This Week In Joe’s Basement, episode 04: Well, At Least We Tried

An audacious concept, again executed in a single, “uninterrupted” take: Joe introduces the show as a leisurely walk from his house to the Museum of Science and Industry – threatening another “Structural Cinema”-like exercise in videotaped tedium. However, though Joe does nothing in particular to engage a viewer, amusing characters appear in the background as the camera rolls. A couple argues endlessly, appearing at every street corner, a harried commuter shoves past Joe, over and over, and a wino follows him the whole way. AIR DATES: October 2, 10 1989

Description:

An audacious concept, again executed in a single, “uninterrupted” take:

Joe introduces the show as a leisurely walk from his house to the Museum of Science and Industry – threatening another “Structural Cinema”-like exercise in videotaped tedium.

However, though Joe does nothing in particular to engage a viewer, amusing characters appear in the background as the camera rolls.  A couple argues endlessly, appearing at every street corner, a harried commuter shoves past Joe, over and over, and a wino follows him the whole way.

Production Notes:

Writer/performer Mark Audrain joins the creative ensemble, and Paul Birchall appears in the cast.  They would be instrumental in future episodes.

Unfortunately, the virtuoso hand-held camera work and sound recording, which would have made the action intelligible, was beyond the skills of the available crew, who only had time for one attempt.