Live Wire with Luke Burbank: Emily Nussbaum and Pink Martini (Rebroadcast) Released: February 21, 2025

Overview

In this engaging rebroadcast episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank from PRX, host Luke Burbank delves into the intricate world of reality television with New Yorker writer and TV critic Emily Nussbaum. Additionally, the episode celebrates the 30-year milestone of the eclectic orchestra Pink Martini, featuring insightful interviews with band members Thomas Lauderdale and China Forbes. Listeners are treated to a blend of thoughtful discussions, captivating stories, and delightful musical performances, all woven seamlessly together by Luke and co-host Elaina Passarello.

1. Heartwarming News Segment

Timestamp: 01:32 - 07:52

The episode opens with Luke and Elaina sharing two uplifting news stories that highlight the resilience and ingenuity in their communities.

• Case of the Missing 8-Year-Old Girl: Elaina recounts a distressing yet ultimately joyous tale from Bedford, Ohio, where an 8-year-old girl mysteriously drove her family's Nissan Rogue to Target, only to be found drinking a Frappuccino inside the store. She humorously notes, “You think so? ... I am the world's greatest driver” (03:50). The local police humorously tweeted about the incident, ensuring neither the child was harmed nor taken to juvenile detention (05:15).

• The Heroic Search with Technology: Luke shares a similar story from Shreveport, Louisiana, involving a 10-year-old girl named Peyton Sanington who sleepwalked into the woods. A 40-mile drive by Josh Klober, a drone operator, led to her safe recovery using thermal imaging cameras. Luke reflects, “This is not just a win for technology. This is a win for kind-hearted people like Josh Klober” (07:43).

These stories set a positive tone, emphasizing community spirit and technological advancements aiding in unexpected ways.

2. Interview with Emily Nussbaum on Reality Television

Timestamp: 09:12 - 25:28

Introduction to Emily Nussbaum and Her Book: Emily Nussbaum, a celebrated New Yorker writer and TV critic, discusses her new book, Cue the Invention of Reality TV. The book traces the origin, evolution, and cultural impact of reality television, highlighting its dual nature as both beloved and often criticized.

Historical Perspective: Emily begins by challenging the notion that reality TV is solely a product of modern internet culture. She asserts, “It started in the 40s with shows like Queen for a Day and Candid Microphone, which predated Candid Camera” (09:36). These early programs sparked moral panics similar to those faced by Survivor in the early 2000s, illustrating the enduring controversy surrounding reality-based entertainment.

Queen for a Day: Emily delves into Queen for a Day, a radio and later TV show where women shared their struggles, vying for the title based on the “worst” life stories. She states, “It was part of the... really bonding group experience” (12:47). The show is depicted as both misogynistic and oddly liberating, providing a rare platform for working-class women's voices during an era dominated by sanitized family shows like The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

Nature of Reality TV: Emily describes reality TV as “dirty documentary,” blending cinema verite with soap operas and game shows. This hybrid form creates intense emotional pressure on participants, leading to both compelling storytelling and ethical dilemmas. She praises formats like Survivor, calling it “kind of a masterpiece” (14:26), while also critiquing more exploitative shows like Manhunt.

Evolution and Future of Reality TV: Emily discusses the transition to soft scripting in reality shows, where producers guide participants toward specific scenarios rather than relying on pure improvisation. She believes that despite the rise of social media influencers and short-form content, traditional reality TV maintains a significant following due to its low production costs and enduring appeal. “I don't think the genre is going to go anywhere” (25:28).

Notable Quotes:

• “A lot of the reason that people watch reality TV is to see that little nugget of somebody being authentically out of control, even if it's inside a lot of contrivance” (20:47).
• “The more people understand the nature of this craft and the community of people who make these shows, the better that they can see these shows with clear eyes” (22:11).

3. Hot Seat Segment with Emily Nussbaum

Timestamp: 26:03 - 31:58

In this interactive segment, Emily Nussbaum poses a creative question to the hosts:

Question: “You are desperate to get onto a reality show. What do you do in terms of auditioning or presenting yourself to the producers in order to convince them that you're the kind of person who would be a breakout character, they have to cast you?”

• Luke Burbank’s Answer: Luke humorously suggests being a universal antagonist on set to ensure he's memorable: “I would argue with every single person I encountered at the casting so that I would be identified as the drama” (26:17).

• Elaina Passarello’s Answer: Elaina imagines a dramatic and memorable audition tactic: “I would just answer all the questions or sing my song while I shaved my head completely bald” (26:48).

This segment showcases the playful and creative dynamics between the hosts and their guest.

