Take a look through most of the online videos that I review here and you’ll see that the lion’s share are comedy shows. The web, it seems, is reflecting our ever-present desire to amuse ourselves. But comedy is most certainly not the only genre of film or television to be found and it will certainly not the last resort of this new production and distribution medium.

M.J. Loheed, of uncertain fame but serious creative gumption, has put together with the two founding members of the Bindlestiff’s Family Cirkus: Keith Nelson and Stephanie Monseu an excellent documentary about their very special troupe of vaudeville, circus, burlesque, and sideshow tomfoolery to the little digital screen.

With 2 webisodes currently out, it’s safe to say that this is a seriously interesting show that you should be watching.In fact, here’s Episode 1, Genisis:

This first episode had me intrigued by their dedication to what most would call an obscure art-form and their willingness to live seat-of-the-pants for over a decade in order to do it. And I was curious to see more.

Episode 2, It Could Be Raining,  kicks right off with Stephanie doing a 6-week gig for an old friend Una and her amazing motorcycle trapeze show. It’s fascinating getting to know these talented women a bit better and seeing what happens “behind the curtain”. This one gets a bit hairy as in one performance the bike stalls and in another it rains.

With only two episodes out, it’s still a safe bet that this is a show that I’ll be keeping an eye on (and which you should be watching). Come on, take about 10 minutes out from watching people roller blade off roofs, fart pop-songs and gossip about miley cyrus and check out this really excellent show.

the Bottom Line:

4 out of 5 stars. It’s too early to award full points, but if things keep going as they are going now, it’s a sure bet that the Bindlestiff’s will get full marks. This is documentary work non plus ultra for the web.