This American Life 233: Starting From Scratch
89 snips
Aug 31, 2025 Molly FitzSimons shares the charming tale of her father, Dan Fitzsimmons, who launched a cable channel solely dedicated to puppies after a long corporate career. They explore the whimsical concept of a 'Puppy Channel' and the creative hurdles it faces, tapping into nostalgia and joy. Meanwhile, Jonathan Goldstein offers a witty reimagining of Adam and Eve, highlighting their naive perspectives and the humor of new beginnings. Together, these stories illuminate the ups and downs of starting fresh, both in media and in relationships.
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Reality TV As Collateral Damage
- Jorge Just moved to NYC and felt he'd restarted his life until a reality show used his apartment layout on TV.
- Seeing a better version of his apartment on national television crushed his confidence and made him question his new start.
Timing Amplifies Setbacks
- Public exposure can turn small private insecurities into large public wounds that derail new beginnings.
- Jorge says the timing of the TV incident amplified its emotional impact because he had just started over in New York.
The Puppy Channel Origin
- Dan Fitzsimmons invented the Puppy Channel while watching the O.J. trial and noticing how puppies made strangers smile.
- He imagined a 24/7 quiet channel of puppies to soothe viewers and act as a neutral 'parking place' on television.
