Nothing is held back in this piece. The narrator has the self-esteem to invite us into a very personal, vulnerable space, and I felt rewarded by that experience.
This could fit in a "This American Life" type show, or any type of show dealing with health, economics (as obesity is sometimes an economic problem), or even a literary content.
This story was a grand display of human emotion. It tells a tale of how obesity is a major problem, and how one guy made his own decisions to prevent another death from obesity. What really worked was when your family told you that exercise and eating healthier was something you HAD to do, while the doctor on the talk show said it was nigh impossible. It told the world how the main solution to a big problem wasn't exactly the answer, dedication or not.
Music or not, I thought the piece still functioned well. Your narration was well done, and the inclusion of the everday conversations worked. Although they didn't come across as totally natural, but that is something that happens when someone has a mic join in the conversation.
All in all, a great piece, and I thought it was professionally done. Bravo.
Imagine you are a teen and grossly overweight ?by over 300 pounds. You go on TV to tell your story.
Radio Rookie Rocky Tayeh doesn?t have to imagine anything. In real life he gained and gained and finally lost. How is the the subject of this ten-minute segment from WNYC?s Radio Rookies. (It's apparently the second by Rocky on the subject.)
Rocky is a good narrator, present without being overbearing. He?s a good writer too, and he patiently builds his narrative.
The first part of the segment bumps diary, clips, and ambiance against Rocky?s voice. Though we don?t know WHY he?s eating, we do feel the fast-track anxiety and embarrassment that fuels it.
There?s tension in Rocky?s family too. Dad says diet and exercise will cure Rocky?s problem. Mom doesn?t think so. She and Rocky head to the hospital for a surgery that puts a ?lapband? on her son?s stomach. Afterwards, Rocky can't eat much or he gets sick. And he does, over and over. Finally, he changes his eating habits forever ? drinking Starbuck?s Pumpkin Lattes down 200 pounds. Rocky has recorded himself getting sick, and getting clear. It?s great stuff, well recorded, as is all the material here.
Rocky?s story ends with a predictable interlude ? one of his ?girlfriends? tells him he?s still the same guy with or without his poundage. But here's a twist: Rocky doesn?t agree. He hopes kids who hear his story will realize that being lighter improves self-esteem and energy.
Rocky admits he still wants to know WHY he ate so much. But even absentt this insight, the piece is a keen look at how one kid fought the fat and won.
Some may object to HOW Rocky did so. But that could make for a great discussion. (The New York Times recently reported young MEN now get breast reduction therapy.)
This might also be a good backgrounder link on a web buildout.
A gut-wrenching (pun-intended) follow-up to Rocky's previous piece about his ongoing battle with obesity. The SFX and narrative are pithy and real, especially the stark reality of his surgery's aftermath. Rocky's willingness to share more intimate moments (the bathroom sequence is not for the squeamish) make this Radio Rookie piece something I use with my students.
Comments for Saying Good Bye To Food
Produced by [redacted] [redacted]
Other pieces by Radio Rookies
Rating Summary
4 comments
Joshua McNichols
Posted on December 10, 2007 at 07:21 AM | Permalink
Review of Saying Good Bye To Food
Nothing is held back in this piece. The narrator has the self-esteem to invite us into a very personal, vulnerable space, and I felt rewarded by that experience.
This could fit in a "This American Life" type show, or any type of show dealing with health, economics (as obesity is sometimes an economic problem), or even a literary content.
Chris Flynn
Posted on November 09, 2007 at 08:11 AM | Permalink
Review of Saying Good Bye To Food
This story was a grand display of human emotion. It tells a tale of how obesity is a major problem, and how one guy made his own decisions to prevent another death from obesity. What really worked was when your family told you that exercise and eating healthier was something you HAD to do, while the doctor on the talk show said it was nigh impossible. It told the world how the main solution to a big problem wasn't exactly the answer, dedication or not.
Music or not, I thought the piece still functioned well. Your narration was well done, and the inclusion of the everday conversations worked. Although they didn't come across as totally natural, but that is something that happens when someone has a mic join in the conversation.
All in all, a great piece, and I thought it was professionally done. Bravo.
[redacted]
Posted on July 11, 2007 at 02:59 PM | Permalink
Review of Saying Good Bye To Food
Imagine you are a teen and grossly overweight ?by over 300 pounds. You go on TV to tell your story.
Radio Rookie Rocky Tayeh doesn?t have to imagine anything. In real life he gained and gained and finally lost. How is the the subject of this ten-minute segment from WNYC?s Radio Rookies. (It's apparently the second by Rocky on the subject.)
Rocky is a good narrator, present without being overbearing. He?s a good writer too, and he patiently builds his narrative.
The first part of the segment bumps diary, clips, and ambiance against Rocky?s voice. Though we don?t know WHY he?s eating, we do feel the fast-track anxiety and embarrassment that fuels it.
There?s tension in Rocky?s family too. Dad says diet and exercise will cure Rocky?s problem. Mom doesn?t think so. She and Rocky head to the hospital for a surgery that puts a ?lapband? on her son?s stomach. Afterwards, Rocky can't eat much or he gets sick. And he does, over and over. Finally, he changes his eating habits forever ? drinking Starbuck?s Pumpkin Lattes down 200 pounds. Rocky has recorded himself getting sick, and getting clear. It?s great stuff, well recorded, as is all the material here.
Rocky?s story ends with a predictable interlude ? one of his ?girlfriends? tells him he?s still the same guy with or without his poundage. But here's a twist: Rocky doesn?t agree. He hopes kids who hear his story will realize that being lighter improves self-esteem and energy.
Rocky admits he still wants to know WHY he ate so much. But even absentt this insight, the piece is a keen look at how one kid fought the fat and won.
Some may object to HOW Rocky did so. But that could make for a great discussion. (The New York Times recently reported young MEN now get breast reduction therapy.)
This might also be a good backgrounder link on a web buildout.
Lisa Goldman
Posted on July 10, 2007 at 06:05 PM | Permalink
Review of Saying Good Bye To Food
A gut-wrenching (pun-intended) follow-up to Rocky's previous piece about his ongoing battle with obesity. The SFX and narrative are pithy and real, especially the stark reality of his surgery's aftermath. Rocky's willingness to share more intimate moments (the bathroom sequence is not for the squeamish) make this Radio Rookie piece something I use with my students.