America’s foremost humorist and social pundit, Garrison Keillor takes his skits and monologues across the country in his popular radio show, A Prairie Home Companion. American Masters trails this yarn-smith and his crew of actors and musicians as they spin stories and song into American gold in Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes, premiering nationally Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 8 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings). DVD with additional features will be released by Docurama Films on July 7th.
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Through the course of a year, an intimate lens captures Keillor on- and off- stage as he mingles fact and fiction to create America’s collective hometown, Lake Wobegon, on a radio program that carries bona-fide nostalgia. The result is a fascinating inside look at the enigmatic raconteur and how the imaginary world he created became a real place in America.
“Keillor is an American institution,” says Susan Lacy, creator and executive producer of American Masters, a six-time winner of the Emmy Award for Outstanding Primetime Non-Fiction Series. “His stories of Lake Wobegon speak to our inherent patriotism and bring back memories of a simpler time.”
On A Prairie Home Companion, Keillor’s running commentary about the human condition has the uncanny ability to home in on the pulse of America. Inventing his own brand of quirky small town stories and everyday characters, mixed with a witty dose of social politics and philosophy, Keillor relates a deeply felt reflection of ourselves, somehow familiar to us all.
“His writing is never from an elevated space, so he connects with his audience,” said Peabody and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Rosen. “But the production value of his show is highly elevated, and the novelty for viewers of this film will be to see how the magic happens.”
An author with more than 20 books to his credit and a syndicated weekly column, Keillor is also a highly sought after speaker and lecturer. He is credited with reviving the virtually lost art of live radio entertainment in America; his weekly radio show, started in 1974, has more than 4 million listeners and is broadcast on 590 stations. Keillor and his characters leapt onto the big screen and an even wider global audience in Robert Altman’s 20o6 film, A Prairie Home Companion.
Keillor’s down-home commentary and love of heartland America, have made him into an “everyman philosopher.” His highly entertaining radio show is written with a poet’s heart. While comparisons will be made between him and America’s great humorists and essayist – from H. L. Mencken to Mark Twain, from James Thurber, Robert Frost and Will Rogers – Garrison Keillor is unique. In this untraditional biography, we begin to see how and why.
Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio In The Red Shoes is a co-production of Peter Rosen Productions, Inc., THIRTEEN’S American Masters for WNET.ORG and ITVS. The film is produced and directed by Peter Rosen and written by Sara Lukinson, based on the monologues of Garrison Keillor. Executive Producers are Susan Lacy and Sally Jo Fifer. Sally Jo Fifer is Executive Producer of ITVS. Susan Lacy is the creator and Executive Producer of American Masters.
American Masters is produced for PBS by THIRTEEN. To take American Masters beyond the television broadcast and further explore the themes, stories, and personalities of masters past and present, the companion Web site offers interviews, essays, photographs, outtakes, and other resources. American Masters is made possible by the support of the National Endowment for the Arts and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding for American Masters is provided by Rosalind P. Walter, The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation, Jack Rudin, The André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, and public television viewers.
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If there were no Sue Scott, there would not be a PHC.
Thanks for this marvelous gift yet to come. It’s been
expected with great enthusiasm already for I truly cherish this fabulous man and his work, introduced to me at random one pleasant Saturday afternoon when the tunning of the radio granted an espectacular experience: being so close drawn into the world of
prose, music, poetry and humor that Mr. Keillor has to offer generously.
I’m one of those people (or maybe the only person) who plans their weekend around the show. The skits, the monologues, the music are riveting and captivate me each time I listen, which I’ve done since 1979. I even have a scrapbook about the show; go to Wolf Trap every year to see the show live; went on one of the cruises; and even ventured to St. Paul in February 2002 for the Wobegon Weekend Getaway. I was one of 300 people on the weekend. The only qualification for attending was that you could not be from Minnesota because they “wanted you to know what cold really is.” Strangely enough, it was kind of warm that weekend. I guess the cast was disappointed that we didn’t get to know what cold really was.
Back in the eighties… I was visiting a friend of mine living in Minnesota; He said I should listen to the show feeling sure I should enjoy the program. Well He tried to tell me what it was about but felt He coldn’t do it justice, and He was right. I went from laughter to tears,. and absolute wonder at the imagination, talent and depth of this Man, so original in His approach to the human condition which we could somehow all relate to and maybe even wish we were a part of, and of course we were because of Mr. Keilor.
I see what you are saying, CV, but I also have to say that could be said of a lot of the people on PHC besides Garrison. Would it really be PHC without Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band?
To me, that group has become so interwoven that any of them leaving would be a huge loss.
In 1975 a friend convinced us to listen to PHC. Over the years it has been there and is part of many memories for both me, my late husband and son. The friends that seem to stick over the years also listen. Can any one forget “Bertha’s Kitty Boutique in the Dales” or the comercial for Chicken Feather house siding. What a mind. What a way of drawing you in. The whole show should receive many awards.
