Someone in their infinite wisdom gave Henry Rollins a talk show. And I thank them. In a world filled with bland dipshits without opinions such as Rove, Letterman and all those other corporate tools, Rollins comes across as well, Rollins. An angry man in pursuit of greatness. And though in the slick segment driven television format he seems somewhat compromised, you just know in you’re heart of hearts that he’ doing it for us. Personally I love the discomfort, as his head wobbles, staring earnestly down the barrel of the camera as he heaps platitudes on his next guest. In fact the head wobble is worth this collection alone. You just want to give him a hug and tell him not to worry. But that’s part of it, Henry comes across like you or I would, he’ not one of these soulless manufactured corporate motherfuckers biding time until he gets offered a judging gig on American Idol. And his interviewees know it, he’ sitting on the edge of the couch, living his dream, getting to ask such luminaries like Werner Herzog about getting shot, PT Anderson (Magnolia) what’s his advice for young filmmakers, Ozzy Osbourne about getting recognized by non music fans, and gush over Oliver Stone, Jeff Bridges, Chuck D, Peaches, Kevin Smith, and Perry Farrell amongst numerous others. And these stars sense his interest and the answers are thoughtful, incisive and actually insightful. I’ve never seen anything like it. And of course you know the music’ going to be interesting for a change. Ask Rove when was the last time Slayer played on his show. Or Dinosaur Jr, Thom Yorke, Jurassic 5, Frank Black, Ben Harper, New York Dolls or even the old Rollins band, the one before those boring metal heads were playing with him. It’s interspersed with segments that come across as elements of his spoken word shows which is again more than welcome, because Rollins unlike these other schmucks is not afraid of an opinion. It’s scary. This is TV where you might actually learn something. 3 discs 20 episodes. Someone needs to stop it.
Bob Baker Fish
