Author: wishbonafide

Wishbonafide discusses the 90s TV show “Wishbone,” featuring guests, good stories, and great laughs. Created and produced by Claire McCrea, Rory Nachbar, and Erin Venable.
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Cyrano de Bergerac Recommendations

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Book Cover of Cyrano de Bergerac

Claire

I can’t decide between two modern retellings of Cyrano, because they both warm the cockles of my heart with their romanticism and excessive ridiculousness. Firstly, there is Roxanne (1987). Starring Steve Martin and Darryl Hannah, this is the rom com Cyrano was alway meant to be. More recently and on the pop culture trend, there is Cyrano Agency (2010), which is a korean drama in which very attractive people who work at a love connection agency help other very attractive people find dates. It’s blissful fluff. No substance here, really, but all the enjoyment to be had!

If you’re looking for higher intellectual quality in your entertainment, search out Cyrano de Bergerac (1950). It is a black and white film for any young ‘uns out there, but don’t shy away! It’s amazing! Cyrano is at his wittiest prime. If you truly can’t handle the old timey affectations of this film, try the 1990 film of the same name, starring Gerard Depardieu very finely – and in color.

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Episode 6: October 26th, 2016

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Patrick Venable poses remotely for Wishbonafide Episode 6

What does the nose know? Bring your nose, and the rest of you, along with us as we sniff out the differences between Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmund Rostand and  Wishbone’s “Cyranose” in Wishbonafide Episode 6. We are joined by Pat Venable, an expert in French language and Erin’s brother. Our discussion covers songs by The Police, French ennui, and Wishbone’s interpretation of all things Francais.

Watch parts 1, 2 and 3 of the TV episode.

About Our Guest

Patrick Venable is a part-time student, full time geek and brother to show host Erin Venable. He lives with his beautiful wife and terrible cat in a geeky lair in southern Pennsylvania. He studied English and French and enjoys tales of adventure and romance.

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African Folktales Recommendations

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Book Cover of African Folktales

Erin

When I was a child I remember being read a set of African animal fables and that’s what the Anansi stories and “The People Could Fly” reminded me of. The stories came from a book that may have been The Zebra’s Stripes and Other African Animal Tales by Dianne Stewart and Kathy Pienaar. If not, that book is very similar and I would recommend it if you would like to explore more stories like Anansi’s. These stories are meant to be educational and do so by “explaining” how animals became the way they are. The stories are fun and light hearted, enjoy!

I have read fairytales and fables from a number of different cultures that I think others would enjoy if they liked this episode. I really enjoy The Great Fairy Tale Tradition selected and edited by Jack Zipes. It features tales from Straparola, Basile, and the Brothers Grimm who wrote from different parts of Europe in different eras. These stories are more adult than the fable type tales of this episode, if you would like something a little more grim, pun intended.

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Episode 5: October 5th, 2016

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Chris Silverberg poses with Erin and Claire for Wishbonafide's episode 5

We walk that walk and talk that talk, or at least try our best, in Episode 5 about select African folk tales and Wishbone’s “Bark That Bark.” Special guest Chris Silverberg joins Wishbonafide for some valuable life lessons from tricksy Anansi the Spider and The People Who Could Fly in this musically lit episode.

Watch parts 1, 2 and 3 of the TV episode.

About Our Guest

Chris Silverberg is a native of Plano, TX (where Wishbone was filmed!) and graduated from Columbia University. He now lives and works in New York City as a writer, producer, and notably an Assistant Editor on the same show as Claire.

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Episode 4: September 21st, 2016

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Claire and Erin pose (sillily) with Adriana Tringone for Wishbonafide episode 4


Join our mad journey through Homer’s The Odyssey and Wishbone’s “Homer, Sweet Homer” in which we talk about mixed messages and Arbor Councils. And maybe the book and episode just a little – with special guest, Adriana Tringone in Wishbonafide Episode 4!

Watch part 1 and 2 of the TV episode.

About Our Guest

Adriana currently works in retail but hopes of one day writing for television. She’s soon moving from New York to LA to pursue that dream—or, at least, in search of better and more consistent weather. Two things she loves are talking about dogs and talking about literature, and she’s grateful to Wishbonafide for offering her an opportunity to do both at once.

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The Odyssey Recommendations

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Book Cover of The Odyssey, by Homer

Rory

Excuse me as I rep my 4 years of Latin and (brief) interest in pursuing a degree in Classics/Archeology. Want to know what Odysseus was fighting for? Try The Illiad, also by Homer. Another epic poem, this covers the last bit of the Trojan War and has all the dramatic battle scenes and meddling of the gods your heart could desire. If you’ve already jumped down that rabbit hole, give The Aeneid a whirl, one of our final episodes. Written by Virgil, this nationalist epic tells the other side of the story, from the Roman, or Trojan, perspective. My attachment to these two legends can probably be attributed to the (ridiculously) fun video projects my magistra assigned to us in high school, one of which may or may not have included dancing to “Hoedown Throwdown” in the blooper reel.

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Romeo and Juliet Recommendations

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Book Cover of Romeo & Juliet, by William Shakespeare

Rory

One of my favorite Shakespeare plays is A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and I highly recommend this if R&J gave you the blues. It’s a classic comedy in which everyone goes into the woods, things turn upside down and topsy-turvy, and in the end everyone winds up with what they want (more or less). There’s even an R&J reference, albeit in the original form of Pyramus and Thisbe, by Ovid. I once saw a production which had a live rock band and Puck dressed in a red speedo. Needless to say it was a thrilling experience for a 13 year old.

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