Marty Jorgensen
, California |
Joined: December 19, 2005 |
|
Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: Saw his TV show
Guest No: 1568
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Comments:
I was first exposed to Jean in a PBS show from the '70's called The Great American Dream Machine, with Marshall Efron - Jean would do antidotes about living in America and the Midwest - he really hit a chord with me, and I've been a fan ever since.
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Joanne K. Curry
, California |
Joined: September 24, 2006 |
|
Shep fan since: 1983
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1742
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Comments:
I never tire of Jean's stories, especially 'A Christmas Story.' The 'feel' of the movie brings back many fond memories of my own childhood growing up in Chicago. I teach at a small private prep school and have made 'A Christmas Story' a holiday tradition for the middle schoolers to watch at our December 'Movie Night.' Kids of all ethnicities and religions arrive in their P.J.'s, pillows in hand...we eat popcorn and drink hot chocolate while enjoying the movie. This is an event that all students look forward to each year and can't wait to attend. Thanks Shep!
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Steve Hotvedt
Alameda, California |
Joined: May 04, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 1962
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 555
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Dick Applebaum
Antioch, California |
Joined: January 25, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 1986
Discovered Shep: Saw his TV show
Guest No: 1215
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Comments:
Great work!
I never heard of any of the old radio shows -- it is wonderful to be able to hear them now.
What a story teller!
My late wife and I really enjoyed the America series... whether he was:
extolling the virtues of "Beer";
sitting a swamp boat talkin' 'bout Pogo and Churchy Le Femme:
recalling when he and his friends went down to the train yard to help
unload a Sears Mail-Order house;
his Dad's old Buick/Chevy/Oldsmobile and the"Rheostats" in his Mother's
hair;
"Whose face is on the $1,000 bill... you probably have one in your
wallet..take it out now."
... so many priceless hours of enjoyment.
We recorded many of these on the VCR, but unfortunately the tapes are lost.
Is there anywhere that these shows are available for purchase?
Or, are the shows scheduled to air again, anywhere?
I (and I think many others) would like to enjoy these again.
Thanks in Advance!
Dick Applebaum
P.S. Did the theme song of America have a name and/or who was the artist.
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VJ Jose
Apple Valley, California |
Joined: December 25, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1956
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1163
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Comments:
My first wife and I used to listen to Shep in the mid 50s when we were students.
Why can't I find his books and short stories in amazon.com?
Where can I buy his short stories published in Playboy?
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art coplin
arroyo grande, California |
Joined: October 19, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1075
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Barry Yancosek
Arroyo Grande, California |
Joined: November 29, 2004 |
|
Shep fan since: 1990
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1360
|
Comments:
I was doing a search of my great grandmothers maiden name Zudock. The Zudock character is my great grandmothers brother.
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Peter Kranzler
Belmont, California |
Joined: January 20, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1963
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 788
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Comments:
What a great site!
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Ed Cronin
Benicia, California |
Joined: December 23, 2005 |
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Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1570
|
Comments:
I now enjoy ham radio KG6Oqk
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Rich S.
Berkeley, California |
Joined: July 25, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1956
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1017
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Comments:
I just,with painful nostalgia,read aloud Ole Wortermelon Time, by the Hoosier Poet, James Whitcomb Riley and fondly remember Shep reading it. I read a story in the New Yorker today by David Sedaris,whom I like and think is really pretty funny, and I said to myself this guy tells a story about as good as Jean Shepard did (and JS did it hundreds of stories a year for decades-astounding). I've also found great success over the years leading "I'm the Sheik of Arabie (without no pants on) " around whatever campfire I find myself at.
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John Reichel
Berkeley, California |
Joined: October 28, 2003 |
|
Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1084
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Comments:
I used to always hear about Jean Shepherd from my dad, who heard him in Ohio in the late Forties, I believe. Tracking down Jean Shepherd tapes, CDs, and memorabilia has been useful when it comes to gift-giving time.
What great stories! I always thought they were 100% true :)
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Paul Luersen
Berkeley, California |
Joined: March 26, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 1958
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1241
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Comments:
brings back memories of my college days, Shep was a true late night friend!
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ronald Oremland
brisbane, California |
Joined: June 15, 2006 |
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Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1677
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Comments:
Wonderful site!!!
Thanks so much.
Shep was truly an avuncular figure for many of us. His narratives instilled the feeling in me that life was often interesting, funny, and downright adventurous if you can manage to see things with open eyes and harbor a sense of humor.
Listening to just one of his old shows brings back memories of some 40 years ago. I was a college student home during the summer and working as a lifeguard at Brighton Beach in Brooklyn. After getting home from the late shift, eating dinner, I would typically go to bed and turn on WOR. I would often fade off in the middle of his monologue, but managed to come back to his endings. I even remember him doing one show where he only played his kazoo for 45 minutes........I think he was getting back at management that night, but what the hay. It was true Shep.
I once caught a show of his at the Limelight. He was in the middle of his monologue and tried to pull a transition that didn't quite work. He started saying something like.."they're all after me...get away, get away" while waving his hands. The audience didn't quite get the connection, so it fell entirely silent and Shep paused. Breaking the ice, I let out a very feeble, high pitched "Banzi."
The audience laughed, and then came Shep's retort from the stage: "There is nothing worse than hearing someone cry banzai with a Fordham Road accent!!!!"
The audience roared! I knew I would only get in deeper if I replied that I was from Brooklyn.
Some time later, I atually got to meet Shep and Leigh. They came down to Univ. Miami in early 1969 I believe , while I was just starting grad school in oceanography, and before I got called up for military service in the navy. He gave a great show as usual, but he was a bit on thin on any NYC fans that down south. I did chat with Leigh, and it was real obvious se adored Shep very much. He was a lucky guy in that respect.
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Doug McIntyre
Burbank, California |
Joined: March 16, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 62
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Neil Mazur
Burbank CA (formerly Spring Valley, NY), California |
Joined: March 07, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 49
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Bill Morgan
Calistoga, California |
Joined: December 28, 2005 |
|
Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1580
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Comments:
Actually, I found Shep in the pages of Car & Driver, not Playboy
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Jack Carone
Canoga Park, California |
Joined: December 14, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 1960
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1383
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Comments:
Every reminiscence of Shep I read tonight includes a transistor radio under the pillow---exactly my m.o., with the covers pulled up over my head--what a time!
