Curiosity Aroused

This is the kind of show that will keep me coming back to Public Radio. There is so much to be explored in a program like this. Rebecca nails it by providing an informative and funny show. I can't wait for the next episode.

This program is typical the way This American Life is typical; the way Radio Lab is typical; the way The DNA Files is typical.

This is the sort of show that will carry Public Radio into the future, and save it from the dusty attic that's quickly becoming filled with other "old media" properties.

Way to go, Miss Watson!

This show has to be a winner. Now that I've heard it once I have to have more. Rebecca is an engaging host and her passion for the subjects come through strong. She interacts well with her guests and covers material you usually don't get in main stream media. I wan't more.

I just requested that my local NPR station (WMUB - Ohio) jump on this pilot. We need more science-based women in the media. She makes me think and laugh, just like my other fav show This American Life. We need more NPR like this pilot! Thanks!

www.kollaranderson.com

that was a very entertaining an interesting show! i hope you get funded to produce regular episodes because i want to hear more!!

but in the good way, I'm only sad because there is no way to get Rebecca's excellent show in Denmark.

A healthy dose of skepticism with a streak of irreverent humor, just what I lack on the radio today. It's all badly researched slander shock radio and shallow debate shows in the "let's agree to disagree" style which is ever so unhelpful.

So here's to Curiosity Aroused and the wonderful Rebecca Watson. A truly unique show by a truly unique person I am sad to say, the world would be a better place if that wasn't case.

Rebecca,

First, I was pessimistic about your pilot before because of the subject matter, but after hearing your pilot, your show does have legs and your knowledge of the subjects comes through. I also like the chemistry with your interviews and it brought me in.

On the other hand, I agree with Michael Hagerty's assessment. The intro threw me off and it was all over and the show needs a singular focus. I think the pilot had 3-4 potential episodes, but it was crammed into one pilot.

What I got from this pilot is there are more, broader topics than I expected and from your interviews and the guests, it does suck me in. You do have the charisma and knowledge, which makes for a great show, but just do it one at a time.

WHEN this goes on the air, it will be propelled immediately into my top three list of NPR shows. Rebecca will be up there with Ira Glass (This American Life) and Peter Sagal (Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!).

This pilot was better than 99% of the dreck I hear on the radio and see on TV. Great work, Rebecca!

Loved it, Rebecca! You and your crew did a great job. I'm hoping to hear you on the air here in the DC area soon. If any place needs a dose of science & reason, it's our capitol!
Brian

What a great show. We definitely need this show down here in Mississippi. I would put it on Sunday mornings right after Speaking of Faith. Or maybe instead of Speaking of Faith...

We're not quite there yet. Call you local NPR (and PBS) to ensure she gets chosen. Ask them to check out the pilot.

This show is absolutely essential to combat the nonsense we hear on local news, Oprah (particularly her soul series on XM radio), countless tabloids and even some NPR shows (KPFK for example).

We may even elect a president that HAS to wear magic underwear!

The show was fun to listen to, the guests were first class and it's definitely more interesting compared to the same stale NPR radio we've had for years: This is actually Fresh Air.

The last radio show I liked was the Penn Jillette show.

There is an enormous amount of skeptical literature available that is largely unknown to the public. Groups like CFI (http://www.centerforinquiry.net/), and several skeptic organizations like Michael Shermer's Skeptic Society will be great resources.

Here is my Pledge: If Rebecca gets the job, I will personally raise the funds to buy her the entire Skeptic magazine collection (The last 15 years). That will be an excellent, ready reference for all skeptical topics that may arouse her curiosity.

Wow, this show rocks....she's smart, real and asks exactly the right questions, with exactly the right sense of humor!

There's just nothing else out there like this, and it fits perfectly with the public radio goal of education along with the necessary entertainment. It's so refreshing to have a skeptical viewpoint.

I'd never miss this show!

