MY BOGGY BLOG: find your way through the murk

The Best Free Fun All Year

Today the Al Franken Show of Air America Radio came to Minneapolis for a live radio show at the Pantages Theatre. DH and I eagerly attended, with DH even getting there 3 hours early to wait in line. The show was free, but there was a $100 reception before the show where you could meet Al and have some treats. Before I got there, DH was waiting at the beginning of the line and some fellow came out of the reception and asked DH if he wanted a ticket to the reception. So DH was in the meet-and-greet, and got to shake Al's hand.

When I arrived, I was surprised to see my brother outside the doors-- he'd come to see the show, too (it's nice that someone in my extended family shares my political views!), and told me that DHwas inside already. I thought this meant that DHwas at the front of the line and was waiting inside, but he was actually at the reception. Unknowingly, I barged my way into he reception, telling those at the door that someone was waiting for me in there. I had no ticket... and didn't realize I needed one. DH was surprised that I managed it... I guess ignorance is bliss!

The show was a real hoot. Al Franken is so witty and wacky. I watched him on Saturday Night Live when it first started, back when I was about 14 and the show was considered somewhat scandalous. Of course I wanted to watch it and my parents didn't want me to, but back then I was out babysitting most Saturday nights so I watched it and loved it. Talking about SNL with friends was one of our favorite activities.

Anyway, Al was a lot of fun, and his co-host is Katherine Lanpher, who I listened to on the Mid-morning MPR show for many years. She is a great match for Al's zanyness. Guests on the show today were: Tom Davis (Al's old comedy partner), Leo Kottke (my favorite guitar player), Mpls Mayor RT Ryback, Walter Mondale, and Michael Stipe from REM. It was fun to see how they put this radio show on, and the whole audience spent a lot of time laughing and clapping and hooting and hollering.

Sigh. It was great. You had to be there...

Posted by sapphire at October 5, 2004 11:14 PM