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Laura Peduto
Capitola, California |
Joined: July 26, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1281
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Comments:
So wonderful to find the site dedicated to Jean Shepherd.
I used to listen to him 10:45 each weeknight on WOR in Brooklyn NY during my college years and "welcome to the real world" years throughout the 60's.
In 1969 or 1970 I introduced my husband Ralph to Jean at a Booksigning which I believe was at Marboro books on Times Square. I know that Jean single handedly inspired Ralph toward his radio dj years and onto being a comedic writer himself. I know I have some tapes of Jean's shows
because I couldn't bear the weekends without his stories.
I even entered one of his contests. You had to get the word Cinzano (one of his sponsors) on a postcard as many times as possible. Mine were handwritten in the teeniest tinyest print I could create with our new ball point pens. I WON! I received a tiangular shaped Cinzano ashtray wrapped in all sorts of stuffing. I have it to this day (35 years later) in the bottom of my lingere drawer.
I was thrilled when the Christmas Story came out to entertain the next generation. Our children love it so much that they created the famous "leg lamp" for me for a surprise Christmas gift in 1988. We enjoy it to this day.
It's like having a piece of Jean with us. He became to our family like a great uncle who sent letters from his world travels. Each one of his books and stories and movies we were sure were written especially for US. Now we are reading them to our grandchildren! We love him and miss him. Great memories from a great man.
In today's world I can't help but continue to be inspired by Jean and think : WWJD (What would Jean Do)!
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jean holloway
carlsbad, California |
Joined: September 11, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1311
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Comments:
At the Overseas Press Conference Q&A,I kissed him.Excelsior!
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Kenneth Ade Ebi
Carmichael, California |
Joined: August 17, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 2000
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 158
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John Mitchell
Cathedral City, California |
Joined: March 16, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1951
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 915
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Comments:
Great site! Brings back many pleasant memories.
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Ed Wick
CedarpinesPark, California |
Joined: June 09, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 863
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Comments:
In the mid 60's I got a small transister radio from the Sinclair gas station which was shaped like a gas pump. I would listen to it at night before falling asleep. This is how I first discovered that voice which had me glued to Shep's show from then on. Listening every night under my covers, my mom would still hear me laughing and I'd be in big trouble!
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Dan Mosiello
Cerritos, California |
Joined: March 11, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1957
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 909
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Comments:
Your site brings back so many happy memories of the many nights I lay awake listening to shep as a young teen in New York. Thoughts of Fred Frecklebottom and Herman J. Fignewton still dance in my head.
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Marc Edson
Chico, California |
Joined: October 25, 2004 |
|
Shep fan since: 1994
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 813
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richard fogel
chino, California |
Joined: March 24, 2009 |
|
Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2838
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Comments:
used to listen with my dad. i am buying his books for my dads birthday april 15th.
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(Ms.) Willie Disbrow
Corona del Mar, California |
Joined: November 19, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 2001
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 741
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Rob Spencer
Culver City, California |
Joined: November 22, 2003 |
|
Shep fan since: 1980
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1124
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Comments:
I found this site years ago, but was incited to revisit by my brother's pestering me for a new copy of "Great American Fourth". He'd worn his old one out. Any word on plans to air this again or make it available?
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Joel Rickert
Daly City, California |
Joined: December 07, 2004 |
|
Shep fan since: 1976
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1372
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Comments:
Shep lives! (And keep your tongue away from the flagpole.)
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lee hone
danville, California |
Joined: November 10, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 1957
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 821
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Comments:
Memories Memories -- Memmmmmmories
Thought I would never hear those shows again
You package them very well and give it your personal touch
Thank you
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Evan Silverberg
Danville, California |
Joined: January 21, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 1994
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1208
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Bruce Flamenbaum
Diamond Bar, California |
Joined: November 28, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1963
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 762
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Derek Van Hoorn
El Cerrito, California |
Joined: January 19, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1956
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 413
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Anastasia "Sweet Tasia" Brown
Encino (argh!) via Brooklyn , NY and Northampton, MA, California |
Joined: November 07, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 1972
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 728
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Thomas Garner
Fontana, California |
Joined: April 08, 2007 |
|
Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1971
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Comments:
I grew up in Hammond and associate with many of the references in his stories, such as the Bluebird Tap and the annual trip to Crown Point for the Lake County fair and dating mysterious Polish girls from East Chicago. All of Shep's stories bring back fond (and some times not so fond) memories of a past time.I am glad to know that so many appreciate his stories as much as I do.
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Kevin Harris
Fresno, California |
Joined: February 10, 2003 |
|
Shep fan since: 1984
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 881
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Comments:
Great Site!!
I had the pleasure of performing as "Big" Ralph in A Christmas Story @ Good Company Players this last year. It was the thrill of a lifetime. I will never forget my Christmas as Shep.
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George Hollis Hollis
Glendale, California |
Joined: August 05, 2000 |
|
Shep fan since: 1974
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 148
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Bill Riske
Grass Valley, California |
Joined: November 02, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1982
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 279
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Bill Forgensi
Greenbrae, California |
Joined: June 03, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1963
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 594
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Sanford Adelman
Huntington Beach, California |
Joined: December 20, 2000 |
|
Shep fan since: 1963
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 349
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Michael Erlich KQ6QY
Idyllwild, California |
Joined: July 06, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 629
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Jeff Klein
Irvine, California |
Joined: December 04, 2000 |
|
Shep fan since: 1979
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 321
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John F. Bilar, Sr
Kelseyville, California |
Joined: March 19, 2000 |
|
Shep fan since: 1925
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 63
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reg chun
LA, California |
Joined: September 02, 2003 |
|
Shep fan since: 2003
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1050
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Comments:
What a storyteller who is unparalleled, a great human being and a great newscaster in the finest sense of the word. He made the civil rights march on Washington poignant and powerful, more real then a common photo.
