• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Viewpoints Radio

Viewpoints Radio

Award-winning reporting on current issues featuring America's leading experts.

  • Home
  • Archive
    • Full Segment Archive
    • Advanced Search
    • Filters
    • Recent Segments
    • Segment Finder (Sort & Filter)
    • Segment Type
      • Culture Crash
      • Feature Stories
      • Inside Looks
      • Viewpoints Explained
    • Taxonomies
      • Books & Publications
      • Genres
      • Guests
      • Institutions & Organizations
      • Movies, TV & Digital Media
      • Notable Figures
      • Program Numbers
      • Topics
  • How to Listen
    • Podcast & Digital Outlets
    • Terrestrial Broadcast
    • Ways to Listen Overview
  • About
    • About Viewpoints Radio
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Our Team
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Login
    • Become an Affiliate
    • Benefits of Being an Affiliate
    • More About Syndicated Radio Programming
    • Public Affairs & FCC Requirements FAQ
    • Sample Programs
culture crash - radio segments

Culture Crash: Joaquin Phoenix’s “Joker”

Directed by Todd Phillips, the newest installment in the “Joker” franchise was released earlier this month to mixed reviews. We cover the evolution of the classic villain.

You are here: Home / Archive / Culture Crash / Culture Crash: Joaquin Phoenix’s “Joker”
Published: October 20, 2019 by VPR Producer


Welcome to Culture Crash, where we examine American culture – what’s new and old in entertainment…

Directed by Todd Phillips, the newest installment in the Joker franchise was released earlier this month to mixed reviews. We cover the evolution of the classic villain and how this movie portrays a different side of the character and society itself.

In Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, we see a world with hope. Towards the end of the film, the Joker sets up a bit of a test for the people of Gotham, where two ferries are each given the chance to blow the other ferry up to ensure their own survival. Ultimately, neither ferry hits the button. The Joker was so sure his plan would work, but the people of Gotham proved they aren’t killers. That’s when Christian Bale’s Batman turns to Heath Ledger’s Joker and asks, “What were you trying to prove? That deep down, everyone’s as ugly as you?” Before he makes his final assessment, and concludes to the Joker: “You’re alone.”

The Dark Knight came out in 2008, right as the world seemed to be turning a corner for the better. America was on the brink of electing its first black president, which many believed could usher in a post-racial society. An end to the long-enduring Iraq and Afghanistan wars seemed imminent and, when the movie hit theaters in July, the world was oblivious to the fact that the stock market would crash just two months later.

Now, 11 years later, Todd Phillips’ movie Joker seems to believe that maybe deep down, the Joker isn’t alone. Joker portrays a Gotham where the citizens may actually side with a homicidal clown, taking to the streets to riot and celebrate Clown Prince of Crime. The world of Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker is ablaze even before lonely Arthur Fleck takes on the movie’s title as his own. Rats and trash infest the streets, mental health program funding is being slashed and the public transit system is dark, dirty and violent. It seems like a set-up for a hero to come and save the day… but instead, there is no hero. Batman doesn’t yet exist and Bruce Wayne is still a child. By the time he comes of age, there may be nothing left to salvage, not with Joker on the loose, unimpeded.

The Dark Knight ends with a famous monologue from Commissioner Gordon where he concludes that Batman is "the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now." Joker seems to believe that Batman is the hero Gotham needs but not the one its citizens deserve. #JokerMovie pic.twitter.com/RstNEmoEeQ

— Viewpoints Radio (@ViewpointsRadio) October 21, 2019

And that’s the most jarring thing about the movie, Joker. The character of the Joker has always existed solely to serve as Batman’s arch-nemesis, his perfect foil. The Joker revels in chaos and trickery, while Batman longs for order. In the new movie from Todd Phillips, Gotham has lost its way in the absence of Batman.

Nolan’s The Dark Knight ends with a famous monologue from Commissioner Gordon, where he concludes that Batman is “the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now.” 2019’s Joker seems to believe that Batman is the hero Gotham needs, but not the one its citizens deserve.


I’m Evan Rook.


