Desert Island Media

[I posted this on another website many years ago. I thought some people might find it interesting to consider.]

You're to be banished to a desert island. To while away the time there you're allowed to take your preferred religious or philosophical book plus:

1. One nonfiction book
2. One serious novel
3. One book of comedy
4. One dramatic movie
5. One comedy movie
6. A set of DVDs of one sitcom
7. A set of DVDs from one dramatic TV show
8. CDs of the works of one classical composer
9. CDs of the recordings of one popular musician (or group)
10. One live recording of any performance
11. One piece of fine art (reproduction)
12. One media "wild card"

[Interesting that nowadays most of these categories could be stored on a single device. There are some categories I missed, like a computer game or maybe recordings of one season of the games of one team.]

What would you take?

Great question, pete.

1. One nonfiction book - The Glory and the Dream, William Manchester
2. One serious novel - A Tree Growns in Brooklyn, Betty Smith. For sentimental reasons.
3. One book of comedy- Holidays in Hell, PJ O'Rourke
4. One dramatic movie- Casablanca
5. One comedy movie- The Holy Grail
6. A set of DVDs of one sitcom- Fawlty Towers
7. A set of DVDs from one dramatic TV show- The Twilight Zome
8. CDs of the works of one classical composer- Mozart, always Mozart
9. CDs of the recordings of one popular musician (or group)- The Clash
10. One live recording of any performance- Get Yer Ya Yas Out, the Rolling Stones
11. One piece of fine art (reproduction)- Circe Invidiosa, JW Waterhouse
12. One media "wild card"- The Monterey Festival Film, because I never get tired of watching Otis Redding

I've loved Jean Shepherd for many years, both his stories and adaptations. I recently spent a little while trying to figure out which of his PBS programs from the 70s and 80s are on video.

1 One nonfiction book- Five Families
2. One serious novel The Godfather
3. One book of comedy
4. One dramatic movie Godfather Part 2
5. One comedy movie- Planes,Trains and Automobiles
6. A set of DVDs of one sitcom - Only Fools and Horses Collection
7. A set of DVDs from one dramatic TV show The Sopranos
8. CDs of the works of one classical composer
9. CDs of the recordings of one popular musician (or group) The Beatles
10. One live recording of any performance Elvis Live From Hawaii
11. One piece of fine art (reproduction)
12. One media "wild card"

My picks:

1. One nonfiction book: Lincoln's Virtues, William Lee Miller
2. One serious novel: Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
3. One book of comedy: Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole
4. One dramatic movie: (surprise) The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola
5. One comedy movie: Miracle of Morgan's Creek, Preston Sturges
6. A set of DVDs of one sitcom: Barney Miller (168 episodes)
7. A set of DVDs from one dramatic TV show: Lonesome Dove
8. CDs of the works of one classical composer: Mozart
9. CDs of the recordings of one popular musician (or group): Ella Fitzgerald
10. One live recording of any performance: Aida, Metropolitan Opera
11. One piece of fine art (reproduction): Virgin of the Rocks, da Vinci
12. One media "wild card": The Baseball Encyclopedia

You're to be banished to a desert island. To while away the time there you're allowed to take your preferred religious or philosophical book plus:

1. One nonfiction book: The Bible
2. One serious novel: The Grapes of Wrath
3. One book of comedy: Rickles' Book: A memoir
4. One dramatic movie: Braveheart
5. One comedy movie: Planes, Trains and automobiles
6. A set of DVDs of one sitcom: The Honeymooners
7. A set of DVDs from one dramatic TV show: Game of Thrones
8. CDs of the works of one classical composer: Mozart
9. CDs of the recordings of one popular musician (or group): Allman Brothers
10. One live recording of any performance: Elvis Live in Vegas
11. One piece of fine art (reproduction): Any of Vincent Van Goh's work
12. One media "wild card" The DVD collection of King of Queens

I did this yesterday, thought it posted...


1. One nonfiction book: Websters Dictionary
2. One serious novel: Moby Dick
3. One book of comedy: The Lockhorns
4. One dramatic movie: GodFather
5. One comedy movie: Young Frankenstein
6. A set of DVDs of one sitcom: Curb Your Enthusiasm
7. A set of DVDs from one dramatic TV show: Sapranos
8. CDs of the works of one classical composer: The dude who did most John Wayne Movies
9. CDs of the recordings of one popular musician (or group): Stones
10. One live recording of any performance: Eagles
11. One piece of fine art (reproduction): Stary Night
12. One media "wild card" The DVD collection, Jesus of Nazareth

1. Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail - Hunter S. Thompson
2. The Shining - Stephen King
3. Napalm and Silly Putty - George Carlin
4. Blue Collar - Paul Schrader (Starring Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel)
5. The Big Lebowski
6. Arli$$
7. Sopranos, season 2
8. Never listen to classical, so how about the Bad News Bears theme?
9. Sinatra, the Capitol years
10. George Carlin - Jammin' in New York
11. Not into art works, so I'll just say it's a tie between Nighthawks and dogs playing poker
12. Playboy, Bo Derek issue

1. One nonfiction book - Downfall by Richard B. Frank
2. One serious novel - Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser
3. One book of comedy - The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz by Mordecai Richler
4. One dramatic movie - GFII
5. One comedy movie - It's a Gift (W.C. Fields)
6. A set of DVDs of one sitcom - Sex in the City
7. A set of DVDs from one dramatic TV show - Upstairs, Downstairs
8. CDs of the works of one classical composer - J.,S. Bach
9. CDs of the recordings of one popular musician (or group) - Jimi Hendrix
10. One live recording of any performance - Jimi Plays Berkeley
11. One piece of fine art (reproduction) - Me and My Parrots, Frida Kahlo
12. One media "wild card" - My Hauppauge Personal Video Recorder