What a great Independence Week choice for the American Masters PBS program.*** He truly is “an American institution” and better than his forerunners Mark Twain and William Rogers and so many others! Sophisticated Americana may seem an oxymoron, but our Garrison carries the day! Ya gotta love him & his Prairie Home Companion crew and land! :D
Someday, if there is any justice in this world, Garrison Keillor has GOT to convince Bob Dylan to be on PHC.
A few things that stand out to me (I’ll try to keep it short), the early Guy Noir (how he got himself shot week after week over the smallest things, Billy Collins reading his poetry, The News from Lake Wobegon (of course), Al Franken’s comment (if you’ve been in the desert on a horse with no name. You name the horse), Tom Keith (of course). Then there’s the 95 theses (you know what I’m talking about).
More recently, Keillor helped me indirectly with two of my poems, with his comments about Sylvia Plath in the introduction of Good Poems. I suppose that’s the last thing about hom that stands out to me. Is his love for poetry, as a poet myself that means the world to me. There’s more I could say, but I promised to keep it short.
He’s as extraordinary as extraordinary gets!
Saw him at the Fox in Atlanta as a birthday
gift. Totally convinced me his world inside
is matchless entertainment you’ll savor.
Said his hometown’s so poor….”their rainbows
come out in black & white.”(A yearly rare jokes
show brings verbiage that’s true Americana. Don’t
miss this imaginary, genuine treasure of wit.)
His eventual whereabouts: St. Peter’s auditorium.
I met him briefly in a tiny local bookstore in Fargo, ND many years ago. His show is named after a local Moorhead, MN cemetery (Prairie Home Cemetery). His childhood religious faith is one I grew up around (but not in) – many Brethren live where I’m from. He is the voice of my hometown, my Minnesota, but I am happy that others around the world can identify with his many universal stories…
I’ve been a fan since GK started the show in 1974 at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN (another mythical town near Lake Woebegon). Some students didn’t know what to make of the dark-bearded, lanky guy on the stage of the college’s Main Auditorium. I liked the show and the poems Keillor submitted to the college literary magazine, but had no idea this character would become an “American Master.”
[...] GARRISON KEILLOR: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes airs tonight at 8:00 PM on American Masters on PBS (check local listings) [...]
[...] Michael Patrick Brady Publications | About | Blog | Contact 07.01.09 | Subscribe to Main Feed | Return to Home Page Being an English major prepares you for impersonating authority –Garrison Keillor [...]
I am a loyal listener to The Prairie Home Companion. As an English major myself and a librarian, I love the slice of Americana that Garrison shares with us through his program. I look forward to hearing him. I thoroughly enjoyed the American Masters program. Thanks for the treat!
I have been a fan of PHC since I was a teenager in the late 70’s because my parents listened to it. Now my teenage son listens in too and he enjoys the show and laughs just like I did as his age. I got a chance to see a live show in LA and it was wonderful. What a gift this show is to the whole family
My mother comes from Lanesboro, featured in this program. They interviewed my mothers cousins on the show as well. Brought back great memories. Keep it up!
I am a huge fan. What a great American spirit, is Garrison Keillor. How empty my weeks would be without A Prairie Home Companion. Like Norman Rockwell, he makes me appreciate the beauty of America and her people. He is an artist in words and music and theatre. I am so grateful, GK, for all you say and do. You ARE an American Master. Thank you!
After reading the other comments all I can say is ditto, Gk brings happy tears to my eyes.
My husband and I are fans of Garrison and his radio show. Your show on PBS tonight was great.
An absolute, fantastic one hour and a half! We first saw Garrison Keillor when he performed in Melbourne, FL this past winter; but that show did not really show how great an “American Master” he truly is. Bravo!!
?Bravo for the holiday show. Three Kleenex,just like the movie.
What a nice surprise to run into this American Masters program tonight. I’ve seen GK do the show “live” three times. I say “live” because one of the shows (Cincinnati River Bend Music Center-June 2009) was taped on a Friday night and aired the next night. If you like APHC, make a point of seeing the show live at least once. It’s a terrific experience.
Garrison Keillor is both an American Master and an American Treasure. His humility, intelligence, and kindness are evident in every performance. I saw him open the show in Cleveland by walking uphill away from the stage through several thousand people while singing and then retrace his steps. As he re-entered the stage, the live show began. It was incredible and so is he.
SWEET!!! Just saw this on TPT2 (Minneapolis-St, Paul)… ;o)
If it is possible could I get the title of Meryl’s poem.What I learned from my mother.
(GNPE is my ‘real’ online name, for other than here)
Gary’s quote about Kindness should be memorialized for posterity, it was Timeless and Classic in impact.
when I get it ‘exactly’ from the producer, I’ll post it.
