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...
This is just a good old-fashion bit of silliness, something I hoped would be a aural comfort food while everyone was still in shock over the WTC attack.
I have to say that thanks to cable TV and things like TCM, AMC, or MeTV, for making the idea of doing a parody of a 50-year old movie no longer pointless. And the "I dunno, what do you wanna do" is like a running family joke.
One could even argue that perhaps another update of Marty could be done, but all in texts. Needless to say, the skit didn't make the cut...
I have to say that thanks to cable TV and things like TCM, AMC, or MeTV, for making the idea of doing a parody of a 50-year old movie no longer pointless. And the "I dunno, what do you wanna do" is like a running family joke.
One could even argue that perhaps another update of Marty could be done, but all in texts. Needless to say, the skit didn't make the cut...
MARTY 2001
GK: Tonight on most of these public radio stations, a new adaptation of a classic American classic: Marty 2001.
(cell phone rings)
MT: Hello?
TY: (on phone) Marty? It's Tony.
MT: Hey, Tony, what's up?
TY: (on phone) I was calling to see what you wanna do tonight.
MT: I don't know. What do you wanna do?
TY: (on phone) I don't know. What do you wanna do?
(cell phone rings)
MT: Wait a second, I have a call coming in on my other line. Hello?
DY: (on phone) Marty, it's Davy, I was just wondering what you wanted to do tonight.
MT: I dunno...what do you wanna do?
TY: I dunno, what do you wanna do?
DY: I dunno, what do you wanna do?
GK: Yes, it's Paddy Chayefsky's 1953 play about a lonely, 36-year-old butcher brought up-to-date with the latest technology...
MM: (Italian Mama) Marty, why you stay at home, honey, why don't you go online in one-a those chat rooms and meet a nice tomato in cyberspace?
MT: A tomato in cyber-space? Ha! Mom, that's rich. A tomato in cyberspace.
GK: Marty 2001, the most ordinary love story in the world now told for a hi-tech, communication-savey audience...
MT: You don't like her! My mother don't like her. She's a dog and I'm a fat, ugly little man. All I know is I had a good time last night. If we have enough good times, I'm going to email her a proposal and visit her website!
GK: Marty 2001, tonight on most of this public radio stations.
end
