By a circuitous but logical train of thought, the trio soon was locked in a discussion of those lovable moptops from the '60s, the Monkees. Davey Jones, naturally. The silly surrealism of some of those early shows was replaced by tighter and funnier scripts. A sharper focus became audible. Some features have remained from the onset, including the John Schneider Orchestra in the role of the studio band of an old-time radio show.
Most episodes now have themes.
I don't want the humor to be sarcastic or low-life or at anyone's expense. All of the regular characters are smart and have integrity. Each episode also includes a guest poet and low-decibel musical performers ranging from local Cajun and country bands to Milwaukee Symphony Pops conductor Mitch Miller and the chorus of the Florentine Opera. There is no one person who dominates the whole thing. It's not an unrealistic goal.