Product Description America's foremost humorist and commentator, Garrison Keillortakes his skits and jokes, music and monologues across the country in his traveling radio show, spinning his stories into American gold. This freeform, intimate look at the private man in the public spotlight goes behind the scenes of America's most popular radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, and inside the imagination of the man who created it.Over one year of filming has resulted in an unusual portrait that cannot be defined by the standard terms of chronological biography: the subject himself is an enigma, and the fictional world he has created has become a real place in America: Lake Wobegon.A man compelled to speak for his people with humor and nostalgia, Keillor singlehandedly revived the art of live radio for generations of fans by creating an onstage world that deeply resonates with his audiences. His take on America is both pungent and poignant. In the best tradition of Will Rogers and Mark Twain, Keillor mixes storytelling and humor to give us a lighthearted but deeply felt reflection of ourselves. .com As modest, folksy, and amiable as Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion stage persona, this documentary is, like the children of his fabled creation Lake Wobegon, "above average." Broadcast on American Masters, the essential PBS biography series, this profile examines "the fortunate life" of the radio host, author, columnist, and humorist, whose iconic old-time radio show ("a museum of broadcasting," he describes it) has captivated millions of listeners for more than 35 years. Short on revelation ("He's a tough nut to crack," one staffer offers), this program instead allows Keillor to expound on why he does what he does and watches him interact with his adoring core constituency, small-town Americans whose work ethic and sense of community are virtues Keillor celebrates on the air and in his writings. The Man on the Radio meanders a bit, but the leisurely pace suits Keillor. Prairie Home Companion fans will enjoy seeing how the show is put together and putting faces to the voices in Keillor's crack ensemble (a special shout-out to the sound effects virtuosos). Keillor is a performer whose appeal crosses urban and rural as well as blue and red state lines. He offers a weekly respite from contentious (and contemptuous) commentary and political polarization, reaffirming and restoring faith in America's best instincts. "It's a great country and it wasn't made so by angry people," he states in his best "FM radio voice." The DVD extras offer some additional quality time with Keillor, including an expanded joint interview with Robert Altman, director of the fanciful star-studded Prairie Home Companion feature film; a near-40-minute master class Keillor conducted with students of the Savannah College of Art & Design in 2007; and interview outtakes. --Donald Liebenson
S**I
A DVD for all PHC addicts - white, brown, Carnatic, Country or in between.
My vintage is close to Garrison Keillor's, but I grew up some 8,500 miles away in Madras, not Minnesota. It was under very different economic, political and social circumstances. Yet there is much that I share in my values, experiences and joy of my less-than-consequential life. There are many things that I have enjoyed, regretted, emulated and aspired for but lacked the voice and eloquence to pronounce. They find expression in Keillor's tales, jokes and songs. Prairie Home Companion's ability to bridge transcultural spreads, week after week, through radio is the magic of it all. Visual input is unnecessary for this; in fact it is an impediment. It heightens my awareness that I am not a white Christian with a rural childhood; it even dilutes the commonality of virtues and values.I have always enjoyed Keillor and his creations. Since the '70s when I used to volunteer at WAMC (Albany, NY), and till now, I have admired, drawn inspiration from and laughed, often en famille, by listening to Keillor. This DVD is an extension of this enjoyment. Cheap as I am, I have never brought myself to attend his shows in person. The closest I got to was to watch it on live cam in the past and on PBS specials, and his movie "A Prairie Home Companion."This DVD is a soft, slightly disassembled, peek into Keillor explaining Keillor. It refers to his roots, his folks and his community. It ambles over to his New York days, returns to his St Paul living room and moves over to clippings from his shows. Back and forth -- disturbing continuity at times. There are jokes and songs aplenty. Sue Scott, Tom Keith, Tim Russel and Fred Newman feature prominently. Others such as Robert Altman, Jearlyn Steele and Meryl Streep walk in and out. They talk about failed predictions ("end of radio"), mutant fish-dogs, how to "be yourself," and about kindness. They dilate on such "un"contemporary virtues as "who your are is important," and an ordinary life is good enough. It