Someone finally got wise and gave Henry Rollins a show. You may not have seen it because it is on the Independent Film Channel, which is buried in the 300s by your cable provider. Henry Rollins is a phenomenal speaker and storyteller. He is, of course, best known as the guy from Black Flag. Personally, that music makes me want to listen to much better music. Thing is, for some time Henry has had an alternate career doing concerts of nothing but spoken word storytelling. If you have heard it, you know it is powerful, captivating, funny, offensive, and generally spot on.

It seems he has dabbled with the spotlight on and off with his spoken word. He has several discs of it (see below), and once even got a Comedy Central spot. They missed the boat, but thankfully IFC didn't. Henry has an uncensored 30-minute show that airs weekly. It is generally broken into three pieces: an interview, a music performance from an up and coming band, and a classic Hank rant. For me, the best part is always the interview. Though it pains me to see Hank feign attention in someone he isn't interested in, I have seen some beautifully enlightening conversations on that couch.

The show airs on the IFC Saturday nights at 10 pm with re-runs on Thursdays. Frankly, that is news to me because I DVR it and catch it Sunday mornings. It is way better than church chat. IFC has a decent site up to promote the show, with extras and stuff. I am a huge fan of all things involving Henry Rollins' spoken word, but this show is my least favorite venue. Though the producers try hard to give the show that 'fuck you' sheen that Henry evokes with every syllable, it comes off as polished to me. It also broke my heart to find Henry's name nowhere in the credits. I figured he would be head writer, producer, director, editor, gaffer, and key grip. He isn't, and I think that is why he comes off more as a host of the show rather than it being his show.

Sweet mother of god, that interview with Billy Bob Thornton (who I generally dig) was the most banal fifteen minutes of my entire life. It seemed like Henry felt that way too, but was too polite to call the dude on his errant narcissism. For more pure spoken word Henry, I would recommend that you Netflix Henry Rollins: Live at Luna Park to get a better feel for his style. It is acerbic and observational stuff, but always thoughtful and almost always hilarious. Remember when Dennis Miller was funny, before he became an ass-puppet for the right? Those were good times, and we understood the justifiable rage he saw in everyday life. Sadly, that is the best analogy I can think of.

Henry Rollins is a study in contradictions; an aging muscle-head tattooed punkster hopped up on rage and self righteousness...yet dude has a beautiful command of the English language, which is not praise I throw around faintly. Hank, I wish you had a bigger piece of the show in your control, it seems like you are acting. Either way, keep up the great work — the world needs you.