Help rename my public radio show!

October 17, 2011 4:13 PM

Rename my public radio show! (Details inside.)

I've been running a public radio program called The Sound of Young America (coincidentally underwritten in part by this very site) for about ten years. It's an arts and culture interview show. We interview "cool" creators about their work and their creative process. We also feature culture picks and original comedy.

We've always had problems with people assuming the show is for kids/teens or is a political show or any number of other weird things based upon our name, and so we're changing it.

We're looking for a name that conveys the fact that our guests are "curated" - that we're presenting in-depth insights into people whose work is worth your time. We want something simple and non-alienating, but with a little bit of content, too. The show is often about comedy, and something that suggests that is fine, but we don't want a joke name.

"The AV Club," which is the Onion's culture pages, is an example of something that would work if it weren't taken. "Fair Game," the news satire show (now departed) is another example of a show whose name we like. Our current plan is "More with Jesse Thorn" (I'm Jesse Thorn), but we're not in love with it.

So, what are your ideas?

(Of course I'd ask that by suggesting a name, you agree to let us use it if we pick it :).)

posted by YoungAmerican to media & arts (174 answers total)

Well, it may not work because it's being used in the UK, but I like the name "The Culture Show".
posted by triggerfinger at 4:32 PM on October 17, 2011

Could you recycle Culture Club without causing confusion?
posted by layceepee at 4:34 PM on October 17, 2011

Leading Edges
posted by Right On Red at 4:34 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

"Live Culture with Jesse Thorn" ... Can be read as an admonition or a yogurt pun.
posted by donovan at 4:36 PM on October 17, 2011 [2 favorites]

"The Sound"

Just that. The Sound. Don't completely alienate the people that already know your name.

This way, you can also have a transitional period to the new name e.g. keep music, bumpers, etc. the same as you have now, but call it The Sound ... then introduce new music with the new name.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:36 PM on October 17, 2011 [19 favorites]

All things considered :)

For Real with Jesse Thorn
posted by jazon at 4:37 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

People who don't know about the show typically think The Sound sounds like a music show. (Or an indie rock band.)
posted by YoungAmerican at 4:38 PM on October 17, 2011

Thorn In The Side

Thorn On The Side

Thornography
posted by miltoncat at 4:38 PM on October 17, 2011

Seconded. "The Sound, with Jesse Thorn." Continuity, simplicity, gravitas. All the best shows have minimal names. This is already yours, it's iconic, and you should run with it.
posted by ulotrichous at 4:39 PM on October 17, 2011

Thorn In The Side

Every Rose, with Jesse Thorn.

Sorry.
posted by Beardman at 4:40 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

The New Sincerity
posted by samuelad at 4:40 PM on October 17, 2011 [2 favorites]

Subroutine
posted by dgeiser13 at 4:41 PM on October 17, 2011

Culture Porn with Jesse Thorn!
posted by R. Mutt at 4:43 PM on October 17, 2011 [2 favorites]

"Check This Out with Jesse Thorn" would convey both "cool" and "curated".
posted by BobbyVan at 4:43 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

I like Check This Out, Bobby. I'm worried in a public radio context it will read as "trying to hard to be cool and young and failing." Like if we named the show "Word Up!" or something.
posted by YoungAmerican at 4:44 PM on October 17, 2011

The most logical would be "Maximum Fun with Jesse Thorn" or a slightly less obvious "Max Fun with Jesse Thorn" since you have the perfect domain for both names.

People might think it's a comedy-only show, but I think after a bit of time it'll be an abstract name like "Radiolab" or "AV Club" that doesn't really mean anything.
posted by mathowie at 4:45 PM on October 17, 2011 [3 favorites]

- The Selection
- Pop Notes
- The Thorny Details (sorry)
- More Inside
posted by villanelles at dawn at 4:45 PM on October 17, 2011

Get It Together with Jesse Thorn
posted by ifandonlyif at 4:45 PM on October 17, 2011

Oooh "The Selection" really drives home the curation aspect and that it can be about anything.
posted by mathowie at 4:46 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

Matt, I think that would be awful for station program directors, one of our key audiences. You have to assume they interpret everything earnestly.
posted by YoungAmerican at 4:46 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

Airborne with Jesse Thorn.
posted by R. Mutt at 4:46 PM on October 17, 2011

Here's The Thing.
posted by dunk at 4:46 PM on October 17, 2011 [12 favorites]

