Prairie Home Companion

[wrbix]

I certainly for the most part don't begrudge him his politics as it's his sand box. I generally didn't listen in election cycles as the abject lack of even the most remote balance in the humor is grossly conspicuous by its absence.


Todd.

In a different sand box, Rush Limbaugh I find equally amusing, but for an entirely different reason.

What an interesting society we live in!

[oldbike54]

 How did a thread about PHC turn to politics ? I'll bet you guys wouldn't have liked Will Rogers either    

  Dusty

[ratguzzi]

One of my favorite Garrison Christian jokes was:
"What does one Baptist say to another Baptist in a liquor store?"
"Not a word............... ................... .............."

JB

[fotoguzzi]

How did a thread about PHC turn to politics ? I'll bet you guys wouldn't have liked Will Rogers either    

  Dusty

or Woody Guthrie and that gol darn red Dylan.

[John A]

How did a thread about PHC turn to politics ? I'll bet you guys wouldn't have liked Will Rogers either    

  Dusty

we were making the point that he wouid have had more listeners had he left politics out of it,much like this board

[Fuzzy]

And that is a shame. Us against them, again...

[oldbike54]

we were making the point that he wouid have had more listeners had he left politics out of it,much like this board

 So why inject politics into a nonpolitical topic ?

 Dusty

[fotoguzzi]

can we all just sing a Duet ? a nice little cowboy song like back in the saddle again...or, don't fence me in.

[wrbix]

can we all just sing a Duet ? a nice little cowboy song like back in the saddle again...or, don't fence me in.

.......kumbaya....

[LowRyter]

That's why I quit listening too. I think Garrison, Michael  Moore and Al Gore are birds of a feather.

His stories were quite funny sometimes,though.

thank you very much 

[rboe]

OK, time for a catsup break..... 

[SmithSwede]

Well, I was initially raised Methodist.  Then Unitarian. 

Absolutely brilliant Keillor joke.   "How do you know if you have pissed off the Unitarians in your town?"

A:  "They come and burn a question mark in your yard." 

On another note.  I have a cousin, who runs a Bed & Breakfast in Columbus, Ga.    Keillor and company stayed with them once.  Polite and delightful people.

[SmithSwede]

I also understand the comments about Keillor getting too political too often.   

Check out the Canadian show "Vinyl Cafe" by Stuart McLean.  I actually like him a bit better than Garrison.   Same sweet, involved, human interest stories.   But never any politics.

[ITSec]

Well, I was initially raised Methodist.  Then Unitarian. 

Absolutely brilliant Keillor joke.   "How do you know if you have pissed off the Unitarians in your town?"

A:  "They come and burn a question mark in your yard." 

On another note.  I have a cousin, who runs a Bed & Breakfast in Columbus, Ga.    Keillor and company stayed with them once.  Polite and delightful people.

I'm a Unitarian-Universalist chaplain - so I can say that Garrison was not above borrowing a good joke that was already being told 

And Unitarians don't burn a question mark on the lawn of someone who annoys them - they get together for a coffee meeting and discuss why the person is doing this, and what part they may have played in causing the emotion.

Come to think of it, Unitarians and Canadians have a lot in common! 

[sbaker]

Love the entertainment, stories, music, theater.... was disappointed that it had to be political....

[wrbix]

What I find interesting and revealing in this conversation is that the political right has for years been pushing for defunding of National Public Radio. Why shouldn't NPR therefore be left leaning.

  http://www.politico.com/story/2010/10/defunding-npr-its-not-that-easy-044056

In my experience patrons of the arts tend toward progressive ideals.

[LowRyter]

sorry guys but the politics is entwined with the core of Garrison's world view.  If you don't like his politics, then you really don't get the whole picture.

Now you could like John Wayne movies and not like his politics but he was no writer of philosopher.  He was just a movie actor.   No pretense of knowing anything important, just as he was no macho hero in real life.  Just an actor you like on the screen.  Not so with Garrison.

[Daleroso]

My fault. I simply meant that I liked Garrison's talent, delivery & the show. I just wished he'd left the politics out or balanced them. I admit, I LEAN HARD RIGHT

[rocker59]

sorry guys but the politics is entwined with the core of Garrison's world view.  If you don't like his politics, then you really don't get the whole picture.
 

