First hour: Is American satire dead?
Second hour: Is American financial literacy dead?
Is American satire dead? Author Malcolm Gladwell says it is. Think Tina Fey was great as Sarah Palin? Gladwell calls it "toothless." Jimmy Fallon as Donald Trump? Pathetic, made even worse by Trump's repeat appearances on the show. Gladwell says the best satire is not just about an accurate portrayal; it's about making a point, and moving the public. But is Gladwell being unfair? Are there great satirists working today? Our panel discusses the value of satire, and why we don't see nearly as much satire as other forms of comedic expression. In studio:
- Kerry Young, director, teacher, and veteran on the theater scene
- Tim Ryan, Geva Comedy Improv
- Tom Proietti, resident scholar in media at St. John Fisher College
Then, 81 percent of Americans say they can handle their money well, but only 37 percent can pass a basic financial literacy test. Oops. ESL is teaming up with Rochester Young Professionals and hosting a listening party at WXXI studios on September 29. Targeted to young professionals. the topics include how to build a better job, the trend of home buying among young professionals, and strategies for dealing with student loan debt. The debt piece is particularly timely given that in the fall, student loan repayments will kick in for many recent graduates. But wait: as the aforementioned study shows, it's not just about young adults. It's all of us. Our guests:
- Malik Evans, business growth program manager at ESL
- Charles Wade, financial advisor with Brighton Securities
- Andrew Brady, vice president of marketing for Rochester Young Professionals