- The Edge
- The Watch
- In Tune
- Jesse Thorn In Tune
- The Good Stuff

Gosh, I don't know. Naming is hard!
posted by greatape at 4:46 PM on October 17, 2011

I think you nailed with "Word Up!". I would definitely tune in to that.
posted by activitystory at 4:47 PM on October 17, 2011 [2 favorites]

Don't change it.
posted by mullacc at 4:48 PM on October 17, 2011

How about something a bit more subtle like "The Culture Feed" then?

on googling it looks like there's a blog w/ that name, but maybe it can still work
posted by BobbyVan at 4:49 PM on October 17, 2011

Air Check with Jesse Thorn
posted by Ideefixe at 4:49 PM on October 17, 2011

Words and phrases that rhyme with thorn: (84 results) (Via)

1 syllable:
bjoern, bjorn, born, borne, bourn, bourne, corn, corne, doorn, dorn, horn, horne, korn, lorne, morn, mourn, orn, orne, porn, schorn, scorn, shorn, sporn, sworn, thorne, torn, warn, warne, worn, zorn

2 syllables:
aborn, adorn, alcorn, allcorn, amborn, bass horn, be born, car horn, crow corn, dent corn, field corn, firstborn, flint corn, forewarn, forlorn, forsworn, french horn, green corn, lamborn, lowborn, post horn, radborne, reborn, seed corn, soft corn, steinborn, stillborn, sweet corn, unborn, vandorn, vanhorn, vanhorne, wellborn

3 syllables:
basset horn, candy corn, english horn, flour corn, guinea corn, little horn, motor horn, o'diorne, powder horn, spindle horn, squirrel corn, sugar corn, unadorn, yankee corn

4 syllables:
baritone horn, edible corn, egyptian corn, indian corn

5 syllables:
automobile horn

8 syllables:
naked as the day one was born, naked as the day you were born
posted by R. Mutt at 4:49 PM on October 17, 2011

*holds back*

In seriousness, something like the Selection was what I was thinking too. Cream of the Crop has the downside of containing the word "cream", but...but...
posted by Beardman at 4:51 PM on October 17, 2011

The Cultured/Selective/Selected/Curated Universe of/with Jesse Thorn

and I like 'The Edible Corn of Jesse Thorn'
posted by carsonb at 4:52 PM on October 17, 2011 [2 favorites]

"Keep It Up with Jesse Thorn"
posted by Rock Steady at 4:52 PM on October 17, 2011

Cult of Personality
Cultured Personalities
Keep Cool with Jesse Thorn
posted by lalex at 4:54 PM on October 17, 2011

"The Word"
posted by *s at 4:55 PM on October 17, 2011

Selected Works, with Jesse Thorn.
posted by argonauta at 4:56 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

When we went to see you live during sketchfest, I was amazd at the range of things you covered. Music, movies, comedy, arts...I'm not surprised its hard to think of a name! Maybe something that conveys the show's expansiveness and openness, like The Open Door, or Any Open Door?
posted by jasper411 at 4:56 PM on October 17, 2011

Selected Works (on preview, beaten to it by argonauta)
The Most Interesting
The Soundboard
The Collection
Collected Sounds
if you have a regular number of segments/interviews per show, say three, you could reference that in the title, like "Three Good Things"
maybe an adverb like "Recently" or "Lately"

Nothing that rhymes with or is a pun on "Thorn." Bleah.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:57 PM on October 17, 2011

The Collection, with Jesse Thorn. or The Jesse Thorn Collection? I like positioning a run of an interview show as a carefully-tended collection of conversations with interesting people. Works with lead ins and such, "Welcome back to the collection," both for audiences and for guests who have been "collected". Jesse Thorn as Culture Zookeeper.
posted by ulotrichous at 4:59 PM on October 17, 2011

Curious America with Jesse Thorn
Cabinet of American Wonders
Well-Made Lives
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:59 PM on October 17, 2011

"Selected Works" sounds too much like the short story show; "Selected Shorts".
posted by R. Mutt at 5:00 PM on October 17, 2011

The Chip Dipson & Dip Dobson Newshour
posted by Argyle at 5:01 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

The Sound of Creation
Creative Sounds
Studio Talk (Studiotalk?)
In the Studio
posted by macska at 5:02 PM on October 17, 2011

Another concept to explore, which gets that AV Club bookishness without ripping it off:

Underscored, with Jesse Thorn
posted by Beardman at 5:02 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

The problem I see with "More with Jesse Thorn" is that that particular wording almost seems to suggest that you are the focus of the show, as in "We'll have more with Jesse Thorn after the break".