is fun to hear and philosophize about these timeless anti-platitudes from Keillor et al. They seem to be so much at ease than those who preach these qualities. Nostalgic signature tunes play at various junctures. Rhubarb pies and red shoes, accents and attitudes sprinkle this American Masters Independent Television Service visual excursion. By the way, are Dusty and Lefty, our endearing cowboys, missing from this DVD?I notice that most of the cast, crew and audience are not brown like me. They share little with my childhood of Nehru's socialist India. In the 1950s joy was not a priority, more rationed and in short supply than food, foot wear and clothing. Little brown legs, instead of yellow buses, walked us to a Hindu school that imparted a liberal education emphasizing English, regional languages and Sanskrit. Our music was Carnatic and not Country, and our seasons were hot, wet and hotter. Our worship was in Temples, individualized and not structured, not organized and congregational as in Churches. They told us to be always respectful, kind, but wary, of all minorities (Muslims, Sikhs, Chinese and Anglo-Indians) in the post-partition, post-independence milieu. We looked with admiration and reverence to Britain, Soviet Union and the US., in that order at times, for acquiring "foreign" influence. Our family, tolerant Hindu liberals, taught us to admire the hard working Protestants, the ever smiling nuns and the never tiring Jesuit educators. Little surprise that I can readily see the universal appeal to tolerance, kindness and acceptance. This is the radio spell that Keillor casts every week on us. And then, of course, joy of life, something this transplant struggles to recognize.Keillor's main message is in his radio shows, but this DVD is an adjuvant that will make the message tastier. If you have seen Altman's 2006 "A Prairie Home Companion" movie you may consider this DVD an optional item.
T**Y
Wonderful DVD
This is a fascinating look at Garrison and his show in the last few years.It is amazing to see his wit and love of place come out so clearly and generously in his stories and songs.It is especially endearing to see Garrison with his young daughter, who was born when he was 55. You can see in their gentle exchanges the same kind of love and sweetness that Garrison tries to bring out in his stories.I cannot recommend this (and the other DVDs and audio CDs of Garrison's show) highly enough.There is a very good reason why the American Masters producer decided to do a show on Garrison.
M**S
Laid-back genius
As a twenty year fan of everything Keillor, this behind-the-microphone tour of a year in the life of America's most original humorist was sheer delight. He is as he seems: a congenial, humble, self-deprecating artist whose genius lies, in part, in his incredible powers of observation. One gets the feeling that every experience he has and every person he meets is grist for his hillarious skits and one-of-a-kind Lake Wobegon monologues. Like Billy Graham in the religious realm, Keiller put together a basic team early in his Prairie Home Companion career that has stayed and worked together and sustained each other for decades. He seems preeminently comfortable in his `red shoes.' Like his Lake Wobegon tapes and CD's, this is a DVD that we will watch with enjoyment over and over again.
C**R
The trajectory of a long-running radio show with an inimitable host: Garrison Keillor.
Variety--how a show is made; how it has evolved; the brains behind the show--Garrison. A rich sampling of shows and appearances and guest/artists.
A**R
I wish I had grown up in Minnesota
As they use to say about plays,"I laughed,I cried,I wish I had his life",a truly wonderful experience to see him on his travels a this great country and to see how people react to his kindness and to the show in general.I had seen the show recently in NY at Town Hall and the feeling of closeness with the general audience,sort of how life in this country use to be growing up in the 50's and 60's on Long Island in my hometown of Bethpage.As the song once played,Those were the days my friend,we wish they'd never end,this is how the Praire Home Companion experience feels....
J**N
Garrison Keillor- The Man in the Red Shoes
This is an absolutely great video on Garrison Keillor and his show Prairie Home Companion. It has humorous reflections and lots of behind the scene coverage of Garrison Keillor's daily life. He talks about his family and fans of his show. This video is a great tribute to Garrison, the people who are featured on his show and the fans of Prairie Home Companion.
G**.
Truth.
Truth.
K**N
As described
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my aunt. Item came quick and well packaged from the seller I chose. I can't really judge the content of it b/c I haven't seen it but I imagine if your a Prairie Home Companion fan, you'll enjoy this inside look at the brains of it all.
Trustpilot
5 days ago
1 week ago
