And now for something I've put off doing, because I haven't wanted to face the fact that it has to be done. I have to say goodbye to our producer, John Sheehan, who has accepted another position. John has edited zillions of interviews, produced years of our opening billboard, that's the minute-long introduction to the show, and has produced our weekend edition. He's an audio wizard.
And in the past year, he's written, produced, and directed a wonderful podcast that's a comic adventure series for kids called the Radio Adventures of Eleanor Amplified. From WHYY in Philadelphia. In a world of no-goodnicks, hoxsters, charlatans, and flinflanners, she's checking facts and taking names. It's the Radio Adventures of Eleanor Amplified.
Eleanor Amplified is about an investigative reporter who's trying to take down Angela Brant, the nefarious head of a giant tech company called Megablurg, that's trying to take over the world. In addition to the great professional actors John has used, he's drawn on the extraordinary acting talents of the Fresh Air family. Listen as the whole staff collectively gasps. I'm almost ready to rest my case, Congressman.
I just have one final witness. I call Eleanor Amplified's Megablurg 5000 Limited Edition SL Smartphone. We did good, right? John channeled the true acting talents of Amelia and Lena, our producer, Ann Reebold and Otto's two daughters.
Here they are, quarrelling, in a scene from Eleanor. Hey, can we play with Nora out again? Hey, no, get out! Hey, let's hit my room again!
Mom, the work is yelling at me. Nice work, girls. So the good news for us is that John's new job is requiring him to move only as far as one flight up in the WHYY building where we work. He's WHYY's new manager of on-demand audio and podcasts, and part of his job is continuing to create new episodes of Eleanor.
Even so, we're heartbroken he's no longer part of the Fresh Air crew. I want to close today's show with the best Fresh Air ending ever, which was, of course, conceived and produced by John. It's from last summer when he came on the show as a guest to talk about the premiere of Eleanor, and he came up with this way to end our show. Fresh Air's executive producer is...
I don't know, what? Danny, are we still on the air? Fresh Air's executive producer is... Me, Megablurg's CEO, Angela Brandt.
What, what is this? What's going on here? What? We're stealing your show, Terry Gross.
Now your listeners will hear only Megablurg approved programming. No, you can't. You won't get away with this. Professor Ignomie, show Terry Gross your hypnore.
With pleasure, Miss Brandt. Fresh Air listeners, would you like to hear the latest deals on internet shopping? Or maybe some celebrity gossip? Got you, Terry Gross.
That'll show you for denying my interview request. Not so fast, evil doers. Eleanor Amplified. I won't let you turn Fresh Air into a Megablurg mouthpiece.
It's a good thing I brought this anti-hypnore. No. No. Curse you Eleanor Amplified.
You've spoiled my plans again. Eleanor, where am I? I don't think I can finish the show. I don't think I can even remember the names of our producers.
Don't worry, Terry Gross. I've got this. Fresh Air's executive producer is Danny Miller. Our engineer is Audrey Bentham.
The interviews and reviews are produced and edited by Amy Salith, Phyllis Myers, and Marie Baldonato, Sam Brigger, Lauren Crenzel, John Chian, Heidi Samon, Theresa Madden, and Zaya Chaloner. Molly C. Nesper is associate producer of online media. Roberta Sharock directs the show.
Thanks, Eleanor. Sure thing, Terry Gross. I'm back to add Mooed Zaidi's name to the credits. He wasn't yet here when we recorded that.
And to thank you, John, for sharing nine years of your life with Fresh Air. See you in the hall. I'm Terry Gross.