Chris Columbus on KGO 810 AM with Bernie Ward

[MUNKY]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 5:44am

Unfortunately I missed more than half of this broadcast last night and woke up to this. Anyone else in the Bay Area catched it?

What I remembered was that Columbus told KGO listeners that he was pushing the PG-13 rating because he wanted younger audiences (obviously age 13+) to see the movie, because he wanted those viewers to have the opportunity to see the film, because nothing is like Rent out there.

I kinda vaguely remember that he mentioned a tough time with the MPAA and fear that the film almost got the R rating. Now here's my Q. Was this film intentionally 'watered down' for his push PG-13 rating? Geez, I wished I heard the whole interview. If anyone heard this broadcast, could someone speak of this more or confirm this?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 5:47am

Aw, I missed Uncle Bernie. Then again, I always think he's going to die mid-scream of a heart attack.

[MUNKY]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 5:49am

Ah...A KGO listener...you rock! Bernie told his listeners that he loved the film and encourages everyone to see it. He also took his 2 kids (I don't recall their ages, maybe teens?) and they too love the film and cried.

[MUNKY]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 5:52am

Any btw, Columbus is visiting bay area theatres showing Rent this weekend.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 5:53am

I listen to KSTE and KCBS more than KGO, but yes. :)

I haven't seen Rent yet, but hopefully next week.

Interesting thing I learned tonight at Thanksgiving -- my 15-year-old cousin wants to see it, and was supposed to see it last night but it fell through. As far as I know, he's never been interested in musicals except for a brief time in 1997 when he watched the Les Miz TAC whenever it was on KQED. It just never occurred to me that he'd ever be interested in Rent, so I was happy.

[MUNKY]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 5:56am

I'm curious, did your cousin ever say why he wanted to see it? What peaked his interest of the film?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 6:00am

Nope, we were both in an appetizer-induced stupor, and watching a bad movie. But he did say he was going to go with a bunch of friends.

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 8:28am

I'll be talking to Bernie on Saturday night (old family friend, my daughter's Godfather) and will tell him he was mentioned here. He'll get a big kick out of it. If you'd like, Munky, I can ask if there is a transcript of the interview. He has had them available in the past.

[MUNKY]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 8:36am

Friggin schweeeeet! And a transcript to boot too? Blue moon, you are way to coool. Tell him he rocks and that I and others will continue to be on the listening end always!

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 8:38am

Oh, he'll like that - an undiscovered fan base.