The Sound of Young America is a public radio show about things that are awesome. Each week on the show, host Jesse Thorn, "America's Radio Sweetheart," hosts in-depth discussions with personalities from the world of entertainment & the arts. Think of it like Conan O'Brien on public radio, or "Fresh Air," but more fun. More About The Sound of Young America
Luis Guzman is one of America's most successful character actors. He's appeared in dozens of films and television series, from Short Eyes in the 1970s to Miami Vice in the 1980s to Carlito's Way, Boogie Nights and The Limey in the 1990s. Now he's featured on the new HBO show How To Make It In America.
He talks with us about growing up in New York's Lower East Side, and about his work there as an activist and social worker. As a teen, he hung out at the legendary New Yorican Poets Cafe, watching poets and writers like Amiri Baraka, Allen Ginsburg and Miguel Piñero, who cast Guzman in Short Eyes in the late 1970s, and got him his first television audition, for Miami Vice in the 1980s. Since then, Guzman has become a favorite of directors like P.T. Anderson and Steven Soderbergh, among others.
The 2010 MaxFunDrive is May 13th-28th, 2010. We'll have all kinds of amazing gifts, events and other inducements for you to support your local podcasters. We've even got a special blowout finale in the works. Watch maximumfun.org for more info, and don't hesitate to donate today!
Jordan Morris tells you what's what once again.
This month:
5. Hybrid Cars with Environmental Bumper Stickers
4. Greek Mythology
3. A Sexual Uncle
2. Television Garden Plans
1. A University Education
Jeffrey Blitz and Sean Welch Interview on The Sound of Young America from Jesse Thorn on Vimeo.
Jeffrey Blitz and Sean Welch were nominated for an Oscar for their first documentary feature, Spellbound. They made the film as a duo with money borrowed from credit cards - Blitz behind the camera, and Welch holding the microphone boom.
Blitz went on to direct the fictional feature Rocket Science (you can hear his interview on the show about that film here), as well as episodes of The Office.
Now, Blitz and Welch have a new documentary, called Lucky, about lottery winners. It premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, where we spoke to the pair.
Trevor Groth on The Sound of Young America from Jesse Thorn on Vimeo.
Trevor Groth is director of programming at the Sundance Film Festival. He started at the festival as a teenaged volunteer; today he's charged with reinvigorating its rebellious spirit. He and his team watch thousands of films each year, working to build a lineup for the world's most prestigious festival of independent film.
Drunk History on The Sound of Young America from Jesse Thorn on Vimeo.
Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner are the creator and director of Drunk History, a series of shorts in which comedians get very, very drunk, then re-tell their favorite stories from history. The stories are re-enacted, with drunken narration and dialogue, by notable actors. Past participants have included Michael Cera and Jack Black. At Sundance, Konner and Waters screened two shorts, one featuring the story of Tesla and Edison, with actors John C. Reilly (above) and Crispin Glover, and one telling the story of Lincoln and Douglass, who were portrayed by Will Ferrel and Don Cheadle.
"Drunk History: Douglass & Lincoln," narrated by past Jordan, Jesse, Go! guest Jen Kirkman, won the Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking at the Sundance Film Festival. The new shorts will air as part of a new series on HBO, Funny or Die Presents, which premiers tonight.
Biker Fox on The Sound of Young America from Jesse Thorn on Vimeo.
The cycling enthusiast, muscle car parts salesman, and wildlife worshipper Frank P. DeLarzelere III, aka Biker Fox, is both loved and loathed in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Director Jeremy Lamberton found himself fascinated with the character of Biker Fox, and set out to make a documentary feature about the complexities of his persona and lifestyle. The film explores the sometimes-strained relationships between Biker and the people of Tulsa. Biker Fox premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
BONUS: TSOYA documents some of Biker's characteristic attention-grabbing stunts on the streets of Park City.
Biker Fox Stunts at the Slamdance Film Festival on The Sound of Young America from Jesse Thorn on Vimeo.
Drake Doremus on The Sound of Young America from Jesse Thorn on Vimeo.
Drake Doremus' second feature, Douchebag, premiered at Sundance 2010. It's about two estranged brothers who hit the road before one's wedding. It was inspired by Doremus' relationship with Andrew Dickler, the editor of his first feature Spooner, who makes his acting debut in Douchebag.
The twenty-six-year-old director, already a filmmaker for ten years, grew up in Southern California in the sketch comedy and improv scene. He was the youngest graduate of the director's program at the American Film Institute, and has also directed a number of award winning short films, music videos and commercials.
This week's classic episode brings us part one of The Sound of Young America's first live on-stage show (aw!), recorded at The People's Improv Theater in New York City.

The standup comedian Heather Lawless, who is part of the live show Variety Shac, begins with ruminations on her body issues and other relatable topics, related in her fabulous Southern drawl.
Then we hear from Mike Daisey, the amazing storyteller, actor, and author of 21 Dog Years: A Cube Dweller's Tale. Mike spends some time telling us stories of his time spent in frozen Northern Maine, giving us a alternately funny and scary portrait of his youth.

The actor, director, and writer David Wain then joins the stage for a conversation with Jesse to talk about his film The Ten and being a part of the hotbed of creative talent that was the sketch comedy show The State.
And finally, we wrap up with a performance from hip-hop group Tanya Morgan. Enjoy.
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Kevin Kline on The Sound of Young America from Jesse Thorn on Vimeo.
The Sound of Young America was in Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival this year, and we took the opportunity to talk to the hottest film directors, actors, and creatives. Here’s our first part in that series, in which we talk to actor Kevin Kline.
Kevin Kline is one of America's greatest actors. He's one of the few to have won an Oscar for a comic role (his amazing turn in "A Fish Called Wanda"), and he's been acclaimed for his work in everything from contemporary drama to Shakespeare to light opera. We spoke with him at Sundance after the release of "The Extra Man”, a film adaptation of a Jonathan Ames novel. Kline stars as Henry, an eccentric older gentleman who makes his living as a social escort to New York’s high society widows.