From 1999 to 2004-ish, I was one of the contributing writers for Garrison Keillor's renowned radio show "A Prairie Home Companion." I learned a lot of things there, mostly how to spell 'prairie." It was a solid gig and I'm proud of my work there. But, like any other job, there were...things...
PHC's "Later on most of these Public Radio Stations" bits were very freeing. It was a real chance to jump out of the context of the show and do anything. I got to do it on my first time out, Abbott & Othello. Around this time, I was working on a pilot series, "Where's the Party?" a talk show, where the premise was a swinging party at a rich guy's penthouse; Playboy After Dark meets Fernwood Tonight. And at one point we were struggling with a way to do actual sketch-sketches and not just "party bits." Someone mentioned a TV set. A party goer could be in a corner watching TV and we could do anything on that TV; a news parody (which I did), sit-coms, sports, anything. It was our launching pad out of the single set. And could be filmed and presented as such (ala Monty Python) verses the taped party scenes.
Anyway, this sketch was a re-working of some jokes that I had kicking around that I never quite found the right set-up for. Maybe this wasn't it either, but it appealed to my contradian side. Also, I think the idea of parodying those Sunday morning news shows as they devolved into these bizarre attempts at "gotcha" attitudes and odd "what-if" scenarios questions. I think it just never jelled enough for PHC's purposes and they neglected to use it.
Anyway, this sketch was a re-working of some jokes that I had kicking around that I never quite found the right set-up for. Maybe this wasn't it either, but it appealed to my contradian side. Also, I think the idea of parodying those Sunday morning news shows as they devolved into these bizarre attempts at "gotcha" attitudes and odd "what-if" scenarios questions. I think it just never jelled enough for PHC's purposes and they neglected to use it.
Face the Conundrum
GK: And later tonight on most of these public radio, it's our weekend public affairs show, Face the Conundrum...
WB: Hello, and welcome to Face the Conundrum, I'm your host Wilson Brians. Joining us today is David Highbottom of the Political Insights think tank in Washington, DC. Welcome, sir.
DH: Thanks for having me.
WB: So, David, your group just release a pair of policy papers this week. Could explain these stands?
DH: We've outlined a series of comments against high pharmaceutical prices and the second paper against outscourcing of American jobs!
WB: Now, what if a company told you you could get really inexpensive drugs if they could close their old factory and relocate to Thailand? How would you respond?
DH: Thailand? They could make cheaper drugs there?
WB: Really cheap. I mean, like candy prices.
DH: Well, hm, I mean, lower drug prices would be great, but losing all those jobs.
WB: So you would compel them to stay in there factory while the elderly and sick keel over from lack of drugs?
DH: Well, no, I don't think so. I mean, I don't know...
WB: Also with us today is Helen Nesmith, president of The American Friends of Animals. Welcome, ma'am.
HN: Thank you for having me.
WB: So I understand that members of your group are beginning a high-profile campaign denouncing fur coats once again.
HN: Indeed. Fur is murder.
WB: And we notice you're also on the Board of Directors for a homeless shelter.
HN: Oh, yes, it's a cause very close to my heart.
WB: So, what if we started a program where everyone would donate their fur coats to the poor how would you react to that?
HN: Well, I'm not sure, I mean, the homeless, sure, but, gosh, fur coats---
WB: How about this: There's a new meal program that brings veal dinners to the elderly and shut-ins? Good or bad?
HN: Well, couldn't you give them...
WB: What hamburgers? Fish? Grilled Platypus?
HN: Of course not.
WB: So let the elderly starve?
HN: No.
WB: Let them slaughter those little calves?
HN: I don't know. It's a ridiculous premise!
WB: It's quite the conundrum.
HN: Yes it is.
WB: Thank you. Tune in next time as we examine pro-choice and the death penalty on Face The Conundrum.
GK: That's later tonight on most of these national public radio stations.
end
WB: Hello, and welcome to Face the Conundrum, I'm your host Wilson Brians. Joining us today is David Highbottom of the Political Insights think tank in Washington, DC. Welcome, sir.
DH: Thanks for having me.
WB: So, David, your group just release a pair of policy papers this week. Could explain these stands?
DH: We've outlined a series of comments against high pharmaceutical prices and the second paper against outscourcing of American jobs!
WB: Now, what if a company told you you could get really inexpensive drugs if they could close their old factory and relocate to Thailand? How would you respond?
DH: Thailand? They could make cheaper drugs there?
WB: Really cheap. I mean, like candy prices.
DH: Well, hm, I mean, lower drug prices would be great, but losing all those jobs.
WB: So you would compel them to stay in there factory while the elderly and sick keel over from lack of drugs?
DH: Well, no, I don't think so. I mean, I don't know...
WB: Also with us today is Helen Nesmith, president of The American Friends of Animals. Welcome, ma'am.
HN: Thank you for having me.
WB: So I understand that members of your group are beginning a high-profile campaign denouncing fur coats once again.
HN: Indeed. Fur is murder.
WB: And we notice you're also on the Board of Directors for a homeless shelter.
HN: Oh, yes, it's a cause very close to my heart.
WB: So, what if we started a program where everyone would donate their fur coats to the poor how would you react to that?
HN: Well, I'm not sure, I mean, the homeless, sure, but, gosh, fur coats---
WB: How about this: There's a new meal program that brings veal dinners to the elderly and shut-ins? Good or bad?
HN: Well, couldn't you give them...
WB: What hamburgers? Fish? Grilled Platypus?
HN: Of course not.
WB: So let the elderly starve?
HN: No.
WB: Let them slaughter those little calves?
HN: I don't know. It's a ridiculous premise!
WB: It's quite the conundrum.
HN: Yes it is.
WB: Thank you. Tune in next time as we examine pro-choice and the death penalty on Face The Conundrum.
GK: That's later tonight on most of these national public radio stations.
end
