The Weekly Stewart This Week

The guests on this Weekly Show podcast with Jon Stewart are Yale historian David Blight and Harvard historian Annette Gordon-Reed.  As the show writes, “As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Jon is joined by David Blight and Annette Gordon-Reed to examine the battle being waged over our national story. Together, they explore why origin stories matter to nations and individuals, discuss how a fuller understanding of American history challenges national myths, and consider how we can continue to aspire toward our founding ideals even as we reckon with our failures. Plus, Jon answers listener questions on Trump at 250, the Knicks, and Taco Bell, hopefully for the last time.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T9TJXm4Sr0

Happy Fourth of July 250

Not shockingly, when playing a bunch of 4th of July songs to celebrate the day, we must have something from the musical 1776.  Here are William Daniels, Howard DaSilva and Ken Howard recreating their roles from the original Broadway cast in the movie’s adaptation. 

I always feel a certain closeness to the show, which won the Tony Award for Best Musical, because it was the first production I ever saw on Broadway -- and with this original cast.  

This is "The Egg," as they sing about the birth of a new nation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds4dv4IS0PM

Let Freberg Ring

It's the Fourth of July, and the 250th, so there's no way we can't have a little Stan Freberg presents the United States of America.  Here's a selection on Thomas Jefferson trying to pass the Declaration of Independence and coming upon a reticent Benjamin Franklin, ending with the song, "A Man Can't Be Too Careful What He Signs These Days."

(For those who might be of more recent vintage, the reference to "Every Saturday evening, I have to bring out the mag" is to the Saturday Evening Post magazine.  It had been founded in 1728 under the name , The Pennsylvania Gazette.  Benjamin Franklin too it over the next year.  With a short hiatus in 1800, the publication officially became the Saturday Evening Post in 1821.  It's still published today, though no longer weekly.)

Okay, now back to the comedy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOOQfGWt8Hc