Say It Ain't So, Garrison
We saw him last night at SOPAC. There was a significant amount of sexual content and anti PC sentiment, including an at least half serious defense of Al Franken. I noticed that in recent years, he has gone out of his way to emphasize that he is not ashamed about matters sexual despite PHC's theme of Lutheran sexual shame and blandness etc. It's very sad though. He's really aged. Sharp mentally but obviously slower and tentative physically. He's 75 and had a TIA not too many years ago. I don't know how long he will be around.
He retired from PHC but still performs and probably licenses the show to public radio.
He was fired by Minnesota Public Radio, where he still produced The Writers' Almanac and did intros for classic PHC re-runs.
bub said:
We saw him last night at SOPAC. There was a significant amount of sexual content and anti PC sentiment, including an at least half serious defense of Al Franken. I noticed that in recent years, he has gone out of his way to emphasize that he is not ashamed about matters sexual despite PHC's theme of Lutheran sexual shame and blandness etc. It's very sad though. He's really aged. Sharp mentally but obviously slower and tentative physically. He's 75 and had a TIA not too many years ago. I don't know how long he will be around.
Last night's show was unsettling to me in a couple of ways. Early on, was a song by Robin and Linda. It was "light" but also sentimental and touching. A couple in front of me were obviously enjoying the song and looking fondly at each other, holding hands, while it was being sung. Immediately after, Garrison began a monologue about ending in bed with someone and exploring her intimate parts. It took away the mood.
A couple of other segments of the show were also a bit too far. I am not put off by a performer using a few off color words (as during Elaine Stritch's show). I've seen two of Garrison's Rhubarb shows and I was not disappointed with those. Last night was different. Reference to hsitting one's pants was included. Plus a couple of other references.
During several times in the show, he seemed, out of it. Sometimes engaged, other times, he seemed somewhere else. Maybe that was because of the newsflash today.
btw, he's the main story here but Robin and Linda Williams were and are terrific. They kept the show centered.
Whatever he did, whatever has happened to him, I think of him as a national treasure.
Formerlyjerseyjack said:
bub said:
We saw him last night at SOPAC. There was a significant amount of sexual content and anti PC sentiment, including an at least half serious defense of Al Franken. I noticed that in recent years, he has gone out of his way to emphasize that he is not ashamed about matters sexual despite PHC's theme of Lutheran sexual shame and blandness etc. It's very sad though. He's really aged. Sharp mentally but obviously slower and tentative physically. He's 75 and had a TIA not too many years ago. I don't know how long he will be around.
Last night's show was unsettling to me in a couple of ways. Early on, was a song by Robin and Linda. It was "light" but also sentimental and touching. A couple in front of me were obviously enjoying the song and looking fondly at each other, holding hands, while it was being sung. Immediately after, Garrison began a monologue about ending in bed with someone and exploring her intimate parts. It took away the mood.
A couple of other segments of the show were also a bit too far. I am not put off by a performer using a few off color words (as during Elaine Stritch's show). I've seen two of Garrison's Rhubarb shows and I was not disappointed with those. Last night was different. Reference to hsitting one's pants was included. Plus a couple of other references.
During several times in the show, he seemed, out of it. Sometimes engaged, other times, he seemed somewhere else. Maybe that was because of the newsflash today.
I tired of his boring, redundant pandering to MOR Public Radio contributors long ago. He (and the show) lost his edge and wit years ago. I haven't heard it with the new host and I'm not interested. That show stays on the air for the same reason Jonathan Schwartz does. It attracts white upper-middle class urban contributors.
Don't know how many people of color he has as fans, but I am one. I've been listening to PHC for many, many years. It's comforting and cozy and funny and yeah, a bit corny but it's a wonderful show. I'm a really disappointed by this news. My friend sent this to me earlier:
https://apnews.com/a471efc6700f406c9d8ac2e5037cfe9b
I suspect he wouldn't have tried any harassment in Lake Wobegon, "where all the women are strong".
Now this is upsetting
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/11/29/567241644/garrison-keillor-accused-of-inappropriate-behavior-minnesota-public-radio-says