From the Archives: Book Store Find Signed By Shari Lewis!

"One-Minute Bedtime Stories" by Shari Lewis with Lan O'Kun

I am constantly on the lookout for rare and unique materials that represent vintage children's radio and TV programs. Recently at a local bookstore, I came across something that I never thought I would find for just $1.50; a signed children's book by Shari Lewis.

Lewis was an award winning ventriloquist who entertained children across various TV programs for over 35 years. As a millennial, I remember watching "Lamb Chops's Play-Along!" (1992-1995) on my local PBS station. Looking back, I adored Shari Lewis and found her and her puppet characters Lamb Chop, Charley Horse, and Hush Puppy to be very engaging. At the time, I did not realize I was watching a veteran who was in her fifth decade on TV (winning multiple Emmys for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Program too). Neither could I have known I was among the last generation of kids who grew up with her.

I was stunned when she succumbed to cancer in 1998 at the age of 65. Over the years, I have come to know a generation since that do not know of her. Today, Mr. Rogers has a 24 hour channel on Pluto TV and a biography starring Tom Hanks, unlike many other children's TV legends. 

As an adult I am also amazed by how many books, games, and other merchandise Shari and Friends appeared on including this children's book. Lewis was the author of over 50 books. Signed copies of her books go fro $20.00 to $60.00 and even more on eBay. For me, I am not putting on a price on the uniqueness of finding something signed by someone that the eight year old me looked forward to seeing every Saturday morning in a time gone by. 

Young Ventriloquists : Is Darci Lynne The Next Shari Lewis?...Paul Winchell?

I am only blogging about a recent TV personality because of how much their talent is a reminder great children's entertainers of the past. One need not to have watched the entire summer 2017 season of America's Got Talent to have seen the extremely versatile Darci Lynne Farmer. The young singer/comedienne/ventriloquist already has millions of hits on her YouTube videos. In one of her acts which she performed lived on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, (and it was clear she was going to win) Darci Lynne did a funny comedy routine which led to a song, all the while giving each of her characters full personalities.

Darci Lynne is only 12 years old and has already made her national TV debut with a bang. This reminds me of four notable legends of puppetry & ventriloquism in children's media history who began their long careers as children or teenagers.

Shari Lewis (1933 - 1998) studied acrobatics, baton twirling and ventriloquism at a young age. She was 19 when she won first prize on the CBS television series Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. A year later she was hosting her first television series. She is still fondly remembered for her puppets Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, and Hush Puppy.

Paul Winchell (1922 - 2005) was a 13 year old boy stricken with polio when he sent off for a ventriloquism kit. He made his first and most famous dummy, Jerry Mahoney for a school project. Winchell was also the original and long time voice of Tigger from the Disney Winnie The Pooh classics.

Jimmy Nelson (1928 -    ) was 10 when his aunt gave him a ventriloquist dummy she had won in a Bingo game. By the time he was a teenager, Nelson began performing for church groups and amateur contest. Today he is best remembered for his puppets Danny O'Day and Farfel the dog with the snapping mouth for Nestle ads.

Shirley Dinsdale (1926 - 1999) was the very first performer to earn an Emmy award. She was an Los Angeles area ventriloquist who starred on radio and television with her puppet Judy Splinters. Dinsdale got her first dummy at the age of 5 from her father as a gift to help her recover from injuries sustained during a fire. She began performing on radio around the age of 15.