five things that make me turn off NPR (but also reveal how much I listen):

1. Selected Shorts (ACTORS! READING! PASSIONATELY!)
2. When Arnie gets pissy on “Says You!”
3. When things get too smug and punny on “Says You!”
4. When people with clear agendas call into Diane Rehm or TOTN
5. Diddlydinkydoo fiddle music.*

*luckily, my local station is pretty much talk only, so there is a blessed lack of fiddling.

– Stef Noble on 22 April 2008 @ 4pm

Numbers two and four are some of my favorite things about NPR. Although, I see how they both can be acquired tastes.

– John Ratcliffe-Lee on 22 April 2008 @ 4pm

My honorable mention to Car Talk and / or Click and Clack.

– murth on 23 April 2008 @ 6am

AMEN. It’s as if the Climate Connections theme were specifically designed to make you want to click it off. It pushes some button in my reptilian brain.

– David Ham on 23 April 2008 @ 6am

I’m totally with you on some of these, especially the over earnest This I Believe but in the defense of NPR a couple of things I love:
* And remember, don’t drive like my brother
* American Radio Works
* To The Best of our Knowledge
* and, for all it’s faults I still love This American Life

NPR makes my commute less of a waste of time.

– Martin on 25 April 2008 @ 10am

This I Believe I agree with, the rest you’re blowing it, but you forgot to add Pledge Week.

– dude on 25 April 2008 @ 12pm

The intro music for StoryCorps. And sometimes the stories, too.

– wayne on 28 April 2008 @ 3am

“Garrison Keillor.” I’m right with you on this one. Stupid Prairie Home Companion…

– Logan on 12 May 2008 @ 8am