The Tweedy Show Returns Tonight For Its 201st Episode

The Tweedy Show, the quarantine-inspired Instagram series featuring the musical antics of Wilco leader Jeff Tweedy’s family, is returning tonight at 9pm CST for its 201st episode. Episode 200 aired just over a month ago on July 29th as Wilco was setting out on the “It’s Time” tour performing live for the first time since March 2020, which of course, is when the pandemic hit hard.

The Tweedy Show’s premiere episode, which aired on March 19, 2020, appears to be missing online, but almost every other of the 200 episodes can be found on YouTube. I haven’t seen every one of them, but what I have seen are a lot of fun. Susie shoots the show with her phone, never appearing on camera as she captures her husband Jeff, and sons Spencer and Sammy playing a choice assortment of heartfelt covers and Wilco songs.

The family hanging out vibe is largely represented as well. Lots of joking and reminiscing, augmented by comments from fans (who are referred to as “clients”) mostly making requests. Family friends like comic actor Jeff Garlin made appearances via Zoom (I think, not completely sure), Spencer’s girlfriend, Casey Walker, pops up in person to sing some of her songs, and maybe most importantly there was a mini-Wilco reunion with drummer Glenn Kotche and John Stirratt stopping by the Tweedy home to perform several fan favorites and debut a new Wilco tune, “Hints.” 

A few months later, Kotche came back this time with multi-instrumentalist Pan Sansone for another mini-reunion to lay down around round of well-loved tuneage.

The announcement of tonight’s episode was a pleasant surprise as a lot of fans, myself included, thought the series might be over what with Wilco’s tour schedule, but since the band is on a nearly two week break, why not get the show back together?

 

So tonight, I’m looking forward to hearing the lively intro-music, old school announcer, and seeing the cartoon versions of the Tweedy family appearing on their jukebox screen. Whether or not they’ll be any song surprises, I bet it’ll be a splendid hour to take in right to the end that will surely be capped off by the traditional Tweedy Show closer, Roger Miller’s “Reincarnation.”

More later...