Christine Vachon, the award-winning producer of Boy's Don't Cry, Far From Heaven, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and a number of other queer-themed indie films, is coproducing a television adaptation of Ira Glass's idiosyncratic radio show, This American Life, for Showtime.
Based on the radio show's unique mix of journalism and short fiction, the six-episode television show will begin production in spring 2006. According to a statement from Showtime, "Each episode will be hosted by Ira Glass and will explore a single theme or topic through the unique juxtaposition of first-person storytelling and whimsical narrative, allowing for the show's distinct and original voice."
Distributed nationally to over 500 radio stations by Public Radio International, This American Life has presented several gay story lines since its 1995 debut: A 1996 episode focused on the stigma associated with the word "sissy" despite the nation's growing acceptance of gays and lesbians in general, and a 2005 episode featured Dan Savage's wry observations about raising a child with his lover.
Killer Films, the production company cofounded by Vachon in 1995, quickly gained respect within the independent film community for making risk-taking choices with films like Kids, Safe, I Shot Andy Warhol, and Velvet Goldmine, among others. (Advocate.com)
