Making Fun of Public Radio
Digest
Zach Woods and Brandon Garner, creators of the Peacock show "In the Know," join On The Media to discuss their satirical take on public radio. The show follows Lauren Caspian, a fictional NPR host, as he navigates the world of progressive culture, highlighting the hypocrisy and self-awareness that often accompany it. Woods and Garner explain that they chose public radio as a target because it reflects aspects of ourselves that we're embarrassed by, and Lauren Caspian is a slightly exaggerated version of themselves. They discuss the various hallmarks of public radio interviews, including self-referentiality, constant interruptions, and quick subject changes. They also touch on the performative virtue signaling that often occurs within progressive circles, and how language can be used as a filibuster to avoid uncomfortable truths. The show features real-life celebrities who interact with the puppet characters on Zoom, adding a layer of realism to the satire. Woods and Garner emphasize that while they aim to be funny, they also strive to create a genuine interview experience with their guests. They believe that comedy can be a powerful tool for restoring complexity to the world and comforting each other with our shortcomings. The episode concludes with a discussion about the changing tone of public radio and the challenges it faces in the digital age.
Outlines
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Satirizing Public Radio
This Chapter delves into the creation of "In the Know," a satirical show on Peacock that parodies public radio. The creators, Zach Woods and Brandon Garner, discuss their inspiration for the show and the character of Lauren Caspian, a fictional NPR host who embodies the show's themes of progressive hypocrisy and self-awareness.
Exploring Progressive Culture Wars
This Chapter focuses on the show's portrayal of the culture wars within progressive circles. The creators discuss the dynamics between different generations of liberals and how they often engage in brutal criticism of each other despite sharing similar ideals. They also touch on the importance of language and how it can be used to avoid uncomfortable truths.
The Power of Comedy
This Chapter explores the creators' use of comedy as a tool for restoring complexity to the world. They discuss their desire to portray characters as multifaceted individuals rather than one-dimensional archetypes. They also highlight the importance of finding humor in our shortcomings and using comedy to comfort each other.
Keywords
In the Know
"In the Know" is a satirical comedy show on Peacock that parodies public radio. It follows the fictional NPR host Lauren Caspian as he navigates the world of progressive culture, highlighting the hypocrisy and self-awareness that often accompany it. The show is created by Zach Woods and Brandon Garner, who are known for their work on shows like "The Office" and "Silicon Valley."
Lauren Caspian
Lauren Caspian is the fictional NPR host at the center of the Peacock show "In the Know." He is a caricature of a self-aware, progressive public radio host who is often caught in moments of hypocrisy and self-contradiction. The character is voiced by Zach Woods, who is known for his roles in "The Office" and "Silicon Valley."
Public Radio
Public radio is a form of radio broadcasting that is funded by listeners, corporations, and foundations. It is known for its focus on news, talk, and cultural programming. Public radio stations are often seen as a source of in-depth reporting and thoughtful commentary. The show "In the Know" satirizes the tropes and conventions of public radio, highlighting the self-awareness and hypocrisy that can sometimes be found within the medium.
Progressive Culture
Progressive culture refers to the values, beliefs, and practices associated with progressive political ideology. It emphasizes social justice, equality, and environmentalism. The show "In the Know" explores the internal conflicts and contradictions within progressive culture, particularly the tension between performative virtue signaling and genuine action.
Satire
Satire is a form of humor that uses irony, exaggeration, and ridicule to expose and criticize folly and vice. The show "In the Know" uses satire to critique the self-awareness and hypocrisy of public radio and progressive culture. The creators use humor to highlight the absurdity of certain behaviors and beliefs, prompting viewers to question their own assumptions.
Peacock
Peacock is a streaming service owned by NBCUniversal. It offers a variety of programming, including original shows, movies, and live sports. "In the Know" is one of the original shows available on Peacock.
Culture Wars
Culture wars refer to the conflicts and disagreements that arise between different groups in society over cultural values and beliefs. The show "In the Know" explores the culture wars within progressive circles, highlighting the tensions between different generations and perspectives.
Performative Virtue Signaling
Performative virtue signaling refers to the act of publicly expressing support for a cause or belief in order to gain social approval, rather than out of genuine conviction. The show "In the Know" satirizes the performative virtue signaling that often occurs within progressive circles, highlighting the disconnect between words and actions.
Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy is the act of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs that one does not actually hold or follow. The show "In the Know" explores the hypocrisy that can sometimes be found within public radio and progressive culture, highlighting the contradictions between stated values and actual behavior.
Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The show "In the Know" explores the self-awareness that can sometimes be found within public radio and progressive culture, highlighting the irony and humor that can arise from recognizing one's own flaws and contradictions.
Q&A
What is the premise of the Peacock show "In the Know"?
"In the Know" is a satirical comedy show that follows Lauren Caspian, a fictional NPR host, as he navigates the world of progressive culture, highlighting the hypocrisy and self-awareness that often accompany it.
Why did the creators of "In the Know" choose public radio as their target?
They believe that public radio reflects aspects of ourselves that we're embarrassed by, and Lauren Caspian is a slightly exaggerated version of themselves.
What are some of the hallmarks of public radio interviews that the show satirizes?
The show parodies self-referentiality, constant interruptions, quick subject changes, and the performative virtue signaling that can sometimes be found within progressive circles.
How do the creators of "In the Know" use real-life celebrities in the show?
Real-life celebrities interact with the puppet characters on Zoom, adding a layer of realism to the satire. The creators ask the celebrities to act like they're doing a real NPR interview, and the only heads-up they give them is to not point out that they're talking to a puppet.
What is the creators' overall goal with "In the Know"?
They aim to be funny, but they also strive to create a genuine interview experience with their guests. They believe that comedy can be a powerful tool for restoring complexity to the world and comforting each other with our shortcomings.
How has the tone of public radio changed in the digital age?
The tone has gotten a lot looser and less homogeneous, with a greater emphasis on diversity and a move away from the traditional, Terry Gross-style interview.
What is the creators' perspective on the relationship between intimacy and affectation in public radio?
They believe that public radio is a very intimate medium, and that affectation can ruin the intimacy of the experience.
What is the creators' view on the role of language in progressive culture?
They believe that language matters, but that it can sometimes be used as a filibuster to avoid uncomfortable truths.
What is the creators' overall message about progressive culture?
They believe that progressive culture is often characterized by hypocrisy and self-awareness, and that it's important to acknowledge these flaws and contradictions.
What is the creators' view on the power of comedy?
They believe that comedy can be a powerful tool for restoring complexity to the world and comforting each other with our shortcomings.
Show Notes
In January 2023, a TV show called In the Know debuted on Peacock. The comedy is a parody of a daily NPR show produced in New York City, with rather cringey characters portrayed by stop-motion puppets. Each episode also features an interview with a real person who appears on Zoom. The show is written by Zach Woods, Brandon Gardner, and Mike Judge, creator of Beavis and Butthead (who also voices the character of Sandy the movie critic). Woods, known for playing Gabe on The Office and Jared from Silicon Valley, plays the central role of Lauren Caspian, billed as the third most famous NPR host. Brooke speaks with Zach Woods and Brandon Gardner about why public radio provides such rich ground for satire, and how comedy can restore complexity to the world.
This interview originally aired on our January 26, 2024 show.
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