What’s going on with NPR’s third most popular host? “In The Know” combines puppetry, stop-motion animation, and live-action interviews. The series may be unique in its execution, but the celebrity interviewee segments harken back to traditional talk shows. ‘Know’ interviewees include Kaia Gerber, Jonathan Van Ness, Ken Burns, Finn Wolfhard, Norah Jones, Tegan and Sara, Nicole Byer, Roxane Gay, Mike Tyson, Jorge Masvidal and Hugh Laurie.
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Among the series’ co-creators is Mike Judge. The multi-hyphenate behind “King of the Hill” and “Beavis and Butt-Head” also voices a culture critic named Sandy. “In The Know” co-creator, co-showrunner, and executive producer, Zach Woods is a familiar name to “Silicon Valley” fans. The actor starred as Jared on the hit HBO series and played a significant role in several seasons of “The Office.” ‘Know’ allows Woods to explore some of society’s biggest hypocrisies. “We’re privileged, well-intentioned, guilty hypocrites. We buy ethically sourced dog treats and have them delivered by people who are penalized for bathroom breaks. We put “No Justice, No Peace” signs next to our home security lawn decals,” he said. “We’re sanctimonious doofuses who should be ridiculed more.”
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The series’ official synopsis:
Lauren Caspian is NPR’s third most popular host. He’s a well-meaning, hypocritical nimrod, just like you and me. He’s also a stop-motion puppet. Each episode follows the making of an episode of Lauren’s show In the Know, in which Lauren conducts in-depth interviews with real-world human guests. Lauren collaborates with a diverse crew of NPR staff. They are also puppets and nimrods.
Here’s a note from the creators
We love public radio. It’s engaging and comforting. But it also reflects aspects of ourselves that we’re embarrassed by. Which is why we created a show about an NPR host who is, sadly, an only slightly exaggerated version of ourselves.
We’re privileged, well intentioned, guilty hypocrites. We buy ethically-sourced dog treats and have them delivered by people who are penalized for bathroom breaks. We put “No Justice No Peace” signs next to our home security lawn decals. We’re sanctimonious doofuses who should be ridiculed more.
As we get more isolated in our respective echo chambers, we’re desperate to connect with people who are different from us through honest conversation and humor. We try to provide both on the show. (And even if you think our comedy is literal trash, we hope you’ll enjoy the gorgeous animation from the stop-motion geniuses at ShadowMachine.)
We want this show to start funny, scary, friendly conversations. We want to portray people who are possibly irredeemable but hopefully still loveable. And at the center of all of this is a frail overconfident male puppet with a woman’s name: Lauren Caspian.
Reality, fiction, and puppetry unite for Universal Television’s “In The Know.” The six-episode season premieres January 25 on Peacock. Get your first look at the trailer below.