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 think this is one of those deal where I wrote the song parody for ACN and it was passed on. Now, it's was kind of a risky submission; PHC wasn't exactly known for its song parodies. So I wrote up a little intro to it which came out pretty good, upon re-reading it now. It's a little early in the season, but I couldn't be too precious about my material to PHC and sit on stuff, any stuff, I thought up.
I really like the way the song came out. Tight, scans well and makes all the right movie references with a couple twists here and there.
It didn't get picked but you can hum along now with:
I really like the way the song came out. Tight, scans well and makes all the right movie references with a couple twists here and there.
It didn't get picked but you can hum along now with:
It's the Most Wonderful Life
(“Buffalo Gals” plays)
WOMAN: What are you watching?
MAN: “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
WOMAN: Again?
MAN: Once a year.
WOMAN: How is that even a Christmas movie? It’s like two hours of someone’s really depressing failed life.
MAN: You’re kind of missing the point.
WOMAN: No, seriously, then the guy has his money stolen and gets arrested by the guy who stole it. Talk about your bad karma.
MAN: It’s a classic. Did you ever watch it all the way through?
GEORGE: (James Stewart) Hey, you out there--
WOMAN: Who us?
GEORGE: Yeah, you. Why are you dissing my movie?
WOMAN: Is this how it ends?
MAN: No. Maybe the TIVO got its wires crossed.
GEORGE: Don’t knock my movie. It’s a touching tale of simple human kindness. Now everyone gets to be big and famous, but everyone matters.
WOMAN: Seriously, you can’t believe that.
GEORGE: Believe it? I’ll sing about it, my little gingersnap:
(to the tune of "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year")
It's the most wonderful life of the year.
With the money gone missing.
My life reminiscing.
'cause Clarence is here.
It's the most wonderful life of the year.
It's the hap-happiest season of all.
With Potter all greedy.
And Mary so needy.
Bank auditors call.
It's the hap-happiest season of all.
They'll be trips never taken
And confidence shaken
With feelings of dread and forlorn
They'll be runs on the known banks
And crashes in snow banks
Then wishing I never was born.
It's the most wonderful life, so I hear.
Uncle Billy's forgetting
To come to the wedding
Plays in my good ear.
It's the most wonderful life of the year.
Bert and Ernie don't greet me
I'm tossed from Martini's
As if I never was born.
They'll be gym floors retracted
Rose petals extracted
In black & white Capra-corn.
It's the most wonderful life I can bear
They'll be cheers and some singing
When angels get winging.
Sam's checks finally clear.
It's the most wonderful life
Despite all of the strife
It's the most wonderful life of the year.
end
WOMAN: What are you watching?
MAN: “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
WOMAN: Again?
MAN: Once a year.
WOMAN: How is that even a Christmas movie? It’s like two hours of someone’s really depressing failed life.
MAN: You’re kind of missing the point.
WOMAN: No, seriously, then the guy has his money stolen and gets arrested by the guy who stole it. Talk about your bad karma.
MAN: It’s a classic. Did you ever watch it all the way through?
GEORGE: (James Stewart) Hey, you out there--
WOMAN: Who us?
GEORGE: Yeah, you. Why are you dissing my movie?
WOMAN: Is this how it ends?
MAN: No. Maybe the TIVO got its wires crossed.
GEORGE: Don’t knock my movie. It’s a touching tale of simple human kindness. Now everyone gets to be big and famous, but everyone matters.
WOMAN: Seriously, you can’t believe that.
GEORGE: Believe it? I’ll sing about it, my little gingersnap:
(to the tune of "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year")
It's the most wonderful life of the year.
With the money gone missing.
My life reminiscing.
'cause Clarence is here.
It's the most wonderful life of the year.
It's the hap-happiest season of all.
With Potter all greedy.
And Mary so needy.
Bank auditors call.
It's the hap-happiest season of all.
They'll be trips never taken
And confidence shaken
With feelings of dread and forlorn
They'll be runs on the known banks
And crashes in snow banks
Then wishing I never was born.
It's the most wonderful life, so I hear.
Uncle Billy's forgetting
To come to the wedding
Plays in my good ear.
It's the most wonderful life of the year.
Bert and Ernie don't greet me
I'm tossed from Martini's
As if I never was born.
They'll be gym floors retracted
Rose petals extracted
In black & white Capra-corn.
It's the most wonderful life I can bear
They'll be cheers and some singing
When angels get winging.
Sam's checks finally clear.
It's the most wonderful life
Despite all of the strife
It's the most wonderful life of the year.
end
