My gift to you on the first day of 2011: John Cage, appearing on a 1960 CBS gameshow called I've Got A Secret (this comes via Alex Ross). Cage's 'secret' is that he is an avant-garde composer. After being introduced by the presenter he performs a piece called Water Walk (they skip the actual game to make time for it). There are lots of things I like about this. I like that Cage was up for it in the first place; rather than being content with the appreciation of a critical elite he clearly believed that everyone might enjoy his music. I like that he was asked too, and in particular I like the skilful way that his appearance is managed by the presenter, who gives the audience permission to laugh while at the same time gently suggesting that this is serious stuff, that Cage isn't just a clown. Finally, even when you include Cage's performance, the most absurdist element of the event is contributed by the New York unions, who manage to conjure a dispute out of...well, you'll see.
That's brilliant, who'd have thought a 60s gameshow could try something so unusual. And I like the way he doesn't seem to mind people laughing, says it's 'better than tears'.
Posted by: Ejoch | January 03, 2011 at 01:38 AM
The host was called Garry Moore. Americans of a certain age will recognize him, since he was on TV for 30 years in one program or another.
Posted by: Hal | January 03, 2011 at 03:30 AM