Anyone who’s ever been a real fan will know what it feels like to long for something – to meet a celebrity, for tickets to a gig, to own that rare collectible. In so many ways, fandom promises to make life better. But these promises can also draw attention to the shortcomings we feel in our lives. 

In this episode, we ask: what’s the deal with fandom and longing?

We explore how celebrities can seem both like us and superhuman at the same time. We reflect on how classical music fandom could make Bernstein's listeners feel like 1950’s suburban life was not as fulfilling as it was cracked up to be. And we hear Bernstein explaining why he was a fan of Beethoven. 

From Bernstein's the archive, we meet a housewife whose dinner has been ruined by Bernstein, a father yearning to reconnect with his younger musical self, and a fan who finds in Bernstein hope for nothing less than world peace.

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Producers: Rowan Bishop and Kate Guthrie

Hosts: Flora Willson and Kate Guthrie

With thanks to: Cheryl Melody Baskin, Michael Ellison, Cassandra Fenton, Mark Keedwell, Melanie Shaffer, Karen Skinazi, Chuck Talley and Justin Williams.

Funded by: the Arts and Humanities Research Council.