No Patch, But Great Film!

Views: 1,869
Added: Mon. Mar 31, 2008 3:12pm
Posted in: Movies

• » print
• » report
• » email

It's been a wild couple of weeks for me -- on the job, and off!  Here are some of the highlights.

First, let me deal with some "business."  In last Thursday's Insider newsletter, the bottom of the page previewed a story we hoped to bring you about Dr. Patch Adams.  You may recognize the name, because Hollywood made a movie about him, starring Robin Williams.  Dr. Adams has built a career on helping people in need, those who are suffering from medical problems, and those who are dealing with pain.  He founded the Gesundheit! Institute in 1972, and works with volunteers who transform themselves into clowns, bringing joy to people who need a light in their lives.

Dr. Adams was in town last week to teach some local college medical students how to incorporate clowning and humor into their work.  These students were 19-21 years old, and very excited to meet Adams.  They showed up to the event in clown costumes, makeup, wigs and more, and told us how much they look up to Adams as a role model.

But when Dr. Adams arrived -- he immediately told us to turn the cameras off, and informed us (and some other reporters) that he did not allow cameras to capture his work with patients.  He also expressed no interest in an interview away from his patients.  He asked me, the GB crew, and a group of other media representatives to "go home."  I'll be gracious and just say this: he was very clear about his wishes, and his main wish was to have us gone, immediately.

It was a professional low for me, since we had been invited to the event.  It was a personal setback, as well, because it was like Dorothy seeing the Wizard of Oz up close for the first time -- once you see the man beneath the costume, and you realize that he's not the hero you had hoped he'd be, you feel sad, disappointed, and vaguely disenchanted.

So you will not be seeing a story on Patch Adams in this week's Insider, as promised.  I'm sorry for you, I'm sorry for the students, and I'm sorry for Patch -- his cause is a good one, and the people he's trying to help deserve all the assistance they can get.

***

On a happier note -- I saw an amazing film this weekend and I encourage you all to go out and see it!  "Young At Heart" is a documentary about a group of people in Massachusetts who band together in a choir -- but here's the catch.  They're in their 70s, 80s and 90s, singing contemporary songs from bands like Sonic Youth, The Beatles, and James Brown.  It's funny, it's sad, it's poignant -- and it's inspirational.



The band leader is in his 50s and is a great character -- he gets frustrated, but he presses on.  He never treats the singers like "old people," even when health concerns and memory failures slow down the process.  

My favorite scene is when they go to the jail to sing for inmates; the scene where one man sings a Coldplay song as tribute to a friend is a close second.

For more information about the choir, including their touring schedule, click here.

***

Also this weekend, I got to go to a Question and Answer session with Anthony Bourdain, from the Travel Channel (formerly of The Food Network).  He's also an author, and a new father -- he was amazing to hear speak, and one of those people who is the same off-camera as he is on-camera.  If you are looking for a fun show to watch, try "No Reservations."  It's a hit in my house!