"The Fowlers bicker relentlessly and make each other uncomfortable. Their radio broadcast, at times, is a train wreck. However, we find ourselves mesmerized by the interpersonal webs and poorly controlled chaos of The Fowler Family Radio Hour—a sign that the actor-writers behind the curtain did their jobs well. This [is a] complex, finely tuned sketch show...."
—Steve Heisler, Time Out Chicago, 6/22/06
"The Fowler Family cast so aptly take on their roles that were it not for over-the-top antics like ambiguously gay Taylor Hickok's booty-shaking tribute to Johnny Cash, one might begin to believe the program was real.... [The] Piccolo [Fringe Festival] marks their first performance of the show in the geographical area that inspired it, and judging by the laughter and general noise each time the 'Applause' light lit up, us Southerners can appreciate a little pickin' on ourselves as well."
—Stratton Lawrence, Charleston City Paper, 5/27/07
"Ab-workout hilarious."
—GapersBlock.com, 12/6/07
"What if Prairie Home Companion was set in the South, wasn't so dry and actually made people laugh? It would look something like The Fowler Family Radio Hour."
—Going.com, December '07
"Wonderfully dysfunctional."
—Chicago Reader, 1/3/08
The Fowler Family Radio Hour is broadcast every week from the small southern town of Henley (pop. 7,802) on WKLK-AM 940. Various members of the Fowler family, including octogenarian patriarch Calvin Coolidge Fowler; his sister, football fanatic Essie May Leonard; and his granddaughter, homemaker Lori Beth Fowler Hickok, present segments on cooking, entertainment, and high school sports, plus interviews with local newsmakers. And whenever southern musicians pass through town, you can bet your natural-born life the Fowlers will be more than happy to lend an ear.
The Fowler Family Radio Hour is written and performed by true-blue southerners Carrie Barrett, Joe Burton, Jeff Gandy, Shelby Jennings, and Tim Young, and directed by James Whittington.
The Fowler Family Radio Hour's Friend Space (Top 12)
Michael and I just threw horseshoes at a road house in Nashville, and we got all teary thinking about The Fowlers. The Sun Drop and Cheerwine just didn't taste as sweet without you. Hope to see you soon!!
The Fowler Family is always welcome to visit us in Slampsberg! We're in the process of renovating the Slampsberg Rialto Theatre (what with the asbestos and feral cats in the duct work) but the community center has a lovely multi-purpose room where a make-shift stage can be erected.
I was honored to play the last Fowler show, and sincerely hope that I was not the reason for the last Fowler show, due to my use of the word "chivalry" in "Goddamn Chivalry's Dead". Thanks again!
