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New Yorker John Flansburgh of the band They Might Be Giants takes us on a music-filled, sound-rich tour of some of the quirky, idealistic and informal democracies that play a significant but understated role in Americans' lives.
Our tour guide/host introduces us to the unofficial mayors of Coney Island - who happens to run the Freak Show there - and Little Pakistan, Brooklyn. We also meet members of a Coop Apartment where democracy is part of the mission statement, and children who use their own concept of democracy to instill order on the playground.
These and other next-door-neighbor types express the importance of their own micro-democracies, and reflect on the ever-changing American democracy.
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Piece Description
New Yorker John Flansburgh of the band They Might Be Giants takes us on a music-filled, sound-rich tour of some of the quirky, idealistic and informal democracies that play a significant but understated role in Americans' lives. Our tour guide/host introduces us to the unofficial mayors of Coney Island - who happens to run the Freak Show there - and Little Pakistan, Brooklyn. We also meet members of a Coop Apartment where democracy is part of the mission statement, and children who use their own concept of democracy to instill order on the playground. These and other next-door-neighbor types express the importance of their own micro-democracies, and reflect on the ever-changing American democracy.
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Review of Democracy on the Block
A celebration of human nature using the lens of democracy and the very real voices and stories of NEW YORKERS both native and immigrant .
VM |
Transcript
[electronic chimes open, then "Welcome Aboard Miss Liberty..."]
JF: Tourists-millions come to New York City each year-and they stand in line for hours waiting for a ferry to take them to see the best-known symbol of democracy on earth.
[street musician sings ? ?We are going to the Statue of Liberty, and we are very, very glad?? fade under]
JF: At least they have the street performers to keep them company. But as any New York native knows, democracy is more than statues and tourism. In the next hour, we have a special program where we?ll explore some very different places where democracy is alive and changing.
[montage of democracy bites??Democracy isn?t working and it breaks my heart???Que es la democracia???etc.]
JF: I?m John Flansburgh, and I?ll be your host and tour guide for ?Democracy on the Block.? Stick around. The tour begins right after this.
[5 minut...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
:00-:01 Billboard
INQ: electronic chimes then "Welcome aboard Miss Liberty..."
OQ: music fades
:01-:06 NPR Newscast (silence)
:06:00 - :20:59 Program Segment A
INQ: music theme
OQ: "This is Democracy on the Block, part of public radio's nationwide collaboration 'Whose Democracy Is It?' Stick around. The tour resumes in just a minute."
:20:59-:21 silence
:21-:21:59 Cutaway (music)
:21:59-:22 silence
:22-:41:29 Program Segment B
INQ: "Welcome back to Democracy on the Block..."
OUTQ: "This is Democracy on the Block, part of public radio's nationwide collaboration exploring 'Whose Democracy Is It?' Time for another break. We'll pick up the tour in just a moment."
:41:29 -:41:30 silence
:41:30-:42:29 Cutaway (music)
:42:29-:42:30 silence
:42:30-:58:59 Program Segment C
INQ: "This is Democracy on the Block..."
OUTQ: "...comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting."
Musical Works
Theme and music buttons by They Might Be Giants
Additional Files
- Show Transcript (democscriptpublic.doc)
- Promo2 w/ alternate music (npromo4.mp2)
- Promo2 w/ theme music (npromo2.mp2)
- Show Transcript (democscriptpublic.doc)
- Promo w/ theme music (npromo1.mp2)
- Promo w/ alternate music (npromo3.mp2)
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Maureen Jackson
Posted on December 09, 2003 at 09:35 PM | Permalink
Review of Democracy on the Block
This is a timely piece if you consider the grassroots, social movement that occurred recently in San Francisco's mayoral race. This piece could be used for metro cities where social activism is spawning. Good splices for a Howard Dean piece. Includes 5-star musical interludes and overlays.