Goodbye

Goodbye[1]

Series
Online
Original Broadcast Date
12/30/2006
Cast
Lester Nafzger, Gideon Brower, Michal Story, Larry Block, Mike Fremuth, and Joe Frank. With musicians Todd Tragar on guitar, Tony Merrill on bass, and Joe Frank on vocals
Format
Lester Nafzger, Gideon Brower, Michal Story, Larry Block, Mike Fremuth, and Joe Frank. With musicians Todd Tragar on guitar, Tony Merrill on bass, 30 minutes
Preceded by:	Bad Faith
Followed by:	Just An Ordinary Man

"Please don't give me any bad news, Joe."

Goodbye is the name of a program Joe Frank produced as part of the series Online. It was originally broadcast on December 30, 2006.

Synopsis

"Goodbye" is a program that addresses illness and death in a reflective and humorous way. The show is based, almost entirely, on philosophical and absurd phone calls between Joe and friends. "Goodbye" begins with a friend's shock and emotional meltdown at hearing of Joe's illness. Joe, in a state of depression, considers his own passing. He speaks with his mother at her retirement home, while she waits impatiently for a champagne brunch. Mike Fremuth and Joe discuss the idea of "heroic melancholy." A series of comic conversations with Lester Nafzger concerning illness and old age conclude with Joe's description of being left at the airport after visiting with his parents in Florida. Joe and Larry Block discuss the idea of hanging people instead of paintings in museums, and Gideon Brower recalls attending an outdoor wedding during a forest fire. Also included are conversations with a doctor which took place shortly after Joe experienced kidney failure, and an excerpt from Mike Fremuth's moving eulogy of a friend.

Cast: Lester Nafzger, Gideon Brower, Michal Story, Larry Block, Mike Fremuth, and Joe Frank. With musicians Todd Tragar on guitar, Tony Merrill on bass, and Joe Frank on vocals

Interesting Facts

This is the first show Joe produced since March 2005. Concerned about the title - was this to be his last? From an excellent source:

The program is about illness and, in particular, death, and the title (and material) reflects this. Specifically, the title was drawn from the conversation with Lester, in which Lester and Joe discuss the awkward problem of saying "goodbye". "Goodby" is not Joe's swan song. Another show will follow.

Gideon Brower is the man behind Fish Burglars. (Note Joe's picture here)

Commentary

Please see guidelines on commentary and share your personal thoughts in this section.

Sukotto100

This episode, with the conversation and the music, was especially poignant. I have not heard many of the voices from this show before, but as always, I thought, "I wish I had conversations like this with my friends". I was happy to hear Larry, though.

Spblat

What a relief to have new content, confirming his improved health. This is a good example of what I love about Joe's material. Interesting, funny, personal and touching anecdotes/conversations; good music; Larry; Lester. Thank you Joe, stay well and keep it coming!