Tony Winner Michael R. Jackson on "A Strange Loop"

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Michael R. Jackson had no idea that a monologue he wrote two decades ago would turn into a Broadway musical that would win countless awards, including a Tony and Pulitzer Prize. And when he criticized the political establishment, including Obama, he had no idea that Michelle Obama would be one of the countless celebrities who would flock to see the show.

Nor did he imagine that Aaron Maté would fall in love with his musical and play it on loop. The musical A Strange Loop is about a Black, queer writer who has written a musical about a Black, queer writer and it’s all written by Michael R. Jackson, a Black, queer writer.

Michael dishes on whether he would talk to Tucker Carlson if he came to his show, subverting the Broadway world while becoming a part of it, and how he wrote his Tony-and-Pulitzer-winning musical.

Watch the interview then go see the show or listen online. And subscribe to hear the full interview where Michael talks about the culture war, racism on Broadway, and his next musical.

Plus, Aaron calls Guardian journalist Mark Townsend, who recently named him the “most prolific spreader of disinformation” on Syria, to ask why he wasn’t contacted for the story. Townsend’s cowering response is a must hear.

It’s all this, and more, on this week’s episode of Useful Idiots. Check it out.

Hear our favorite songs from “A Strange Loop”
"Intermission Song"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT_mLAYtUoI
"We Wanna Know"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXR67aAABV4
"Inner White Girl"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6wra5JtEv4
"Memory Song"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x5HUpqiqXo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRWwZaw63wA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gajJmGwp7Ew

0:00 Intro
0:53 Four food groups
13:09 The Nato Squadron
16:21 Aaron calls Mark Townsend
17:09 Michael R. Jackson interview