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Kurt Yount
La Habra, California |
Joined: February 09, 2003 |
|
Shep fan since: 1968
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 879
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Mark Jacobucci
Laguna Niguel, California |
Joined: March 29, 2000 |
|
Shep fan since: 1959
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 75
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Arnie Silverman
Laguna Niguel, California |
Joined: June 26, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1955
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 615
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Mark Jacobucci
Laguna Tuna Beach, California |
Joined: March 09, 2000 |
|
Shep fan since: 1956
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 51
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David Litwin
Larkspur, California |
Joined: April 23, 2009 |
|
Shep fan since: 1956
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2853
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Comments:
You're doing a terrific job with this site... Shep was a godsend, very important to me all thru jr high & high school. Saved my sanity, you might even say.
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Pete Refsnider
Lompoc, California |
Joined: June 27, 2005 |
|
Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1521
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Comments:
I remember listening to Jean on WOR way down in southeast PA with friends. We were 15 or 16 yrs old. Jean was magical... I just relived it, for a moment... Doug, Ted... are you out there?
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Alison Graff
Long Beach, California |
Joined: June 27, 2005 |
|
Shep fan since: 1984
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1522
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Dan Kolkowitz
Los Altos Hills, California |
Joined: February 18, 2004 |
|
Shep fan since: 1969
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1225
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Comments:
I share the feelings about Jean Shepherd. His stories and commentaries are timeless for both their entertainment and relevance. I have introduced these to my two son's, 14 and 17, respectively, who have become ardent fans of the available collections. Now, onto a more practical question: does a conclusion to the Godzonka story actually exist? I'd really like to hear it, if it does.
Dan
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Ken Greenwald
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: March 12, 2000 |
|
Shep fan since: 1968
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 54
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Tony Goodstone
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: August 17, 2000 |
|
Shep fan since: 1951
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 159
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Michael H. Elliott
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: October 10, 2000 |
|
Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 254
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Matthew T. Moore
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: January 25, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1958
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 419
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Bob Claster
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: March 20, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 522
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(Evelyn) Carol Mackintosh
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: April 12, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1967
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 539
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David Marsh
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: July 16, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1985
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 642
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Gerry Farrell
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: October 21, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 719
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Curtis Wenzel
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: November 27, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1968
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 757
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Michael Raysses
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: February 20, 2003 |
|
Shep fan since: 1973
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 890
|
Comments:
i am an actor/writer who lives in los angeles. i was born in gary, indiana, and lived in the calumet region up until the time i graduated law school in chicago. i always had a vague awareness of mr. shepherd, one that came into focus years later when a friend thrust a handful of cassette tapes into my hand with the order "you've got to listewn to these!" i listened to them the way a hungry man takes his first meal after a long fast. and i locked them away. they were treasures, to be sure. but as a writer, i struggle to find my voice. and so alluring, so powerful and pure, are mr. shepherd's, that i had to banish them in an attempt to not fall under their sway.
i write a monthly column for the hammond times under the title "greek to me." it is told from the point of view of a region rat who worked a million faceless jobs as a kid and a young man before he moved to los angeles to pursue his creative dreams. recently, i showed some of my writing to a movie producer who had voiced an interest in my writing. when i last saw him, he paid me the highest compliment imaginable: he said i reminded him of jean shepherd. sometimes, it just doesn't get any better...
here's to you, mr. shepherd! may you live forever in the hearts and memories of those whose lives you illuminated...
michael raysses
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Larry Hugg
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: March 04, 2003 |
|
Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 902
|
Comments:
God bless Jean Shepherd.
A school friend (and my father) 'turned me on' to Shep on WOR-AM. I listened through high school and college (I got to meet him when he came and spoke at my college). I've read all his books. After moving away from N.J., I didn't get a chance to listen to him anymore, except for the occasional NPR shows. Harry Shearer from KCRW-FM put together a nice CD tribute.
Thanks very much for this web site. It has let 'an old guy' remember some good times.
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Harry Nodine
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: March 25, 2003 |
|
Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 926
|
Comments:
There was the wheel... and then there is Jean Shepherd.
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Barry Blau
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: December 21, 2003 |
|
Shep fan since: 1956
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1151
|
Comments:
He gave us so much. It was like having a friend come to your home and keep you company. He could make you interested in subjects that you would never even think about. Thanks for all those wonderful evenings I spent curled up to the radio late at night and set to a very low level so as to not wake up my folks. Here's to you Shep.
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Michael Hoffman
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: June 15, 2004 |
|
Shep fan since: 1951
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1299
|
Comments:
I found this site because I needed a calendar for 1957. My ex-wife (divorced since 1973) happened to mention that June 16 was our 47th wedding anniversary I thought it was the 14th so I needed a calendar to check it out. Turned out she was right, but Google put me into part of your web site. So I started poking around and got to the Jean Shepherd stuff.
My romance with JS was short, because he left Philadelphia after about a year or so. But it was intense. I was a 16 year old intellectual type and this was my first experience hearing someone with the kind of sense of humor that matched my own weirdness. He also played a lot of classical music in Philadelphia, and that was the kind of music I was into then. After he left I pretty much lost touch, as I was unable to get WOR in Philadelphia except for occasional bouts of good AM radio transmission. I did hear about the I Libertine affair, and even latched on to a copy of the book. My favorite quote of his was "What will we do when the whole world is paved? What will the Boy Scouts scout? Perhaps they will go searching out bargains."
One of my most pleasant experiences of those years was when a girl in my English class told me I sounded like Jean Shepherd. Also one of my biggest regrets was that I was too shy to follow up on this encounter. I re-met this girl at our high school 50th reunion, and reminded her of her comment. She remembered the Jean Shepherd and the comment.
You must be a pretty strange cat to be carrying on this affair with a person dead for five years, that only a few people knew about. But I suppose he inspired that kind of reverence in those why understood.
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John Shepherd
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: November 15, 2004 |
|
Shep fan since: 1977
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1345
|
Comments:
Worked with Jean Shepherd on a TV pilot (never aired) for ABC entitled "Phantom of the Open Hearth". I think I have a copy on VHS somewhere back in Illinois (we're I'm from) but would love to find out if there's a better copy available...
