Round 2 entry for Rebecca Watson

i like science too, but it's unfortunate the government and Bush, has halted progress on stem cell research, that could cure illness. not to mention the fact that they are pillaging ancient artifacts out of iraq, and we don't even know who we're fighting. I thought the government gave weapons to Sadaam when in power and who helped terrorist... Where God Was Born - Bruce Feiler, it is an irony that we destroyed the middle east, the heart of where the bible comes from. "Seymour Hersh, one of the United States’ most respected journalists, published an earthshaking exposé in the New Yorker, alleging that the Bush administration has been covertly funding an array of militant Sunni extremist groups sympathetic to Al Qaeda."

The idea of integrating science with everyday life is a good one for a show. If that is what she does, then that is worth taking a serious look at.

She does a nice job on that word association, not too much "umming", and making good points. Bringing up a person who she is familiar with (someone named Phil), who we are not familiar with is not the best thing, because it was distracting. But science -is- life, and it is worthy of a look-see.

Good voice and mature-for-her-age "sound." Some rough spots in the copy read. Not quite ready for "prime time" but almost.

John Hingsbergen
Program Director, WMUB-FM

I think she sounds too much like everyone else on the air. So she sounds mature for her age, but that doesn't mean I want to listen to a show driven by her personality. And how did she manage to change subjects from pop culture to higher science awareness? I like her voice. I don't think she would motivate me to tune in or stay tuned in.

she sounds mature, makes me tend to respect her. content was above par, but not scintillating (ooh, i hate to even write that because i liked her)

I almost switched to another contestant at ~0:40, but I’m glad I kept listening to the improv. I hope she makes it to the next round.

Marvelous, I hope my warrior princess you bring your wand of wit +12 to work when you land this gig. I so hope you do, no prayers, but you will be in my thoughts. Arggh, I need to read more of your work. I just don’t have the time, sometimes. Anywho, I am looking forward as I am sure you are, as to the results of this contest. Much love, peace... and you do not need luck :P -Christopher

Ok, this is the contestant where I realized how much someone's personality (as seen in the association) colors my perception of their entire entry. I liked and agreed with her association. Then I found her live read to be good at getting my attention and communicating to me what was coming up next. I would have kept listening. And her advert had a great opener. The opener brought me in and then her voice and clarity kept me.

Rebecca is a fine, witty speaker and has all the qualities of a Public Radio personality but she has the trump card that none of them have: She is not gullible like many of them are. She will not likely accept incredible stories of herbal medicine cures, psychics, spiritualists and all this nonsense which often that pervades public radio.

I'm a member of several skeptical organizations and met Rebecca a couple of these events. The fact that she attends scientific and skeptical events, co-hosts skeptical podcasts and runs a very popular website/blog convinces me that she not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.

Frankly, I'll probably start listening to Public Radio again when she's on.

In a lame Public Radio way, she's "Fresh Air"

We need you Rebecca, you go girl!

Rebecca is amazing!! Good luck!! Derrick S.F.

Rebecca absolutely MUST be in the final three. Public radio needs more than ONE science show. It has very little that speaks to the “reality-based” community. Besides, she is the ultimate minority: a free thinker.

Rebecca is a GEM. She can hang with the nerds and the almost-nerds who find nerds pathetic. I want to seduce, then impregnate her, thus assuring that I get the lion's share of Rebecca for the short time I animate this body of mine before it succumbs to wear. Rebecca is sexy in the only way NPR can be considered sexy: she is the smart, witty best friend that blossoms into your lover when you least expect it.

I wasn't blown away by the word association. However, she has a lovely voice and cadence which was very pleasant to listen to.

I gave her 4 stars because she's one of the best I've heard so far-- she's got the voice and the smarts to go far, but it's not exactly fresh and new for public radio if you know what I mean.

I'm an intellectual groupie what can I say? I would also like to assure other voters that Miss Watson has a wicked sense of humour and is very good at ad libbing. Why she isn't already on public radio is a bit of a mystery to me.

This the best example of a great host by far. I thought it was quite interesting that she turned the topic of "pop culture so easily into that of "pop science" almost without us noticing. The live copy read was the first I've heard that actually makes me want to hear the rest of the story. Fantastic job.

While not the focus, her intellectual maturity shines without blinding the listener with erudite vocabulary or condescending tone. I enjoyed her juxtaposition of popular culture and natural science in a coherent, easy-to follow personal view on "Pop Culture." Consistently fluent, this young lady's sensitivity, voice quality and inflection made me want to get out my calendar. What is the day and time of her up-coming documentary-centered program?

Rebecca Watson is exactly the type of brilliant and exciting new talent that NPR needs. Her delivery is electrifying, and her audition shows that she is knowledgeable in an incredibly broad range of topics. Her impressive intellect is coupled with a vivacious personality. There are few people that can match Rebecca’s ability to make science accessible and fun. She has a quick wit, and she is extraordinarily articulate. I am particularly impressed by her ability to transition between topics and seamlessly improvise. Ms. Watson offers insightful analysis, and she tackles topics from a unique angle. She will be a huge draw for NPR!

While I'm sure she'd fit right in on Public Radio (could she talk just a little more quietly and gently please, I wouldn't want to get scared by my radio...) that's exactly what this contest should weed out; she's just the same old thing. Plus, it sounded like she prepared her free association piece in advance and just connected "pop culture" to what she worked on. Nevertheless, one of the most professional sounding of the bunch.

Again, this is so convincingly in the vein of Public Radio announcers -- a style that almost mocks itself -- and she does it really well. The scripted material was a bit halting and it would help her a lot of learn to breath, however, she got it totally right and I understand the MPR listeners go balastic with pronounciation, punctuation, diction and all the sins so evident to the educated upper middle clas snob.

Humor, even in the creative inflection of the voice is a valuable tool. I'd say Rebecca has to be a top contender and shows a lot of smarts and maturity for a mid 20s something.

The best copy read of them all, by far. Most of the others couldn't even pronounce "conquistador," much less get the cadence right. Just saying....

i thought it was quite creative how she got from pop culture to science, and quite genuine and believable--unforced--journey at that. copy-reading was strong as well, and the billboard to top it off. she gets all stars from me.

Pop culture should have been an easy homerun. I would have thought “science” was her phrase. A strong voice, but not particularly original or engaging.

What we need more of in this world is people talking about science...

It rocks, you rock, keep it up

-j-
twis

Word association got redirected away from pop culture to something else (we already have Ira Flato). Vocal delivery a bit mushy. Read was a little uneven. Promo was best of the three segments.