GK has placed himself, along with his humor and his simple humility alongside other Greats of American Culture: Studs Terkel, Casey Stengel, et al.
As current events are the rudder of our lives, people like GK are the keel of the ship.
I would like to know what radio station PHC is on Saturday, I listened to it for years but have lost my way. It was wonderful to see him and his crew tonight on KCET.
Fabulous! Left me in tears for my home in Minnesota. 50th Edina High School reunion in October. Thank you.
Good Lord, I just got done viewing the PBS show about Garrison. I have been a fan from his early days and during this PBS they was portions of the show shot in Lanesboro, MN that was only about 10 miles away from where I was born and grew up. They showed the Union Prairie Church in a couple of shots during that portion of the show and my ancestors when they first came to MN from Norway settled near there and went to church and are buried there. So when I hear Garrison go into his narratives about Norwegian bachelor farmers and other characters from Lake Wobegone I know what exactly he is talking about. While his characters are universal in many senses I feel a special kinship to the world that he portrays in his stories. Thank you Garrison.
I stumbled across TGCRS on the BBC some years ago, and couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing. It became my weekly private indulgence. It took me back to being that schoolboy riffling through my favourite comic on a saturday morning.
This is the best thing I have seen and heard in a long time. Great film edditing! Mr. Keillor has a bad rap in my state of the heart: Minnesota. He is a pretty amazing and positive guy. I am glad he was brave and generous enough to do this. Smart Guy. Great film editing too!!!
BLEH. Cannot STAND Prairie Home Companion. HATE IT, HATE IT, HATE IT! So disgustingly stodgy that I literally become depressed when I hear the show. Love the writer’s almanac but I just can’t stomach his show. ESPECIALLY THE MUSIC. It’s bad enough to have them hijack 91.1 but do they really have to hand over 99.5 AS WELL?! I just turn the radio off when it’s on…
Check your Barndoor GK
He is brilliant and the definition of an “American Master”. Love the show when I find the time to catch it. When I do, I wonder why I don’t MAKE the time to catch it!
I have had the pleasure of attending two live broadcasts of “PHC.” Some years back, Keillor & Co. invaded Miami Beach and the Gleason Theatre there and a few years later, the Bayfront Park Amphitheater in downtown Miami. I was enthralled with Keillor’s tales and life philosophy, and this docu did not disappoint. I hope it airs again soon.
I have enjoyed GK, for many years,began to listen to his show from St.Palu on local PBS Station in New Bern,NC. in the 70’s. Saw his PBS Show last evening on WUNC-TV Jacksonville,NC, A wonder review of his past, and such a WARM person, as we all know him. Enjoyed recent movie (last year) Also. Would love to Fly up to Minn to see him in person. Am Sincere appreciative for provinding wonderful programming all this years.
Wow! When it comes to a great enthustiastic philosopher such as Garrison Keillor. No I have never ever heard of this man until late last night into the wee hours of the morning. I decided to turn my tv back on after rolling out of a slight sleep. I began watching out of curiosity then I became more alert. I am only intrigued when the entertainment peaks my level of curiosity. He did just that. What a great story tellor. I enjoyed the part where he stated that he was a great lier. I am paraphrasing his word. When he talked about himself lying that really awaken my mind to get up and see who was being as honest as he was about his fiction and none- fiction story telling late in the midnight hour. You guys could not have chosen a better character then Garrison Keillor last night into the morning. Thank you American Masters Producors and writers for selecting Garrison this morning…God bless you all for your choice of American Masters even the ones that I have never heard of and now that I was awaken by God so that I can become familiar with Garrison Keilor. Very humble man from what I saw on tv. He walked right in the rain to be with the people and got wet just like the people did. What a great character dropping image for the people. Wow! God bless Garrison and those who love like him when it comes to what I saw on tv last no this morning….Peaceee…..and thanks for reading my words…..ShaLav
Love his work. Hope it will be on again as had to work for both of these showings. I’ve only heard him on the radio looking foreward to seeing all the wonderful illusions he makes.
This was a really terrific show and I hope you will be showing it again!
I disagree with those who credit the cast with Garrison Keillor’s successful broadcast. I have been listening since the eighties, and have to say that it is his stories that are the centerpiece of the show. His portrayal of the people of Lake Wobegon is a universe unto itself–subtle, convincing, humorous–an experience that is thoroughly american, thoroughly heartland. Garrison Keillor is our storyteller laureate.
What a wonderful show about a very gifted writer and entertainer. The only objection I had to it was the all-too-facile patriotism at the end, and the assertion (poorly paraphrased here) that “angry” Americans never accomplished anything. Well, I suppose those angry Americans who revised America’s racist past might object to that. Or those that angrily fought for women’s rights, the end to the Vietnam War and the Iraq war, worker’s rights, and on and on. In fact, you could make a good argument that America would not be America without the efforts of some damned angry people who weren’t about to just sing in the rain.
