Saturday Morning Public Radio

Sometimes I feel like I am somewhat negative here, with all my “annoyances” and whatnot. And while those are usually fun-spirited, today it is time to talk with zero negativity about something that is truly great: Saturday morning public radio programming. Specifically the Saturday morning programming of WBEZ - Chicago Public Radio.

I’ve been getting up earlier than is normal for me lately (I tend to sleep in super late if I can). This Saturday I was up at 8, drank some tea, did this and that around the house and then turned on the radio at 9. I was listening to WBEZ almost continuously in the house or in my car from 9am to 1pm. The programming just gets better and better during those four hours.

Car Talk

www.cartalk.com

“Intelligent car advice mixed with hilarious stories of automobile mayhem.” A light-hearted way to start the day.

Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me

www.npr.org/programs/waitwait/

“A fast-paced, irreverent quiz show of the week’s news.” Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love it.

Sound Opinions

www.soundopinions.org

I just love this show. Music is everything to me and I just love Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis talking about rock and roll. I don’t always agree with them, but it is always great. If you look at going to a record store as a fun outing and an adventure … you’ll love this show. If you look forward to Tuesdays because new records come out or if you’ve ever gone to a record store at midnight on a Monday to buy a new release … you’ll love the show.

Sometimes, being many years out of college and working in the corporate world, it is easy to feel out of touch with the music scene. These guys are not necessarily the most cutting edge guys, but, I guess, I don’t want to be on the cutting edge anymore. I just want to learn about and be enlightened about great new and old music. And that is what I get out of Sound Opinions.

This past week they had a great interview with a couple of members from Arcade Fire (who created the best album so far of the 2000’s, Funeral). Real cool.

If they don’t play Sound Opinions on your station, you can still check out the Sound Opinions podcasts (for free!).

This American Life

www.thislife.org

What’s there to say about This American Life? Probably the best radio show to come out since the dawn of the VCR and cable TV.

Listen!

The end