Prime Time Radio , 58:00
Contemplative, Emotional, Personal
These are deeply personal stories of those hardest hit by the catastrophe. Once I got past the cheesy series theme music, I was drawn in for the whole hour. This is a fantastic use of the medium's best asset--the ability to convey emotion. It doesn't get bogged down in preachyness, though--it just tells the people's stories in their own words.
Although the series is targeted to the issues of a specific age group, this special does a great job of making the story accessible to all audiences. It explains the specific problems of the elderly, and why those problems made them the hardest-hit group of those affected by Katrina. The stories are well-chosen and woven together with strong but not intrusive narration.
This is a realistic portrait of an important social issue that doesn't cross over into activist journalism. I might quibble a bit with the musical choices and timing for scoring, but I think that's more a matter of taste.
Take advantage of the news hole, the optional module on Wavy Gravy is good but you should use it somewhere else where it matches better content-wise. I recommend this special for any type of station.
Daniel Costello
, KVNF
Paonia, CO
August 20, 2007
Voices of Hurricane Katrina...this week on Prime Time Radio.