Nonetheless, a delightful show. Many thanks for bringing it to us.
I saw the movie last night, and it was fabulous. It was thoroughly enjoyable and interesting.
I saw the film at a screening in Madison and I saw it on TV last night and the television viewing was short by five minutes. It was only 85 minutes!
I lived in Minnesota for five years. Listening to the show every week brings me joy. I have my 15 year old daughter hooked as well. I ran to see the movie when it was out. BTW, I am an African-American born and raised in Detroit. Keillor has a way of reaching everyone.
Loved the show. Garrison and I are contemporaries. I was at the U of M from 63 to 66 and worked on the Minn Daily. Grew up in my own “Lake Wobegon” near Moorhead. Only thing I would have liked to have seen was more about his son, Jason, who was totally left out of the show.
I’ve been a huge fan of GK and PHC for many years and this summer finally got a chance to see the show live at Tanglewood. After the show is over, he keeps going, leading the audience in sing-a-longs for over an hour. After that, he had a meet and greet, it was so amazing that he had the stamina and graciousness to keep going long after the show. We are so blessed to have this man in our lives
PHC is REAL AMERICA! Here in Atlanta (on WABE-FM) I get to listen twice . . . Sat. night & Sun. morning. I love the sing-alongs and everything else about the show. You are all great . . . keep it up!
I’ve been an avid fan of PHC since it started in ‘74, and followed it as I moved from Iowa City to Des Moines and finally to Phoenix, where it took a while to get here. Those years of hearing Garrison’s talks and coming to know the inhabitants of Lake Wobegon have helped me to understand and then forgive the circumstances of my childhood by realizing that we all had to struggle with our origins, and ultimately, to embrace them.
I’VE BEEN A FAN OF GK SINCE I SAW HIM AT TULANE UNIV. A FEW YRS BACK, HE’S SO UNIQUE AND WHAT A JOY TO HEAR HIS TALES. IT’S LIKE HE’S SPEAKING TO EACH PERSON INDIVIDUALLY, I HOPE TO MEET UP WITH HIM AGAIN SOME DAY.
I enjoy Keillor’s work his programs are priceless. But, I was much disappointed with PBS when I missed the first half of the program on July 1 and then could not view it as video on the PBS web site. So I guess I have to buy it now to see it. Not what I expected.
Worst.episode.ever – although I enjoy GK’s work, this show was entirely just PR from the artist himself. It’s a sad day when you can’t find anything new to say about someone and still devote 90 minutes of airtime.
you’ve really gott’a do something with that facebook promo. what’s there now is pitiful and unshare-able.
Is OPB going to re-broadcast The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes any time soon? I missed it July 1st and would love to watch it.
I am the same age as G.K. and I come from another, absolutely real, Lake Wobegon: Wood River, Nebraska. I always feel the kinship. Gary [then] and I have made our way in varying degrees. He to the top. He is the Voice and Soul of the Midwest of that time. Maybe for all time. JH
I enjoyed the Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes. Where can I purchase a copy?
I have listened to GK for many years and it is like reliving my life. The same jokes, music, people, that I grew up with. I really enjoy it. Thanks for the opportunity to express myself.
I loved the program and was very sad that my husband and Dad were not able to see the program. Is this show going to repeat so that we can watch again? Thanks Celest
I’m late in discovering this PBS web site (10-15-09). Please advise if Garrison Keillor’s “The man on the radio in the red shoes” will be shown on PBS again, and the date in Portland, Oregon (KOPB)
I am home. As much as I enjoy Garrison Keillor’s warm and comforting humor and the visual memories his stories invoke, it is the literacy of the viewer’s comments that pleases me most. So much of mainstream TV is troublesome to watch and hear and the online offerings of viewers so radical and viperous that, were it not for the lack of grammatical clarity, one might take the writers to be serious. The degradation of our languages is so annoying that I cannot watch the local news. The face is young and pretty or handsome and the hair is just so, but the attempt to update a story presented earlier results in a garbling of the words and the facts that wouldn’t pass the third grade class.
Since the shift to digital broadcasting, my over-the-air viewing has been reduced to PBS and the W network (if you’ll buy the broadcast, you’ll buy anything – the advertising) and listening to the radio. I found old time radio via the internet and international news and foreign views of the U.S. via PBS. The lack of sensationalized (screaming), negative and contrary news has left me feeling much better about the country and my corner of it; almost like being in Lake Wobegone, “where the women are strong, the men are good looking, and the children ‘way above average.” I may be forced to listen to the radio and to use my imagination again to “see” baseball or football games while raking the leaves, or washing the car, or cooking on the grille. GK reminds us of the importance of little pleasures and the people around us that are worth ‘memorializing’ as a late friend often said.