I like Check This Out, as it has a direct connection to Put This On, but agree that it has the faint odour of trying too hard.

I've always liked the name The Antidote - it's vague, suggests danger/excitement, but it's also a cure -- you need this to live.
posted by Robot Johnny at 5:02 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

Iconoclast with Jesse Thorn
posted by lalex at 5:03 PM on October 17, 2011

The Collection is interesting, like that.
posted by YoungAmerican at 5:04 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

"The Media Rack" ?
posted by BobbyVan at 5:08 PM on October 17, 2011

The Jesse Thorn Collection

This will conflict with his (eventual) menswear line.

I really like the parallel construction of "Check This Out" and "Put This On", but maybe that confines you too much as you expand the empire ("Eat This Up" the restaurant review show? "Go Here Next" the travelogue?).

"The Selecton" is growing on me, but isn't there already a public radio show called "The Connection"? Maybe too similar?
posted by Rock Steady at 5:09 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

The Plinth with Jesse Thorn

Asymmetrical with Jesse Thorn
posted by R. Mutt at 5:10 PM on October 17, 2011

Maybe another Bowie-ish reference?

Sound and Vision?
posted by Beardman at 5:11 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

Curate this!
Curated
Talking Culture
For your enjoyment
Listen to this!

"Listen to this with Jesse Thorn" could work well I think. "Listen to This" is the name of the latest Alex Ross book, but I think the "with Jesse Thorn" would clear up any confusion.



I also like "The Collection"
posted by cushie at 5:13 PM on October 17, 2011

Kind of going with the collecting idea, and keeping it short and sweet: "The Anthology." Or "The Jesse Thorn Anthology", if your name should be there.

(Is there already a show that uses "anthology" in the title?)
posted by lillygog at 5:13 PM on October 17, 2011

How about just "Thorn"? Like the way people call it "Leno" or "Letterman". Maybe a bit presumptuous at this point in your career, but it is a great fucking name, might as well make use of it.
posted by Rock Steady at 5:13 PM on October 17, 2011

No, see, then it can be both! The Jesse Thorn Collection, the Public Radio show, introduces The Jesse Thorn Collection, Menswear for Grownups.
posted by ulotrichous at 5:13 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

Cornucopia
Kaleidescope
Popomatic for the People
Clutch
posted by carmicha at 5:14 PM on October 17, 2011

In the vein of Put This On, how about...

Listen to This (kinda conveys the comedy shtick angle as well as the "culture recommendation" stuff)
So Get This (same)
Did You Hear the One About (same)

Good luck Jesse! Keep it up!
posted by slickricks at 5:14 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

- Spotlight
- The Scope
- Tailored
- The Bespoke Hour
- Speaking Out of Turn

Colin Marshall should rename his show The Antidote. Seems perfect.
posted by villanelles at dawn at 5:18 PM on October 17, 2011

I like the current name, but understand the desire for a chance.

Much Ado
Sound Wave
Things Things Things
Talk About Cool
Box

Also, I am available for interviews most days (except Sunday). I told Terry Gross this, but she never contacted me.
posted by cjorgensen at 5:19 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

More Inside
posted by silby at 5:21 PM on October 17, 2011

Oh, The Humanities!

In all seriousness, +1 for Sound and Vision.
posted by Robot Johnny at 5:21 PM on October 17, 2011

The Prize Inside
posted by silby at 5:21 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

People speaking into microphones
posted by fcw at 5:22 PM on October 17, 2011

Inside Voices
posted by silby at 5:22 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

Or Outside Voices, for that matter
posted by silby at 5:22 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

Don't change the name. It has become a real thing with that name. Yeah, it could be better. Yeah, you've grown to a point where you don't really like it as much anymore.

But think of it this way: How many great or very famous bands have really regrettable names? Lots of them. Most of them, perhaps. But it would be worse if they went and changed their regrettable names to something else. The Smashing Pumpkins: Terrible name. The Grateful Dead: Sounds like a metal band. Pearl Jam: Seriously? Mott the Hoople: Well, you get the point.

