This American Life: Episode 511 - "Fiasco!" (2013)
Host: Ira Glass
Release Date: November 3, 2013

Introduction

In this episode of This American Life, host Ira Glass delves into the concept of a fiasco, exploring what distinguishes a mere mistake or failure from a full-blown disaster. Featuring two compelling stories and insightful discussions, the episode examines how ambition and human error can culminate in chaotic outcomes that transcend ordinary mishaps.

Act 1: The Theater Production of Peter Pan

Timestamp: [01:40] - [22:27]

The first story revolves around a high school theater production of Peter Pan in an unnamed small town below the Mason-Dixon Line in Appalachia. Directed by a woman with questionable credentials, the ambitious production quickly spirals into chaos.

• Ambition Gone Awry: The director, who may not have substantial directing experience, convinces the local college theater department to stage Peter Pan. The production boasts elaborate set pieces, including flying apparatuses rented from New York, which are meant to give characters the ability to "fly."

• Technical Failures: During the opening scene, the apparatuses malfunction, causing the actors playing the children to dangle awkwardly and unpredictably in the air. This technical failure creates an uneasy tension in the audience, who are empathetic towards the struggling actors.

  Ira Glass ([03:27]): "This is a story not just of a mediocre play or a terrible play when it comes down to it. It's not even a story about a play. This is a story about a fiasco and about what makes a fiasco."

• Escalation of Errors: As the play progresses, more mishaps occur. Captain Hook’s prop hook detaches and accidentally strikes an elderly audience member ([11:21]). Additionally, the flying apparatuses continue to fail, causing actors to crash into set pieces and disrupt the narrative flow ([13:31]).

• Audience Reaction: Initially forgiving, the audience becomes increasingly restless and eventually starts laughing uncontrollably as the production disintegrates further. The culmination of errors transforms the play into a full-fledged fiasco, with the audience no longer holding back their reactions.

  Jack Hitt ([18:27]): "This is a fiasco. And what's really interesting about a fiasco is that once it starts to tumble down, the audience wants to push it further along."

• Conclusion of the Story: The production attempts to press on despite the mounting disasters, but ultimately spectacularly fails, embodying the essence of a fiasco where ambition meets unmanageable chaos.

  Ira Glass ([22:27]): "What happens when you combine human error with what we will call, in this case, animal error? We have this story from a police officer..."

Act 2: The Squirrel Incident

Timestamp: [24:51] - [37:19]

The second story features an 18-year veteran police officer recounting a call he responded to regarding an animal disturbance in a suburban home. What seemed like a routine call devolves into a chaotic fiasco.

• Initial Call: The officer and his partner arrive at the homeowner’s request to address a "squirrel or raccoon" in the attic. The homeowner’s wife insists on their involvement despite the officers’ indication that it’s outside their usual responsibilities.

  Unnamed Police Officer: "Normally I'd handle this sort of stuff on my own, but my wife really insists that I call."

• Escalation: As the officer attempts to retrieve the animal, a series of mishaps occur. He encounters a squirrel that startles him, leading to a heavy flashlight falling on the homeowner, causing injury ([29:35]).

  Unnamed Police Officer: "So I just pressed my lips together so I didn't spit it out. And the coffee came shooting out my nose."

• Physical Chaos: The situation worsens when the officer loses balance, resulting in both him and his partner falling and struggling to regain control while the squirrel wreaks havoc in the home. A subsequent fire breaks out when the squirrel interacts with the fireplace, leading to significant property damage and personal injury ([32:54]).

• Impact and Reflection: The aftermath is devastating—a broken nose, ruined furniture, and a distressed homeowner. The officer reflects on the nature of fiascos, emphasizing how human error combined with unforeseen complications can lead to disastrous outcomes.

  Unnamed Police Officer ([36:55]): "I was thinking that I would go up there in the attic and find this cowering squirrel and somehow kind of lure it into some kind of a trap and then walk out with it and be like a hero. But as it turned out... the squirrel definitely won."

