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...
I have a thing for Abbott & Costello, as I've mention before. When my kids were little, we read them all the Dr. Suess books. The play with language was incredible. I remember the original TV version of "Horton Hears a Who." How it took so long to combine the two, I don't know. But when the idea hit, it hit hard. Naturally, I wrote it up for PHC, thinking if they went for my "Abbott & Othello" sketch, they would go for his one. They did not.
The tag line, "Theatre with an r-e" was something I often thought and said whenever I saw the spelling "theatre." I had to keep it tight, but I really thought I transferred the rhythms and timing of the original sketch and the little surprises of comebacks into the patter. And it's over before you even realize I've been plagiarizing again...
The tag line, "Theatre with an r-e" was something I often thought and said whenever I saw the spelling "theatre." I had to keep it tight, but I really thought I transferred the rhythms and timing of the original sketch and the little surprises of comebacks into the patter. And it's over before you even realize I've been plagiarizing again...
Horton Hears a What?
(GK, MN: Monkey, HT: Horton)
GK: Later tonight, join us as National Public Radio presents Dr. Suess' classic story, "Horton Hears a Who" as adapted and performed by the National Burlesque Theatre Group.
MN: Hey, Horton,
HT: Hey, Monkey.
MN: What are you doing with that flower?
HT: I'm listening.
MN: Listening?
HT: Yeah, to this little person that lives on this flower.
MN: Wait a second, there's a little person on that flower?
HT: Yup.
MN: What's his name?
HT: Who.
MN: The guy on the flower.
HT: Who.
MN: The little person.
HT: Who.
MN: The one you're listening to.
HT: Who is on the flower.
MN: What are you asking me for!?!
HT: I'm not asking you, I'm telling you.
MN: You're telling me you're listening to what?
HT: No, who. I'm listening to Who.
MN: Who?
HT: Yes. My extra large ears allow me to hear them.
MN: Hear who?
HT: Yes. On the flower.
MN: Who's on the flower?
HT: Exactly. He's very worried.
MN: Who is?
HT: Extremely. It seems their city is in danger.
MN: Who's city?
HT: And the suburbs. So I want to help.
MN: You want to help what?
HT: Help who!
MN: I'll break your truck you tell me "who's on the flower."
GK: "Horton Hears a Who" from The National Burlesque Theatre. That's theatre with an "r-e" so you know it's classy. On most of these Public Radio stations.
end
GK: Later tonight, join us as National Public Radio presents Dr. Suess' classic story, "Horton Hears a Who" as adapted and performed by the National Burlesque Theatre Group.
MN: Hey, Horton,
HT: Hey, Monkey.
MN: What are you doing with that flower?
HT: I'm listening.
MN: Listening?
HT: Yeah, to this little person that lives on this flower.
MN: Wait a second, there's a little person on that flower?
HT: Yup.
MN: What's his name?
HT: Who.
MN: The guy on the flower.
HT: Who.
MN: The little person.
HT: Who.
MN: The one you're listening to.
HT: Who is on the flower.
MN: What are you asking me for!?!
HT: I'm not asking you, I'm telling you.
MN: You're telling me you're listening to what?
HT: No, who. I'm listening to Who.
MN: Who?
HT: Yes. My extra large ears allow me to hear them.
MN: Hear who?
HT: Yes. On the flower.
MN: Who's on the flower?
HT: Exactly. He's very worried.
MN: Who is?
HT: Extremely. It seems their city is in danger.
MN: Who's city?
HT: And the suburbs. So I want to help.
MN: You want to help what?
HT: Help who!
MN: I'll break your truck you tell me "who's on the flower."
GK: "Horton Hears a Who" from The National Burlesque Theatre. That's theatre with an "r-e" so you know it's classy. On most of these Public Radio stations.
end
