This is one of my favorite pieces of radio ever. The story is brillaint, the Goldstein read is spot on, the music is perfect. I'm trying to create a show here at KUT just so I have an excuse to air this more than once.
Wonderfully written and crafted piece that brings the Penguin and Mary Poppins to dinner. The musical backdrop combined with a fabulous script immediately brings imagery to the mind's eye, listening to this piece I felt as though I was actually seeing the story unfold. Nicely done!
Much more interesting when it's coming from the Penguin's position than my own. This kind of piece is what makes me believe that public radio can find an audience with teenagers and twenty-somethings...an funny gimmick and surface with an incredibly relatable undercurrent of a story.
This was one of the most memorable pieces included in a challenge to achieve as many stories as possible in 60 minutes of "This American Life". As a child of the 60's, I spent every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon in front of the t.v. in the family room, eager to see Batman and Robin thwart their bizzare enemies. The Penguin, though, was my clear favorite. The Joker was not funny, even to a 10-year old, the Riddler, ditto. The Penguin, he was mysterious, he was smooth, and it made you kind of sorry for him. I loved entering into the fantasy of what made him who he was, and adding Mary Poppins into the story was a bit of whacky genius. Again, playing right into the heart of my generation. The piece was delivered with hearfelt seriousness, the timing was flawless.
This is listed as a fundraising piece, which it would be perfect for. But it should be played just any ol' time. I'd love to hear it played between some classical music piece, with no introduction, no extroduction, just stuff it in their and listen.
I think Jonathan's work is excellent in general. I've heard it on TAL several times, and his pacing and writing reminds me of David Sedaris.
Delightful and wrenching (how is that possible in 3 minutes !!??) Like good writing where you find yourself pulling for the bad guy - but Goldstein doesn't let you get sloppy - suddenly you're laughing out loud, brought back to your senses (or completely out of them). I went away: the delivery, the writing,the music...
Perfect for Valentine's Day
...or Halloween
vm
This is a wonderful exercise in the meeting up of storybook characters within a historical time. The result is droll and entertaining. It is just long enough to set up the chemistry among the characters and ends before the whimsy gets tiresome. It suggests much, much more under the surface. Goldstein has a good deadpan voice for this piece, which keeps the tone ironic and intimate.
Comments for The Penguin Goes A Courtin'
Produced by Jonathan Goldstein
Other pieces by Jonathan Goldstein
Rating Summary
9 comments
Hawk Mendenhall
Posted on January 15, 2009 at 04:49 PM | Permalink
An all-time favorite
This is one of my favorite pieces of radio ever. The story is brillaint, the Goldstein read is spot on, the music is perfect. I'm trying to create a show here at KUT just so I have an excuse to air this more than once.
Vicki Goodwin
Posted on February 01, 2006 at 02:04 PM | Permalink
Review of The Penguin Goes A Courtin'
A fun and clever piece. I especially enjoyed the theme music which brought it all together.
Roslyn Allen
Posted on November 24, 2005 at 06:23 AM | Permalink
Review of The Penguin Goes A Courtin'
Wonderfully written and crafted piece that brings the Penguin and Mary Poppins to dinner. The musical backdrop combined with a fabulous script immediately brings imagery to the mind's eye, listening to this piece I felt as though I was actually seeing the story unfold. Nicely done!
Betsy Bothe
Posted on February 06, 2011 at 08:04 AM | Permalink
Hilarious, creative and cleaver radio!
LOVE this piece.. so witty and creative. Bravo Jonathan!
Kristin A. Barrick
Posted on November 22, 2004 at 01:24 PM | Permalink
Short but sweet dream of a relationship....
Much more interesting when it's coming from the Penguin's position than my own. This kind of piece is what makes me believe that public radio can find an audience with teenagers and twenty-somethings...an funny gimmick and surface with an incredibly relatable undercurrent of a story.
Karen Pride
Posted on July 13, 2004 at 06:07 PM | Permalink
Review of The Penguin Goes A Courtin'
This was one of the most memorable pieces included in a challenge to achieve as many stories as possible in 60 minutes of "This American Life". As a child of the 60's, I spent every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon in front of the t.v. in the family room, eager to see Batman and Robin thwart their bizzare enemies. The Penguin, though, was my clear favorite. The Joker was not funny, even to a 10-year old, the Riddler, ditto. The Penguin, he was mysterious, he was smooth, and it made you kind of sorry for him. I loved entering into the fantasy of what made him who he was, and adding Mary Poppins into the story was a bit of whacky genius. Again, playing right into the heart of my generation. The piece was delivered with hearfelt seriousness, the timing was flawless.
Hans Anderson
Posted on May 19, 2004 at 09:35 AM | Permalink
Review of The Penguin Goes A Courtin'
I think Jonathan's work is excellent in general. I've heard it on TAL several times, and his pacing and writing reminds me of David Sedaris.
Transom Editors
Posted on February 05, 2004 at 10:25 AM | Permalink
Review of The Penguin Goes A Courtin'
Delightful and wrenching (how is that possible in 3 minutes !!??) Like good writing where you find yourself pulling for the bad guy - but Goldstein doesn't let you get sloppy - suddenly you're laughing out loud, brought back to your senses (or completely out of them). I went away: the delivery, the writing,the music...
Perfect for Valentine's Day
...or Halloween
vm
Susan Barrett Price
Posted on February 05, 2004 at 05:33 AM | Permalink
Review of The Penguin Goes A Courtin'
This is a wonderful exercise in the meeting up of storybook characters within a historical time. The result is droll and entertaining. It is just long enough to set up the chemistry among the characters and ends before the whimsy gets tiresome. It suggests much, much more under the surface. Goldstein has a good deadpan voice for this piece, which keeps the tone ironic and intimate.