Media Fringe

Four stories about people struggling at the fringes of our nation's media/music/infotainment industry. How To Get Famous: Writer Sandra Tsing Loh on how she staged stunts to get press attention. She was wildly successful, featured in the Wall Street Journal, NPR, People Magazine, CNN, and in a Tonight Show monologue. (9 minutes) Whoring In Radio News: Scott Carrier took a job in commercial radio working for a network correspondent he refers to as "The Friendly Man." Every story was supposed to be upbeat, a tale of people coming together in the heartwarming spirit of community. And every story they sent him on turned out to be a sham. When he tried to tell his editors the story they wanted was untrue, he was told that attitude would get him fired. (17 minutes) A Small Personal Act: Sarah Vowell on the joy of making mix tapes of your favorite songs to send to loved ones. She spots an ad for someone who makes them for money. "Prostitute," she thinks. Then she decides she wants the job. And tries it. And finds it's a lot harder than she imagined. (14 minutes) Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous: Chicago writer Cheryl Trykv on her own close encounter with Hollywood, the media, and a famous maid. (13 minutes)