A New Podcast That’s ‘Too Hot For Radio’
Over the years, Selected Shorts at Symphony Space has amassed an amazing array of stories that, due to language issues or content advisories were, well, too hot for radio. We’ve now gone into the vault, selected some of the best of these recordings, and created a new dedicated channel for them. Welcome to Selected Shorts: Too Hot For Radio.
Each episode centers around one story, whether it’s 5 minutes or 45 and will feature commentary and special guests. The show is hosted by the one and only…
Our Host!
Too Hot For Radio’s inaugural episode has already been featured as one of IndieWire’s 10 Best Podcast Episodes of Summer 2016!
“ Hosted by the very funny Aparna Nancherla, the show also takes time to give context for each story, here speaking with King enthusiast Stu Tinker. In the wake of the farewell episode of Reading Aloud (happy trails, one of our favorites), it’s nice to know that podcast listeners still have a well-produced place to catch up on comedian-hosted, short-story reading goodness.”
Episode 9— “Fem Care”
Read by Amy Ryan. Annie is a market researcher for the feminine hygiene division of a health & beauty company. While the cool people work on marketing skin creams and cosmetics, she finds out how women feel about menstruation. It’s a story complete with humor and humanity, differences and common bonds, and a recognition that sometimes it’s who you run into in the ladies’ room that matters. After Elliott Holt’s story, Aparna Nancherla talks to fellow writer and comedian Emily Heller about the differences between men and women and how they could both relate to Annie.
Episode 8— “The Crack Cocaine Diet”
From The New York Times bestselling mystery author of acclaimed stand-alones and the award-winning Tess Monaghan series comes a darkly humorous story by Laura Lippman, filled with delightfully unanticipated twists. The reader, This American Life regular Elna Baker, coincidentally brought a very personal angle to the story which she explains in an interview to host Aparna Nancherla.
Episode 7— “The Long QT”
A story from Hilary Mantel, the author of the best-sellers Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies and her most recent, the controversial and often wicked short story collection The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher, in which we found the story you are about to hear. This story features a standard, modern-day dilemma that delivers an entirely unexpected sort of fright at the end. Host Aparna Nancherla chats with champion open water swimmer, Lynne Cox, a real life survivor of the disorder Mantel’s story is based upon. Read by actress Joanne Whalley.
Episode 6— “Wonder Woman Was My Lover”
“My one and only female was an acrobat on the mattress, and the truth is, I miss her still.” So begins our featured story. Read by RISK! podcast host, Kevin Allison, this story takes us on a wild romp when Wonder Woman lands in the yard of a gay man. It’s a story full of humor, sex, and sweetness. Writer William Giraldi is author of the novels Busy Monsters and Hold the Dark, and the memoir The Hero’s Body.
Episode 5— “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank”
Nathan Englander’s story was recently selected as one of the Best American Stories of the past hundred years. This story has grown people smoking dope, taking shots of vodka and keeping it real. Actor Dylan Baker gives a tour de force reading that will keep you laughing and on the edge of your seat. Also in this episode, Nathan chats by phone to host Aparna Nancherla from his temporary home in Malawi.
Episode 4— “Zombies”
From the dark mind of cult author Chuck Palahniuk (writer of the classic novels Fight Club and Choke), “Zombies” is a tale of what happens when teens at a high school figure out a way to disengage with the pressure of life. It’s a story anyone in modern life can relate to, and the powerful ending packs a wallop. Read by actor Sam Underwood (The Following). Aparna also talks to Chuck about what inspired the story as well as books he loves.
Episode 3 — “Guy Walks Into A Bar”
In 2013, author, former SNL writer, and creator of the FXX show Man Seeking Woman Simon Rich published a humor piece entitled “Guy Walks Into A Bar” in The New Yorker. Within days, it was all over social media.
This week’s reading by Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, Angels in America) brings to life this story that’s half-joke, half-existential anguish, and all heart story to life.
…And just in case you needed some extra encouragement:
Episode 2 — “The MYMan Solution”
Definitely NSFW, our second episode features the Helen Phillips story “The MYMan Solution” in which a wealthy woman who purchases a high-tech sex toy in the shape of a man and isn’t shy about sharing the details. But even if you aren’t a frequent shopper at Babeland, know that this is also a story about a struggle for finding intimacy in the world.
Aparna also talks to reader Colby Minifie about how she managed to give X-rated content such a touching and relatable spin — especially with her parents in the audience!
Episode 1 — “Batman and Robin Have an Altercation”
In this very first episode actor Stephen Lang reads, “Batman and Robin Have an Altercation”, a — shall we say — intense story about family, love, and dying by Stephen King (yes, THAT Stephen King, need we say more?).
Aparna also talks to Stu Tinker, a Stephen King superfan from King’s hometown of Bangor, Maine (get ready for that accent!). For nearly 20 years he’s been giving tours of the spots that have inspired so many of author’s stories.
…And that’s all still just the beginning!
Our bi-weekly releases will feature the works of amazing authors like:
- Helen Phillips
Some Possible Solutions (2016)
The Beautiful Bureaucrat (2015)
And Yet They Were Happy (2011)
Here Where the Sunbeams Are Green (2012) - Simon Rich
Spoiled Brats (2014)
The Last Girlfriend on Earth: And Other Love Stories (2013)
What in God’s Name: A Novel (2012)
Elliot Allagash: A Novel (2010) Free-Range Chickens (2009)
Ant Farm: And Other Desperate Situations (2007) - Nathan Englander
What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank (2012)
The Ministry of Special Cases (2007)
For the Relief of Unbearable Urges (1999)
…Performed by the stars of screen and stage who are sure to transport you into worlds of foul language, violence, and sexual acts wherever you might be listening.
- Kevin Allison | (The State on MTV, creator of The Risk! podcast)
- Sam Underwood |(Dexter, The Following)
- Colby Minifie |(Jessica Jones)
- Michael Urie | (Ugly Betty, Angels in America)
- Dylan Baker |(The Americans, The Good Wife)
| SelectedShorts.org || iTunes | SoundCloud |
