Maximum Fun Forum

The writer George Saunders talks about his early creative challenges, the slight constant pressure of capitalism, and Tenth of December, his new book of short stories. Maria Bamford explains why she filmed her new comedy special in front of an audience of two (her parents), and why it's important to talk about scary stuff on stage. Plus, Jesse shares one of his favorite poems by William Carlos Williams.

Bullseye: George Saunders and Maria Bamford

I would really love it if you shared this episode with friends and family. And perhaps applicable bloggers and so forth. We're really proud of these interviews.

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The bums will always lose.

I will be listening to this one more than once.

I already have.

Maria's talk about the psych ward really hit home for me - I'm a therapist on a psych unit and I definitely hear insensitive, ridiculous things like what her "friend" said on her visit. It's important and difficult work we do, and so few people are truly able to - and this word gets bandied about much too often - empathize with people going through the kind of crises patients go through. As was discussed in the interview, the shame and the stigma are a factor, and the loss of freedom and dignity are another. But it's a narcissistic injury of the highest order, facing the fact that your behavior, your mind is somehow "ill."

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"It's Mike IQ because I used to be in a punk band called IQ of 2. I don't think I'm smart. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I'm retarded."

captcha on the blog is wonky for me. forced me to register. first time, long time. wanted to say: this is watershed stuff, bullseye. npr don't know what it's got coming.

This episode was so amazing. Thank you so much for continuing to keep this show going! It's episodes like this that remind me why it's my favorite show! I will share it with everyone I know!!

Jesse, if you're keeping a "best of" reel in case the Peabody folks want to have a listen, this one needs to be in it, queued up first.

Two of your best interviews - to get them together was a treat.

And, as if there were any doubt, you left in George Saunders saying "You're a great interviewer."

nyuk nyuk

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