In 1956 Shep appeared on the Tonight Show with host Ernie Kovacs. Ernie did a horizontal split screen, Shep's upper face over Ernie's lower face. While Shep spoke, Ernie 'mouthed' the words. - "Time now for the secret message tonight boys and girls. So set your decoder pins at B-12." Is it possible this was part of a promotional tour for his first album "Into the Unknown with Jazz Music on which in the 9th track he does a bit about setting the decoder ring?
Good News - After 19 years ( ! ) Staten Island Public Access TV finally switched from expensive professional video tapes to store-bought DVD-R's. Now I am able to do a variety of shows there similar to my live movie shows at the National Parks.
My first effort is "JEAN SHEPHERD RADIO CLASSICS" an occasional series where I present some of my favorite WOR shows.
First Up: "The Boarding House" from 1972.
It will be on Monday September 5, 12 and 19 at 1PM on Ch. 34 (of course only available to Staten Islanders).
August 26, 2011
Smalltacular
Billboad Magazine Review
Very little is known about "Smalltacular" which is the earliest known (thought to be 1957) theatre performance Shep did. This review was done April 7, 1958 which makes the 1957 date seem too early, as this review would have been done shortly after opening. (supposedly)
Steve Smith sent a group of photos taken recently of the old abandoned studios which were used by WNJT back in the 70's where Shepherd's Pie was recorded.
Max played the show from March 15, 1966 on which Shep describes the party Mike Todd threw for Liz Taylor.
In the April 8, 1994 edition of Movie Collector's World, Pete Delaney wrote about the show. Follow the link below to his page.
