Prolific writer, essayist, and occasional actor, David Rakoff joined Media Mayhem to talk politics and culture with the sharp sensitivity of a love bite. Having spent years as a contributor to “This American Life,” as well as “The Daily Show,” David is no stranger to the turbulent winds of the political playing field, and he opens up with Allison with the candor of a man with nothing to lose.
From the current presidential election and the latest Rush Limbaugh storm of controversy, to the overlooked shamblings of the Supreme Court and virtues of pessimism, this talk is as good natured as it is ‘half-empty.’

David Rakoff is an essayist, humorist and New York Times bestselling author. His books include Half Empty, Fraud and Don’t Get Too Comfortable.  Rakoff has won the Thurber Prize for Humor for Half Empty and was short-listed for the Whiting Award and the Stephen Leacock Medal. He is a regular contributor to NPR’s This American Life and his writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Outside Magazine, Salon.com, GQ, New York Magazine, Vogue and other publications.   He is also a regular contributor to The Daily Show.
David has worked in theater with Amy and David Sedaris on their plays, Stitches, The Little Freida Mysteries, The Book of Liz and One Woman Shoe.  Rakoff adapted the screenplay and starred in The New Tenants which won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.