The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air): Season One, Episode 1

November 21, 2016 6:35 PM

Welcome to the world of The Orbiting Human Circus: discover the surreally impossible radio show broadcast from the top of the Eiffel Tower, meet the lonely janitor who longs to become part of it, and settle in for the chilling tale of Goolsby and Rue.

Featuring John Cameron Mitchell as Mr. Cameron, Julian Koster as the Janitor, and Drew Callander as the Narrator. For full credits, go to www.orbitinghumancircus.com.

Written and created by Julian Koster. Co-directed by and developed with Ellie Heyman. Produced by Christy Gressman. Featuring musical composition and arrangement by Thomas Hughes and music by The Music Tapes.

posted by schmod (3 comments total)

So, this was about 50% what I was expecting it to be, and 50% completely unexpected. I was expecting some sort of old-timey mashup of Night Vale and Prairie Home Companion.

This.... is different, and I think I like it? At the very least, I'll be sticking around for the next few episodes.

Julian's monologue was surprisingly affecting.

Also, he butchered the pronunciation of Toulouse. Somehow, I suspect that the lack of language barrier between Paris and the US is going to be part of the plot.
posted by schmod at 3:58 PM on November 22, 2016

Oh, and the frenetic, dream-like editing was cool, although I'm not sure if that gimmick will start to grate (or become difficult for the writers to keep up).
posted by schmod at 3:59 PM on November 22, 2016

I liked this more than I thought I would. It's not an instant hit for me, like Night Vale or Within the Wires, but I think it's a good addition to the Night Vale Presents network.

The thing that pulled me in the most was the Goolsby story, actually! Excellent writing and voice acting.
posted by chainsofreedom at 7:12 PM on November 22, 2016 [2 favorites]