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George Vreeland Hill
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: June 21, 2006 |
|
Shep fan since: 1948
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1680
|
Comments:
Jean is GREAT!!
WOW!!!!!
Nothing like a Jean Shepherd story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Steven Schindler
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: October 30, 2006 |
|
Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1814
|
Comments:
During my grammar school years, I looked forward to going to bed at night so I could sneak my transistor radio under my pillow and listen to Jean Shepherd in the mid 60's on WOR.
I've been told there's some Shep influence in the three novels I've written- SEWER BALLS, FROM THE BLOCK, and FROM HERE TO REALITY. If you've been touched by Shep, how could you not be influenced?
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jonathan schwartz
los angeles, California |
Joined: October 07, 2008 |
|
Shep fan since: 1958
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2781
|
Comments:
I listened on Sunday nights with earphones and a pillow over the radio because the show ran from 10 to 1 and it was a school night. My mother would never have allowed it. I could head-knock, and I still own the nose flute I bought at Manny's Music on 48th street because JS played one on the radio. JS was one of the first adults I encountered who was as crazy as I was.
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Nathan Lueptow
Los Angeles, California |
Joined: June 23, 2010 |
|
Shep fan since: 1982
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 2896
|
Comments:
Gee whiz wow!
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Jim Vallely
Los Angels, California |
Joined: April 11, 2003 |
|
Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 946
|
Comments:
Listened to him. met him, he inspired me to write
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Brad Cole
Los Angfeles, California |
Joined: March 03, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 488
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Ed Gregory
Los Angles, California |
Joined: December 17, 2005 |
|
Shep fan since: 1963
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1566
|
Comments:
I'm this kid see. Growing up in Boonton, New Jersey. Listening to Shep's shows every weeknight and marvelling how at how he saw, understood and could describe things.
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Terry Burns
Mariposa , California |
Joined: October 19, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 716
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TERRY BURNS
MARIPOSA, California |
Joined: December 01, 2003 |
|
Shep fan since: 1977
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1104
|
Comments:
I HAVE OLD TAPES:
PHANTOM OF THE OPEN HEARTH
OLLIE HOPNOODLE'S HAVEN OF BLISS
4TH OF JULY & OTHER DISASTERS
THE STAR-CROSSED ROMANCE OF JOSEPHINE COSNOWSKI
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM ALL.
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Richard Clark
Masterton, California |
Joined: March 12, 2007 |
|
Shep fan since: 2000
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1948
|
Comments:
I am about to start my own radio show here in New Zealand, now this is going to be interesting as I have never been on air, even to be interviewed. I have lived in NZ, NY, LA and now back in NZ. A friend in LA sent me a link to this site and now, well I am hooked and scared merdeless. Oh well, nothing venture, nothing win as Sir Ed Hillary always said.
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Nick Olson
Mill Valley, California |
Joined: March 14, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1958
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 60
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Ken Hirsch
Mill Valley, California |
Joined: August 20, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 1957
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1294
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Comments:
Shep was "lost in the mists of time" until a friend loaned me some of Sheps tapes to listen to. Listening to Shep while driving to work I find myself laughing out loud, I am sure that people wonder why I have this shiteating grin on my face while walking to my office after getting out of my car. It must have something to do with the gravyboat riot at the Orpheum or some other tale. I told my older brother about the tapes and he is drooling to get his hands on them. You see, we used to stay up late with our lights out and our radio turned low so our parents would think we were sleeping soundly in our quiet Trenton, NJ neighborhood. We would have to muffle our laughs with our pillows on many a night. Then, of course, we would stay up for the Long John Nebel show to hear about alien abductions. Ahh, those good old days truly were.
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Mark James
Mill Valley, California |
Joined: December 04, 2008 |
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Shep fan since: 1974
Discovered Shep: Saw his TV show
Guest No: 2800
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Comments:
He would do public TV appearances telling stories. I bought the book with Wanda Hickey after seeing his show. I also caught some radio shows. Shepard was once interviewed on an FM station that played avante guarde music, TRIAD. Ken Nordine had a 5 minute spot at closing each night at 11:55PM. In the early Triad days, some of the shows were live. I believe Shepard guested on a couple of them.
Tidbit: My father was a lot like Ralph in Christmas story, and I have a brother Randy. Between that and the Chicago area storyline, it is incredibly nostalgic!
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Stan Krauson
Mission Viejo, California |
Joined: April 09, 2008 |
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Shep fan since: 1956
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2753
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Comments:
Shep shepherded generations away from "creeping meatballism". Recently I visited the Museum of Radio and TV. To my knowledge, the museums (NY & LA) are the only places where Shep's PBS shows, e.g., Phantom of the Open Hearth and The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters, can be viewed.
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Jack Green
Modesto, California |
Joined: March 24, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 1960
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 841
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Comments:
In 1959 I accepted a teaching position at Rutgers after spending two years in Graduate School at the Universidad Nacional de Mexico (U.N.A.M.) in Mexico City. My first contact with Jean fostered an immediate, unforgetable bond with someone whom I felt was my kind of guy. I was a night person from the gitgo, and caught Jean's show every night I could... sometimes to the detriment of students anxious to see their exam scores. I loved listening to Jean after climbing into the sack, the darkness amplified the feeling that he was addressing ME -a farm boy from Kansas, who could shut his eyes and see those garrish neon signs along the dark, desolate two-lane highways flashing "EATS". I now have to settle for Coast-To-Coast AM, and an admitedly very talented pair of hosts (Art Bell and George Noory) who are the best at expanding one's imagination for the present. However, no one can- or will ever replace Jean as the foremost radio raconteur of the twentieth century. Thank you for your wonderful website; Jean lives on! Your labor of love is most apparent, and greatly appreciated by us all. Cheers, J. Byron Green
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Gerald Van Seter of Paterson NJ
Mountain View, California |
Joined: June 24, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 1959
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 613
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Gerald Van Seter
Mountain View, California |
Joined: March 03, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1958
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 900
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Comments:
Keep on truckin'
This site is GREAT!!!
