I know we just did this topic not too long ago, but I am too lazy to look it – and the spelling of my other major NPR annoying announcer – up. That would be Jackie (Jacquie? Jaqi?) Lyden. ::Shudders::
I also can’t stand Joanne Silberner, for the reasons previously stated.
Daniel Schorr does need to retire. I haven’t recently heard him referring to Russia as the Soviet Union, but he has done it in the past.
There’s another public radio person that drives me nuts. She’s a writer – more likely to be on “This American Life” or something. She wrote a book about planning a vacation to visit cemeteries and other sites associated with death and tragedy (I think). I love her writing. I can’t stand to hear her read it.
The guy who subs for him isn’t bad either – Joe Palka (sp?).
Are there any NPR folks with common names, or names spelled/pronounced in common ways?
Joanne Silburner’s voice is almost identical to a woman (I think she’s a veterinarian) on the local NPR station. I want to hand them both a hanky and say “Blow” or “Spit”.
My favorite is Nina Totenberg. Not just her voice, but her delivery, enunciation, clarity of thought. She does a great job breaking stuff down so I can understand it.
Sarah Vowell. Her voice is death. I saw her on Conan once and I thought she was the voice of Lisa Simpson.
It’s weird to see their names spelled out. For some reason, I always hear her name as Jo-ansil Burner. They really do have some very interesting names. If it wasn’t public radio, I’d swear some of these are pseudonyms.
I also like the occasional Wade Goodwyn story from Houston. It would be too much to listen to the Texas twang for a whole half-hour, but in five-minute intervals it’s quite refreshing. Although, I admit, that in my mind’s eye he looks like Dr. Phil.
I had no idea that Melissa Block is married to Stefan Fatsis. She’s another one who looks nothing like I imagined her.
:smack: I confused Kai Ryssdall (the money guy) with Ira Flatow (the science guy) when I mentioned Joe Palka as his fill-in.
I like Neal Conan’s voice, and the way he handles Talk of the Nation. He’s rarely flustered, and always seems full of enthusiasm for whatever the subject is. Sometimes you can almost see him rolling his eyes at some of the comments, but he hides it well.
Wow, I could not believe there exists an actual forum for people who are sensitive to NPR radio host’s voices. I have 2 that drive me CRAZY! This Nina Totenberg (I don’t care if i spelled her name wrong)…What is up with her having to punctuate almost every other sentence with that squeaky trill. Like she just saw a mouse or something! Talk about annoying! The funny thing is she has a nice voice and she seems nice. I wish she would get rid of that trill.
I won’t even start on Peter Overbee (I really don’t care if I spelled this lisping idiot’s name wrong…). I feel better now I have vented.
I thought Corva Coleman’s name was “Cora Vakolman”. And I think Laxmi Singh is pretty darn nasal herself. When she comes on, I chime in (nasally) on " . . . I’m Laxmi Singh." But I don’t mix 'em up; I think Laxmi s nasally-er. (Nasal-er?)
Wow. Lakshmi Singh looks completely different than I expected, probably because I used to date someone named Laxmi. I know, I know, different name, but I always get a mental image of my old girlfriend when Lakshmi Singh reports.
The NPR correspondent I like for the shallowest reason imaginable is Dwahlee Saikowtow (sp?). I just love her name, and that she sounds as though her name should be Susan Smith.
