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"Schadenfreude" is WBEZ-FM Chicago Public Radio's sound-rich, experimental comedy program. It currently airs Saturday afternoons on Chicago Public Radio. The show is the brainchild of CPR general manager Torey Malatia and the critically-acclaimed comedy ensemble, Schadenfreude.
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What goes on behind the counters of your corner store?
In this episode, we follow the cast of characters of the Fifty-third Ward's neighborhood grocery: the Phudie Mart. We get a glimpse into their lives both in- and outside of work, painting a portrait of Phudie employees Tony Smalek, Virginia “Slim” Castellano, and Brent Wickerman.
No Peabody Award-winning documentary has ever gone this far, this deep, this dirty.
So find a good parking spot, check the sale flyer, and take a good look around you. They may seem like regular grocery store employees, but far from it: they're managers.
Schadenfreude—thump it and smell the rind.
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Piece Description
"Schadenfreude" is WBEZ-FM Chicago Public Radio's sound-rich, experimental comedy program. It currently airs Saturday afternoons on Chicago Public Radio. The show is the brainchild of CPR general manager Torey Malatia and the critically-acclaimed comedy ensemble, Schadenfreude. ===== What goes on behind the counters of your corner store? In this episode, we follow the cast of characters of the Fifty-third Ward's neighborhood grocery: the Phudie Mart. We get a glimpse into their lives both in- and outside of work, painting a portrait of Phudie employees Tony Smalek, Virginia “Slim” Castellano, and Brent Wickerman. No Peabody Award-winning documentary has ever gone this far, this deep, this dirty. So find a good parking spot, check the sale flyer, and take a good look around you. They may seem like regular grocery store employees, but far from it: they're managers. Schadenfreude—thump it and smell the rind.
2 Comments
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Review of Schadenfreude: The Phudie MartLet’s say upfront that I go for comedy – and that in trawling around prx for some yucks I’ve listened to other Schadenfreude pieces and (along with a couple of other groups) I enjoy them quite a lot. What I like most about their work is the gentle, but intricate attention to character, which also comes out in the writing. This piece, a mockumentary about a food market, is no exception, with individuals that I can palpably SEE: the employee in a stiff brown tie who refuses to take a vacation, the affable nut in her cowboy boots, the “loose cannon” in open shirt. However, in my mind better not to announce it as a documentary – because to parody a doc successfully it should really fool you, especially in a sea of radio where almost everything is documentary around it. This however sounds like comedy from the get-go (with the reporter as straight man – why not - everyone needs one!) – might as well go with it. Also – I was less happy when piece strayed from the subtlety – the screaming fascist from corporate headquarters – too much. Don’t need to do that to keep surprising me – the little stuff gets me first. |
Broadcast History
Aired on WBEZ-FM Chicago Public Radio in 2004 and 2005
More on the Schadenfreude series:
http://www.prx.org/series/6125
Transcript
"Schadenfreude Liner Notes: The Phudie Mart"
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This is the documentary on the inner-workings of Chicago's famous independent grocery store: The Phudie Mart. It follows the lives and stories of three principal managers. Store Manager Tony Smalek, Customer Service Desk Manager Virginia Castellano and General Merchandise Mgr Brent Wickerman.
We've tossed around the idea of making a TV/Comedy show out of the ddifferent character sets that show up in Schadenfreue. Phudie Mart would be perfect. It is unbelievable that we can't think of one good comedy show in TV history that has taken place in a grocery store. So, we bring you the radio version of that said TV Show.
This show is a great example of all of our Schadenfreude mediums coming together. The first short film Schad ever did was a Casino (the movie) parody, focusing on the mob-like drama at the local grocery store. Inste...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
TRT: 29:30 (No Breaks)
IC: "You're listening to Schadenfreude..." //
OC: "...Chicago Public Radio." (Music fades from 29:15-29:30)
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Emily Hanford
Posted on November 06, 2005 at 04:03 PM | Permalink
Review of Schadenfreude: The Phudie Mart
This is brilliant. Listen! It's smart, funny, keenly observed, sound rich, brilliantly performed, masterfully produced. It's just great, great radio.
It's a radio play, I guess, but maybe more like a film. Justin Kaufman reminded me of Steve Buscemi (not to diminish Justin's unique performance through comparison, but I love Buscemi so this is meant as a high compliment)
The piece is full of wonderful images and characters that are so well conceived... and, I think I said this already, the writing is great!
Most of the attempts I hear at humor on public radio (NPR in particular) fall totally flat (except when I bought hook line and sinker the April Fools ATC piece that the Boston Celtics (Sell-tics) were changing their name to the Celtics (Kell-tics). That time, the joke was on me. This time, there are no "jokes" - just brilliant comedy, the kind that makes you laugh AND think. Great, great work.