You've reached the point where your podcast has transcended its unfortunate name. Revel in it. You are at a place that only superstars reach. Superstars, my friend.
posted by The World Famous at 5:24 PM on October 17, 2011 [6 favorites]

Worthy Endeavors with Jesse Thorn
posted by silby at 5:26 PM on October 17, 2011

People speaking into microphones

Long, but good! Or just Speaking into Microphones?
posted by R. Mutt at 5:26 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

I can't remember what I was going to suggest because "Here's The Thing" is too good. Please at least consider it, I can barely even read that phrase without hearing it in your voice at this point.
posted by showbiz_liz at 5:29 PM on October 17, 2011 [4 favorites]

Thorn In The Side
Thorn On The Side
Thornography

How did you leave out Thornographic?
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 5:30 PM on October 17, 2011 [2 favorites]

"The Culture Sift" (a play on "culture shift")
posted by BobbyVan at 5:34 PM on October 17, 2011 [2 favorites]

I also definitely don't think it's too late to change your name; I'm a fan of your show but I'd never heard of it before I started reading metafilter, and I've got npr tote bags out the wazoo.
posted by villanelles at dawn at 5:41 PM on October 17, 2011

This Is It
posted by Robot Johnny at 5:49 PM on October 17, 2011

Sounding America or Sounds Like America.
I like the current name though.
posted by amelliferae at 5:51 PM on October 17, 2011

Oh god, don't change the name. The Sound of Young America is an infinitely better name than any of the suggestions in this thread, despite whatever built in inherent confusingness comes along with it. The name really captures something essential about the show -- something that's intangible, but important. Take your lumps. It's worth it.
posted by buriedpaul at 5:55 PM on October 17, 2011 [4 favorites]

"Select: All"

The colon is silent. The command inherent.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 6:01 PM on October 17, 2011

Listening to America?
posted by Snarl Furillo at 6:02 PM on October 17, 2011

"The Sound Of [that episode's subject] With Jesse Thorn."
posted by Superfrankenstein at 6:07 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

Well, let's see. You could go with the monocle and top hat approach:

On the Avenue with Jesse Thorn
The Black Tie with Jesse Thorn
After Hours but Before the Early Edition with Jesse Thorn
On The Red Carpet with Jesse Thorn
Greenroom Follies with Jesse Thorn
A Stroll with a Dapper Gentleman, featuring Jesse Thorn

You could go very arts critic:

The Byliner by Jesse Thorn
Mis en Scene with Jesse Thorn
The Auteur's Mind with Jesse Thorn
Wilde, Shawn, Thorne

You could go with something blunt and contemporary:

Dialogue
RadioSpeak
Sounds
Talk Show
Sound Booth

Having listened to you for a while, I might suggest something from Commedia dell'arte:

Soldati Compagnie
The Lascivious Innamorati
The Perils of Arlecchino

You could just nakedly state what the show is about:

Like Jordan and Jesse Go, but More of an Interview Structure and Jordan Isn't Around as Much
Comedians I know and Hip Hop Artists I Like
I Get People to Come to My House in East LA
Public Radio with an Edge, at Least for Public Radio
Creating a Juggalos-Style Counterculture, but Without All the Knifings

These are just structural suggestions. But, then, you have a 10-year-old branded product with a dedicated following, and I suspect most people can get used to the fact that it's not just for Young America, and those who can't -- well, who doesn't want to know what young America is listening to?
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 6:08 PM on October 17, 2011 [3 favorites]

A counterpart to Put This On... Turn This Up. (My lovely bride's idea.)
posted by The Deej at 6:09 PM on October 17, 2011 [3 favorites]

Get In This.

(wipes hands and walks away)
posted by timsteil at 6:29 PM on October 17, 2011

Kind of a Big Deal, with Jesse Thorn.
posted by empath at 6:31 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

On Air Quotes

A Thorn County Almanac
posted by unmake at 6:32 PM on October 17, 2011

"Subscribe"
posted by BobbyVan at 6:35 PM on October 17, 2011

"First Look"
"Out of Beta"
"Invite Only."
"For Your Consideration"
"This Doesn't Suck."
"That Was So Last Week."
"Cool."
"Isn't That Something?"
posted by empath at 6:37 PM on October 17, 2011

Look at This F***ing Radioshow.

