Joe Frank
Official site

• 
  contact

Every Monday, Joe posts answers to questions he receives over at the Frankophiles Forum. Ask your question now, and come back Monday to see if it was answered.

April 16, 2007

I was wondering if you would care to share any details about the making of or the story behind "Fat Man Down". That was the first show I heard of yours, on the radio when I was visiting LA once, and I have since listened to it many times over. Is that autobiographical? You don't look very fat. Thanks,
Bob

A. No, Bob, it isn't about me. It's an in-depth portrait of a deeply troubled good friend of many years ago.

Angry Where are the Mexicans? Sir Joe, I've been a fan of your since 1987 when I first heard "Case Studies" on KCRW back when I was at UC Irvine. I listened to your shows for many years with the hope of finding some deep profound wisdom that I could dazzle my friends with, well, I'm still waiting...

A. And prepare to continue waiting.

BTW, my wife thinks I'm crazy when I listen to your shows.

A. Please give her my regards. And tell her I couldn't agree more. In fact, I think I'm crazy when I listen to my shows.

Seriously now, I believe you are from the eastern part of the US and have been a current resident of the LA area, home to millions of my paisanos, for over twenty years now. My question is where are all the Mexicans in your shows? Have we been wiped out in your world just as in all those Hollywood futuristic sci-fi flicks? In "Pilgrim" you make a one sentence reference to us, albeit, I haven't had the privilege to listen to all your shows yet. Are we so uninspiring to you that you haven't made more reference to us in more shows? Also, I bring this up because you wrote your only book with Puerto Ricans in the title. I'm envious.

I have to go check the time now, I just heard a tree fall.
Gremlin2000

A. The story, from which the book title was drawn, came to its denouement in Puerto Rico. But it was not actually about Puerto Rico or Puerto Ricans. It was about screwed-up white people living in the islands. However, you've apparently overlooked a show called "El Cholo," devoted to the life of a Los Angeles immigrant from Nicaragua. It was produced when I came into contact with a young man from Managua who had a compelling story to tell.

Many listeners have heard that tree fall in the forest. Other south of the border trees have fallen as well, but not with "El Cholo's" tragic power.

See you next week,
Joe