[fusebox_transcript]

Show Transcript

Program #: 19-42segment type: Culture CrashTopics - American Culture and History| Children and Parenting| Commentary and Criticism| Criminal Justice and Courts| Media and Entertainment| Movies| Pop Culture| SociologyMovies, TV & Digital Media - Joker| The Dark KnightNotable Names - Bruce Wayne| Christian Bale| Joaquin Phoenix| Todd PhillipsGenres - Blockbusters| Comic Books/Comic Book MoviesHost - Evan RookProducers - Evan Rook| Jason Dickey
  • 23Share on Facebook
  • 27Share on Twitter
  • 17Share on Instagram
  • 7Share on LinkedIn
  • 6Share on Reddit
  • 10Share on Pinterest
  • 38Share on Email

Related Segments:

Culture Crash: What To Do When You Don’t Really Like the Book You’re Reading (2019)

culture crash - radio segments

Culture Crash: The Future of Football in America

Culture Crash: An Abundance of Mediocre Media on Streaming Platforms

Culture Crash: Is the Late-Night Talkshow Format Dead?

Revisiting The German Netflix Series, “Dark”

Culture Crash: Revisiting the German Netflix Series, “Dark”

Culture Crash: The Evolution of Comedian Bo Burnham

Previous Post:Discovering Death: A Mortician’s Guide To Life
Next Post:Disease Detecting Dogs

About VPR Producer

Since 2000, Viewpoints Radio has been bringing listeners the relevant information they crave in current events, literature, entertainment and more. Both Viewpoints Radio and sister show Radio Health Journal are productions of AURN.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sidebar


AURN Podcasts


Trending Topics

Media and Entertainment

History

Culture and the Arts

Literature and Writing

Government and Politics

Health and Medicine

Education

Psychology and Psychiatry

Business and Entrepreneurship

Family and Interpersonal Relationships


Feature Stories

Misinformation Nation: Conspiracy Theories In The Digital Age

Outsmarting The System: Standing Out In Today’s Tough Job Market

A Life In Chess: Susan Polgar’s Groundbreaking Journey


Culture Crash

Culture Crash: Why Everyone Should Watch “CONCLAVE”

Culture Crash: Why “Black Mirror” Is Unlike Anything Else On TV

Culture Crash: 30 Years. 7 Movies. One Tom Cruise. Is “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” The Last Chapter?


Most Discussed

The Higher Education Conundrum

A Life Undone: Falling Victim to Identity Theft

Brand Seduction: Are you sure why you buy what you buy?


Check out our sister show Radio Health Journal

  • Medical Notes: How Vitamin D Can Fight Your Allergies, America’s Impending Population Shortage, And The Care Disparity With Dementia Patients
  • How The Primary Care Physician Shortage Is Draining Your Health And Wallet
  • Genetic Justice: How Your DNA Can Help Solve Cold Cases
  • Medical Notes: The Best Place To Live For Your Brain Health, Reducing Animal Testing, And Why You Should Skip Your Afternoon Nap
  • The Pitt: How A Television Medical Drama Is Saving Lives
  • Hysterical And Exaggerated: How Women’s Pain Is Viewed In Healthcare
  • Medical Notes: Your Humidifier Is Making You Sick, Global Warming Is Messing Up Your Gut, And Do Cancer Vaccines Work?
  • The FDA Is Failing – Here’s What Needs To Change
  • Trouble Sleeping? This Science-Backed App Could Change Your Life

Archives

Advanced Search
↑

Stay up-to-date on the latest in current events, public affairs, literature, culture, entertainment & more.

Enter your email address to get notifications & instant access to new Viewpoints Radio segments as they are released.

Name
Email
viewpoints affiliation info

Start airing Viewpoints Radio on your platform to satisfy FCC OPIF requirements, including quarterly issues/programming reports.

Become an Affiliate

Connect

Interact with us by sharing comments, favorite segments, questions or even suggest a topic.

  • Facebook link
  • Twitter
  • Instagram link
  • Pinterest link
  • spotify link
  • YouTube link
  • RSS Feed
  • contact by email

American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) logo

Listen

  • Archive
  • Broadcast
  • Guests
  • Podcast & Digital Outlets
  • Recently Aired
  • Taxonomies
  • Topics
  • Ways to Listen

Learn

  • About Us
  • Affiliates
  • Contact Info
  • FAQ
  • Our Team
  • Public Affairs & FCC Requirements
  • AURN.com
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2024 – American Urban Radio Networks | All Rights Reserved

↑ Return to top

Viewpoints Radio Newsletter SignupStay up-to-date on the latest in current events, public affairs, literature, culture, entertainment & more.

Subscribe to get the latest from Viewpoints Radio directly in your inbox.

viewpoints radio logo
Name
[email protected]