I'm a huge fan of David Sedaris. Ever since Laura Zweig gave me a copy of Me Talk Pretty One Day, I knew I'd entered a serious love affair with the dry wit and zany imagination of this cynical, saucy guy.
Listening to Sedaris read one of his stories on This American Life was like seeing your favorite band live. Then...begrudgingly realizing...how much your CD sucks.
Sedaris's account of the homely couple he encounters at a coffee stand is one that's familiar--the busybody wife and abrasive old man treating any bright-eyed barista like their good-ol' chum. While you stand, waiting.
This story is one I actually may have read before; but the fluctuations of his voice make all the difference. Taking in Sedaris's nasally, albeit shrill, interpretation of this meat-and-potatoes couple made the once-lively voice in my head, well, pretty much seem like Ben Stein. All this, coupled with Sedaris's signature sardonic ending twist.
"Turn Around Bright Eyes" is definitely a radio segment you should check out. Sedaris really has a talent for finding absurd in the mundane, and hearing him perform adds a whole new level of nuance and meaning.
Oh, and during the reading he was apparently in full clown makeup. Just keep that in mind.
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