(okay maybe too blow for NPR)
posted by empath at 6:38 PM on October 17, 2011

ggg... blue..
posted by empath at 6:38 PM on October 17, 2011

Ultra Culture

Culture Curated
posted by effluvia at 6:48 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

Culture Curated

Came in to suggest Curated Culture.
posted by sockpup at 6:51 PM on October 17, 2011

The Sound of Fun America.
posted by beandip at 7:04 PM on October 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

I am 100% behind Maximum Fun. It's a great name, and ties into your blog. It's much more descriptive than Sounds of Young America.
posted by miyabo at 7:04 PM on October 17, 2011

The Sound Among America
The Sound That Sung "America"
Westward the Course of America Takes Its Way
The Blurst of Times
Our Wacky American Cousin
Word On The Streep (Marilyn Streep-theme show only)


But seriously: The New Sincerity Program
posted by BobJackie at 7:08 PM on October 17, 2011

Creative America with Jesse Thorn
posted by nooneyouknow at 7:12 PM on October 17, 2011

Well, considering it's a reboot, how about:

Thorn Again.
posted by rudhraigh at 7:18 PM on October 17, 2011

Or

Leader's Digest.
posted by rudhraigh at 7:19 PM on October 17, 2011

Microphone Drop, with Jesse Thorn
posted by mathowie at 7:27 PM on October 17, 2011 [3 favorites]

A Prairie Home Companion.

In all seriousness, I really like Listen To This.
posted by mmascolino at 7:33 PM on October 17, 2011

OMG you people are out of control

People who don't know about the show typically think The Sound sounds like a music show. (Or an indie rock band.)

Their first album is indeed stupendous.

Namewise, I like "Crowns."
posted by rhizome at 7:36 PM on October 17, 2011

It took me reading a lot of positive comments about The Sound of Young America for me to finally tune in, because of Young America, Minnesota.

Anyone who dealt with a lot of rebates in the 90s will be familiar with the rebate processing center located in YA, MN and have really negative associations with it. It was known for very bad customer service and questionable, shoddy rebate fulfillment.

I know. Only a miniscule cross-section of listeners could possibly have been put off by this (maybe only me). I just thought you should know.

I personally like The Sound, The Selection and especially Here's the Thing. The latter makes it sound personal and specific, but friendly.

And for a play on your name: Thornucopia
posted by Brody's chum at 7:38 PM on October 17, 2011

[Jesse Thorn and] the Spectacular Omnibus
posted by goHermGO at 7:39 PM on October 17, 2011

Sleeves Up with Jesse Thorn
The Beat
Talmbout
Famous People
Analog Podcast
Studio Time
The Magazine
What's Happening Now
IRL with Jesse Thorn
One for the Road
My Generation with Jesse Thorn
posted by villanelles at dawn at 7:45 PM on October 17, 2011

I take back IRL cause it sounds like something that could have been on TechTV.
posted by villanelles at dawn at 7:55 PM on October 17, 2011

Here's the Thing is the name of Alec Baldwin's new WNYC show. I presume it was suggested as a joke. It's a good name, though.
posted by YoungAmerican at 7:56 PM on October 17, 2011

The Sound of All America.
posted by klangklangston at 7:56 PM on October 17, 2011

Mind Blending
posted by garlic at 7:59 PM on October 17, 2011

Another vote for not changing it. I used to download Speaking of Faith every week and listen without fail. I never download On Being though, and nothing changed but the name. I don't know how it happened, but its as if the change of name made me lose interest. I don't want the same thing to happen with The Sound of Young America.
posted by donnagirl at 8:03 PM on October 17, 2011

Culture Camp if rebooting (messed up half pun with kulturkampf is intentional), but I also support earlier suggestions for "Maximum Fun" and ... growing on me, "Speaking Into Microphones with Jesse Thorn." Both those suggestions have the added advantage of being mnemonic enough for current listeners not to get lost.
posted by antrobus at 8:10 PM on October 17, 2011

I wasn't aware of Alec Baldwin's Here's The Thing. Sounds great. You're right it was a slightly jokey suggestion because it's phrase you like to use. It's all I have.
posted by dunk at 8:10 PM on October 17, 2011