I don't like Garrison's politics.  Had to quit listening to PHC during our previous President's tenure.  Grew weary of Garrison's (and his guests') nasty bias.

Started listening again after GK got his man in office, because miraculously the leftist political satire mellowed.

Very talented guy, and the shows are old-timey good.  I really like the Americana music he selects for the shows, and hope the show can continue without him.   

[oldbike54]

 Well shucks , as a leftist libertarian Deist Taoist moderate sometimes right leaning mostly American Indian follower of both the Dali Lama , George Will , AND Bob Pirsig , none of this uproar makes any sense to me 

 In the words of William Penn Adair Rogers , "live your life in such a way that you would not be afraid to sell your parrot to the town gossip" .

 Dusty

[Dharma Bum]

It's a real pleasure to follow a thread where political views are expressed in an adult fashion without any name calling, "talking points", rants, or other drivel found throughout the Interweb.  Speaks volumes to the quality of this site and it's members

[oldbike54]

It's a real pleasure to follow a thread where political views are expressed in an adult fashion without any name calling, "talking points", rants, or other drivel found throughout the Interweb.  Speaks volumes to the quality of this site and it's members

 There is a difference between identifying a political bent and discussing politics . We are mostly all friends here , and most of us know each others preferences . Still , let's do keep away from any real talk re elections or candidates , Luap is watching  Thanks .

 Dusty

[cruzziguzzi]

I think chastising anyone for integrating politics into a discussion about PHC is a non-starter. GK has used his bully pulpit for decades to advance one particular agenda and point of view as is his right. To be viewed retroactively or even contemporarily through a political lens is his own doing and I'll bet he welcomes the discussions which follow.

It's not like anyone's delving deep to find anything or over interpret like the folks who try to politicize Mr Rodgers or Bugs Bunny.

I think the loss of PHC is, in fact, best appreciated on a political level. I distinctly stood actively non-supportive if not outright opposed to the majority of what he stood for socially and yet his mastery of his media, his humanity and his decidedly non-dogmatic approach still allowed him to be a cherished source of entertainment in our household.

I NEVER want to live in a world where everyone might agree with me but I do want the opposite side represented rationally, artfully and articulately - therein lay Garrison.


Todd.

[ratguzzi]

Very well put, Todd!
JB

[fotoguzzi]

just reading this makes me salivate for some Hot Dish and jello salad with the mini marshmallows..

[LowRyter]

sorry guys but the politics is entwined with the core of Garrison's world view.  If you don't like his politics, then you really don't get the whole picture.

Now you could like John Wayne movies and not like his politics but he was no writer of philosopher.  He was just a movie actor.   No pretense of knowing anything important, just has he was no macho hero in real life.  Just an actor you like on the screen.  Not so with Garrison.

Now my wife is an English teacher.  You might recall that Garrison touts P-O-E-M (Professional Organization of English Major).  My wife being an English Teacher gets Garrison on a whole 'nother level. 

[rboe]

GK went with a gospel bent many years ago and that is when I stopped listening regularly. But it was a phase, and once it past I kinda sorta tuned in. Usually other things were going on so I typically caught it in the car.

Now it's my understanding that PHC will still be produced.

[stevet]

All good things must end.  Personally, I'm glad he's finally stepping aside.  A few years back he was putting in too much gospel and it turned me off.  In the past year or two he's been putting in mild sexual undertones (wildlife proctologist who was oblivious to his horny nurse; even Lake W. getting a bit naughty now and again) into the show, and not interesting/funny undertones, to attract... who?  And frankly, he hasn't been able to sing well in harmony, or solo, for many years.  His singing with frequent guest singer Sarah Watkins was embarrassing.  She'd have to prop him up during songs.  Listen to a show from 10-20 years ago and you'll hear the difference.  In everything.  More often than not I have to turn it off because whatever he is doing at the moment... just sounded bad.  He should have stepped aside at least 5 years ago.

This show comes from my hometown.  He should have ended it at the Fitz, not in CA.

I'm looking forward to Chris Thile taking over and making it his own show.  It will not be a rehash of PHC.  Read more about it here:
http://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/04/12/chris-thile-new-prairie-home-companion-host

Steve.

[LowRyter]

Garrison was able to blend religion, politics, patriotism, small town life (existentialism), intelligence and social commentary (from crude to tasteful) into an amusing and accurate reflection of who we are.