Review of Fishing with John

All the warmth and illumination of This American Life without the high-brow commentary. Lurie takes a lot of risks in this innovative documentary-styled show, in which he and one of his celebrity friends go on a fishing trip. John is not a professional fisherman by any means, and the narration, while sounding like an official NOVA or Discovery channel narrator, often goes off on strange non sequiturs that makes for an entertaining and unexpected journey. With each trip, a different locale, and with every new locale comes a new celebrity guest with their own very distinct personality. Not everyone enjoys these trips, but along the way they all seem to learn something or feel a connection, which translates to an eye-opening experience that left me in a sense of wonder and oneness. These points coupled with the strange, jazzy songs and sounds—by John Lurie, who also takes on starring, directing, and writing roles—make for an all-around great show.