An American Hero Workshop
| Series | |
|---|---|
| WBAI And NPR Playhouse | |
| Original Broadcast Date | |
| 1/26/1979 | |
| Cast | |
| Joe Frank | |
| Format | |
| Absurd Monologue, 59 minutes | |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by: | Laughing Back - A Movie For Radio |
| Followed by: | A Call In The Night |
| Purchase or Stream | |
My favorite TV program features an undercover detective who uses various disguises to snare his victims.
An American Hero Workshop is a program produced by Joe Frank as part of the series NPR Playhouse. It was originally broadcast in 1979.
Synopsis
Joe describes his favorite TV program,[1] returning to his feelings of emptiness and depression after viewing it. Its lead actor appears on an interview program and says he unwinds at a Los Angeles bar called The Hero Lounge. A shooter kills twelve people at random; neighbors predictably say he was a gentle, unassuming, church-going family man. Joe himself is unassuming, helpful, and deferential, but is wildly aggressive when driving his car. He drives to The Hero Lounge with a pair of brass knuckles, feeling larger than life, like the lead actor in a film. He sees the TV actor dressed as a woman; they dance, go bar hopping, then go to Joe's apartment. They become friends, then companions, and move in together - then fight. The actor discovers Joe's cocaine habit and must arrest Joe, who grabs a gun to kill the actor. Joe wonders if he's dreaming or on television. The actor chases Joe and they fight on a rooftop. Joe muses that he always wanted to be a hero, but everything has gone wrong - if only there had been a hero workshop...
Music
- "Music For 18 Musicians" - Steve Reich (from Music For 18 Musicians, 1978) | YouTube [Intro]
- "Feel It" - The Crusaders (from Free As The Wind, 1977) | YouTube [5:27]
Miscellanea
- Joe Frank wrote and narrated the introductory 10 minute segment of this episode of "Options: A Radio Experience", an early NPR program announced by Mike Waters.
