In one of the biggest media crimes of the decade, Public Radio International has axed
Fair Game (I figured something was up when the show was in repeats for way too long on either side of Memorial Day). Read
here and
here for the details - though interestingly, the cancellation is yet to be acknowledged on the show web site. The podcast is still being updated with old shows and segments.
As it is noted in places on the links, the comedy on the show was mixed at best. All of Faith's cohorts were pretty annoying (the program could feel like a bad imitation of
The Daily Show for radio). But Faith herself is/was a fantastic host. Smart, well-informed, asking very pointed, and very substantive questions, especially by public radio standards, she tooks things to a new level. It also helped that she is absolutely cute as a button in every way possible.
As with most good public radio shows,
Fair Game provided informative news segments on issues and trends, and it was also a great source for interviews on independent cinema. But most important of all, it was one of the best sources for new Indie music. The bookings were sensational. Even the artists that I personally did not care for, I respected their presence on the show. Except when they ignored my request for the Dirtbombs and kept the CD I sent. But that was under their old music coordinator so who knows.
The entire Fair Game music catalogHighlights:
Camera ObscuraHeavy TrashHolly GolightlyVia Audio and Orba SquaraAu Revoir SimoneThe NationalThe Magnetic FieldsMountain GoatsNorah JonesGoldfrappClare & The ReasonsIra Glass (he's not music but he's Ira Glass so there)
:(
Labels: Au Revoir Simone, Camera Obscura, Clare and the Reasons, Fair Game, Heavy Trash, Holly Golightly, music radio, Norah Jones, rock n roll, The National, This American Life