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Aaron Endelman
Mountain View, California |
Joined: December 25, 2007 |
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Shep fan since: 1968
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2654
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Comments:
I discovered Shep on my two-transistor Radio Shack AM radio. (Electonics hobbyists of the time may remember the red plastic perfboard-boxed kit.) You tuned this radio by twisting a thin threaded rod that caused the ferrite core of its little RF coil to move in and out, which was something of a challenge as there was no knob, just my 11-year-old fingers. The antenna was a wire clipped to the bedsprings, and the earphone was one of those ubiquitous little white piezoelectric nubbins.
I listened to Shep faithfully throughout my junior high and high school years. He'd broadcast on WOR (NY) from 10:15 to 11:00 PM, and he always had a great story to tell. He had an amazing ability to hold forth, seemingly effortlessly, for 45 minutes, yet tell a well-crafted tale or tales that ended during the last few seconds of his closing theme.
And it always felt like he was confiding in me, personally. His was an amazing gift, and his radio show was an important part of my boyhood.
I'll always remember him with fondness.
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RJ DeGiorgis
Nevada City, California |
Joined: October 27, 2006 |
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Shep fan since: 1969
Discovered Shep: Read his Playboy short stories
Guest No: 1804
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Comments:
I still miss him. Therefore, I still read him. My children were entertained by my reading of his short stories. After many years I can still hear their squeals of laughter.
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Harold V Poulson
Newark, California |
Joined: October 24, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 2000
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 270
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Rudy Zeman
North Fork, California |
Joined: November 25, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 1957
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1355
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Comments:
Gene, thanks for writing this bioraphy. I'll look forward to reading it.
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Terry Sanders
Oakland, California |
Joined: April 10, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 531
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Bob Wenten
Oakland, California |
Joined: December 25, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1957
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1167
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Comments:
Shep on WOR every night 10:15 to 11 pm got me to turn off the TV and go to bed. The tales he told led me to grow up and move out into the world, where I only hoped my life would be as rich as his. There was also a Sunday evening 5 hour or so show that we would play in the car, coming home from some family visit or other. The whole family, riding in the Dodge, listening to Shep. Creeping Meatballism - it plagues us today. Code Orange folks, and vote for me. Indeed.
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Cliff Stoll
Oakland, California |
Joined: November 08, 2005 |
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Shep fan since: 1967
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1544
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Comments:
Was in 1967 that I talked with Shep over ham radio...
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Jack Brodbeck
Orange, California |
Joined: February 17, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 1958
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 448
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Chris Cluess
Pacific Palisades, California |
Joined: May 03, 2005 |
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Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1472
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Comments:
Excelsior You Fatheads!
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Udo Freund
Palmdale, California |
Joined: September 22, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 826
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Comments:
As a teenager, I listened to Shep many a night from my bed in Cresskill, NJ. Next morning my friends and I would discuss the previous night's show.
My favorite recollection is of a show he did about an army camp in the South. He and the rest of the troops wanted to clear a field to play some baseball in their off hours. It involved removing every bush, tree and scorpion to clear this field. A few weeks later, the guys were playing ball in their skivies and decided it was too hot to wear any clothes. Being all guys in the middle of nowhere, it was okay to play ball naked, 'cause nobody cared, and so they did. A little later, the commander's daughter was driven around to see the new field. She was duly shocked at what she saw, especially the catcher in the crouching position with "things" dangling. She told her dad, who immediately had the troops put every bush, tree and scorpion back where they had found them!
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John Doty
Palos Verdes Estates, California |
Joined: December 25, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 1960
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1408
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Drew Maddock
Pasadena, California |
Joined: October 08, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1962
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 251
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Bill De Poto
Pasadena, California |
Joined: January 29, 2007 |
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Shep fan since: 1963
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1914
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Comments:
I first started listening to Shep religiously while in high school in Livingston, NJ. While a student at Newark College of Engineering, 2 fraternity brothers and I saw Shep once at the Limelight (we were outraged at the dollar-a-bottle price for beer!) I also saw him once at Montclair State college and at the town public library. He arrived in a slick sports car, Italian as I recall.
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Garrett Kiefer
Petaluma, California |
Joined: December 29, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1962
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 371
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Martin Cameron
Petaluma, California |
Joined: May 05, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1984
Discovered Shep: Saw his TV show
Guest No: 960
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Comments:
Fellows and Gals, I beside myself with joy at finding the threshold to your find electronic alter to the Late Lamented Shep! Being a long living denizen of the Left Coast of America I never got to hear Shep on the radio, and feel somewhat diminished by that.
I first experienced his work on PBS when I was in college, in the form of "Jean Shepard's America". After that I read his books, and larfed and larfed, and am proud to say I was one of the 5 guys in California who saw Christmas Story in the theatre.
Keep up the good work and Tally Ho Fatheads!
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Marty Erickson
Petaluma, California |
Joined: August 26, 2005 |
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Shep fan since: 1982
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1526
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Comments:
I first "discovered" Jean Shepherd when I saw "The Great American Fourth Of July And Other Disasters" on PBS. Next I saw the "Star-crossed Romance Of Josephine Cosnowski". At this point I knew I was on to something good, very good. "Jean Shepherds America" and "A Christmas Story" made me a fan for life. I wish the PBS shows would be shown again and better yet I wish they could be released on DVD. I have very warm memories of all of these shows and "A Christmas Story" has become a Christmas tradition in our house. I have just ordered the CD "Jean Shepherd and Other Foibles" and am looking forward to experiencing another side of Shep previously unknown to me. I am delighted to have found this site.