I have to admit, I am impressed. That was so much better than I thought it would be. I have no end of respect for Rebecca but I thought this format wouldn't play to the same strengths that make the "skeptics guide" so wonderful.

I was wrong. So very wrong. Mea culpa. She has made a believer out of me.

Great job Rebecca! It will be a crime if this doesn't get picked up.

Really great stuff. The gap between rationalists and true believers is only getting larger. We need someone intelligent like RW more than ever.

She's the Anti-Oprah!

I liked the show and would like to hear more of it. I can think of a couple of other NPR shows that it would pair with to make a really good two hour escape on a Saturday afternoon.

I thought your rapport with the guests was your strongest point. Your obvious exerpience hosting a podcast helped you sound at home behind the mic--a clear advantage over the other two finalists.

My only concern is--like an earlier poster said--I'm still trying to get a grasp on the precise scope of your show. The good thing is that it's not too narrow as to limit your possibilities. The bad thing is that I think your stories are being done all over public radio in bits and pieces, from the end of the hour, more light-hearted stories on All Things Considered, to This American Life. (You should try to pitch a story something to TAL by the way--your work is quite similar to their's).

I just think you'll need to more clearly define what this show is and why it's unique in order for stations to be willing to kick something else off their lineup and give this a chance.

www.mchagerty.com

OK, after finally getting it onto something portable that I could use to listen to it, I have to say that I liked it. However, a little constructive criticism. Had I not known ahead of time what the show was about and had I not known Rebecca from her other endeavors, I probably would have turned it off during the intro for 2 reasons: 1) it sounded at first like the show might take a positive slant on bogus subjects (as my local PBS station is starting to do), and 2) the intro was all over the place - ghosts at gas stations, a psychic fair, the funniest joke - wha?! What do these things have in common? If I hadn't read the blogs and learned what it was probably going to be about during the contest, I would have been very confused.

Other than that, I thought it was great. Once you got into the meat of the show, it was very well done. And it was nice to hear Perry again, too!

Anyway, best of luck - I hope it gets funded and I get to listen to it at least weekly if not more. :)

You had a great rapport with your guests - and I felt that the subject matter presented was done perfectly. It takes skill and thought to make your subject matter both lighthearted and serious at the same time. (You even helped sell a book (going to buy Quirkology ASAP!))

May many more episodes follow!

Not only has Rebecca shown that she indeed has hostiness. She's also got a great talent of getting the best out of her interviewees.

An excellent and well crafted pilot. Let's hope there will be a follow up to this treat!
I know I'm all ears.

Well done, Rebecca! I look forward to listening to more shows in the future.

I'd love to hear this show on my local NPR station. Rebecca sounds great and is fun to listen to. The production was professional and topic matter relevant for today's world of new age and pseudo science.

Skep Chick. I knew the show was going to be good. I did not know it was going to be this good. I'm not big on science at all, but you and your guest pull me in. I said this on Glynn's page, and it's true. This contest has been such a journey, I'm really proud and happy to have done it with you, as well as the other 8 finalist. Good work.

I agree with the others who said you have good chemistry with the Richards. I hope they're on the show again. This was pretty good for a first ever episode, so I can only assume that it's going to just get better and better. And I look forward to hearing more !!

Rebecca, this was off the HOOK. Plain and simple.

Well done.

Glynn

Bravo!

An all around winner! Kudos Rebecca!
Great show, may there be many more!
Rich

Remind me again how I download this to my iPod.

But, they're fish. Their favorite joke is something about...bubbles. I don't get it. They say I don't have the gills. When I say, "Stop. You're krilling me", they just give me that fish-eyed look.
I thought the show was smooth and well-done.
My dead grandma said she couldn't knock it. Or the table.

Great pilot, Rebecca! I'm glad to see you work just as well on your own as you did with Steve and the Rogues at SGU. And I'm really excited about the prospect of Richard and Richard as recurring guests, too. You've got great chemistry with the two of them (an example of your inimitable "hostiness"?), and of course they both have fascinating things to say as well.