The Happy End of Franz Kafka’s "Amerika"

Best title out there. Best sculpture of recent memory. It is all about the job interview.
posted by R. Mutt at 8:14 PM on October 17, 2011

I would also vote for not changing it. If you do, however, keep the Bowie reference. Here's a list of 400+ of his song titles you could use instead, many of which are amazing.
posted by judith at 8:47 PM on October 17, 2011

It was intended as a reference to the slogan of Motown Records. I presume Bowie was alluding to the same thing (along with Nation of Ulysses). But it's got to go.
posted by YoungAmerican at 9:08 PM on October 17, 2011

Man, you've built such abrand with TSOYA, it's a shame to see it go. I'd suggest a new title that calls back to the current one, like The Sound of Fun America mentioned above or something like The Sound of Modern America, which connotates "young & hip" without actually explicity SAYING "young & hip."
posted by KingEdRa at 9:41 PM on October 17, 2011

Since it's an interview show with an intimate overtone, how about:

Speaking In, with Jesse Thorn.

'Speaking In' for short.
posted by jamjam at 9:46 PM on October 17, 2011

360 Degrees
68 Degrees
Alpha
(The) Chosen
Culture File
Culture Scout
Current
Featured Attraction
Fresco
Hear What Jesse Found
Horizon
In Depth
Inner View
Intervista
In the Now
Insights
Listening In
Muse
Next
Odyssey
Opening
Popthorn
Prime Mover
Selected
Select This
(The) Sound of Today
(The) Sound of Tomorrow
Tomorrow's Culture, Today
Under the Surface
Voice and Vision

Most of these could take variations, such as going plural, adding "by" or "with" Jesse Thorn, or both.
posted by maurreen at 11:31 PM on October 17, 2011

Ok, I was one of those people put off by the name, until it was suggested here SO often* that I tried it**.

I really like the ideas that call back to Put This On*** so I really like Check This Out, and don't really see how it would be "trying to hard to be cool and young and failing." I assume you're more up on how this stuff is read than I am though, so if we have to let that go...**** I like The Collection.

*I am now one of those people.
**Turns out it's exactly what I had always wanted Fresh Air to be.
*** Which is the PERFECT name for that project.
****Don't let it go.
posted by grapesaresour at 12:16 AM on October 18, 2011

I'm a bit late, but I've read through the whole thread, and I have a name suggestion:

Limited Edition (with Jesse Thorn)

It suggests something which is not run-of-the-mill without complete exclusivity--something carefully selected and worthwhile. The name also calls back to the history of media and "editions" or digests of information. It is, like AV Club, a bit of a nerd term as well. And though it sounds somewhat serious, it's still a goof on long-running NPR show Morning Edition.
posted by sleeping bear at 1:25 AM on October 18, 2011 [2 favorites]

Werd Is Born, with Jesse Thorn.

Kidding, but I do like More, with Jesse Thorn. Aptly all-encompassing, and the assonance makes it sound attractive.
posted by JLovebomb at 1:53 AM on October 18, 2011

Jesse Thorn's Wall of Sound
posted by dgeiser13 at 4:56 AM on October 18, 2011

All of the Above (with Jesse Thorn*)

*Self-branding optional
posted by OmieWise at 5:03 AM on October 18, 2011

American Radio Show (with Jesse Thorn)

The (Jesse Thorn) American Power Hour

Spretzzatura
posted by OmieWise at 5:05 AM on October 18, 2011

Radio Filter
posted by OmieWise at 5:06 AM on October 18, 2011

Put The Radio On
posted by OmieWise at 5:11 AM on October 18, 2011

How about The Sound of Fun America--TSOFA--The young part is what doesn't work for me.
posted by amyg at 5:29 AM on October 18, 2011

Polite to Stare
posted by dgeiser13 at 5:33 AM on October 18, 2011

Renegade Soundwave

Mach 1

Pet Sounds

Voices In Your Head

Cold Open

Straight Razor

Thinking Cap
posted by dgeiser13 at 5:37 AM on October 18, 2011

"Listen Up!"
posted by Slap*Happy at 5:40 AM on October 18, 2011

Your New Favorite
posted by dgeiser13 at 5:41 AM on October 18, 2011

Porkchops & Applesauce

Ear To The Future

Piping Hot
posted by dgeiser13 at 5:48 AM on October 18, 2011

I agree with those saying keep the original name, since it's gotten you this far, but that sounds unlikely, especially if the show is headed ever skyward. The interviews have been out of control lately-- Werner Herzog's son stands out and the Bootsy interview was amazing!

