Any Jean Shepherd radio show fans out there?

I recently learned about www.FlickLives.com, a compendium of all things Jean Shepherd. It includes an archive of shows that can be streamed. I'm excited about hearing some of these old shows again. 

I recall listening to Shep on WOR weeknights right before E.G. Marshall's Radio Mystery Theater.   And the ads.

https://youtu.be/vUE2k0Pd-nQ

I don't recall seeing TV ads on Shep's radio show but, hey, whatevs. (i.e., So she made him a drink?)

my friend was Sheps producer/engineer on WOR.

His most prominent recollection of the experience was with Sheps use of time..other talent would show up an hour or half hour before the show went on the air. They would take notes, organize papers and so forth.

Shep would enter the booth between one and five minutes before going live. He would then deliver the show without notes.

In back of Mike's mind, "suppose he doesn't show up tonight?"

As a kid I had Shep on the old AM clock radio next to my bed. I'd try to be in bed in time to hear this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg-26ggUq2g

It was occasionally clear that he walked in unprepared. It would take him a while to get up to speed. He would ramble about nothing for a while. Then a story popped into his head, and he would tell it masterfully. Sometimes the rambling was annoying, but in a special way, it built suspense.

I find it really interesting to find out who his fans were. I think I see a common thread among those of us in this thread, but I can't put my finger on it. I knew people who couldn't stand him.

In 8th grade, I formed a friendship with a kid in my class based on our common fandom for Shepherd. We remained friends in high school and college even though we didn't attend the same schools. I haven't seen him in 30 years, and I'm going to see him on Sunday.

My husband and I went to a one-man show of Shephard's at the McCarther Theater in Princeton over 20 years ago. I remember it well. It was warm and very funny.

Used to listen to his WOR radio shows on my transistor radio when I was a young teen/teen - really enjoyed his stories!

not all went well....

It was in the 70's when he was hired for a performance at Millburn High School. The vice principal was well liked by the kids. At the time of the performance, v.p. was injured and on crutches.

Shep opened by commenting on how difficult it was to find his way around until some bastard on crutches showed him the auditorium. The kids loudly booed Shep for that one.

I enjoyed him but was not a regular listener.  Would tune in once or twice a month.  

I don't think there is anyone on the radio today similar to his show.

mikescott said:

I enjoyed him but was not a regular listener.  Would tune in once or twice a month.  

I don't think there is anyone on the radio today similar to his show.

There used to be Bob Fass and Steve Post. They're both missed. 

Another fan here. 

I remember listening in the car with my father on long drives to (or maybe back from?) visit his parents. Shepherd's the source of most of the running jokes in my family.

I guess it was in the70's when PBS dramatized several of his stories. Wonderful. 

It was also when they had a series, The Great American Dream Machine."

.

. . . . . . . . . . my god, the Cheesequake!

Listened to him every night!!  I loved how he built up his stories, weaving in and out and around. With less than a minute of air time left, as the theme song was starting to fade in, he somehow brought all the threads together and finished just at the very end. A master story teller.  When I was in H.S., or shortly after, my girlfriend would call me on the phone just before the show started and we'd both have our radios on listening to Jean Sheppard. 

Another fan here.  My father was a daily listener and I was so proud when he said I was old enough to stay up to hear his show, too.  There is one show in particular that I want to hear again...April 6, 1966

"Warning for a scientific experiment and playing of Dyak Curse.
All through the show Shep takes calls from listeners to 'study'
the effects of the the curse that has just been played over the air. It was a recording of a Dyak Male curse of Borneo Dyak natives. Causes instant death or lifelong curse against makes. Does not affect women. Send a postcard to "Curses" care of this radio station for the antidote."

I turned off the radio during the playing of the curse, because at only 11 years old, I wasn't sure I would be safe.    

As with a lot of you, as a kid I listened to him on my transistor radio at night under the covers so my parents didn't know I was still up. I also interviewed him several times on my college radio program in the 60's. He was happy to come up and talk. A big fan.

