Writer and humorist says farewell to 18,000 fans, but last-show aspect was subtle as he closed out as if it were any other though Obama called in
The writer and humorist Garrison Keillor served up a bittersweet farewell for 18,000 fans at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, as he hosted his final episode of the old-style radio variety show, A Prairie Home Companion.
Keillors swan song was not markedly different from most of his nearly 42 years of Companion episodes, offering a rich mix of Americana music and often tongue-in-cheek comedy.
Barack Obama did, however, call in for a special segment recorded earlier on Friday, but that will not be heard until Saturdays broadcast.
The last-show aspect of the doings was so subtle that, at one point, even Keillors cast mates began to prod their boss, asking: How do you feel [about leaving]?
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figcaption class=”caption” caption–img caption caption–img” itemprop=”description”> Garrison Keillor hosts his final episode of A Prairie Home Companion, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Photograph: Craig T. Mathew/AP
Keillor eventually, reluctantly replied: It feels like something ends and something else is about to happen.
The 73-year-old Keillor delivered one last Lives of the Cowboys comedy sketch as well as the shows best-known segment, News from Lake Wobegon, a folksy report from a fictional town where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average.
Keillor sang a few more songs and closed out the show as if it were any other. Only during the encore did he truly take time to say goodbye, engaging the crowd with a moving medley of songs running the gamut from classic spirituals to pop ballads.
Companion attracts more than 3 million public-radio listeners in the US; many more counting the shows Armed Forces Radio audiences worldwide.
After Saturdays season finale, it will return with new episodes in October with an updated format and new host, the <a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/apr/19/prairie-home-companion-chris-thile-garrison-keillor-retiring” data-link-name=”in” body link” class=”u-underline”>musician Chris Thile.
Keillor will do concerts and is working on a Wobegon screenplay.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/02/garrison-keillor-final-prairie-home-companion-episode