235 | Kristian R. Hill (God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines)
My Summer Lair Chapter #235:How Many Of The Techo Six Can You Name?
Future Shock is a 1970 book by American futurist Alvin Toffler and Adelaide Farrell. The shortest definition for the term Future Shock is a personal perception of “too much change in too short a period of time.” And that truly describes Detroit. It’s no surprise director Kristian Hill featured the book in his documentary God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines.
In 2008 Marvel Studios released Iron Man. This is how it all started. By 2012 all of Marvel’s cinematic superheroes had assembled in Avengers. The MCU was up and running; having established a formidable pop culture experience.
Similarly Detroit was home to a group of techno DJs…a sonic Avengers: The Techno Six.
Smokey Robinson, J Dilla, Jackie Wilson, White Stripes, Eminem, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, The Supremes I’ll even toss in Stevie Wonder…Detroit has given us so much music. And you know all these musicians; you know all their hits.
But one of Detroit’s greatest musical contributions has been overlooked and undervalued: Techno. The electronic-music phenomenon was created by Detroit DJs in the 1980s…big banged by The Techno Six. That spark transformed dance music internationally and blossomed into the multibillion-dollar industry of EDM today.
And just who were The Techno Six who gifted us all with this incredible techno music? That’s the exploration of Kristian R. Hill’s God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines…screening at Tribeca Film Festival.
Though often techno sounds like the future and sci-fi and space ships God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines lets us look back in the past…like a time machine. So let’s visit Detroit in the late 80s by talking to director Kristian Hill.
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234 | Alex Winter (The YouTube Effect)
My Summer Lair Chapter #234:What Is The YouTube Effect?
The first time the words the “YouTube effect” were used were in an LA Times article in 2006. At the time it was focused on the “phenomenon” of individuals uploading clips. Now it’s shifted as this documentary explores the positive and negative aspects of the popular platform.
You know Alex Winter as the non-Keanu Reeves half of Bill and Ted. While Keanu is busy avenging his dog (mash those guys up!); Alex has mainly been directing documentaries that explore the impact of technology on our society.
Downloaded in 2012 (the impact of filesharing and Napster), 2015’s Deep Web (Silk Road and the politics of the Dark Web), The Panama Papers (leaked documents about tax havens) and Trust Machine (blockchain) both in 2018.
His latest The YouTube Effect is a nuanced look at the utopian and dystopian aspects of the popular platform we all use. You know the negative: misinformation has ruled creating a Bogus Journey for many Lost Boys. The positive is it’s an Excellent journey especially for Showbiz Kids typically ignored by traditional media.
All of this leaves us with a “strange things are afoot at the Circle-K.” feeling.
Just a sample of the themes explored in Alex Winter’s The YouTube Effect documentary now playing at Tribeca Film Festival. (Oddly enough you can see the trailer on YouTube.) The documentary posits we’re currently in a “misinformation apocalypse.” Sounds like we need a John or Sarah Connor.
(Gale Anne Hurd was a producer on The YouTube Effect…she of course produced along with James Cameron the original Terminator Trilogy. Originally Skynet was a cautionary tale then it became a meme; sadly we diluted the danger. We’re not often a wise society.)
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#SetTheVCR: May 23-29, 2022
It’s blockbuster week at #SetTheVCR. New Star Wars; New Stranger Things. It’s all happing; so are you in or are you out?
My Summer Lair Chapter #229: Have You Listened…Not Heard…Have You Listened To Kenny G?
When I say Kenny G what is the first thing that pops into your head? For me and this HBO Max documentary touches upon it; it’s that classic elevator music sound. I may be in the minority.
Kenny G is the best-selling instrumental artist ever. So clearly lots of people are happily listening to Kenny G. He himself says: “I don’t think I’m a personality to people,” says Kenny G. “I think I’m a sound.”
In the hectic boom and Breathless backlash to Kenny G and his music this entire discourse is electrified by a distinct philosophy of taste. Music is an emotional connection though for many critics they are not Sentimental about Kenny’s music.
Penny Lane’s documentary Listening to Kenny G is more than a Silhouette of the popular artist. By the Time This Night Is Over you’ll know more about Kenny G and hear some of his fiercest critics who are not fans of his Classics in the Key of G.
As such I was thrilled to talk to director Penny Lane to talk about the New Standards of taste and Kenny G.
Listening to Kenny G is part of HBO’s Music Box series created by Bill Simmons who gifted us 30 for 30 over on ESPN. Think of the Music Box series as sonic 30 for 30s. You can stream the doc on HBO Max.
