The school where I work is a little over 25 miles from where I live and I have to take the 405 freeway to get there. For those who live outside of Southern California, that might not mean much to you. But if you have ever experienced the 405 freeway between the hours of 5am and 11pm, you know it is a place where dreams, optimism and rainbows go to die (I kid you not, I swear I've seen unicorn roadkill on the 405)*.
For a long time, to soothe the savage beast, I would listen to NPR on my drive until I realized the world is, for the most part, depressing (see, I told you the 405 is brutal). And while Spotify and I are such close friends I sent it a Christmas card this year, I really spend most of my time listening to podcasts.
Besides free music and real live books, I also love guilty pleasures and one of my most guiltiest of pleasures is bad television. Which is why the podcast "Go Bayside!" is my current obsession. "Go Bayside" is comic April Richardson's episode-by-episode breakdown and analysis of that early 90's amazing ode to high school hijinks, "Saved By The Bell". She has a podcast for all 80+ episodes of the series and she is a superfan! She always invites a friend, usually another comedian, to break down the episode with her. Admittedly, if you don't have any experience with the show and/or a slight affection for comedy so broad and unrealistic it makes Looney Tunes cartoons look like Maus, then this podcast might not be for you. But for me and my commute, it has been a godsend.
Listening, I'm continually struck by how April and her co-hosts can bring an entire episode of television alive without the listener actually seeing the episode for him or herself. (For legal reasons, April does not play the episode but simply gives a brief synopsis at the beginning. Listeners are also encouraged to watch on their own, as the entire series is available on Netflix.) I find myself making my own connections and doing my own analysis along the way. Lately I've been thinking about ways I might be able to have students create short podcasts as a new tool for analysis. If they have to say what they think and do it in an entertaining way that engages a listener, does this add a new layer of understanding to the text? What might be the logistical obstacles to an assignment such of this one? How would it differ from them simply writing a blog or making a short YouTube video? I don't have the answers but I certainly feel it is worth exploring.
Finally, for your viewing pleasure, click here to watch the opening credits of "Saved By The Bell", which is like a masterclass in the use of 90's clip art.
*No rainbows or unicorns were actually harmed in the creation of this blog post.
For a long time, to soothe the savage beast, I would listen to NPR on my drive until I realized the world is, for the most part, depressing (see, I told you the 405 is brutal). And while Spotify and I are such close friends I sent it a Christmas card this year, I really spend most of my time listening to podcasts.
Besides free music and real live books, I also love guilty pleasures and one of my most guiltiest of pleasures is bad television. Which is why the podcast "Go Bayside!" is my current obsession. "Go Bayside" is comic April Richardson's episode-by-episode breakdown and analysis of that early 90's amazing ode to high school hijinks, "Saved By The Bell". She has a podcast for all 80+ episodes of the series and she is a superfan! She always invites a friend, usually another comedian, to break down the episode with her. Admittedly, if you don't have any experience with the show and/or a slight affection for comedy so broad and unrealistic it makes Looney Tunes cartoons look like Maus, then this podcast might not be for you. But for me and my commute, it has been a godsend.
If you also think the early 90's were the apex of high fashion, you will not be disappointed...
Listening, I'm continually struck by how April and her co-hosts can bring an entire episode of television alive without the listener actually seeing the episode for him or herself. (For legal reasons, April does not play the episode but simply gives a brief synopsis at the beginning. Listeners are also encouraged to watch on their own, as the entire series is available on Netflix.) I find myself making my own connections and doing my own analysis along the way. Lately I've been thinking about ways I might be able to have students create short podcasts as a new tool for analysis. If they have to say what they think and do it in an entertaining way that engages a listener, does this add a new layer of understanding to the text? What might be the logistical obstacles to an assignment such of this one? How would it differ from them simply writing a blog or making a short YouTube video? I don't have the answers but I certainly feel it is worth exploring.
Finally, for your viewing pleasure, click here to watch the opening credits of "Saved By The Bell", which is like a masterclass in the use of 90's clip art.
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