I like The Sound, because it keeps some of the original name of course. I think The New Sincerity though captures Jesse's philosophy and style of interviewing.
posted by greenbean at 6:14 AM on October 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

Culture Cabinet
Radiopolitan
posted by mikepop at 6:22 AM on October 18, 2011

Immense Pleasure
Boomerang
Since When
Folly and Delight
Organ of Benevolence
Big House
Writer's Strike
Russian Woodpecker
Ear Crumpet
Immense Pleasure
Woo
Undersea Cable
posted by pracowity at 6:28 AM on October 18, 2011

Intoned
Intone Nation
posted by mikepop at 6:29 AM on October 18, 2011

"Listen to this" is amazing.
posted by teriyaki_tornado at 6:36 AM on October 18, 2011

The Bespoke Collection
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:42 AM on October 18, 2011

I'm a heavy NPR user: listen several hours every day, incl. niche shows, member at two stations, use the website, subscribe to podcasts...and am sorry to say that I have turned off my radio several times SOLELY because I heard the name of your show and thought I was about to hear some very bad, yet very earnest material. I think a name change would help you out -- I personally would not have have bothered to switch off "Jesse Thorn Show" or even "Untitled Hour", but "Sound of Young America" seemed emphatically like something I did not care to hear.

And now, holy moly, I've looked at your website and this is EXACTLY something I want to listen to! I'd suggest:

In My Queue
Cult
posted by apparently at 7:23 AM on October 18, 2011

How about just "America"?


"This hour of America with Jesse Thorn is brought to you buy the all-new Mercedes R-Class series, designed with the thinking driver in mind."
posted by Mo Nickels at 7:25 AM on October 18, 2011

Queued Up (Q'd Up?)
posted by apparently at 7:33 AM on October 18, 2011

American Radio Show (with Jesse Thorn)

How about "Radio Show" or even just "Radio"?

"You are listening to Radio. I'm your host, Jesse Thorn, and with me today is..."

"Next week on Radio, we will be joined by..."

"Radio is brought to you by Ask MetaFilter..."
posted by Rock Steady at 7:55 AM on October 18, 2011

Unabridged (you could add something more to that too. Unabridged Culture, Unabridged Fun, Jesse Thorn, UNABRIDGED...)

Jesse, Jesse, Go!

Top Notch, with Jesse Thorn
posted by Turkey Glue at 9:12 AM on October 18, 2011

I know this could potentially be headache inducing, but based on your other work with him I think Not the John Hodgman Show would be hilarious.

(as in "Hello and welcome! This is Not the John Hodgman Show, with Jesse Thorn.")
posted by psoas at 10:13 AM on October 18, 2011

Captured

(with Jesse Thorn)
posted by mazola at 10:19 AM on October 18, 2011

The Creative Process with Jesse Thorn
The Pro Creators
posted by mikepop at 10:20 AM on October 18, 2011

If The Sound of Youn America has got to go, I would swap it out for Maximum Fun. Who wouldn't listen to a show called Maximum Fun? Crazy people, that's who.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 10:30 AM on October 18, 2011

Pixelnation with Jessie Thorn.
posted by drezdn at 11:10 AM on October 18, 2011

Culture Counter w/Jessie Thorn
posted by drezdn at 11:15 AM on October 18, 2011

Thorn Jest
posted by effluvia at 11:21 AM on October 18, 2011

Reality Check
posted by drezdn at 11:37 AM on October 18, 2011

Amplifier
Amplified (w/Jessie Thorn)
posted by mazola at 12:03 PM on October 18, 2011

Package it with Maron's podcast. He stays as WTF and you become "For the Win."
posted by drezdn at 12:06 PM on October 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

Estate Sale with Jesse Thorn
posted by SassHat at 12:20 PM on October 18, 2011

Me So Thorny (w/Jessie Thorn)
posted by mazola at 12:24 PM on October 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

Culture Jam Session
posted by mikepop at 12:33 PM on October 18, 2011

Jesse Thorn With The Creators
posted by The World Famous at 12:57 PM on October 18, 2011

