"Orange Is the New Black" creator Jenji Kohan offered Ira Glass a role in her Netflix prison drama, but says the "This American Life" host "politely declined."
Speaking on "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross, Kohan said she's a "huge Ira Glass fan" and "huge fan of radio in general." She said Glass — particularly Glass's glasses — helped inspire the public radio host played by Robert Stanton on the show about a woman in prison.
"I don't have a lot of time to watch TV, but I am a big podcast listener and radio listener and a fangirl to a certain extent," Kohan said. "I actually asked Ira Glass if he would do it and he politely declined."
Kohan says the host's glasses aren't identical to Glass's, but acknowledged "there's a flavor." She hopes Glass doesn't mind.
"I have not spoken to him. I hope he's not mad at me. … I'd love to hear what he thinks," said Kohan.
Vulture made it happen, by reaching out to Glass. For once, he was at a loss for words.
"I hear the show's good and hope to see it soon but I've been busy. Haven't seen it," he said. "So I don't have much to say."
The Glass portion of the interview starts around the 34-minute mark, but really, why not enjoy the whole thing.
