Jason Rohrer says:

This is good television: three extroverted members of the community, active in a going concern, interviewed by an engaged and engaging journalist. The investigation of such a recondite calling as modern burlesque (or, over the past weeks, roller derby; religious leadership; ceramic artistry) answers the question, “What’s the purpose of public access?”

What other forum offers a window into this sort of esoterica? There’s obviously no shortage of venues on which to plug the handful of entertainments approved by corporate media for mass consumption. But it is in the margins of society that creative tidepools foment the evolution of cool, and who’s covering that? There’s a simple answer to that question too.

Yale Cohn performs a public service for which not only PATV staffers and viewers but, thanks to the internet, the world can be grateful. His extemporaneous speaking skills are matched by a tenacious promotional regimen that ensures people actually have notice to hear what he has to say. His show looks and feels polished, and guess why: I’ll bet he works hard at it, and inspires his production team to do the same. There’s a reason some shows are better than others, and most often the reason is preparation. Here’s a guy who takes the time every week to learn something new, to prepare interesting questions, and thus to further the public discourse in a rational, appealing manner.

At this point, like every other public access personality, Yale’s doing this for love. But take advantage of him now, folks, and take a good look, because this is the kind of talent that soon becomes less accessible simply due to the demands placed on his time. Let’s hope that after somebody offers him a regular check for his efforts, he keeps reporting on the obscure and undersung. I’m not too worried about that, though, since his interest seems as genuine as it is broad.