Dead Men Talking


August 4, 2001


BOB GARFIELD: The New York Times reported this week that AT&T Labs has developed speech software that can re-create the voices of long-dead celebrities and have them say anything programmers want them to say. Think of the advertising possibilities!
BROOKE GLADSTONE: Think of the poetry!
BOB GARFIELD: We did. On the Media presents T.S. Eliot for Toyota. "T.S. ELIOT": [RECITING]
BETWEEN THE ACCELERATION AND THE BRAKES...
BETWEEN THE CYLINDERS AND THE SHAFT,
BETWEEN THE PURCHASE AND THE LEASE
FALLS THE CAMRY,

FOR THINE IS THE GREEN ONE,
FOR THINE IS, CAR IS,
FOR THINE IS THE--
THIS IS THE WAY THE TOYOTATHON ENDS,
THIS IS THE WAY THE TOYOTATHON ENDS,
THIS IS THE WAY THE TOYOTATHON ENDS,
NOT WITH A WHIMPER,
BUT WITH 0.9% APR FINANCING
ON ALL NEW CARS AND TRUCKS. [MUSIC]
BOB GARFIELD:Coming up we celebrate the 80th anniversary of radio play by play this week with some thoughts about announcers and advertising and Cracker Jack.
BROOKE GLADSTONE: This is On the Media from National Public Radio.