This Music Box documentary happens to focus on Kenny G whose music gives pleasure to many and yet angers others. Let’s unpack the complex emotions with director Penny Lane.
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229 | Penny Lane (Listening to Kenny G)
My Summer Lair Chapter #229: Have You Listened…Not Heard…Have You Listened To Kenny G?
When I say Kenny G what is the first thing that pops into your head? For me and this HBO Max documentary touches upon it; it’s that classic elevator music sound. I may be in the minority.
Kenny G is the best-selling instrumental artist ever. So clearly lots of people are happily listening to Kenny G. He himself says: “I don’t think I’m a personality to people,” says Kenny G. “I think I’m a sound.”
In the hectic boom and Breathless backlash to Kenny G and his music this entire discourse is electrified by a distinct philosophy of taste. Music is an emotional connection though for many critics they are not Sentimental about Kenny’s music.
Penny Lane’s documentary Listening to Kenny G is more than a Silhouette of the popular artist. By the Time This Night Is Over you’ll know more about Kenny G and hear some of his fiercest critics who are not fans of his Classics in the Key of G.
As such I was thrilled to talk to director Penny Lane to talk about the New Standards of taste and Kenny G.
Listening to Kenny G is part of HBO’s Music Box series created by Bill Simmons who gifted us 30 for 30 over on ESPN. Think of the Music Box series as sonic 30 for 30s. You can stream the doc on HBO Max.
This Music Box documentary happens to focus on Kenny G whose music gives pleasure to many and yet angers others. Let’s unpack the complex emotions with director Penny Lane.
Recorded: Tuesday November 30, 2021 at 11:30am EST
Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter because the F in FOMO doesn’t stand for Fun.
209 | Heather Ross (For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close)
My Summer Lair Chapter #209: Have You Heard About The One About Del Close?
Yo! For this episode I’ll need a location…I heard My Summer Lair…which makes sense. Villains need a break from their typical lairs. People have summer homes right? And I’ll need an occupation: I heard podcast host. Ok let’s put this together: Yo Welcome To My Summer Lair I’m your host Sammy “Yes And” Younan.
I actually performed improv in a group…we did it for about 2 or 3 years. It’s a challenging medium because it forces you to be decisive. Instead of saying car which is bland it’s better to be specific say Ford Pinto. Your castmates benefit; the audience benefits…and you can build on that. That is…if you have it. Because with improv some nights you just don’t have it.
Though with improv it’s best to avoid the negative and focus on the positive. So tell me this: what do John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows, Shelley Long and Bob Odenkirk plus many more funny folks all have in common?
Del Close: an actor, writer, and improv teacher who coached many of the best-known comedians and comic actors…I mean that list I just recited, right?
Chances are you know Bill Murray and Tina Fey and Bob Odenkirk; they’re old pop culture friends yet Del Close is a cultural stranger.
So thankfully we now have Heather Ross’ For Madmen Only a Del Close documentary. A “madman” who freely operated from the total belief that improvisational comedy was an art form. He taught his witty students to be present…to make unlikely choices. Which sounds obvious but was indeed revolutionary. In this documentary it’s a treat to hear Adam McKay and Tim Meadows talk about comedy and celebrate the freedom of improv comedy.
And even though the focus of this documentary is comedy it’s not a “funny movie.” Unfortunately there is a persistent darkness that overshadows a lot of the mirth. Laughter may be the best medicine but for Del Close it wasn’t enough to dull his pain…his unresolved hurt.
If you’re a comedy nerd or a performer this documentary For Madmen Only is a must watch (now on Hulu!). Director Heather Ross has found a creative way to present Del Close’s literal words and his life while avoiding long periods of talking heads. I’m so grateful for the wonderful contributions Del made to comedy in general and in specific in my life.
200 | Bruce Mau & Bisi Williams (Mau: Documentary)
My Summer Lair Chapter #200: Which Of The MC24 Design Principles Is Your Favourite?
This episode’s guest is the esteemed Bruce Mau whose business card reads: designer, innovator, and educator. Joining us to talk about those 3 dynamic practices is Bruce’s creative partner and wife Bisi Williams.
But first…we gotta talk about Mau: not the man rather the documentary. Directed by Benjamin & Jono Bergmann; currently playing at Hot Docs Film Festival after premiering at SXSW Film Festival.
Mau is the first-ever, feature-length Bruce Mau documentary. You know you’re doing cool things with cool people when your work logically prompts a documentary.
To quote the media release: “The film explores the untold story of his unlikely rise in the creative world, and ever-optimistic push to expand the boundaries of design. We tell the story of his incredible career – from Mecca to MOMA, from Guatemala to Coca Cola – and his most important project yet: his own life.”
