Fresh Air: Best Of: 'Hysterical' Podcaster / 'Seinfeld' Writer

Hosted by Tonya Mosley and Terry Gross, Fresh Air presents an engaging episode featuring conversations with Dan Tabursky, creator of the acclaimed podcast Hysterical, and Larry Charles, a seasoned writer and director known for his work on Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Additionally, book critic Maureen Corrigan shares top mystery and suspense novels for summer reading. Below is a detailed summary capturing the essence of these discussions, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps.

Dan Tabursky on "Hysterical"

Exploring Mass Psychogenic Illness

Dan Tabursky delves into the intricacies of mass psychogenic illness through his award-winning podcast Hysterical. The series investigates a baffling outbreak in Leroy, New York, where high school girls developed uncontrollable tics and spasms in 2011.

Key Discussions:

• Origin of the Outbreak:
  Tabursky explains how the phenomenon began with a single high school girl who, after waking from a nap, couldn't stop stuttering ([03:39]). This led to a rapid increase in cases, spreading to multiple students with symptoms resembling Tourette Syndrome.

• Understanding Psychogenic Illness:
  He breaks down conversion disorder as psychological stress manifesting as physical symptoms without an organic cause ([07:26]). This condition spans from minor issues like nausea to severe neurological symptoms such as seizures.

• Comparison to Havana Syndrome:
  Tabursky draws parallels between the Leroy outbreak and Havana Syndrome, where U.S. diplomats experienced unexplained neurological symptoms ([09:05]). He notes the gender and status disparities in how such illnesses are perceived, highlighting societal biases in attributing these symptoms.

• Environmental Theories and Media Influence:
  Initial speculations pointed to environmental factors like a 1973 train derailment releasing trichloroethylene, though no direct causation was found ([10:28]). Tabursky discusses how media coverage can exacerbate the spread of psychogenic symptoms by continuously highlighting and showcasing the affected individuals ([12:45]).

Notable Quote:

"You can't just say, oh, it's mass psychogenic illness. It's all in your head and walk away."
— Dan Tabursky ([10:28])

Resolution of the Outbreak: By the end of the school year, the symptoms had largely dissipated, raising questions about the underlying causes and the role of collective stress and media in such phenomena ([12:01]).

Maureen Corrigan’s Summer Reading Recommendations

Book critic Maureen Corrigan curates a selection of mystery and suspense novels for the summer, highlighting diverse themes from gothic chills to hard-boiled noir.

Featured Novels:

1. El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott:
   Set in 2008 Detroit, this novel explores the lives of the Bishop sisters who navigate financial turmoil through a mysterious all-female financial club called the Wheel.

2. The House on Buzzards Bay by Dwyer Murphy:
   A gothic tale of college friends haunted by the remnants of 19th-century spiritualists as they reunite at an inherited house.

3. King of Ashes by SA Cosby:
   Combining noir elements with emotional depth, this story follows Roman Carruthers as he confronts a local gang to save his family after a suspicious incident.

4. Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman:
   Reintroducing Tess Monahan's assistant, Muriel Blossom, this novel blends mystery with social commentary on the invisibility of older women.

Insightful Commentary: Corrigan emphasizes the blend of social issues with traditional mystery elements, ensuring that each recommended novel offers more than just a suspenseful plot.

Larry Charles on Comedy and Mortality

A Deep Dive into Comedy and Personal Reflection

Larry Charles, in his memoir Comedy: 40 Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter (later referred to as Comedy Samurai), shares his extensive career and personal experiences that shaped his comedic philosophy.

Key Discussions:

• Career Highlights:
  Charles discusses his tenure on Seinfeld, where he contributed to iconic episodes like "The Library." He recounts the challenges of joining the show without a detailed prep guide, emphasizing the organic development of Seinfeld's unique humor ([37:14]).

• "The Library" Episode Breakdown:
  He describes the creation of a memorable scene where a serious library investigation officer confronts Jerry Seinfeld over an overdue book, blending hard-boiled detective tones with comedy. This episode remains a favorite for Charles, illustrating the seamless integration of non-comedic elements into humor ([40:19]).

• Philosophy on Comedy:
  Charles reflects on the concept of "no hugging, no learning" in Seinfeld, arguing that genuine emotion has little place in pure comedy. He believes that anger and aggression are central drivers of comedic expression, providing depth and realness to humor ([48:45]).

• Personal Reflection and Mortality:
  After suffering a heart attack, Charles discusses how the near-death experience influenced his outlook on life and comedy. He shares his acceptance of mortality and a newfound commitment to alleviating suffering, intertwining his personal growth with his professional insights ([50:47]).

Notable Quote:

"The only genuine emotion that really seems to sort of fuel comedy is anger."
— Larry Charles ([48:45])

Comedy Philosophy: Charles maintains that comedy thrives on underlying tensions and emotional undercurrents, suggesting that even seemingly light-hearted humor has deeper emotional roots.

Conclusion

This episode of Fresh Air masterfully intertwines explorations of psychological phenomena, the art of storytelling in comedy, and curated literary recommendations. Through Dan Tabursky's investigative journalism and Larry Charles' comedic insights, listeners gain a multifaceted understanding of how personal experiences and societal factors shape narratives in both podcasting and television. Maureen Corrigan’s book recommendations further enrich the episode, offering listeners avenues to delve into compelling mysteries and suspense throughout the summer.

Produced by Susan Yakundi, Executive Producer Danny Miller. Interviews and reviews by Phyllis Myers, Roberta Shorrock, and others.