4. Interview with Pink Martini: Celebrating 30 Years

Timestamp: 32:56 - 44:01

Introduction to Pink Martini: Pink Martini, an eclectic orchestra founded in Portland in 1994, celebrates three decades of diverse musical accomplishments. With over 3 million albums sold and performances at prestigious venues like the Hollywood Bowl and Sydney Opera House, the band reflects on their unique journey.

Origin Story: Thomas Lauderdale recounts the band's genesis during a political campaign against Oregon’s Measure 13, which sought to legalize homosexuality. Inspired by the vibrant performances of Pee Wee Herman’s Christmas Special, Lauderdale formed Pink Martini to bring eclectic and uplifting music to various community events. “If it wasn't for the Oregon Citizens Alliance and the Measure 13 campaign and Pee Wee Herman’s Christmas Special, this band would not have existed” (33:35).

Joining the Band: China Forbes shares her initial skepticism and eventual embrace of the band's vision: “I had no idea what I was signing up for, but we had worked together in college on musical theater and musical collaborations” (35:59). Their collaboration was cemented through spontaneous encounters and mutual musical interests.

Musical Philosophy and Collaborations: Thomas describes the band's approach as a blend of being “the art and we want to support your work,” emphasizing artistic control over commercial interests. Pink Martini prides itself on performing in multiple languages, despite Forbes being monolingual, leveraging musical intuition and linguistic studies to authentically deliver songs in diverse languages.

Innovative Performances: The band discusses their collaboration with Gagoosh, an Iranian singer likened to Edith Piaf or Taylor Swift, who has a compelling personal and artistic history. Thomas highlights, “She is sort of like, you know, in the way that Edith Piaf is the voice of France or Maria Tănase is the voice of Romania. Gagoosh is the voice of Iran” (42:00).

Adaptability and Longevity: Pink Martini attributes their longevity to maintaining artistic integrity and evolving with their audience. Thomas notes, “We’re working on a whole album with her right now... an album, which is her early songs that she hasn't sung since the 60s” (43:20). Their ability to blend various musical styles and cultures keeps their performances fresh and relevant.

Notable Quotes:

• “We came up with all sorts of innovative stuff that's influenced everything in the culture” (13:06).
• “We're working on a whole album with her right now” (42:00).

5. Audience Interaction and Creative Ideas for Reality TV

Timestamp: 28:28 - 31:58

The hosts engage with the audience by posing the question: “What reality show doesn't exist, but you wish that it did?” Responses highlighted creative and humorous concepts:

• Charles: “Drunk Public Defenders after Work” – A mix of legal drama and comedic antics.
• Marian: “Academics on Motorbikes” – A quirky series featuring scholars navigating adventures on motorcycles.
• Mark: “Doggy Daycare with Voiceovers” – Charming visuals of dogs paired with humorous voiceovers about their thoughts.

Elaina and Luke add their playful commentary, imagining celebrity voiceovers and humorous twists to these ideas, demonstrating the show's lighthearted and inventive spirit.

6. Musical Performance by Pink Martini

Timestamp: 47:20 - 51:47

The episode culminates with Pink Martini delivering a live performance of their original song, "Una Notte a Napoli." Thomas Lauderdale introduces the piece, highlighting its romantic lyrics and cross-cultural appeal:

• Lyrics Excerpt: “One night in Naples with the moon and the sea I met an angel who could no longer fly but even without wings he took me to the sky” (48:30).

The performance showcases the band's signature blend of multilingual lyrics, vibrant instrumentation, and heartfelt delivery, leaving listeners captivated by their musical prowess.

Conclusion

This rebroadcast episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank masterfully intertwines the exploration of reality television’s evolution with the celebration of Pink Martini's enduring legacy. Through insightful interviews, engaging segments, and delightful music, the show offers a comprehensive and entertaining experience for both avid listeners and newcomers alike.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Emily Nussbaum (09:36): “It started in the 40s with shows like Queen for a Day and Candid Microphone, which predated Candid Camera.”
• Elaina Passarello (03:58): “Drive away.”
• Emily Nussbaum (12:47): “That was part of the... really bonding group experience.”
• Emily Nussbaum (22:11): “The more people understand the nature of this craft and the community of people who make these shows, the better that they can see these shows with clear eyes.”
• Thomas Lauderdale (33:35): “If it wasn't for the Oregon Citizens Alliance and the Measure 13 campaign and Pee Wee Herman’s Christmas Special, this band would not have existed.”
• China Forbes (35:59): “I had no idea what I was signing up for, but we had worked together in college on musical theater and musical collaborations.”
• Thomas Lauderdale (42:00): “We’re working on a whole album with her right now... an album, which is her early songs that she hasn't sung since the 60s.”