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

not all went well....

It was in the 70's when he was hired for a performance at Millburn High School. The vice principal was well liked by the kids. At the time of the performance, v.p. was injured and on crutches.

Shep opened by commenting on how difficult it was to find his way around until some bastard on crutches showed him the auditorium. The kids loudly booed Shep for that one.

As long time radio in the car listeners, when an opportunity to see Shepard in person was too good to miss. I seem to recall it was held in Summit, but perhaps it was Millburn. The place was packed with adoring fans. Much to our dismay and shock, he came across cranky and dismissive. About as endearing as a toothache. Perhaps he did have a toothache that evening. We were disillusioned to say the least.

We always watch the holiday movie, Shepard's A Christmas Story(you will shoot your eye out) which he wrote and narrates just to hear that wonderful voice.

Excelsior, you fatheads...

-s.

Grew up listening to him as I went to sleep. I have a ton of his old radio shows on my iPod, and listen to them regularly. 

mtierney said:

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

not all went well....

It was in the 70's when he was hired for a performance at Millburn High School. The vice principal was well liked by the kids. At the time of the performance, v.p. was injured and on crutches.

Shep opened by commenting on how difficult it was to find his way around until some bastard on crutches showed him the auditorium. The kids loudly booed Shep for that one.

As long time radio in the car listeners, when an opportunity to see Shepard in person was too good to miss. I seem to recall it was held in Summit, but perhaps it was Millburn. The place was packed with adoring fans. Much to our dismay and shock, he came across cranky and dismissive. About as endearing as a toothache. Perhaps he did have a toothache that evening. We were disillusioned to say the least.

We always watch the holiday movie, Shepard's A Christmas Story(you will shoot your eye out) which he wrote and narrates just to hear that wonderful voice.

Two different shows. I was at the Summit HS show and enjoyed it.  But that's what makes a horse race.

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

I guess it was in the70's when PBS dramatized several of his stories. Wonderful. 

It was also when they had a series, The Great American Dream Machine."

I remember enjoying "The Great American Dream Machine" and (no relation) "The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters" as a kid, but I'm confounded to discover that they ran a decade apart. Coulda sworn I was in PJs for both.

When people who are unfamiliar with him (mostly young people) rave about Christmas Story I think to myself... "You have no idea, that was just a small sampling of his wonderful stories."

plungy said:

When people who are unfamiliar with him (mostly young people) rave about Christmas Story I think to myself... "You have no idea, that was just a small sampling of his wonderful stories."

I never saw it or read it or heard the Christmas thing.  But I grew up with Shep. My older brother turned me on to Shepherd. And Frank Zappa. Two big influences.

Very cool! I love Jean Shepherd. My mother and I used to listen to him together a thousand years ago. One of my all-time favorites was the Great Ice Cream War.

I was completely besotted with him from about 5th grade until after college. He was on too late for me during those younger years, but I also listened on the bedside clock radio with the radium dial and the "sleep switch." My parents did not approve (but they were also fans) because of the late hour.  I read most of his books---when I was too young to really "get it."  When he died in 1999, I felt as though I had lost a favorite uncle.

I was too young and it was too late, but my mother still let me do it.

So, since I started this thread I've been listening to Shep every chance I get. I put on the headphones and away I go.  And I'm listening in bed at night, just like when I was a kid. The theme song is like a madeleine to me. 

(YouTube has lots of Shepherd, too.)

"...and speaking of low-down snakes, this is WOR in New York."

early 50's was when I got into radio. 7:00a.m.,  was Ernie Kovacs on WABC. Somewhere, in my house in my membership to the Early Eyeball Fraternal and Marching Society, signed by Ernie. That program lasted about two years until he got his TV show.

At night, on WMCA was Long John Nevill. Who could forget the live broadcast from the Wanaque Reservoir, waiting to see if the spaceship showed up. He also had the greatest short stories.