"When a radio comedian's program is finally finished it slinks down Memory Lane into the limbo of yesterday's happy hours." So said the most brilliant comedian in old-time radio, Fred Allen, in his 1955 memoir. In this special solo documentary episode, Will considers the legacy of the pioneering comedian who is all but forgotten today, and considers how yesterday's cutting-edge can be invisible to contemporary eyes.
Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus
Episodes of Fred Allen's show - https://archive.org/details/townhalltonight1938060871musicpublisherneedsatune
A podcast featuring audio recording of a Jack Benny rehearsal - https://jackbennypodcast.libsyn.com/rehearsal-with-kids-bonus
"FRED ALLEN CENSORED; Cut Off the Air for 25 Seconds in Dispute Over Script," a 1947 report in the New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/1947/04/21/archives/fred-allen-censored-cut-off-the-air-for-25-seconds-in-dispute-over.html
A collection of reportage about the censorship incident- https://tralfaz.blogspot.com/2012/10/fred-allen-1-nbc-0.html
-------- Â
41:51
--------
41:51
#663 - A Nice, Chill Episode
The boys enjoy a nice, casual conversation like friends sometimes have - and invite you along to join! Topics discussed include Trump on the cover of Time Magazine, Bari Weiss at CBS, Justin Trudeau's love life, and films we've been watching.
Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus
-------- Â
58:41
--------
58:41
#662 - Essential Paragraphs
On this very special episode, we share some of the most important individual paragraphs of writing in our lives - paragraphs that have planted acorns in our brains that have grown over time into mighty oaks. We revisit Thomas Mann, Christopher Hitchens, Jean-Luc Godard, and other luminaries. PLUS: Checking in on Bari Weiss at CBS.
Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus
Our classic Leonard Cohen episode - https://www.patreon.com/posts/186-new-skin-for-44083560
Past Essential Paragraphs discussions:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-essential-28574337
https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-essential-36315183
The tweet that Luke cites in the opening discussion - https://x.com/mattpolprof/status/1976069728541245770
-------- Â
1:10:11
--------
1:10:11
PREVIEW - #661 - Our Elections are the Envy of the World (Newsroom Part 18)
We finally reach the end of Season Two of Aaron Sorkin's THE NEWSROOM. The two-parter finale ELECTION NIGHT PART I and II sends us on a nostalgic reverie back to the 2012 - the last election before everything changed. PLUS: Government shutdowns and Kamala Harris's memoir.
PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/661-our-are-envy-140674442
-------- Â
5:34
--------
5:34
#660 - Missed Connections
Sitting in New York, not much happening. Sitting in Cleveland, not much happening. How about we go to Florida? We discuss Jim Jarmusch's breakout film STRANGER THAN PARADISE (1984), a film that heroically swan against the current of Reagan-era culture and politics.
Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus
OTTAWA - See Luke take part in a live podcast recording at Press Forward's Future of Independent Media Summit on Friday, October 3 - https://press-forward.ca/introducing-the-2025-future-of-independent-media-summit-in-ottawa/
NEW YORK - See Will present Plan 9 from Outer Space and sign copies of his book Ed Wood: Made in Hollywood USA at Metrograph on Thursday, October 9 - https://metrograph.com/film/?vista_film_id=9999004527
" 'Protect Empathy at All Costs. And Live Groovy Lives.' An Interview with Jim Jarmusch" by Bilge Ebiri - https://www.vulture.com/article/jim-jarmusch-father-mother-sister-brother-interview.html
A podcast about culture, politics, and our crumbling world. Hosted by Luke Savage and Will Sloan.
Exclusive subscriber-only episodes: https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus/overview
Ireland