AC Newman - 'Miracle Drug' live on McEnroe, 2004-09-01

Carl Newman is interviewed and plays 'Miracle Drug' on the CNBC talk show 'McEnroe' from September 1st, 2004.
McEnroe of course refers to John McEnroe. Yes, THAT John McEnroe. The tennis player. The foul-tempered, ill-mannered tennis player. Wouldn't he be your first choice for talk-show host too? No? What, you didn't even know he had a talk show? Neither did most of America and his program lasted just a few months on the air before the network realized their terrible mistake.
As bad as he was as host, his interviews sometimes benefited because of it. This exchange is a good example - plenty of odd moments because they apparently hadn't rehearsed what they would talk about, instead Carl has a more natural conversation with a poor conversationalist. Now that's good TV.

[@hudahekizzy8402]

Love Carl (A.C.) and he comes off great when I've heard him in other places talking about all sorts of confidence issues. McEnroe, however, makes this whole thing so painful...

[@joshkava]

That interview: 3 minutes of my life I'm never getting back. McEnroe knows JUST ENOUGH about music to feel justified wasting our time talking about it

[@koalanectar9382]

What a terrible live mix. It literally sounds like straight mic feeds without any other processing of any kind

[@hk47ray]

Any "slow" wonder (definitely pun intended) why McEnroe's show was canceled? Terrible interview. Embarrassing. Love A.C., though...buy his new LP, "They Should Have Shut Down the Streets." Great Album!!

[@RaygunShaun]

Who is the bassist and how have I not seen her before?

[@cokedupcatholic]

Mcenroe can barely conduct an interview

[@cursiverr]

kiss is his favorite band, i find that strange. such a good musician kiss is pretty bad

[@Bikewithlove]

cursiverr - Ace Frehley's song "Back in the New York Groove" has a lot in common with AC Newman's texture and approach, down to the backing vocals. I could see why he appreciates it. I still play the 45 now and then in my art studio on rare occasions. Those albums came out a long time ago when people were using typewriters and rotary phones, so they were more for that time, when people in general weren't as complicated. I never understood Kiss's appeal, but I could see why people liked them. To a lot of kids they were a phenomenon kind of like comic book heroes.