Ep 126: Is It Good To Be The King? Reviewing “Ren Faire” (HBO Max, 2024)

Today we’re talking about the new HBO Max docuseries, “Ren Faire,” which depicts the King Lear / Succession-esque drama at America’s largest renaissance faire, the Texas Renaissance Festival. Directed by Lance Oppenheimer, we follow the founder/mayor/ “king” of this Renaissance Festival town, named George Coulam, who is preparing to retire to focus on finding a romantic partner. His retirement opens up the highest position at the country’s most profitable festival, and three employees are eyeing the throne. The king’s potential successors include a longtime employer-actor, a former elephant trainer, and a family-financed kettle-corn kingpin. Unusual personalities, high ambitions, and this unique subculture coalesce to create an unforgettable, evocatively-filmed documentary experience. Join us!Follow us on your favorite podcast platform for more!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@middaymusingspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/middaymusingspod⁠⁠