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John Garrett
Petaluma, California |
Joined: December 18, 2008 |
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Shep fan since: 1953
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2806
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Comments:
I grew up in N.J. and first heard Jean because my mother listened to him. I remember he was on the radio on Saturday from PA before he went to WOR in NY. From that time until I moved out of NJ in late 1972, I listened to him every night, all through grade school and high school until I went into the Navy during the Vietnam conflict. When I returned home I resumed listening. The worst part of moving from NJ in 1972 was not being able to hear his shows every night. It was difficult to explain to people what it was he did, because he was more than a monologist; it was like sitting down with your favorite uncle, you know, the one who could always find an audience for his stories. Nobody cared if they were true or not; they were fun to listen to. I remember Jean Shepherd from my childhood and consider him to have been an important influence on my life. I really miss him and will be forever grateful for all the years he entertained us. I saw him live at the Limelight in NY once and will never forget how the audience was totally engaged.
Excelsior you Fatheads! Even now I can hear his theme music fading as he goes off the air.
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uncle scott
pico rivera, California |
Joined: November 21, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1987
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1123
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Jim Flick
Poway, California |
Joined: December 16, 2009 |
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Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2882
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Comments:
I was one of those kids who secretly listened to Shep with a transistor radio hidden underneath my pillow. At times, I fell asleep and killed a 9 volt battery which was replaced out of my meager earnings as a paperboy.
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Walter Nirenberg
Rancho Santa Margarita, California |
Joined: October 16, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1071
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Comments:
Jim,
I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE!!! We grew up in Brooklyn in the 50's and 60's. My older brother was a Ham Radio nut and listening to Shep on WOR was a requirement in our house (right up there with watching Marx Bros. movies). Whenever I hear his theme song I can't wait for the "Ahhh" at the end (and I miss it if it's not there).
I must have read "In God We Trust All Others Pay Cash" a thousand times. I have a special love for "Wilbur Duckworth and the Magic Baton" since I played trombone in my High School band. Playing a brass instrument outside on those cold New York winter days was an experience not to be missed.
His use of metaphor was legendary. There's a description of an open-hearth worker who could bend red-hot steel in his bare hands. And whenever I look back on the dating disasters of my feckless youth, Shep is there to put it all into perspective.
I remember one show where he made three lists each containing ten corporate sounding words like "Amalgamated" and "Executive". He would then make a three digit number and look up the corresponding words. The three word phrases would then go into a business letter which amazingly enough, sounded pretty good.
Thanks again Jim!
Walter Nirenberg
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October Rast
Redlands, California |
Joined: December 16, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 2003
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1385
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Comments:
I grew up watching "A Christmas Story" every year as a family Holiday tradition. This year my two year old son has been introduced to it and insists on having it on all day long. I still love it even after 10 hours a day for the last week. I finally just noticed the part where it says “based on the book In God We Trust..." and I had to look it up. So after all this time I only just found out about Jean Shepherd. And he's gone. His narration is my favorite part of the movie and now I know that he wasn’t just some actor hired to do it, and that explains why it’s so good.
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Frank Nigro
Redondo Beach, California |
Joined: February 25, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 1978
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 466
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Scott McKenzie
Redondo Beach, California |
Joined: April 15, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 542
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Jim Lerch
Rocklin, California |
Joined: February 10, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 1960
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 434
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Rick Daly
Rohnert Park, California |
Joined: April 03, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1985
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 37
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Frank Gibson
San Diego, California |
Joined: February 14, 2006 |
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Shep fan since: 1951
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1634
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Comments:
I started to listen to Shep on an AM radio that picked him up out of the stratosphere. When he finally arrived in Phily I was thrilled. I listened to him, bought his books and would give a great deal to again see the tv broadcasts. I would have taped them but I had no VCR. I used to hurl invectives with him opposite Loretta Young's program. I was fortunate enough to talk to him briefly at a Wannamaker's book signing one Saturday afternoon and see him perform one evening at Camden Counth College. My whole family misses him!
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Frank Gibson
San Diego, California |
Joined: February 14, 2006 |
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Shep fan since: 1951
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1635
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Comments:
I started to listen to Shep on an AM radio that picked him up out of the stratosphere. When he finally arrived in Philly I was thrilled. I listened to him, bought his books and would give a great deal to again see the tv broadcasts. I would have taped them but I had no VCR. I used to hurl invectives with him opposite Loretta Young's program. I was fortunate enough to talk to him briefly at a Wanamaker's book signing one Saturday afternoon and see him perform one evening at Camden County College. My whole family misses him!
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Bettylou Steadman
San Dimas, California |
Joined: January 02, 2006 |
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Shep fan since: 1958
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1592
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Comments:
I listened to him on the radio regularly until I moved to California in 1969. I met him in person after a lecture at Trenton State College, and also saw him when he appeared in "Destry Rides Again" at St. John Terrell's Music Circus in Lambertville, NJ. I was born and raised in New Jersey. In the 1990s I knew an actress who worked with him on his movie "A Summer Story."
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Jeremy Pepper
San Francisco, California |
Joined: May 05, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1986
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 184
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Norman Hersch
San Francisco, California |
Joined: February 06, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1972
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 872
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Comments:
I was 15 when I heard Jean Shepherd on the radio. Could have been KQED or KPFA ( non profit channels ). I though I was the only one in the world that listened to him. I couldn't miss it. I was soooo hooked. We on the west coast don't get such smooth characters on the radio. He would just talk for a good hour about life at the ball park, chicago, philadelphia. You name it. Up until the Wonder Years, I had no one to talk to about him. Even though the t.v. show came out, the narrator was the last person anyone could remember. I am so happy to have found you. I am going to listen to all his shows. Thank you. Again, I had no one to talk to about Jean. On the west coast, NO ONE KNOWS WHO JEAN SHEPERD IS. Thank you..
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Norman HERSCH
SAN FRANCISCO, California |
Joined: December 18, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1971
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1148
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Comments:
LOVE THE GUY. LISTENED EVERY CHANCE I COULD GET ON KPFA/BERKELEY PACIFICA RADIO STATION. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD THAT LISTENED, UNTIL I HEARD HIM ON THE TELEVISION.
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Greg Pabst
San Francisco, California |
Joined: January 21, 2006 |
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Shep fan since: 1975
Discovered Shep: Read one of his books
Guest No: 1612
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Jeffrey Fritz
San Francisco, California |
Joined: January 28, 2006 |
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Shep fan since: 1960
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1616
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Comments:
I was another one of those Long Island, New York teenagers secretly listening to Shep with a transistor radio hidden under my pillow. Like Shep, I was a amateur radio operator. And I followed him into radio working in Cincinnati, Los Angeles, and West Virginia.
