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About this episode

Formed in 2003 to express deep opposition to the war in Iraq and other pernicious policies of the Bush administration and their cabal of arrogant theoreticians, the Infotainment Posse has staged a series of shows at several venues in Northern California combining a broad spectrum of expression giving voice to that opposition. We have tried to highlight the hard news we as Americans must absorb about our current national situation in a way that shows both it's gravity and humor while encouraging an activist response. Taking inspiration from the rabble-rousing variety shows of the early labor struggle and the anti Vietnam war movement, the performances range from the biting impressions of renowned comic actor Geoff Hoyle and Ed Holmes of the San Francisco Mime Troupe, to the insightful straight talk of author-activist David Harris; from the overtly political folk-funk of Michael Ward with Dogs and Fishes to the wry satire of Merle Kessler and his partner in many musicals, Joshua Raoul Brody. These are punctuated by short videos from the likes of Michael Franti, Talaam Acey and the Species Alliance. The stunning operatic performances of Caroluna, augmented by her own video creations, add an element of timeless hope to the event. The introductions, transitions and explanations are handled by MC Mike Dingle, who wears a Derby with great style. All share a common through line; the need to sustain a public conversation that seeks to find ways to end the waste and folly of our Middle Eastern adventures, and to make that conversation as entertaining and self-sustaining as possible. The Fine Mess Review is a one hour distillation of a show at Cafe du Nord in San Francisco and is the result of a collaboration with San Francisco's public access media center, Access SF. The center brought out a full production crew and did a four camera shoot of the whole evening. The show doubled as a fund raising event for the center and has been in steady rotation on the center's two channels, Access SF 1 and Access SF 2, carried on three cable systems including Astound, Channels 29 & 30, AT&T Channel 99 and Comcast, Channels 29 & 76. Access SF 1 and 2 can also be viewed on the web with real time streaming at www.accessf.org.

• Release Date

  Jun 18, 2008

• Runtime

  59:40