TED Radio Hour The TED talk that put writer Pico Iyer in “Marty Supreme”
12 snips
Mar 18, 2026 
Pico Iyer, travel writer and essayist known for meditations on culture and silence, tells how a TED talk about ping pong led to an unlikely acting turn in Marty Supreme. He recounts the communal spirit of doubles play, cultural contrasts around ambition and winning, and the improvised, surprising moments of being on set. Short, reflective, and delightfully unexpected.
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How A TED Talk Led To A Movie Role
- Pico Iyer was cast in Marty Supreme after director Josh Safdie saw his TED Talk about ping pong and thought he fit the role of a stuffy official.
- Iyer initially resisted due to no acting experience and a complicated schedule, but the production rearranged filming to accommodate him.
Twice Weekly Doubles With Elderly Neighbors
- Pico Iyer described his longtime ping pong routine in suburban Japan where he plays doubles three times a week with mostly elderly neighbors.
- They rotate partners every five minutes, keep score but often end with no clear winner because games are best of two.
Playing To Make Everyone A Winner
- Iyer argues the point of his Japanese ping pong club is to make everyone feel like a winner rather than to single out individual champions.
- Skilled players deliberately redistribute points to keep matches close and ensure collective enjoyment.