Content: Rudy

Introduction: A friend of mine from DC, Ken, went to Notre Dame. He loves Notre Dame. He cries every time he watches Rudy, and he’s not the only Notre Dame alum who does. Rudy is a love letter to Notre Dame. Its music, plot, and dialogue are all crafted to give substance to the mythic image of Notre Dame. Not the actual Notre Dame of today – a fairly well-regarded, conservative Catholic college with a middling Division I football program – but the Notre Dame that the school aspires to be, how it sees itself in a Mirror Erised. (Hey, how about that? A Harry Potter reference in the middle of Rudy!) Every school would love to have a movie like Rudy. It sells Notre Dame better than Notre Dame could ever sell itself.

Dream’s Age at Introduction: 8 or 9

Reason for That Age: To really get something out of Rudy, Dream needs to be old enough to understand a little bit of sports. He or she doesn’t have to like sports, but understanding sports is important. He or she also needs to be old enough to know the flavor of success that comes when you overcome disappointment in achieving it. I don’t mean like getting over Asperberger’s Syndrome to become a world champion ballroom dancer, but feeling frustrated with multiplying 7 and 8 for a while before tasting the sweet victory of 56 is sufficient. And at 8 or 9, Dream will be full of the wizardry and magic that starts to elude us as we get older, but will also be newly capable of feeling inspired in a way that is this movie’s bread and butter.

What I Want Dream to Get Out of It: Ideally, Dream will file this away and use it (consciously or not) when he or she runs into a big problem. I want Rudy to infiltrate Dream’s understanding of the hard work that is necessary to achieve your goals and dreams. I also hope Dream realizes that if your goals don’t require work and dedication, you need to find better dreams.

Be content,
John

Introduction to Stand Up Comedy Part III – Cosby Is Funny… Right

Content: Bill Cosby’s Stand Up, particularly Himself and Bill Cosby is a Very Funny Fellow… Right!

Introduction: Bill Cosby’s Himself album was one of the first stand up recordings that I owned. It’s not brilliant satire or biting social critique, but it’s very funny. I still use elements of “Chocolate Cake for Breakfast” and “Natural Childbirth” in daily riffing.

Dream’s Age at Introduction: 8…

Reason for That Age: …although after reviewing some of the material in the two albums above, I might have to rethink age 8, or at least select particular tracks to give to Dream. Some of the material an 8-year old would love. “Chocolate Cake for Breakfast” is great for kids of all ages. What child wouldn’t laugh at kids eating cake for breakfast and their dad getting in trouble for it? I don’t know how Dreamworks hasn’t turned that concept into an hour and a half 3-D animated movie yet. Additionally, the Noah bits from Bill Cosby is a Very Funny Fellow… Right! are iconic and great for any kid with a passing familiarity with that biblical story. However, “Natural Childbirth” is almost certainly too mature. As I wrote above – some selective editing is in order. But much of the material is perfect for an 8-year old.

What I Want Dream to Get Out of It: I want Dream to be balled up in giggling fits listening to Cosby exclaim “My children TURNED on me!” I want him or her to repeat “Right…” over and over again trying to imitate Cosby’s intonation. I want Dream to repeat some of this material to his or her friends. Most importantly, I want Dream to be convinced that he or she is funny too, thinking “Cosby is funny just by talking and telling stories. I can talk and tell stories…”

Be content,
John