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Seattle Today: John Keister.


JayB

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"It's been eight years since a new episode of "Almost Live" came out. Up-down-up-down monorail, drunken driving council candidates, the Sonics owner's feet of Clay and civic paralysis -- all became vital local issues. But they also represent something more. They are missed opportunities, unwritten bits. Here was the target-rich environment where "Almost Live" made its mark for 15 years.

 

Even so, Keister isn't so sure that the issues today -- as good as they remain -- could prop up the show once famous for its parodies of local politics, neighborhood stereotypes, Seattle quirkiness and anything regarding Renton or Kent.

 

The city has lost its oddball manner and its regional distinction, he said, in ways that have muted much of "Live's" local flavor. Former "Live" cast member Nancy Guppy agreed.

 

"I don't know if it could exist now," she said.

 

Everything is becoming more homogeneous, with condos stacked on Subways, luxury markets, Pottery Barns. Said Guppy: "I'm not sure who cares about the local thing -- the Seattle thing."

 

Or as Keister put it: "Ballard was old Scandinavians. Fremont was hippies. Capitol Hill was gay. Kent was where whites of modest means moved to escape Seattle school busing. Bellevue was the same for the rich.

 

"Today, you can make a joke about Ballard but it's a bunch of wealthy people who work in the information industry. You make a joke about Wallingford and it's a bunch of wealthy people who work in the information industry. Fremont? That would be a bunch of wealthy people who work in the information industry.

 

"And Belltown is a bunch of wealthy people who live in luxury condos ... who work in the information industry."

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