It's Only a Show: A Prairie Home Companion

by Garrison Keillor

It's Only a Show offers the best of the best of Guy Noir, Dusty and Lefty, ads from the show's commercial sponsors, and-of course-the News from Lake Wobegon. With laughter, stories, songs, and special guests, It's Only a Show has everything fans know and love about A Prairie Home Companion.

Genres: Humor

2 pages, Audio CD

First published February 2, 2006

About the author

Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor is an American author, singer, humorist, voice actor, and radio personality. He created the Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) show A Prairie Home Companion (called Garrison Keillor's Radio Show in some international syndication), which he hosted from 1974 to 2016. Keillor created the fictional Minnesota town Lake Wobegon, the setting of many of his books, including Lake Wobegon Days and Leaving Home: A Collection of Lake Wobegon Stories. Other creations include Guy Noir, a detective voiced by Keillor who appeared in A Prairie Home Companion comic skits. Keillor is also the creator of the five-minute daily radio/podcast program The Writer's Almanac, which pairs poems of his choice with a script about important literary, historical, and scientific events that coincided with that date in history.
In November 2017, Minnesota Public Radio cut all business ties with Keillor after an allegation of inappropriate behavior with a freelance writer for A Prairie Home Companion. On April 13, 2018, MPR and Keillor announced a settlement that allows archives of A Prairie Home Companion and The Writer's Almanac to be publicly available again, and soon thereafter, Keillor began publishing new episodes of The Writer's Almanac on his website. He also continues to tour a stage version of A Prairie Home Companion, although these shows are not broadcast by MPR or American Public Media.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine collection of highlights, both music and skits, from the now defunct radio show. My favorite bits were "Ruth Harrison, Reference Librarian," and a hilarious "News from Lake Wobegon" segment featuring the exploits of Jimmy the errant school bus driver, who smoked, drank coffee, and steered the bus with his knees. Too funny!

[James Biser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoyed Garrison Keillor and the Prairie Jone Companion company. They are entertaining. This is another group of skits and songs by the group.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved first CD, but 2nd one wouldn't play. More radio programs would be fine. It plays on a computer player. Think it's her player. Would like to hear the rest if we can get it to play.

4/23/10 Will try on DVD player

5/14/10 brought back to try out CD 2 on DVD player.

6/25/10 overall verdict: good.

[Daniel Currie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Altho I am a big fan of the show I didn't think this was the best collection I've heard. Some good stuff, but it probably should have been better.

[Shirley Yant · Rating 5 out of 5]

laugh aloud writer.