Note: Kramer socs out "For the World Vision Report..."

Things Are Not What They Seem

From Sarah Elzas | 00:04:21

Talk about obscure jobs! This piece looks at how a group of Broadway set designers put their skills to work for the US Army during World War II. Think camouflage and inflatable tanks. The piece combines a lively interview with with archival audio.

Warning: it ends a bit abruptly with a cut. No soc-out.

One Computer Voice Too Many

From Laura Strickler | 00:03:09

A funny and thoughtful first-person piece on the frustration of getting a recorded voice at the other end of a phone call. It's not bitter or whiny, and resolves nicely as reporter Laura Strickler gets help from a "real person."

Strickler is an independent reporter/producer in New York City. The piece includes lots of sound from the robots and the human operator.