Miss Congeniality
Every once in a great while a TV show comes along that delves more deeply into the human condition than you had ever thought possible -- bringing you to a place of profound understanding, reminding you of your inescapable connection to the tiniest subatomic particle in the universe, taking you on an intellectual and spiritual journey of the highest order. Tonight's episode -- featuring an interview with the effervescent Amy Sedaris -- is not such a show. It was just plain fun.
As a long-time fan of her warped Strangers with Candy TV series -- now also a feature film -- I wouldn't have expected any different. Still, hanging out with her in person was a revelation. Sedaris is a master of what you might call the Comedy of Cruelty: she gaily pricks at stereotypes until they bleed. And yet, like her brother David -- the great humor writer -- Amy has an underlying sweetness and humanity that belies the barbs. No matter how mean she might pretend to be, you like her, you really like her.
The same goes for her new book, the coffee-table-sized I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence. Packed into its glossy pages are numerous examples of Sedaris's twisted wit, along with loads of really delicious-looking recipes (not counting, of course, those for fake cakes). Like its author, it's simultaneously heartfelt and irreverent. And bunny-friendly. Yes, Amy Sedaris loves rabbits. We proved that definitively on this show as well.
All in all, having this hostess with the mostest as our guest was a deeply giddy experience. So hey, I take back what I said before: This show was deep.
Get the podcast, download now, or stream the video (requires Real)
6 comments November 20th, 2006
