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- Losing a Best Friend
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- Joe Bevilacqua
Producer Joe Bevilacqua chronicles the rise and fall of a longtime friendship. As an elementary school kid, he met a pal who remained his best friend for years. They performed original comedy routines together, until a time came in college when the friend ceased to contact him. We hear the laughter and joy of the early relationship and the struggle by Bevilacqua to come to terms with the split, which he doesn't understand. He tries to find his old friend, but is unsuccessful for ages. Finally, through a mutual acquaintance, he gets a message that the old friend is still bitter and doesn't want anything to do with Joe. Originally broadcast on NPR's "All Things Considered," May 10, 2004 Includes the original introduction from the ATC host, which may be cut by any station wishing to run this piece. Please credit NPR and Joe Bevilacqua. You can also run these FREE programs that are discussed in the piece with it: http://www.prx.org/pieces/18822
Producer Joe Bevilacqua chronicles the rise and fall of a longtime friendship. As an elementary school kid, he met a pal who remained his best friend for years. They performed original comedy routines together, until a time came in college when the friend ceased to contact him. We hear the laughter and joy of the early relationship and the struggle by Bevilacqua to come to terms with the split, which he doesn't understand. He tries to find his old friend, but is unsuccessful for ages. Finally, through a mutual acquaintance, he gets a message that the old friend is still bitter and doesn't want anything to do with Joe. Originally broadcast on NPR's "All Things Considered," May 10, 2004 Includes the original introduction from the ATC host, which may be cut by any station wishing to run this piece. Please credit NPR and Joe Bevilacqua. You can also run these FREE programs that are discussed in the piece with it: http://www.prx.org/pieces/18822
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Piece Description
Producer Joe Bevilacqua chronicles the rise and fall of a longtime friendship. As an elementary school kid, he met a pal who remained his best friend for years. They performed original comedy routines together, until a time came in college when the friend ceased to contact him. We hear the laughter and joy of the early relationship and the struggle by Bevilacqua to come to terms with the split, which he doesn't understand. He tries to find his old friend, but is unsuccessful for ages. Finally, through a mutual acquaintance, he gets a message that the old friend is still bitter and doesn't want anything to do with Joe. Originally broadcast on NPR's "All Things Considered," May 10, 2004 Includes the original introduction from the ATC host, which may be cut by any station wishing to run this piece. Please credit NPR and Joe Bevilacqua. You can also run these FREE programs that are discussed in the piece with it: http://www.prx.org/pieces/18822
Broadcast History
Originally broadcast on NPR's "All Things Considered," May 10, 2004
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Posted on February 02, 2005 at 08:07 AM | Permalink
Review of Losing a Best Friend
Who hasn’t wondered about former old friends, and had the urge to touch base? Joe Bev takes the urge and acts, seeking out the best buddy he met in second grade and lost in college. Fortunate for him, he’s an inveterate tape-saver and has priceless archival tape of he and his buddy from their earliest comedic forays. Twenty-one years after their falling out, inspired by Paul and Art’s vocal reunion, Joe starts his search and takes us along for the ride. Somewhat surprisingly, there’s little audio of the search, just audio of Paul Simon, Joe’s narrative, and the voice of a mutual friend reading a message from the still ticked-off buddy who, bizarrely, makes a point of e-mailing from an untraceable location. I’d have liked to hear the friend’s mom, or some of the people contacted on the search, or the drama coach. But anyway, turns out the ex-buddy can hold a grudge like nobody’s business, and JB is left shrugging –– he’s not guilty as charged, but he can’t get a hearing. There’s no ruminating on bitterness, differing realities, unsatisfying resolution. In a way, this feels like the start of a piece, but really, it’s complete –– just not as deep as some might enjoy. Would be fine starting discussion piece, as part of longer programming on friendship, youth, or fine as a first person drop-in. PDs pay attention: this has an ATC in and out.