New year, new laughs for Kansas Public Radio's 'Right Between the Ears'

LAWRENCE -- "Right Between the Ears," the award-winning comedy show produced by Kansas Public Radio, will serve up the first show of 2003 at Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St., at 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22. The later show will be broadcast live on KPR stations and on the Web at http://kpr.ku.edu.

Although the show's writers are still busily hammering the last few bits into place, some of the topical take-offs planned for the next broadcast will target the coming U.S. war with Iraq; the self-styled King of Pop, Michael Jackson; TV's popular "The Bachelorette"; plus radio newsman Paul Harvey, Anna Nicole Smith and infomercial king Ron Popeil. Also featured will be new episodes of the continuing serial spoofs "Incompetents Hospital," "The Antonio Banderas Show" and "Fishing with Dwayne."

Tickets are $12 for cabaret seats and $10 for balcony seats. Tickets are on sale at Liberty Hall and Ticketmaster outlets. Credit card orders may be placed at Ticketmaster.com or by calling (816) 931-3330.

"Right Between the Ears" (formerly "The Imagination Workshop") has been produced at Kansas Public Radio since 1985. The show recently bagged a Crystal Award of Excellence for Best Writing (Humor) at the 2002 Communicator Awards. In addition, the cast members were recognized with a Crystal Award of Distinction for Best Narration/On-air Talent/Acting at the same competition. The series has previously received three Gold World Medals from the prestigious New York Festivals for Best Comedy Program and Best Writing, plus the festival's Grand Prize for Entertainment Programs.

"Right Between the Ears" is produced by KPR's Darrell Brogdon.

Kansas Public Radio at the University of Kansas includes KANU 91.5 in Lawrence, KANH 89.7 in Emporia and KANV 91.3 in Olsburg-Junction City.