BROOKLYN, N.Y. — An Ira Glass lookalike contest was held at a Yo La Tengo concert this week, confirmed sources who weren’t sure whether it was better to win or lose.
“Yo La Tengo fans have long been known to be mistaken for executive producers of NPR programming,” said Jayson Soderstrom, one of the contest organizers, on his way to help differentiate between a stack of IDs. “It doesn’t stop there, either. A lot of these people don’t just share physical similarities, but lifestyle choices as well. How many Planned Parenthood totes do you see? And whose girlfriend has the heaviest curtain bangs? In fact, whose girlfriend is whose? These competitions are happening at every show on tour, my team just had the vision to organize it.”
Concertgoer Brendan Rice was unaware of the contest but still felt like he might have a shot.
“I’ve been told I look like Ira Glass since I hit puberty,” Rice explained while changing his glasses for a backup pair he always keeps on him. “I’ve also always had a thing for smart blazers. I don’t take myself too seriously though, I like to rock a vintage tee underneath so I can put the people at ease. You know, now that I think of it, I’m like Ira in a lot of ways. I too have a non-fiction podcast where the episodes are separated into three acts, so I am more than qualified to win this thing.”
Unbeknownst to many, Glass himself stood among the crowd hoping for good fortunes.
“This is my third time trying to win this contest. Best I got was seventh place,” said Glass. “But I don’t have a chance at winning this thing this time around. After all, we’re in Brooklyn. Everyone looks like they host ‘This American Life.’ Even if I told someone who I was, nobody would believe me, let alone get excited. I’ll let them do their thing. And what will I do? I’ll probably start planning a think-piece on self reflection in rock and roll. Tune in!”
At press time, Ira Kaplan of Yo La Tengo was crowned Ira Glass’ lookalike as NPR pins rained down on the audience.