Act 3: Margie Rocklin's Interview Fiasco

Timestamp: [39:12] - [57:53]

Journalist Margie Rocklin shares her experience interviewing Moon Unit Zappa, which turned into an unexpected and embarrassing fiasco.

• Setting the Scene: Sent by the Los Angeles Reader in 1982, Margie prepares to interview Moon Unit Zappa, navigating the challenges of "Valley Speak" and maintaining composure during the interview.

• Embarrassing Moment: During the interview, Margie struggles with nerves and accidentally squirts coffee up her nose after bursting into laughter at an unexpected moment.

  Margie Rocklin ([53:50]): "Shooting right out my nose."

• Breakdown of Social Order: The incident disrupts the formal structure of the interview, leading to chaos in the room. Despite the embarrassing mishap, the moment ultimately fosters a genuine connection between Margie and Zappa.

  Margie Rocklin ([55:32]): "They were now my friends."

• Positive Outcome from Chaos: Although initially a fiasco, the incident broke down barriers and led to a meaningful relationship, illustrating how a chaotic moment can enhance personal connections.

  Ira Glass ([56:18]): "To me, the thing about it that's useful is that it shows the useful purpose of a fiasco. That is, when social order breaks down, that can be a force... for good."

Act 4: Mike Birbiglia's Worst Show

Timestamp: [40:08] - [57:53]

Comedian Mike Birbiglia recounts the worst show of his career—his performance at a charity golf tournament that went disastrously wrong.

• Preparation and Expectations: Birbiglia attends the event unprepared, wearing the same outfit repeatedly, leading to awkwardness from the start.

  Mike Birbiglia ([41:13]): "I think I'm now at a stage in my life where all my choices are mine."

• Audience Mismatch: The event's audience is unresponsive to his comedic style, feeling out of place among guests dealing with serious topics like cancer, which contrasts sharply with his humor.

  Mike Birbiglia ([47:26]): "And I just turn into this drunk little league dad... I'm like, you go take some cuts, son."

• Climactic Failure: Struggling to connect, Birbiglia delivers a joke about a medical diagnosis that falls flat, leading him to prematurely end his performance in embarrassment.

  Mike Birbiglia ([48:54]): "I just threw in the towel. I mean, I was just devastated."

• Audience Reaction: Rather than sympathy, the audience becomes restless and leaves, further humbling Birbiglia as his hopes to entertain vanish.

  Jack Hitt ([50:12]): "They want blood. I mean, at this point, people are actually injured in the production, and they want more."

• Aftermath and Reflection: Reflecting on the experience, Birbiglia acknowledges his shortcomings as a comedian and the harsh lessons learned from the fiasco.

  Mike Birbiglia ([55:30]): "It was terrible."

Conclusion

Through these vivid stories, This American Life illustrates how ambitious endeavors can sometimes lead to unforeseen disasters when combined with human error and technical failures. However, as seen in Margie Rocklin's interview, a fiasco can also dismantle social barriers and foster genuine connections. The episode ultimately presents fiascos not just as moments of failure, but as complex events that can lead to personal growth and unexpected positive outcomes.

Notable Quotes

• Ira Glass ([03:27]): "This is a story not just of a mediocre play or a terrible play when it comes down to it. It's not even a story about a play. This is a story about a fiasco and about what makes a fiasco."

• Jack Hitt ([18:27]): "This is a fiasco. And what's really interesting about a fiasco is that once it starts to tumble down, the audience wants to push it further along."

• Unnamed Police Officer ([36:55]): "I was thinking that I would go up there in the attic and find this cowering squirrel and somehow kind of lure it into some kind of a trap and then walk out with it and be like a hero. But as it turned out... the squirrel definitely won."

• Margie Rocklin ([53:50]): "Shooting right out my nose."

• Ira Glass ([56:18]): "To me, the thing about it that's useful is that it shows the useful purpose of a fiasco. That is, when social order breaks down, that can be a force... for good."

• Mike Birbiglia ([55:30]): "It was terrible."

This detailed summary encapsulates the core stories and themes of the "Fiasco!" episode, providing meaningful insights into how large-scale failures unfold and their impacts on individuals involved.