I'm sorry, but is there a reason why this piece is the first thing you see when you access PRX.org? It's rather semi-amusing, but not that funny. I've minimized my PRX shortcut to a Herve Villechaize sized window where I can just see "Pieces" and "Reviews" so I can avoid Phone Call To The 14th Century, but after a piece is over, I click on Pieces, & there it is again. Oh, well, it could be worse, I guess. The graphic could have P. Hilton on it.
Random is Good. And this is a provocative, thoughtful piece as well. Laughing heartily. As a history teacher, this is my cup of meat. Very handsomely produced.
Wow, this is funny. I've found it difficult to find sketch-comedy on public radio that really makes me laugh, but this piece did it. You wouldn't describe this piece as "subtle", but its strength lies in the seemingly throw-away nature of some of the lines. And, of course, the idea itself is a great place to start. This piece strikes the right tone and rhythm, and -- as another reviewer mentioned -- the length fits the content.
[redacted]
Posted on January 03, 2007 at 05:02 PM
| Permalink
I rarely laugh out loud at comedy on the radio. I often find it more embarrasing than it is humorous. But this piece got me giggling. Great concept, well written, with some very nice performances...it shows how good comedy on the radio can be.
This is better than many Saturday-Night-Live skits. The length of the piece seems to fit, too. It doesn't try to drag five minutes of humor out into a ten-minute piece.
"Same planet, different century." Goofiness of the finest kind as "contestants" try to win a million bucks by sending useful information back to the 14th century?by telephone. Genetically linked to Monty Python's "Summarize Proust Competition," Kasper Hauser's "Phone Call to the 14th Century" is a clever collision of sketchy history and woefully good intentions set in a premise that's completely reasonable, but makes no sense whatsoever; my kind of comedy. Witty, well-produced, programmable anywhere, anytime. This would be an enjoyable break in anyone?s day.
This piece has everything a public radio listener requires: humor, information, and inventiveness in its presentation. Imagine you are stalled in traffic, stewing because your life is one long traffic jam. But you're tuned to your local public radio station so at least you are being informed and entertained. At five minutes before the top of the hour out of the radio comes lots of brass, applause, and the words, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to America's favorite game show. It's time to make your phone call to the 14th century." Three contestants have 30 seconds to impart important information to the inhabitants of the 14th century. A satirical spoof on game shows, this piece is funny and in its own quirky way, thoughtful. Now you can sit in traffic and think, "If I could make a 30 second phone call to the 14th century, what would I say them?" And that is what public radio does -- it makes you think.
Comments for Kasper Hauser: Phone Call to the 14th Century
This piece belongs to the series "Comedy From Kasper Hauser"
Produced by Jesse Thorn
Other pieces by Jesse Thorn
Rating Summary
9 comments
Marty Corey
Posted on May 19, 2007 at 07:33 PM | Permalink
Review of Kasper Hauser: Phone Call to the 14th Century
I'm sorry, but is there a reason why this piece is the first thing you see when you access PRX.org? It's rather semi-amusing, but not that funny. I've minimized my PRX shortcut to a Herve Villechaize sized window where I can just see "Pieces" and "Reviews" so I can avoid Phone Call To The 14th Century, but after a piece is over, I click on Pieces, & there it is again. Oh, well, it could be worse, I guess. The graphic could have P. Hilton on it.
robert trudeau
Posted on May 13, 2007 at 02:27 AM | Permalink
Review of Kasper Hauser: Phone Call to the 14th Century
Random is Good. And this is a provocative, thoughtful piece as well. Laughing heartily. As a history teacher, this is my cup of meat. Very handsomely produced.
J.D. Hillard
Posted on April 24, 2007 at 02:46 PM | Permalink
Review of Kasper Hauser: Phone Call to the 14th Century
Surprisingly funny. The piece had this producer laughing loudly.
andrew walsh
Posted on February 19, 2007 at 02:52 AM | Permalink
Review of Kasper Hauser: Phone Call to the 14th Century
Wow, this is funny. I've found it difficult to find sketch-comedy on public radio that really makes me laugh, but this piece did it. You wouldn't describe this piece as "subtle", but its strength lies in the seemingly throw-away nature of some of the lines. And, of course, the idea itself is a great place to start. This piece strikes the right tone and rhythm, and -- as another reviewer mentioned -- the length fits the content.
[redacted]
Posted on January 03, 2007 at 05:02 PM | Permalink
Review of Kasper Hauser: Phone Call to the 14th Century
Very funny - smart, well-performed and well-written. Interesting concept executed with great aplomb. If I may use the word "aplomb." Thank you.
[redacted]
Posted on December 28, 2006 at 06:09 AM | Permalink
Review of Kasper Hauser: Phone Call to the 14th Century
I rarely laugh out loud at comedy on the radio. I often find it more embarrasing than it is humorous. But this piece got me giggling. Great concept, well written, with some very nice performances...it shows how good comedy on the radio can be.
Paul Blanchard
Posted on November 28, 2006 at 04:45 PM | Permalink
Review of Kasper Hauser: Phone Call to the 14th Century
This is better than many Saturday-Night-Live skits. The length of the piece seems to fit, too. It doesn't try to drag five minutes of humor out into a ten-minute piece.
Joseph Dougherty
Posted on November 06, 2006 at 03:35 PM | Permalink
Review of Kasper Hauser: Phone Call to the 14th Century
"Same planet, different century." Goofiness of the finest kind as "contestants" try to win a million bucks by sending useful information back to the 14th century?by telephone. Genetically linked to Monty Python's "Summarize Proust Competition," Kasper Hauser's "Phone Call to the 14th Century" is a clever collision of sketchy history and woefully good intentions set in a premise that's completely reasonable, but makes no sense whatsoever; my kind of comedy. Witty, well-produced, programmable anywhere, anytime. This would be an enjoyable break in anyone?s day.
Deborah Astley
Posted on October 25, 2006 at 07:37 AM | Permalink
Review of Kasper Hauser: Phone Call to the 14th Century
This piece has everything a public radio listener requires: humor, information, and inventiveness in its presentation. Imagine you are stalled in traffic, stewing because your life is one long traffic jam. But you're tuned to your local public radio station so at least you are being informed and entertained. At five minutes before the top of the hour out of the radio comes lots of brass, applause, and the words, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to America's favorite game show. It's time to make your phone call to the 14th century." Three contestants have 30 seconds to impart important information to the inhabitants of the 14th century. A satirical spoof on game shows, this piece is funny and in its own quirky way, thoughtful. Now you can sit in traffic and think, "If I could make a 30 second phone call to the 14th century, what would I say them?" And that is what public radio does -- it makes you think.