# Anyone listening to "The Diane Rehm Show" on NPR? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 11, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949 "2008-04-11T21:39:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/1 "2008-04-11T21:39:36Z")
Her show comes on during my drive to school, and when I hear her voice, I can’t help but reach for the dial. The topics on her show are extremely interesting and she has very good experts on as guests, but I can’t get past her voice. I understand the poor woman suffers from an extremely rare form of throat disease which distorts her voice, but she speaks. So. Agonizingly. Slow. My guess is that she’d be able to fit in nearly 50% more content if she just doubled the speed at which she speaks. Thoughts? Please share if you love the show or hate it. ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/2 "2008-04-11T23:36:03Z")
Either I am getting used to her voice, or all the therapy and treatment has improved her voice. She is a lot more listenable to these days. The guests are usually top flight. I prefer the hard news guests in the first hour, rather than the human interest/literary guests in the second hour. Although she had the author of a biography of the wife of Pres William Howard Taft as a guest about a year that was great show. I like the Friday News Round Table, though I generally only listen in the car. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/3 "2008-04-12T00:03:06Z")
I can’t listen to her because strikes me as one of those interviewers who likes to hear herself talk. She seems unable to ask a simple question - she has to elaborate and inject her opinions and observations. Much as I’d love to hear some of her guests, I can’t take her style. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/4 "2008-04-12T00:51:58Z")
It took me a while to get used to Ms. Rehm’s voice, but I don’t notice it much any more. I like the show-- she usually has interesting guests, and she will sometimes pursue questions that the guests are dodging. I kinda wish they’d drop the call-in portion, and just read listeners’ e-mails; Ms. Rehm is slow but measured, and she sounds prepared-- the callers aren’t, and oftentimes they sound like they have stagefright as they stammer out rambling statements. (As a hijack, the NPR show I can’t stand is Krista Tippett’s “Speaking of Faith.” She sounds to me like Diane Rehm does to **FairyChatMom** : an interviewer who likes to hear herself talk… or meaningfully interject “Mmm-hmmm” after a guest says something “deep.” An in-depth look at world religions could make for a great show, but this isn’t it.) ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/5 "2008-04-12T01:02:21Z")
[QUOTE=Student Driver] …she sounds prepared-- the callers aren’t, and oftentimes they sound like they have stagefright as they stammer out rambling statements. [/QUOTE] Statements that drive my wife absolutely made like, “Hi. Thanks for taking my call. This is my first time calling. I’m a really big fan.”? I can see where that would get irritating. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/6 "2008-04-12T02:02:40Z")
I listen to her. I can tune-out her voice, but she drives my wife bonkers. Most of the callers ask reasonable questions, but she occasionally gets someone who just wants to ramble. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/7 "2008-04-12T11:40:35Z")
I think she’s great. Her show is my favorite event on any broadcast medium - she’s reset the standard for how good radio and talk shows can be. Her voice is rough, and she does speak slowly, but these are minor issues relative to the excellent content. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/8 "2008-04-12T12:44:29Z")
People who listen to her often are fine, as they tend to filter out her voice issues. To be sure her interviews are top knotch and she has great speakers, what get’s me is her Station Identifications - they take 15 seconds…TH-A-A-A-AN-N-K Y-Y-YOU F-F-FOR L-L-LISTENING, Y-Y-YOUR L-L-LISTENING TO THE D-I-I-I-ANE R-R-E-E-E-H-H-M-M SH-SH-SH-O-O-W on NNNNPPPRRR. And by the time she’s done I forgotten what the last speaker was saying. ---
**Author:** ![evangelinagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@evangelinagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evangelinagirl)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/9 "2008-04-12T15:09:07Z")
I respect the woman. Her shows are always informative and her guests are amazing. Some of her questioning techniques are of the “I understand your point, but here is MY point,” rather than letting the guest completely clarify theirs. However, on the topic of her voice, it used to drive me batty, but then I started listening during my break at work. Now it reminds me of gritty honey. Not too bad, just a little different, is all. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/10 "2008-04-12T15:24:02Z")
I do not even notice her voice. (What? The first hour is hard news and second hour culture? I never noticed that.) ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/11 "2008-04-12T16:49:10Z")
Hate her, haven’t listened to her in years. She talks so goddamned slowly that she takes 5 minutes to ask a question, but I seem to remember her always cutting callers off for taking too long asking their questions. :dubious: It’s a shame she gets so many good guests. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/12 "2008-04-12T17:31:49Z")
Diane Rehm never bothered me. Sandra Tsing Loh, on the other hand… yeesh. -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/13 "2008-04-12T19:34:12Z")
By far my favorite NPR show. I like the first hour better and consider her Friday news roundup to be one of the best sources of info on radio. Her voice doesn’t bother me at all. Check out the pics of her on the [WAMU.org](http://WAMU.org) site. She’s kinda hot for a seventy-ish lady. Looks nothing like I expected. [HERE](http://www.wamu.org/programs/dr/08/04/11.php#19498) I’m a big fan. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/14 "2008-04-13T02:53:07Z")
Add me to the group who couldn’t stand her voice when I first heard it, but now find it somewhat melodic. Plus, I find her show brilliant. Admittedly, I don’t get to listen to it often (damn this work thing I must do), but I enjoy whatever opportunities I get to listen to her. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/15 "2008-04-13T03:52:09Z")
[QUOTE=River Hippie] Check out the pics of her on the [WAMU.org](http://WAMU.org) site. She’s kinda hot for a seventy-ish lady. Looks nothing like I expected. [HERE](http://www.wamu.org/programs/dr/08/04/11.php#19498) [/QUOTE] I checked it out, mostly to flame you but damned if you’re not right! We don’t have her show here in Chicago but I’ve heard it elsewhere. Her voice is a bit tedious. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/16 "2008-04-13T04:15:51Z")
I don’t listen to her now that I live in Virginia (none of the local NPR stations subscribe to the show), but I did when I lived in Miami. I just like saying The Diaaaannnne Rheeeeamms Shooooow. I smile whenever I hear that. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/17 "2008-04-13T04:55:29Z")
I first heard Dianne on a cross-country road trip via Sirius Radio. At first, I couldn’t stand her voice/speech pattern. After awhile, though, I overcame my sonic prejudice and ended up enjoying her show quite a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/18 "2008-04-13T15:12:27Z")
Her voice doesn’t bother me, but her agenda does. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/19 "2008-04-13T15:45:04Z")
[QUOTE=Student Driver] (As a hijack, the NPR show I can’t stand is Krista Tippett’s “Speaking of Faith.” She sounds to me like Diane Rehm does to **FairyChatMom** : an interviewer who likes to hear herself talk… or meaningfully interject “Mmm-hmmm” after a guest says something “deep.” An in-depth look at world religions could make for a great show, but this isn’t it.) [/QUOTE] As a further hijack, as smarmy and self-congratulatory as SoF (it seems like every guest thinks exactly like the host), at least it stays confined to its time slot. “Marketplace” seems to have taken over our local public radio stations. Oh, how I hate that show. I’m not sure if these are local or national, but it took me a while to get used to the hosts of “Science Friday” and “Bookworm.” Neither one seems to have a speech impediment exactly, but I doubt if either one of them was ever told they had the perfect voice for radio. They’re both intelligent and insightful though in their respective fields. I don’t think this Diane Rehm is on in LA. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949/20 "2008-04-13T16:58:56Z")
I don’t mind her voice at all. In fact I think it’s kind of distinctive. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-listening-to-the-diane-rehm-show-on-npr/444949.md?page=2)