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David Pressman
San Francisco, California |
Joined: June 05, 2010 |
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Shep fan since: 1956
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2894
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Comments:
I listened to Shep every weekday night that I could in Phila. where he came in loud and clear on WOR, 710. When he had a nightclub show in Greenwich Village I drove up to see him in person; it was a great thrill to be sitting a few feet from my idol. As a very reticent person, I greatly admired his infinite gift of infinite, interesting gab.
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Thomas Savarino
San Jose, California |
Joined: September 05, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 178
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Jim Finn
San Marcos, California |
Joined: November 27, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1964
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 313
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Geoff Allinson
San Marcos, California |
Joined: August 30, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 1962
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 689
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Bob David
San Rafael, California |
Joined: September 14, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1961
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 228
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Jurij Solovij
Santa Barbara, California |
Joined: October 23, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 1963
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 722
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Tony Russomanno
Santa Cruz, California |
Joined: October 22, 2006 |
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Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1790
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Comments:
Had the great pleasure to watch Shepherd do one of his radio shows in the studio when I was working on-air at WXLO (WOR-FM) in 1973, right out of college. He invited Walt Sabo and me to sit in on a taping. We, of course, had been absolute lunatic fans of his since high school, as was any self-respecting kid working in radio at the time who was within the sound of Shepherd's voice. Shep chatted with us informally and took an interest in what we were doing on the FM station, casually conversing until he cued his theme music to start. He signaled for his mic and went on for 45 minutes without notes. Walt and I left the studio twitching.
On July 4, 2006, I was sitting on my boat on Lake Tahoe, drinking my Bloody Charlie, watching the town's fireworks go off over the water and listening to the MP3 Ludlow Kissel broadcast from July 4, 1967, a broadcast which I remember listening to "live" in my '65 Chevy Malibu, parked on a hill somewhere near Whippany, New Jersey, while watching the fireworks from several neighboring towns. As was tradition, the fireworks reached their grand orgy of a climax and ended precisely at 10 p.m., just as Shep's theme echoed to a close.
Charles King in Florham Park, NJ is right: Shep's high school-age fans were the geeks of their day.
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Tim Hedden
Santa Maria, California |
Joined: February 17, 2006 |
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Shep fan since: 1962
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1636
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Comments:
I started listening to Jean Shepherd in Jr. High in New Jersey and got turned on to him by several of my friends in school who were also avid fans. I always loved listening to the Live at the Limelight shows on Saturday nights, but the best times of listening to Shep was with my buddies in a tree fort on the Passaic River behind a friend's house in the spring and summer times. We would camp out at night and participate in the usual "coming of age" activities that Jersey kids did, like smoking, drinking brews that had been snuck out of our friends house, reading Playboy etc., but the best time of a Friday or Saturday evening was when Shep came on the radio and we would sit around and howl at the wonderful stories he would weave. The friends I hung out with were my Flick and Scwartz and we all had various adventures and "Wanda Hicky" stories of our own to share when the radio went off. One Friday we all went to see Shep do a live show at Somerville High School, and he was as great live with his spontenaity as any of his radio shows. I'll always consider the times I spent listening to him or reading his books as a huge blessing in giving me such powerful memories and a great appreciation of humorists, I would just add that Mark Twain is one of my favorite authors and Shep is a great modern day contemporary of the great man himself. Excelsior!!
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Daniel Mitchell
Santa Monica, California |
Joined: May 01, 2010 |
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Shep fan since: 1956
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2893
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Comments:
I used to listen in New York at night (little radio turned low so parents would not object because of the late hour) in high school, college, later in grad school in Boston. (He was carried in Boston for a time by a local radio station late Saturday nights - probably a college station.)
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Diane Reese
Saratoga (Jersey native), California |
Joined: February 18, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 3
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Laura Cameron
Seaside, CA & London, UK, California |
Joined: July 10, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1970
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 142
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Joseph Keppler
Shadow Hills, California |
Joined: October 14, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1971
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1069
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Comments:
I was in High School when I first discovered Jean Shepherd. I remember rushing home from school to listen to Bob and Ray and then at night listening to Shepherd with a small transister radio under my pillow. WOR had some great programming! Somewhere in my collection I have a newspaper photo clipping of the entire on-air talent from that era. I also made a short film in college based on "The Return of the Smiling Wimpy Doll"
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Arthur Speiser
Sherman Oaks, California |
Joined: January 08, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 0
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 398
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Tony Scardino
Simi Valley, California |
Joined: August 26, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1995
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 170
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mike zawatsky
simi valley , California |
Joined: April 23, 2007 |
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Shep fan since: 1971
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1987
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Comments:
I am Home again !!!!
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Chris Sparno
Solvang, California |
Joined: October 22, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1973
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1080
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Comments:
I remember staying up late to listen to WOR radio as a kid, with a stuffed animal radio (a little dog) that fit under my pillow. Not sure if any of you remember the story of the seesaw and the giant splinter. I still laugh when I think of that one. I rediscovered Shep's written works recently on Amazon and can't get enough. Glad to see this site online with such an active fan base.
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David Contract
Tarzana, California |
Joined: March 01, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1961
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 28
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Joe Sutman
Thousand Oaks , California |
Joined: October 24, 2016 |
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Shep fan since: 1954
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2929
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Comments:
While defending the nation and stemming the tide of communist aggression in Barrington, Nova Scotia in 1960, I listened to Shep on my Halicrafter super duper World Wide Radio. One of the electronics guys at the US Air Force site at which I was stationed rigged an antenna for me that pulled in WOR clearly. This was in the early days of the Village Voice and Shep did live spots for them on his program. One night her offered a free subscription to the Voice to a call-in new subscriber who called from the greatest distance from NYC. I couldn't resist. Using the USAF's telephone system I called the number Shep designated, giving my Canadian address in Barrington N.S.
