For fans of the radio show, it's a winning combination. You get an extra-long episode, and it's an extra-good one. There are cartoons (which you don't get on radio!). And you get to see the people whose voices you know so intimately. I thought I didn't want to see them but it's great, and Ira Glass has wonderful facial expressions to go with his wonderful vocal exrpession. The HD and live aspects are nice too. If you are reading this before 7 May 2009 I urge you to see the Encore; if you miss that, see it on-line.