Life Lessons from Maron - "Radio Cowboy"

Left to right: Marc Maron and Phil Hendrie

Welcome to a new recap series on the IFC series Maron in which comedian/podcaster Marc Maron lives life and tries to learn how to be a better person. To pay homage to the series, these recaps will be released on Fridays and chronicle the various life lessons that are presented in the 30 minute format on a weekly basis as well as a meter that determines just how angry our protagonist seems to be. Join us as we tackle the psyche of the popular angry man and pray that he doesn't lose it entirely.

Plot: After a disastrous interview on a morning show, Maron considers going from his podcast back to radio.

Left to right: Frank Kramer, Heidi Hamilton, and Maron

A Line That Sums Up the Episode: "It's fun until it gets depressing."

Guests Review: While there are others such as Nate Bargatze, Frank Kramer, and Heidi Hamilton, the show really is about Maron and Phil Hendrie as Bill: one of the last noble radio DJ's. As the episode talks about the decay of the medium, it cannot help but highlight the one forgotten genius who has stuck things out. With his endless amount of voices, he is a talented man whose anger problems have probably handicapped him. This episode is the perfect reflection of two competing mediums and the moral values that come with each done in these two elder statesmen who have a fascination with talking. This may also be the single greatest guest since Danny Trejo in season one in terms of being able to carry an episode and find the humor in mundane locations.

Anger Meter: 9 (out of 10)

It is probably the pinnacle of Maron's anger issues defined perfectly in one episode. He is afraid of a dying radio medium to the point that the shock jocks bother him. However, he also is concerned for those that are being left behind. He is eagerly defensive and wants to save the day for his fallen comrades. Where we have seen him be passionate about family and lost cats, it seems like his impending career has brought out the anger in him.

We Good?: I do honestly believe that in an already solid season, this may be the episode that Maron was created to do. It is a touching bridge between old and new formats with one of the biggest radio veterans out there. To see Hendrie do his routine in this episode only makes the climax a little bit harder to accept. It is a tragic episode, but one full of life and humor with conflicted men who have made mistakes. However, it is great to see Kramer and Hamilton being taken down in this episode, as I feel like they are part of the problem with morning radio. A very good episode full of memorable moments and a powerful statement. For those wondering, Hendrie has been doing great with his own podcast that you can check out.

Rating: 5 out of 5