Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Public Radio Bracket Madness FINALS: Radiolab vs. This American Life

This American Life or Radiolab — which show is going to go all UFC on the other one? Or perhaps do it WWE style and knock out their opponent with a steel chair?
This American Life or Radiolab — which show is going to go all UFC on the other one? Or perhaps do it WWE style and knock out their opponent with a steel chair?
(
Mike Roe/KPCC
)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Update: Voting is now closed. See who won!

Previously: So we’ve had a lot of fun voting for our favorite public radio shows. But this is where it gets real. And we’ve even got a prize.

In Round 4, “Radiolab” knocked out “Fresh Air,” and in a nailbiter, “This American Life” clawed its way to victory over “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” Out of 71,507 votes cast, “This American Life” drew the victory by only 665 votes, giving them a margin of victory of less than 1 percent.

Now “This American Life” and “Radiolab” face off in the arena. Can Ira Glass and the contributors of “This American Life” take out the tag team of Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich from “Radiolab”?

To help you make your decision, check out these links to the most recent full episodes (as of press time) of both shows:

 
You can also listen to a selection of the best “Radiolab” episodes and the best episodes of “This American Life.”

Sponsored message

A couple of my personal favorite segments: “Opening Night” from “This American Life,” and “On Repeat” from “Radiolab.”

Watch “This American Life” host Ira Glass talking about what makes a good story:

And check out Jad Abumrad from “Radiolab” on the power of sound in the world of science:

OK, are you feeling educated? Great. Now it’s time to exercise your public radio democratic duty and vote for the grand champion.

Voting closes Sunday, April 7, at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

Sponsored message

A post detailing the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat will be posted Monday, April 8. The grand prize winner will be receiving a trophy, which they can proudly display and use to lord over every other public radio show until next year. That trophy? The Golden Radio.

So what are you waiting for? VOTE! (Click here to view a larger version of the brackets.)

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today