I did my semi-weekly check of The Onion, and once more it's chock full of Bush abuse news briefs. This time they put out two since I last read it. What are they trying to say? What is their larger satirical point?
Bush's Eyelid Accidentally Nailed To Wall (8 December 2008)
Bush Dragged Behind Presidential Motorcade For 26 Blocks (4 December 2008)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
I [heart] This American Life
As you may or may not know, I am an avid fan of Chicago Public Radio's This American Life. This show has such a talent base which it draws from, running from David Sedaris, to Sarah Vowell, to John Hodgman, and on to other extremely talented individuals.
And the work they do is simply superb. They capture facets of life that are either so visible that we tend to ignore them as a simple and familiar part of the landscape or which are so subtle that we tend to just not notice them. One of my favorite episodes is What I Learned from Television. But just two weeks ago they featured a rebroadcast of a very early program from 1998 about music lessons, which very nearly supplanted the TV episode:
This American Life #104: Music Lessons
Not only did we get both David Sedaris and Sarah Vowell recounting humorous anecdotes and "lessons" learned in music lessons, but we got a truly poignant story from Anne Lamott. Her story in Act Three falls at the intersection of faith and music, and the little miracles that happen at that strange and wonderful crossroads. Both times that I've listened to it now, I have wept. It is a wonderful story. As much as I enjoy Sedaris and Vowell, if you've a chance only to listen to one of the three acts, make it the last, "Act Three. Knockin' on Heaven's Door."
(Also, if you enjoy this bit of This American Life, try out the episode from last week, their annual Poultry Slam. Another great episode.)
And the work they do is simply superb. They capture facets of life that are either so visible that we tend to ignore them as a simple and familiar part of the landscape or which are so subtle that we tend to just not notice them. One of my favorite episodes is What I Learned from Television. But just two weeks ago they featured a rebroadcast of a very early program from 1998 about music lessons, which very nearly supplanted the TV episode:
This American Life #104: Music Lessons
Not only did we get both David Sedaris and Sarah Vowell recounting humorous anecdotes and "lessons" learned in music lessons, but we got a truly poignant story from Anne Lamott. Her story in Act Three falls at the intersection of faith and music, and the little miracles that happen at that strange and wonderful crossroads. Both times that I've listened to it now, I have wept. It is a wonderful story. As much as I enjoy Sedaris and Vowell, if you've a chance only to listen to one of the three acts, make it the last, "Act Three. Knockin' on Heaven's Door."
(Also, if you enjoy this bit of This American Life, try out the episode from last week, their annual Poultry Slam. Another great episode.)
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Onion Continues Bush Abuse
They've got one more story up in a nearly identical format. Similar topic, similar ending similar length. What gives? I blogged about this a while ago, as you may remember. Anyhow, without further ado, here's the link to the new story:
Bush Passes Three-Pound Kidney Stone (28 November 2008)
Bush Passes Three-Pound Kidney Stone (28 November 2008)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