Later during the program She announced the winner thus, "A guy called in from Nova Scotia. He's got to be the winner. Nova Scotia is an island off the west coast of Canada." I don't know if he really thought this or was just being playful.
By the way, my service on a rocky point of land jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean obviously kept the Russian Bear from our shores. My sacrifice in living on this remote outpost of democracy for a year and a half was somewhat compensated by the availability of 25 cent lobsters at the dock in town and the privilege of being able to purchase Johnny Walker Black Label for $1.98 (U.S.) a bottle.
Ah, the good old days!
Post my stint as a defender of motherhood, righteousness and the American way. I settled into Greenwich Village in a walk-up near Sheridan Square and hung out at Julius' (10th St and Waverley Place) and the Ninth Circle a half a block away. Shepherd called for a spontaneous "Mill" late one night in Sheridan Square where the attendees just milled around drinking beer out of cans. Law enforcement officials were baffled as they responded to reports of a mob assembling in Sheridan Square... at the lack of hostility and unsocial behavior of the peaceful and happy group.
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Barry Blau
Topanga, California |
Joined: April 08, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1956
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 42
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Josephine Callas
Torrance, California |
Joined: March 15, 2001 |
|
Shep fan since: 2001
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 511
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Nick Ward
Torrance, California |
Joined: July 31, 2003 |
|
Shep fan since: 1976
Discovered Shep: Saw One of His Movies
Guest No: 1025
|
Comments:
I have read several of his books but remember most fondly laughing so hard I couldn't stop when seeing Phantom of the Open Hearth. I've continued to look for the video or DVD but as I have found it is not available. Please get this on DVD with extras. I know that it is the basis for Christmas Story and this is better.
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Hill Penfold
Tujunga, California |
Joined: October 18, 2004 |
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Shep fan since: 1960
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 810
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Comments:
I first started listening to Shep in about 1960. Once I discovered him, it was hard to miss a show - though I must admit starting more shows than I finished. I tended to fall asleep in the last fifteen minutes or so. I loved the stories, the kazoo, and the readings from Robert Service (he really made them come alive). I bought all of his books and a collection of Service's work as well. I told my dad, who had been a ham since the 1920's about him, but Dad didn't seem too interested at first. I went off to college in upstate New York and could only pick up Shep's show if the skip was just right. During a stay at home during the college years, Dad says, "Have you ever heard this guy Jean Shepherd at night on WOR"? Dad and I were on the same wavelength finally. I listened to Shep whenever I could. Finally, in 1968, I decided to move to California. I'd listen to Shep when I could as I drove across the country. The last night I was able pick him up was at a campsite in Minnesota. I even sent him a card as a sort of goodbye.
I've since enjoyed his films, especially "A Christmas Story".
I found a fellow admirer of Shep on the radio here in the L.A. area. There was an overnight host on KABC named Doug McIntyre who is a real Shep fan. He did several segments on Shep over the years. (Doug's overnight show has ended just a few days ago and he's moving to the morning drive slot tomorrow) He credits Shep with alot in getting him into radio.
Thanks for this site. I really enjoy it.
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Gerry Rush
Tustin, California |
Joined: November 18, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1980
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 1119
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Comments:
I was a student at Hammond High School. Graduated in 1949
heard of him years ago after christmas Story was released.
I have been making movies and TV for years and live back in California. See our web site americansightseeingcompany.com
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Kathy Domenech
Vacaville, California |
Joined: August 22, 2007 |
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Shep fan since: 2003
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2421
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Comments:
I sometimes wind up in a place I don't even know existed. That's the way I got here/I had been looking for old calendars and birthdates . I was happy to say I found quite a few on your site. It's cool!
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Gary Krieger
Ventura, California |
Joined: April 14, 2008 |
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Shep fan since: 1965
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2754
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Comments:
Being a kid on Long Island, I could get WOR AM. One night I heard my mom and older brother listening to Shep. I tuned the radio in my room to WOR and listened while in bed. From then until I moved out of home and moved to upstate New York in 1972 I listened. When he came to my college in 1971 it was a great moment to see him and enjoy his great stories.
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Mary Wilby
West Hollywood, California |
Joined: February 15, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 1959
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 444
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Victoria Joyce
West Hollywood, California |
Joined: December 25, 2008 |
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Shep fan since: 1972
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 2813
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Comments:
After watching PBS's "Jean Shepard's America" and hearing about Sgt Kowalski and the troop train was hooked. Discovered Shepard on WBEZ in Chicago and would get up at the crack of dawn to listen. Moving on to his books and got my whole family hooked with "In God We Trust." Loved "Christmas Story" and got inspired to do an internet search and found "Flick Lives."
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Scott Schwartz
Westlake Village, California |
Joined: November 26, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1983
Discovered Shep: STARRED In One Of His Movies
Guest No: 1130
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Comments:
I had no idea who Jean was.. then I was in the film "A Christmas Story". Jean was a very nice man, who loved to tell stories and tales on set. I only wish I had more time to hear his voice and tales, he was magical... as Bob Clark knew and had to film the movie! My best wishes to all for the holidays, Scott aka Flick
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Steve Stromberg
Woodacre, California |
Joined: February 14, 2003 |
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Shep fan since: 1960
Discovered Shep: On the Radio
Guest No: 884
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Comments:
Growing up in 50's NJ radio meant as much to me as movies. Not matter how much the old man yelled about going to bed I huddled under my blanket, my kid brother Chris as a lookout for parental steps, and listened to Jean Shepherd. When I finally left home Chris took over until he left home for college in the early 70's. We still trade stories. The website is a terrific way of keeping in touch with a true storyteller. I greatly appreciate all the work done to keep Shepherd fans satisfied. I especially enjoyed the John Glenn parade story as I was at the parade and heard of the plane crash. Small woild, heh ? steve
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T Tranner
Woodland Hills, California |
Joined: December 19, 2000 |
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Shep fan since: 1966
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 345
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Todd Tranner
Woodland Hills, California |
Joined: March 02, 2001 |
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Shep fan since: 1967
Discovered Shep:
Guest No: 483
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