Highly recommended viewing for anyone who practices or sells creativity. Or honestly for anyone who longs to ah…redesign their whole life.
So let’s get into his documentary life; talk to his charming wife and understand how he deals with strife. No stress this podcast is not rife with rhymes.
199 | Mads Hedegaard (Cannon Arm And The Arcade Quest)
My Summer Lair Chapter #199: What Old School Video Game Could You Play For 100 Hours?
One of the most iconic Superman images and you’ll see it often recreated every Halloween is Clark Kent ripping his shirt open to reveal the super duper S logo underneath. It neatly feeds into the myth that heroes are all around us: at our work, in our coffee shops, in our churches but every so often they suddenly see a dare to be great situation and they’re inspired to rip open their shirt and go off and be a superhero.
As depicted in the documentary Kim Cannon Arm is mostly Clark Kent. An unassuming member of Copenhagen society. However he’s going to attempt something super human: he’s going to play the old school video game Gyruss for 100 hours.
Hence the title of Cannon Arm and the Arcade Quest currently playing at Hot Docs Film Festival. The doc’s director Mads Hedegaard who hails from Copenhagen in Denmark visited My Summer Lair to discuss the “Arcade Quest,” who Kim Cannon Arm is and how video games are perceived in Denmark. Oh and we talk about Nolan movies. No need for a quarter this is a free play.
198 | Johnny Sweet (Last Call: The Shutdown of NYC Bars)
My Summer Lair Chapter #198: Do You Have A Neighbourhood Bar?
Yo Welcome to My Summer Lair where my name isn’t Sam Malone it’s Sammy Younan and welcome a return guest: producer and director Johnny Sweet. As you can sorta maybe tell from the Sam Malone reference we’re talking about Cheers. Not the show but rather the classic bar experience.
Pull up a bar stool; I’ll activate Cliff mode: I first met and interviewed Johnny Sweet at Hot Docs 2019 for his NBA documentary Quiet Storm: The Ron Artest Story. That documentary about basketball and mental health and Queens can be seen on Showtime on Demand.
His new documentary is Last Call: The Shutdown of NYC Bars. Frasier Crane would dig it because it documents the mental health impact of the service industry lockdowns. Of course in response to the pandemic New York City—along with everywhere else—was shut down. However there is a remarkable difference in how we handled certain occupations like white collar workers like Norm and sarcastic servers like Carla.
As an accountant Norm works in an office…he can seamlessly work online, all the tools are there and his beer is in the fridge. Whew. But what does Carla do? Her job is to serve others. The sad irony is that the people who have committed to serving others were not thoroughly taken care off. We didn’t serve the servers.
That’s a large aspect of Johnny Sweet’s documentary Last Call. We’ll get into other aspects including the upcoming sequel, as well as Johnny’s “Sweet Coaching” recommendation for the Knicks (that’s a two-fer pun…Coach was such a fantastic Cheers character!) but before all that…at the risk of forgetting like Woody so often does…we gotta start with the Marvel Cinematic Universe…a popular Universe 25 movies deep where we all hang out and where everyone knows the names of the characters and get an update from Johnny who is a major fan.
My Summer Lair Chapter #196: Has Nike’s Big Bet Paid Off?
Welcome director Paul Kemp to My Summer Lair to discuss his running documentary Nike’s Big Bet.
In America you can check out Nike’s Big Bet on Peacock; it is 83 minutes.
In Canada the CBC Gem version is 44 minutes so I guess streaming is also “Big Bet.”
Remarkable documentaries are not like sports; there aren’t always clear winners and losers. Here’s Nike’s big bet:
“In 2001 Nike established the Oregon Project as a program to develop elite runners (and put Americans back on top…of course.). Running coach Alberto Salazar was in charge of the program and given free reign to employ his unorthodox tactics to deliver results. In 2019 despite never failing a drug test and his athletes never testing positive, he received a four-year doping ban from all coaching activities and the project immediately collapsed. So…what happened?”
Did Salazar’s “Just Do It” attitude and questionable practices push the limits of human performance and technology too far? And what is fair or even fair play in sports?
Malcolm Gladwell who appears in this documentary said: “It is so typical of the dysfunction of track and field that we will bring down the house on someone operating at the margins. You’re going to bring down the hammer on Alberto Salazar on something that is so complicated that I can’t even follow half the arguments against Alberto Salazar.”
Oh Boy. Shall we get into all this and more with director Paul Kemp who is an actual show runner. You’ll know what I mean as soon as you hit play.
