Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:30 — 51.7MB) | Embed
A new comedy on NBC’s streaming service, Peacock TV, proves border towns can be funny. The setting is a town near the fictional Minishonka reservation. The two main characters, Nathan Rutherford, played by Ed Helms, and Regan Wells played by Jana Schmieding (Mniconjou and Sicangu Lakota) are best friends who are trying to get their communities excited about history and culture. Half of the writers are Native, as are the showrunner and main character. Sierra Teller Ornelas (Navajo) is the first Native American to run a TV comedy. We’ll talk with Teller Ornelas, Schmieding and writer/actor Bobby Wilson (Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota) about this history-making TV series.
Guests:
Bobby Wilson (Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota) – a writer for Rutherford Falls and he also plays Wayne on the show
Jana Schmieding (Mniconjou and Sicangu Lakota) – actor and writer for the TV show Rutherford Falls
Sierra Teller Ornelas (Navajo) – co-creator and showrunner of the Peacock TV series Rutherford Falls
Break 1 music: It’s My Way (song) Buffy Sainte-Marie (artist) It’s My Way! (album)
Break 2 music: Natural Anthem (song) Jesse Ed Davis (artist) Keep Me Comin’ (album)
