Maximum Fun Forum

W. Kamau Bell, host of Totally Biased, calculates the gentrification sweet spot. Singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell's life is changed by a Tom Waits song, even though it wasn't the one she meant to hear. And comedian Mike Birbigilia makes a movie. He says it's the hardest thing he's EVER DONE -- but he's down to do it all again.

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn: W. Kamau Bell, Mike Birbiglia and Eleni Mandell

The Bell interview was so darn great. It almost made me wish I didn't know who W Kamau Bell was, so I could hear the perfect introduction to him. Every part of his journey was compelling to listen to, and the clips were perfect. Haven't got to the Birbiglia part yet but I know it will be killer too.

Great suggestion on the Reggie Miller documentary, Jesse. I stumbled across it about six months ago while channel surfing and everything you said in recommending it is absolutely true.

The greatest part is watching the way Reggie just dismantled John Starks psychologically throughout the series. That, plus I miss all those players, having not paid particular attention to the NBA since about 2000.

This episode let me hear Tom Waits for real. I know who he is. I know jokes about Tom Waits but I have never had to suffer through a full song before. Now I know. Tom Waits: not for me.

I like the talk about the "gentrification sweet spot." I remember when Danny Hoch was on TSOYA and he said something to the effect of, (paraphrasing,) "It's great that there's a nice grocery in my neighborhood where one can buy organic kale, but I'd like to get to live there too." I totally get that, having grown up in a neighborhood in NYC that gentrified as I grew up. I liked a lot of the nice stuff that came along, and that's why I'm glad my parents' apartment is rent-stabilized, so that they can stay. I don't mean to jump on the pulpit, but i've thought long and hard about it and I'm pretty sure that rent regulations is the best way to keep neighborhoods economically-integrated. Of course, the realty lobby in any given city is never crazy about that idea!

W. Kamau Bell was awesome and I can't wait to check out his show!

_________________
"It's Mike IQ because I used to be in a punk band called IQ of 2. I don't think I'm smart. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I'm retarded."

"I'm a yuppie, basically, and I... I would be the thing that I hated as a teenager, and it tears me up a little bit."

Ah yes. Back where I'm from, we call this "life".

Great interview.