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This is arguably the finest podcast Will Franken has written. He should take a break after this one, though, because it's hard to see him bettering it, or avoiding a retread of some of the themes that he's nailed so perfectly here.
I've always thought that Franken's first podcast was the best-- possibly because of its uncluttered nature, and the way it conjured up his live act. It worked as simply a collection of great comedic bits, both brief and extended. But this particular podcast pulls all the best elements of political commentary and imaginative narrative together. Like a vintage radio show, it transports the listener. And so, we're there on the country road with the woman who can't figure out how to start her car, for instance, or with the altar boy playing an enthusiastic game of Trivial Pursuit with his priest. And I've never laughed so hard as during the door-to-door salesman's repetitive sales pitch, or when the NAACP decides to update its name in order to "modernize its image."
Maxwell Perkins once wrote to F. Scott Fitzgerald during the writing of THE GREAT GATSBY, offering some praise to the effect of "...these are the things that make a man famous." Well, some of the transitions and snippy little one-liners thrown into this podcast are so bold, and yet so damn funny, that I'm amazed. If there's any justice, Will Franken will soon gain the wide recognition he deserves.
In the interim, I'd suggest that this particular podcast be offered as a CD for purchase at gigs. It represents all that's great right now about Will Franken's satirical views and his rebellion against the prevailing climate of political correctness.
And if the Far Left ever wins, and the thought police come a-knocking to seize contraband violations of the diversity laws, they'll zero-in on this little podcast. But until then, I'll re-listen without fail and will laugh as Franken jumps around an imaginary radio dial, skewering the leftist culture of Los Angeles one minute, the repetitive rants of talk show host Michael Savage the next.
Congratulations on a job well done.
I've always thought that Franken's first podcast was the best-- possibly because of its uncluttered nature, and the way it conjured up his live act. It worked as simply a collection of great comedic bits, both brief and extended. But this particular podcast pulls all the best elements of political commentary and imaginative narrative together. Like a vintage radio show, it transports the listener. And so, we're there on the country road with the woman who can't figure out how to start her car, for instance, or with the altar boy playing an enthusiastic game of Trivial Pursuit with his priest. And I've never laughed so hard as during the door-to-door salesman's repetitive sales pitch, or when the NAACP decides to update its name in order to "modernize its image."
Maxwell Perkins once wrote to F. Scott Fitzgerald during the writing of THE GREAT GATSBY, offering some praise to the effect of "...these are the things that make a man famous." Well, some of the transitions and snippy little one-liners thrown into this podcast are so bold, and yet so damn funny, that I'm amazed. If there's any justice, Will Franken will soon gain the wide recognition he deserves.
In the interim, I'd suggest that this particular podcast be offered as a CD for purchase at gigs. It represents all that's great right now about Will Franken's satirical views and his rebellion against the prevailing climate of political correctness.
And if the Far Left ever wins, and the thought police come a-knocking to seize contraband violations of the diversity laws, they'll zero-in on this little podcast. But until then, I'll re-listen without fail and will laugh as Franken jumps around an imaginary radio dial, skewering the leftist culture of Los Angeles one minute, the repetitive rants of talk show host Michael Savage the next.
Congratulations on a job well done.
I must say, this one is quite awesome.
But they all are.
Please keep 'em coming.
But they all are.
Please keep 'em coming.
posted by: Nina Paley on Thu, 1/11 11:55 AM EST
Great pod. You never let me down. You know, at the purple onion show, when I was filming your b-roll, I kept laughing even though I had heard the bit a dozen times. God, I was so mad at myself for ruining the footage. What you have there, it's pure talent, my friend.
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