The Errant Æsthete

11 Responses to “NPR’s “The Takeaway””

1. “The Takeaway” is actually produced by my local public radio station WNYC, with input from the BBC & NYT.

   Anne said this on 04/29/08 at 04:04:08

2. “The Takeaway” is disappointing and depressing. It’s exactly like every other morning FM show — same generic hosts, same aggressive and stident tone, same modest intelligence. It seems like NPR is trying to compete by dumbing down and copying. I’ll be tuning out, for sure.

   Shashi said this on 05/16/08 at 05:05:53

3. Sophomoronic. Sycophantic tendencies to any “hip” “now” trend Hockenberry can dredge up to prove how with it he is. As grating as a taxi horn, blaring at us for no reason. The Takeaway … take it away.

   Charlie said this on 05/21/08 at 04:05:17

4. For the last 10 yrs, I have listened to WNYC.org in the morning while getting dressed – counting on it as a source of news before I get to the office, to hone my knowledge so that when I have brief time to search the print news sources at the office, I know just for what I am looking.

   That all changed a couple of months ago when a completely frenetic, unintelligible program – “The Takeaway” – began its broadcasts. I cannot understand a thing these two hosts – Adaora and John –are even saying to each other. They seem to be discussing a series of insider jokes more than anything I can “takeaway” with me to the office. They talk over one another – or one guffaws loudly over the top of what the other is saying – and I cannot even glean any sort of “story” that they might be trying to deliver.

   If I wanted to listen to two people guffaw at each other nonsensically, I could turn on any other number of radio stations in the NYC area. I count on WNYC for news. What has happened to that delivery? I cannot imagine that this is considered “progress.” Lately, between the “GPS alarm” bleeps interrupting the segments, unintelligible discussion, and a focus on anything but news delivery, I have been led to just power off the radio and flip on – God forbid – CNN. But seriously, I can count on CNN to give me a much better brief on the day than The Takeaway.

   Please, I beg of you, find another $2MM to replace the grant that funded that program. I can feel myself slowly becoming a John Roberts and Kiran Chetry junkie. At least the commercials there are more entertaining (and less time consuming) than the non-news-oriented insider jokes on the Takeaway.

   Daniel said this on 06/02/08 at 04:06:29

5. I looked forward to The Takeaway with much excitement and anticipation. However, now I seek refuge from the relentlessly silly banter and insider jokes that seems to form the backbone of this disappointing a.m. program by returning to Morning Edition. Perhaps this marketing move was calculated to attract a youthful demographic. But regardless of age I think NPR listeners deserve better.

   David said this on 06/12/08 at 03:06:44

6. I agree completely with what is being said about the Takeaway. I read an article in the Times that said the goal was a less clubby tone and as a result I think they have gone overboard and sound unprofessional. The tone of the news should be serious, no? Leave irony to Jon Stewart. Where do we find real news any more? Please advise.

   P. M. A. said this on 06/19/08 at 04:06:15

7. As a loyal NPR listener and contributor, I am surprised that I continue to find almost every aspect of “The Takeaway” irritating. The format, sound effects, banter, etc. are all grating - particularly at 6 am. All the comments above are spot on.

   Perhaps its most perplexing feature of The Takeaway format is simply that the tone or demeanor seems to change every 30 seconds. At least Radio 1010 Wins (AM) is consistent! The Takeaway weaves from hip to traditional, somber to chirpy, sound-bite to in-depth in a way that leaves you nauseated (again, particularly at 6 am).

   My suggestion for The Takeaway: test formats on focus groups of current and perspective listeners.

   Scott said this on 06/20/08 at 05:06:25

8. hi, i see this is an old posting, but i was baffled by what had happened to WNYC this spring - kind of figured they were trying something new and immediately hated it. but this week, being jet-lagged and waking up at six, i found myself listening to it for lack of anything else to listen at this hour and realized how truly mindless and ridiculous it really is. Their report on how the Miami herald is out-sourcing its copy-editing to India was so chillingly stupid this morning — the way they treated the reporter they’d invited to be their guest was so demeaning, i thought i was listening to a rightwing radio show.

   my question is - how do we get this drek off the air and get the regular news program back?

   Wonderful commentary! From everything I’ve read, the feelings of banality and mindlessness attributed to this program are overwhelming, which leaves one to question why this continues to be on the air. Your remark on it sounding similar to a “right wing” radio show may provide a clue.

   jot said this on 07/09/08 at 05:07:26

9. I find Aedora abrasive and irritating and Femmie unintelligible.How disappointing!

   Marilyn Liota said this on 07/14/08 at 05:07:01

10. I find the Takeaway’s use of “your favorite torture song” feature to be incredibly insenstive and offensive. It makes light of a practice that has been opposed by Congress, the majority of American people and the world community as illegal and in violation of inernational law. It emboldens the Bush Adminstration’s continued flaunting of our constitutional democracy. I expect better from NPR.

    Leonard Polletta said this on 07/15/08 at 03:07:45

11. I must agree, what are they thinking? Anything?
    The torture song foolishness sounded like preteens trying out dirty words out behind the barn.

    Joseph Hoffman said this on 07/16/08 at 11:07:24