The Curio Club
Conversation Pieces
On Culture with Jesse Thorn
The Society for the Preservation of Maximum Fun (The Society for short)
posted by waterlily at 1:06 PM on October 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

Big Fan

Tell Me More with Jesse Thorn

One on One with Jesse Thorn

and I couldn't resist:

Culture Bjorn with Jesse Thorn
posted by hamsterdam at 1:55 PM on October 18, 2011

Culture Confab
Chin Music
Gab Bag
Creative Chatter
posted by carrienation at 2:43 PM on October 18, 2011

Up Next with Jesse Thorn
posted by turaho at 2:49 PM on October 18, 2011

That Said

Said and Unsaid
posted by jamjam at 4:10 PM on October 18, 2011

"Thornucopia."

I don't have a serious suggestion but I do have a comment: I seem to remember when Conan was asked why his new show is called "Conan", he responded it makes him harder to replace.
posted by chairface at 5:21 PM on October 18, 2011 [1 favorite]

Live on Tape with Jesse Thorn. I know it messes up the tagline of the show, but "live on tape" is an awesome little radio anachronism that you rarely hear anywhere else and I totally associate it with TSOYA.
posted by Rudy Gerner at 5:24 PM on October 18, 2011 [2 favorites]

How about "Now Hear This"?

I still think that The Sound of Young America is the best name though. I mean, none of the suggestions I see above sound very interesting to me as a listener, and few of them feel like they have any connection to the existing brand.

They're all kind of bland, which is what you're going to get when you focus the brand on trying to get through bureaucracies rather than into the ears of the public.
posted by JDHarper at 6:38 PM on October 18, 2011

Actually, let me slightly revise my above suggestion:

Jesse Thorn Meets The Creators
posted by The World Famous at 6:46 PM on October 18, 2011

The Creators is great.
posted by Robot Johnny at 10:25 PM on October 18, 2011

How about just "The Sound of America"?
posted by themanwho at 10:57 PM on October 18, 2011

How about:

People Make Things with Jesse Thorn
Talking with Jesse Thorn
In Discussion with Jesse Thorn
Jesse Thorn's Maximum Fun Carnival Show
posted by enzymatic at 9:25 AM on October 19, 2011

Curated Conversations with Jesse Thorn
posted by splatta at 12:10 PM on October 19, 2011

Attribute
posted by boost ventilator at 4:23 PM on October 20, 2011

Liner Notes
posted by dgeiser13 at 5:29 AM on October 21, 2011 [1 favorite]

"The Sound of An America Now Entering Their Early Thirties, But Still Very Much Young At Heart"
posted by custard heart at 3:12 PM on October 21, 2011

to be serious -- "Live On Tape with Jesse Thorn" strikes me as the best so far. It has your name in it, so it will be easily identifiable to your listeners. The idea of "live on tape" conveys the idea of candidness and intimacy, while also giving the impression that it has been curated and edited in post for quality and economy. And it's a nice little verbal paradox, a name that will make people smile and stick with them.
posted by custard heart at 3:18 PM on October 21, 2011 [2 favorites]

I have no idea whether I'm too horribly late to suggest anything.

Cozy:
- Glad to hear more
- Welcome visitors

Simple:
- Pickings (A pleasantly snappy word)
- Features (Has the double meaning both of some things being selected for presentation and of referring to details of what is being presented)

None of these though are 'cool', I suppose, but I would guess cool people are cool with that.
posted by Anything at 4:56 AM on October 25, 2011

One more, one more!

- Nice things (Because 'this is why we can't have nice things' often just doesn't apply)

I also really like empath's above suggestion of 'Isn't that something?'.
posted by Anything at 5:10 AM on October 25, 2011

Not suggested yet but in line with a lot of people's titles: Cult Classic
posted by Potomac Avenue at 6:38 AM on October 25, 2011

It was suggested above as a joke, but I really like For the Win. Speaking Into Microphones too, that line makes me laugh every time.
posted by roll truck roll at 12:40 AM on October 28, 2011

How about Bullseye? I think that would be a good name.
posted by grouse at 8:50 PM on December 6, 2011 [8 favorites]

Looks like grouse has hit the, well, you know.
posted by Jahaza at 9:53 AM on January 3, 2012 [1 favorite]